Reawakening/Part Two

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Reawakening, Part Two

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Posted on 18-Dec-2003

She paced at the edge of the room, running a hand along the wall as she walked back and forth. She had eaten well for the third day in a row, and Antius was beginning to see the strength returning to her. She had awoken a changed woman. She said little of the dreams that she had while feverish, but she assured him that he would be told when the time was right.

They had discussed Antius' theory on who the would-be-assassin might have been, and though she agreed with his supposition she knew that there was little recourse without proof and without a way to exact a punishment. They spoke about how the Council would proceed and how the masses had fared against the Olthoi Queen. She had seemed disappointed that the Queen still lived, but there was little that could be done about that now. He wasn't sure, but Antius believed he had seen a hint of pleasure in her eyes when he informed her that Nuhmudira had succeeded in only driving the Ancient Queen away from Dereth.

In the three days since she had stirred, they had discussed a great many topics. She seemed filled with a renewed sense of yearning and desire. She wanted to visit with the monarchs who comprised the people. They redrafted the Council on paper and arranged for a meeting to discuss the future with the current members. She asked about Asheron only once; when she was told that the old mage had not been seen since his island was freed from the Olthoi invasion force and not heard from since they had entrusted Nuhmudira with working with him, she only nodded her head and returned to work.

Elysa was different.

As she paced now, she outlined a new goal of visiting the townships through Osteth, reinforcing their position, creating incentives for the vendors, restructuring monarchies. Her ideas were coming faster than Antius could write.

"Elysa," he smiled and placed his writing quill on the table. "I cannot continue at this pace, and you should really rest."

"Antius, I rested for over a month. In that time, the festival season has begun and now draws to a close. I refuse to allow this year to end without setting these ideas to parchment." She smiled as she walked toward him, "If your hands are not up to the task of recording what I speak—Asheron."

"Asheron?" Antius asked.

The old mage appeared in the doorway and bowed his head. "I apologize for not coming sooner Ely. I was unable to be with you, but it appears that you have driven the Olthoi away—"

"Not I." She paused, and beckoned him to sit in a chair opposite her own. As he sat, Antius stood to greet the wizened man with a bow. "It was Nuhmudira."

"Nuhmudira," Asheron questioned. "How?"

"We assumed that the poisons that you and she—" Antius began.

"Poisons? Antius, the last time that I saw Nuhmudira was during the council meeting prior to the invasion of my island." Elysa leaned her chair back onto two legs. Antius bowed his head between his hands while Asheron looked between the two.

Antius slammed his fist into the desk, "That conniving b—"

"Now, now…" Elysa lowered her chair back to the ground. "She did very well in veiling her machinations, and had the assassin's poison done its work, it appears she would have removed Asheron as well. There is a reason they call her the Monster in the Labyrinth, Antius. She's conniving and treacherous, and this certainly is evidence that she may have been behind the attempt on my life but –"

"Attempt on your life?" Asheron broke in, "Elysa, I had no warning, no word…how long ago?"

Antius looked toward Asheron, "Shortly after Nuhmudira met with you for the last time."

Asheron ran a hand through his long beard, "I can easily scry upon—"

Elysa raised a hand, "Asheron, I would ask that you do nothing." She smiled. "You told me once, that when I needed you most you would not be there for me. You were right…" She slid forward in her chair and leaned across the desk to take the old man's hand. "But I learned something very important, Asheron, and I don't mean to offend you by saying what I am about to say." Asheron's demeanor changed, his quizzical expression melted away to one of recognition. This moment had been building for years. "I'm grateful that you were there for me after Thorsten's death. I'm more grateful for the kindness that you have shown the wayward children of Ispar. Without you, our lives would be filled with great suffering. But—"

They discussed how best to part for hours. The autumn sun turned red, then orange and finally lavender, as it fell below the horizon. The fire was lit and food was delivered as they recounted their first meeting, Borelean's birth and Asheron's discovery of how to create the lifestones. They shared thoughts on how best to deal with Nuhmudira. Twilight turned to night and they decided that Asheron would remain one of Borelean's tutors, but his presence on the Council was no longer necessary. He vowed that he could be called upon whenever he was needed, but he agreed that Elysa was correct: they each had obligations that needed to be met. As he prepared to leave, Asheron told Elysa that he would delve deeper into Knorr, in hopes of one day freeing the school for the Isparians and Empyrean alike.

After he was gone, Antius and Elysa talked for a great while about Nuhmudira. They decided that the Council needed to be summoned, but for the moment, the information that they possessed about the Monster in the Labyrinth would be best kept secret.