Godrick reaches for Arista's face and wipes away her tears. "I've been alive a lot longer than many people have the right to...You're still in good hands, Arista. When I look at you and Alethiro, it lightens my heart. Even shining warriors have dark pasts, but leaving a brighter future is the best I could have hoped for. I'm sure you will guide Valwick and Zahvroma to a greater glory than it has ever known."
She smiles at him and looks up at Alethiro, "I'm in the best hands. If I never see my own father again.......it's alright because in a very real way you filled that role for me and became as much of a father to me as my own once was. Really...I didn't lose anything...I just gained another family, and that's okay. We will never lose you either...because you will always be a part of every single one of us, in our hearts. You are one of the truest souls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and I will never forget you, or what you did for us....for all of us." She leans over and gives Godrick a kiss on his cheek before looking up at her husband, her love, her everything.
"Fi yw'r lwcus un fy nghariad anwylaf. Yr wyf yn eich cario gyda mi .... bob amser."
She then pulls out the Holy Symbol from under her clothes that he made for her as a wedding gift. She holds out her hand for his while keeping her other hand on top of Godricks'.
Godrick smiles. "I wish you the best in the years to come. I'm sorry, but I must rest for a while. There is still much I must say to Sādhanā."
She nods and after giving his hand a light squeeze she takes Alethiro's hand and lets him help her back up. "Rest well...we're outside if you need anything." She looks at Drago, "If he needs another blanket or anything, just get my winter blanket out of the bag alright?" Wrapping her arm around Alethiro she walks with him back to the kitchen.
Drago nodded.
Arista lets Alethiro lead her back to the table and help her sit down. Suddenly feeling very weary she just props her head up.
"I'm sorry about dinner...there's still some left in the pot. I could get you another bowl if you want it."
"No, I'm good My Love."
Looking up into his face she says, "Then would it be okay if...if we just kind of held each other for a bit? I've missed your arms so much." She buries her head with her now shoulder length hair pulled out of the way into his chest, a few stray curls framing her face.
Hearing the tap at the door Sādhanā opens it, the sight of Ylrhea holding both bowls makes her smile broadly, a tingle of happiness going up her spine.
She takes one of the bowl's closing the door behind them before sitting on one of the beds and patting the spot beside her.
Ylrhea sits next to Sādhanā. "I think Clara is more upset than she's letting on."
"Yeah, I'm sure of it. It'll take her a while to process it all. Even though we all know this is what's best, the part of her that rails against everything she's lost will still rear up a bit. She has a good heart though and she'll find a way to turn it into something good eventually, probably indulge herself into her work." Sādhanā replies quietly.
Ylrhea takes a bite of food. "So...umm, I don't even know where to start."
The gnome laughs softly. "I know it's an awful time...this...this just feels like some strange dream..."
Sienna scrunches up her nose. "Hmm, an instrument, maybe?"
"I know," Sādhanā says taking a sip of the soup and savoring the warmth, "But it isn't. I....I can finally admit what a part of me was trying to ignore. I love you Ylrhea Corissca."
"And I love you, Sādhanā," Ylrhea says. "I really do. I've never felt this way about anyone before...happy and scared at the same time."
"I know. I can feel the words vibrate in my heart when you say them, I can feel it in the way you look at me.....in your kiss." Sādhanā flushes at the memory of their kiss. "I'm sorry...for evertything you've had to go through recently."
Ylrhea blushes as she finishes her portion of food. She sets the bowl aside and climbs in to Sādhanā's lap. "I'm sorry that I thought I needed to hide how I felt from you. Now, I can do this without guilt or regret."
She presses her soft lips against the magus' and runs her fingers through her hair. "You...you make everything I've been through worth it."
"You could write a poem or song. Can't get much more meaningful than that." Cyna suggests.
"I can't say that I'm talented when it comes to being creative...Would you help me?" Michael asks.
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Cyna shrugs. "I can try but I've never really had a way with words... and I don't really know her that well."
"I would appreciate it greatly," Michael says, smiling.
Sienna lays her head on Cyna's shoulder. "You can do it, Cutie...or get one of these other lovey-dovey folks to help."
Putting the bowl down Sādhanā's breath catches as Ylrhea climbs into her lap, the kiss resonating in her soul. Her hand caresses the rogue's back as the fingers running through her hair trigger goosebumps along her skin.
"With you...I can face anything."
Arista looks up from her spot cuddled up next to Alethiro, "It's a lovely idea Michael. I know that she's a good person, has a heavenly voice, has obviously made you extremely happy, and loves music and things related to music. Is that about right?"
"Yes. Jelks is unique," Michael says. "I've never met anyone like her. Passionate, creative, caring...a lot of the things I am lacking."
"I could take on the world with you by my side," Ylrhea says, putting her forehead against Sādhanā's. "Maybe by the end of this, we will."
She grins and kisses the magus again. "You'd better see Godrick. I'll take care of the dishes."
