Alethiro had to stop himself from spewing the ale in his mouth all over the others. "You mean Pharasma brought you back to life once already?" After thinking a moment, he added, "That explains the meeting at the Lighthouse." He resumed drinking.
Skaar takes another long draw from his drink and gives Sadhana a long hard look. His first instinct as fantasy but he'd seen too much crazy shit this past few months to dismiss the woman's claims so quickly. "So it's you inside that body?" he grunts. "You're still Aurelea?"
Arista sits quietly next to Alethiro, one of her hands resting in his. She drinks her ale and tries to prepare herself for the story she is going to have to eventually tell. For now she just lets the others get reacquainted.
Arista looks over at Sadhana and smiles, nodding her head.
"Tá sé ceart go leor, dul ar aghaidh agus labhairt dó. Tá sé do chara, beidh sé a thuiscint."
Arista gently pats Alethiro on the back to keep him from choking, and to show her support.
She gulps down the remainder of her ail and motions for the bar maid to bring her another.
The barmaid brings another set of tankards to the table.
After visiting Corda, Drago left her to her work. 'Three days' she said. Well let's hope this works. Hell's I'm parched. He thought. Making his way to The Old Fish, the Dhampir stepped inside.
With a warm smile of thanks at Arista, Sādhanā takes a deep breath before she continues.
“I had the choice. To let myself die or to keep going…to keep on with the fight, but to do that I would need a different body. I’m the same person and at the same time I’m not. Something…more I guess.”
She grins mischievously, ”But don’t worry, I’m the same person who ribbed you about that club you sport in those leggings of yours and the damage you’d probably do with it.”
As Sadhana speaks, Arista puts her arm around Alethiro and snuggles closer to him.
Skaar pauses again as he considers Sadhana's story.
After a minute he grunts and nods. "At least ya still got some nice teets", he answers with a laugh.
The Elf had just put down his mug when the door opened. Standing there in the doorway stood........Drago. Suddenly, Alethiro's mind flashed back to the day when he asked a Seer to show him the face of his sister's killer. His muscles tensed, and he started to rise, but he then remembered his promise to Cyna and Arista. Control yourself. He screamed in his mind.
Looking around the establishment, he spots Skaar, Cyna, and other he didn't recognize. Making his way to the table, he pulled up a chair and sat across from the Elf. After ordering some wine, he turned and said, "Greetings friends, I'm Drago Skorzeny, and you are?"
Sādhanā laughs, relieved to find acceptance from the big orc she considered a good friend. "Yeah, I was happy to see that too."
Her eyes widen as Drago walks into the tavern, amazed and happy to see him alive. Instantly her eyes go to Arista leaning into Alethiro. "Ceann suas Drago shiúil díreach isteach Tá go Drago."
With her arms around him she can feel his body become tense and turns her face to look at him with concern in her eyes.
"What is it, what's wrong?"
So intent was she on paying attention to Alethiro, that she barely heard Sadhana's warning. Realizing what could happen she quickly moved over to Alethiro's lap and encircled him with her arms. She leaned close to his ear to quickly whisper into it.
"Are you alright? I know who that is okay, but you can handle this. Remember the promise you made me? Well, I'm making you one now. I am here for you if you want me. I will help you get through this. All you need do is tell me."
She caresses his back while she tries to soothe him with her words.
She waits for a moment to make sure he has himself under some kind of control before addressing the newcomer. She looks into Alethiro's eyes and nods before looking back at Drago.
Gesturing to the others Arista makes the introductions while Sadhana keeps an eye on the situation.
"Well...that there is our friend Sadhana, the ones whose lap I occupy currently is Alethiro, and I am called Arista. I would extend my hand to you, but things are just a little tense at the moment."
Arista sighs as she tries to figure out the best way to say what needs to be said.
Oh Hells, I might as well lay it all out on the table. I don't know for how long I can keep Alethiro like this.
"You see Drago, we seem to have a situation here. Our friend Alethiro here has been looking for you, for a very long time. Since you killed his sister as a matter of fact. We were just wondering if you had anything to say about that."
Her words hold no malice, only fact. While a little abrasive, her approach is honest and direct. She sits calmly, giving Drago a chance to process the information before continuing.
Drago's expression was one of pure shock, so great in fact that he didn't even register how bad the thrist was. Aliethia's brother? Unconciously, the Dhampir's hand went to his chest. "I told you the hour was here." His brother piped in. 'Shut it you.' And with great effort, Drago pushed Alexandros aside. Looking at the Elf across the table, he tried to respond, "I...uh, umm.....I...." The words wouldn't come. Clearing his throat, Drago finally said, "I...am truly sorry for the part I've played in your sister's fate. There isn't a day that goes be that I don't regret it." Slowly and carefully, he pulled the dagger from his belt. "This, I imagine, belongs to you."
