Auron watched the musicians and dancers play around the square. It was different than Lustria. There was no celebration, no pomp and ceremony. It was a solemn time, one to contemplate ones chosen path. It retrospect, it was an early onset of a funeral. While the smaller settlements reveled with heavily flowing wine and a feast. The party would last in to the morning hours when the Siege Breaker and her handlers would leave for the final time.
Lorne stood beside him. He hadn't said much to him since this morning. The scene in the temple shook him more than he expected. While the younger warrior was offered the privilege of seeing one emerge for the first time, the idealized notion of splendor was a stark contrast to reality. It was …show more content…
“As you wish.” She snapped the tip of it off and placed it to her lips. The few drops inside fell into her mouth with ease. A surge of coughing erupted from the woman. She patted on her chest to try and get it to subside. When the more violent coughing had ebbed, she glanced at the man. “Don't think I don't know who you are, Warden.”
Auron shifted uncomfortably. “Is that what this is about?” With a wry chuckle he scoffed, “I see they still haven't let that go.”
“You are more the cautionary tale, to be sure. What's it been eighteen years since you rejected your duty?” Moira said. Auron's eyes narrowed on the priestess. A small smirk crossed her lips as she'd elicited the response she'd been looking for. “Don't get me wrong, I understand why someone would and it is always an option, an affront to the high clerics, the council, the Potentate, and Emarus, but it is an option.”
“Then why are we speaking? You seem to have made up your mind,” Auron growled. He turned to open the door and leave when he heard the chair's legs scratch across the floor. He placed his hand on the handle. He closed his eye and shook his head. “How did you …show more content…
“I don't know how she will take it.”
“Then what would you have me do?”
“Carroll and I are her wardens for this. It's the least we could do. We are family.” The words hung heavily on her lips and rang in his ears. Moira's eyes dropped to the floor. She held her wrist in front of her. Every ounce of energy was needed to keep the woman from crying, regardless some broke free of her grip and slipped down her cheeks. “Oh, Emarus, forgive my selfishness.” With shuddering breath, she wiped her tears and tried to look more presentable. She stared at Auron; stared deeply into his eye. “Don't keep her waiting any longer. Let her final journey be one of closure.”
Auron was frozen with indecision. Did he really want to endure the same process again as he had with Davon with his daughter. The girl he promised to keep her father safe. The one who promised to return when it was over and didn't. Was this his penance? He shook his head. It was her choice. It was his failings that drove her to it in some regard.
“Let me think on it.” Auron replied with a sigh. “Sometimes, it's better to let those ghosts remain where they
Lorne stood beside him. He hadn't said much to him since this morning. The scene in the temple shook him more than he expected. While the younger warrior was offered the privilege of seeing one emerge for the first time, the idealized notion of splendor was a stark contrast to reality. It was …show more content…
“As you wish.” She snapped the tip of it off and placed it to her lips. The few drops inside fell into her mouth with ease. A surge of coughing erupted from the woman. She patted on her chest to try and get it to subside. When the more violent coughing had ebbed, she glanced at the man. “Don't think I don't know who you are, Warden.”
Auron shifted uncomfortably. “Is that what this is about?” With a wry chuckle he scoffed, “I see they still haven't let that go.”
“You are more the cautionary tale, to be sure. What's it been eighteen years since you rejected your duty?” Moira said. Auron's eyes narrowed on the priestess. A small smirk crossed her lips as she'd elicited the response she'd been looking for. “Don't get me wrong, I understand why someone would and it is always an option, an affront to the high clerics, the council, the Potentate, and Emarus, but it is an option.”
“Then why are we speaking? You seem to have made up your mind,” Auron growled. He turned to open the door and leave when he heard the chair's legs scratch across the floor. He placed his hand on the handle. He closed his eye and shook his head. “How did you …show more content…
“I don't know how she will take it.”
“Then what would you have me do?”
“Carroll and I are her wardens for this. It's the least we could do. We are family.” The words hung heavily on her lips and rang in his ears. Moira's eyes dropped to the floor. She held her wrist in front of her. Every ounce of energy was needed to keep the woman from crying, regardless some broke free of her grip and slipped down her cheeks. “Oh, Emarus, forgive my selfishness.” With shuddering breath, she wiped her tears and tried to look more presentable. She stared at Auron; stared deeply into his eye. “Don't keep her waiting any longer. Let her final journey be one of closure.”
Auron was frozen with indecision. Did he really want to endure the same process again as he had with Davon with his daughter. The girl he promised to keep her father safe. The one who promised to return when it was over and didn't. Was this his penance? He shook his head. It was her choice. It was his failings that drove her to it in some regard.
“Let me think on it.” Auron replied with a sigh. “Sometimes, it's better to let those ghosts remain where they