She smiles as she nods, "I'm sure we won't be gone too much longer. If the two of you aren't going to be married for what a couple months yet? I think we could help you figure something out before then. Inspiration comes from the unlikeliest of places sometimes. Would it be okay if we didn't get it to you until after we got home? It would help a great deal if we had time to think about it."
"Take your time."
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"Maybe we will, but as long as I get to see you when I open my eyes, I 'll face that day with a smile." Sādhanā says smiling back. "We'll continue this later....my love." she says, getting up as Ylrhea gathers up the dishes.
Making her way out the door she walks to the men's quarters, gently pushing open the door. She nods to Drago before coming to kneel at the side of the bed, taking Godrick's hand.
She felt the weight of his legacy, the need to cleanse the land, to purify what Aroden had wrought. In Godrick lay the only other person she knew that truly believed that Aroden's power was still alive though dormant, restrained. She would take on his mission, along with everything she'd already taken on. Zahvroma had literally given her everything.
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Nodding at Michael, she lays her head back against Alethiro and closes her eyes as she just enjoys the simple pleasure of being held by her husband.
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Godrick opens his eyes to see Sadhana. "Drago, please leave us."
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Respectfully bowing his head, the Dhampir stepped out.
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Godrick's grip on Sadhana's hand tightens for a moment. "This is the end of my road...I have been a Covington, but penniless. I have been an Anizari, but a man. I have been a paladin, but a heretic in the eyes of many churches."
Godrick takes a deep breath. "Aroden's soul is trapped...consumed by Malfeliax. Our god dwells in a prison with countless other souls. He must be freed, despite the fact that the daemons are waiting for his release...You will have to face them and restore Aroden's place."
The old paladin closes his eyes. "The tattoos we bear...they are our heritage and a tale of our paths. They change as we live. New ones appear for every death we witness and every life we save."
Shimmering green tattoos swirl on Godrick's arms. "The Anizari have become corrupt over many decades, desperate to regain their former glory. You must free your Sisters as well...take my power, Sadhana. In the coming days, you will dream but they will be my memories, knowledge that I've collected. I hope they will be of some help..."
The old man begins to fade from the magus' sight as his tattoos crawl up Sadhana's arm before settling on her upper arm in the shape of a rose. The design slowly changes from green to blue.
"Good-bye, Sadhana..."
A pulse of energy runs through Sadhana's body and, when she looks down, her hand and the bed where Godrick had lain are empty. No evidence of the old paladin remains.
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Sādhanā doesn't move from the spot where she kneels the culmination of the day's emotions finally overwhelming her. She weeps openly in the spot where the bed existed a moment before, aware of the power coursing into her but focused on what was far more intermediate.
Godrick Covington, Paladin of Aroden, Anizari warrior, was no more.
She weeps for the loss of a great man, a leader, a champion of good the strong guiding presence they had come to know and love. She weeps for the loss of a legacy known by few. She weeps on behalf of Zahvroma itself, mourning as the spirit of the land experiences the exit of it's most noble champion.
She weeps for the Anizari, lost in their goals and ambitions, she weeps for Aroden trapped between life and death.
She weeps until there are no more tears left, letting her soul express a loss far beyond words.
She has no idea how much time passes, but eventually she rises.
Walking out of the bedroom she goes into the common area, making no attempt to hide her state.
"It...is finished"
Lifting her head off of Alethiro's shoulder she looks up at Sadhana as her eyes fill with fresh tears.
"Wha....what? Is he....?" She's unable to finish the sentence and wrapping her arms around Alethiro leans into him and starts to sob, releasing everything she had been holding onto for the past few weeks.
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Alethiro stroked Arista's hair while he held her, letting her know that it was alright and that he was there for support.
After what seemed like several minutes, Arista finally starts to calm down. Sniffing she tries desperately to stop the flow of tears.
She finally stops and wiping her face with her sleeve she relaxes her grip on Alethiro before looking up from Alethiro, to Sadhana and the others.
"I'm sorry....I feel like all I've been doing is crying lately." Even though her lip trembles slightly she tries pulls herself together. Shaking a little still she says, "I know in my heart it was time for him to go, but somehow it still hurts. Why can't I make it just stop?" She shakes her head, "I feel foolish spending all this time crying."
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"You don't need to apologize, Arista," Ylrhea says, drying her hands. "We've been through a lot and losing Godrick doesn't make it better. You have every right to cry."
"Do we have anything to toast him with?" Michael asks somberly.
She blushes and pulls the two bottles of wine that she stashed from the make shift fort and holds them out for Michael to take. "I got these and were gonna take em home....but, I can't think of a better use for it right now." Looking at Ylrhea she says, "Thanks....I just...I feel like that's all I've been doing lately. I feel so fortunate to have Alethiro here with me, even if it's just for a little while. I should be happy and not some big cry face."
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"Oh, hush, Arista," Sienna says, taking the wine and pouring everyone a glass.
Michael raises his glass. "To Godrick, a man who saw the best in all of us and pushed us to become even better than that."
"To Godrick, who gave us a safe haven."
"To Godrick, who provided for us."
"To Godrick, a man wiser than I'll ever be."
"To Godrick. May Pharasma judge him kindly. "
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