While Arista had him pinned down, Alethiro had no choice but to listen. When the Sorcerer pulled his sister's dagger, the Elf nearly lost it. "Not only a murderer, but a thief as well?" Staining with all of his might to keep an even tone. Reaching across the table and retrieving the dagger, the Cleric continued, "You have no idea how much I wish to stake you right now. If it wasn't for the promise I made to these two women here," indicating Cyna and Arista, "I would have by now." After a moment, another question came to his mind, "We ran into your friend, Ixen, and he told me that Aliethia is an undead abomination. Is this true?"
Once again, touching his chest, Drago's mind flashed back to his time in the manor. Closing his eyes, he replied, "It's true. And my mother has made her strong."
"LIES!! I will not sit here and listen to them!" With little effort, Alethiro moved Arista back to her seat, stood up, and stared at Drago for a moment, hand grasping his holy symbol. Even though the rage burned in his eyes, the Elf just stormed out of the tavern and towards the coast.
Drago sat at the table, with nothing to say.
"Alethiro..." Her voice holds a note of warning in it.
"Remember what we talked about. Don't do this for us, do it for yourself, and for your sister. We said we were going to let him explain, he's trying to do that. Just try to calm down and listen to him."
She continues to sit on his lap and rubs his back in a comforting gesture. Arista gestures to Drago.
"Please, continue."
Well, that went swimmingly. Please excuse me for a moment.
Instantly she was on her feet and running out the door after Alethiro.
She ran out of the tavern and saw him heading toward the beach. Quickly she took off after him yelling his name as she went.
Being that she is 6'3" and mostly legs, Arista has no difficulty catching up to the troubled elf.
Arista falls into step with him while she talks to him.
I'm sorry you didn't get the answer you were hoping for, but he has NO reason to lie to you. Would you please just stop and talk to me?"
Please...Alethiro, don't shut me out. That's worse than leaving me, you promised me you wouldn't. You promised..."
Arista's last statement stopped him in his tracks. Looking into her eyes and seeing the pain he caused, the Elf's knees weakened and he collapsed to them. "I...I'm sorry Arista. I thought I could talk to him, but the rage is still there and I can't control it." He wanted to say more, but couldn't due to the tears welling up in his eyes.
Sādhanā looks across the table at the sorceror, aware of the fact that while she knew him, he had no idea who she was.
"Well....that could have gone a lot worse."
Skaar only understood the surface of the conflict but he fully grasped the regret on Drago's pale features. The big orc gives him a sympathetic nod but otherwise stays uninvolved. He's gotta handle this himself.
Undone by his pain and grief Arista lowers herself to the ground in front of him and wraps her arms around him, gently holding him to her. Seeing his misery, she allows all of her own pent up grief to come through at last. She allows her tears to fall unashamed as she cries for both of their losses.
In a ragged voice, racked by pain, grief, and loss she allows herself to tell Alethiro exactly what's in her heart.
"It's okay....everything will be okay."
She takes a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself for his sake.
"I told you...you don't have to be strong all the time. You don't have to carry this burden alone. You don't have to control it anymore, just let it go. Let me help you to let it go. There is no need to hang onto all this grief and anger anymore, you've kept it long enough....it's time to let someone else share it with you. Just let it out...I'm here now....let me be here for you."
She stops talking for a little bit and just holds onto him. Wishing that she could take every bit of hurt from him, she just caresses his back lightly in slow circles. She tries to soothe some of the tension out of him as she's on her knees in the sand holding him.
"I'm here for you, not just Zahvroma. I believe that you and your friends found me for a reason. Why else would I be here? If you keep looking in the past, you won't see what's right in front of you."
Arista gently takes one of his hands and places it over her heart, she then places her right hand over his heart and looks deeply into his eyes.
"I know we haven't known each other long, but I know what my heart says.....and it says that I love you Alethiro. I never knew this feeling before there was you. If you care about me, then please...please don't walk away from me...away from us. Let me help you and come back with me so we can figure out what to do. Please..."
Her face is wet and stained with tears, her emerald eyes bright and shining. Although there is sorrow in them, they also hold a look of hopefulness.
Gregario walks back to the fort and looks for Godrick. The old paladin stands outside looking out to the sea. "So, I heard you were back, Gregario. That's good, I feared for you and the rest. Where is everyone else?"
Godrick's face darkens a little. "There is much to tell you Gregario. The Lords of Covington have abandoned their claims on this place for the time being. The Church has declared me their enemy and I've already dealt with Sessaly once. For now, I want you to rejoin your fellows. We have erected a barracks just down the road."
Godrick points to a large building a small distance away. "They will need someone who has seen more of this land to help train them for what may come next. I'll take Clara to the tavern. She has been in low spirits as of late."
Aiding Corda as need be, Harakhty kept mostly quiet. Questions filled his mind, and he dare not upset the Elder Sister by annoying her. My tribe is so close though!
His heart ached more knowing the proximity was short, but his mind added worry to the joyful pain. It's dangerous here. Their weapons are primitive, their armor of hide - they wouldn't stand a chance. Out of their element if they chose to cross the waters, the Suntooths would be outarmed and outvexed by whatever calamity might befall them by choice. And so many calamities there are here. No, it would not do to worry. And she's right - tomorrow isn't so far away.
He clutched his pendant tighter than before.Soon.
Arista's heartbeat brought a calming warmth over Alethiro. Looking into her emerald eyes he said, "I know how you feel Arista, for I feel the same way. I love you, I believe I always have." Without another word, he brought her closer, and kissed her.
Her body seemed to melt into his as he held her to him. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she returned the kiss. Her lips...as soft as rose petals, gently caress his own as she poured all of her compassion and love into that kiss.
After a few minutes she pulls back slightly and looks at him. Although he can still see tears in her eyes, they are not of sadness any longer. She rests a hand on his cheek while looking at him.
"I understand that you are struggling with all this anger and grief right now....but you're not alone anymore. I will be here with you, but you need to resolve this situation. Please understand....I do love you, but I can't stand by and watch you destroy yourself.
She pauses for a moment to wipe away a few tears and give him a moment to let what she said sink in. She looks back up at him with pleading in her eyes. She reaches out and takes his hands into her own.
"Come back to the tavern with me, please. I know this is hard for you, but it is something that needs to be dealt with. If what Ixen and Drago said is true about your sister, you owe it to her to find out as much about what really happened as possible....so that when the time does come, you will be able to deal with what must be done. No reservation, and no guilt. Please...for me Alethiro."
She sits quietly in the soft sand while he thinks over what she said. Arista knows that she is asking alot from him, but she is hoping that he will trust her enough to know that she will not let him fall.
Elder Sister takes her leave of Harakhty with a comforting squeeze of his shoulder. "It looks like Godrick is about."
She departs with an unearthly grace, allowing the vanara to fall in step with the elder paladin. Following behind Godrick is the redheaded paladin, Clara. She regards Harakhty with a nod as they make their way to the tavern. Without noticing the elf and the aasimar on the beach, they enter into the tavern.
Clara's eyes light up for the first time in a month as she sees her beloved. Exercising some restraint, she walks to Sadhana's side and slips a hand in hers with a gentle squeeze. Godrick smiles slightly at the sight.
"So we are all gathered again. The gods favor us though the fates don't."
He pulls a chair and orders a glass of wine. "What news do you have of the lands beyond our borders?"
Drago just sat there, drinking the wine he ordered, with a sullen look on his face. What now Drago? He thought to himself. Alexandros began to creep back into his mind. No you don't. Begone!
"Rando's dead. Horace killed him and what was left of his crew", Skaar says flatly. "That bastard's taken most of the sea but there's still some out there with the balls to fight 'im."
The Elf looked into the Aasamir's eyes, she could tell that she had reached him. "Lead on, dearest love."
Upon entering the tavern, and seeing Drago, Alethiro felt the rage rise. But it only lasted a brief moment. Moving back to the table, where he sat originally, he asked, "So...how did she come back?"
Arista breaths a sigh of relief and kisses him again for good measure before leading him back to the tavern. Looking a little worse for wear, but with a radiant smile upon her face, she takes her place next to Alethiro at the table. Her eyes are still bright with the recent shedding of tears, but now they hold joy as well.
Godrick nods at Arista and Alethiro as they enter. He listen to the others in quiet contemplation.
She sits quietly by his side with his hands in hers, content just to be near him.
Sensing the different tone, Drago slowly exhaled and answered, "The Goddess Calistra. She brought Aliethia back to take vengence on me. Which she almost did." He pulled back his shirt and revealed both sets of scars and indicated the claw marks. "Afterwards, she joined my mother, who did......something to her. While I was captured she did, this." Indicating his name carved into his chest. Lowering his shirt, Drago's tone went darker, "Among other things."
Listening to Drago, the Elf's expression didn't change, but there was no rage within him. Alethiro asked, "What do you mean 'something?'"
"I'm not sure. I believe she's a vampire now, but I do not know how." Drago explained.
Upon seeing what had been done to him, Arista brings a hand to her mouth and shakes her head.
"I knew there had to be more to what happened....but I never imagined anything even close to this."
She wraps an arm around Alethiro and looks at him.
"I told you there was more to this than meets the eye. There are also some things that I need to share with the group while we are all here. Things that I remembered....while we were in that place. It's a bit of a long story though, does everyone feel up to it, or should it wait till the morning after we've all had some....rest?"
Whatever Sādhanā was about to say dies on her lips as she turns, a fraction of a second before she felt Clara’s hand slip into her own. Immediately she feels almost short of breath as her heart pulses, the gentle squeeze conveying more than one would think possible, setting her heart aflame.
For a moment, everyone at the table is forgotten as she leans into the woman who quietly captured her heart, kissing her passionately, until slowly the both come up for air, the twinkle in the Magus’ blue eyes, a promise of a more intimate reunion when they had time to be alone.
She looks up at the table realizing that Arista and Alethiro had returned and sits quietly, only half paying attention as she holds Clara’s hand.
Alethiro's expression changed, he was crushed. No. Leaning back in his chair, he turned and ordered a flagon of their strongest drink. "While I appreciate your explanation, I do not believe I can ever forgive you."