The Cerimony [Solo]

by **Serrif Von Chatlyn** on October 19th, 2011, 4:53 pm

6th of Fall 511 AV Night

It was the sixth, and tonight he was to meet Ildin on the beach like she asked. He had no idea what he was getting himself into but as he walked from Lym’s lab toward the beach there were a good amount of Konti walking that way as well. Serrif was clueless as to why this was happening but he figured they were all just going to the beach…for some reason or another. What stood out was they were all carrying something with them, sometimes baskets full of fruit or just a small token of some kind. This didn’t worry him but it did intrigue him. He couldn’t think of any reason anyone would be going to the beach at this time. It confused him a little but he had things to do…Maybe whatever Ildin had planned had something to do with this? It was possible but in his mind it was slightly unlikely. But all of this couldn’t be coincidence could it?

He kept his eyes about him as he made his way to the beach. There along the beach were plenty of Konti gathered along the shore eight to nine people deep in some areas. Why were they all here? He walked to his tent and grabbed his bow just like Ildin had told him to do. She had to be among the crowd somewhere. He scanned the crowd of crème and ocean colored dresses and there among them was an oddity. There was a woman dressed in black, but not in a dress she wore long pants and a long sleeved shirt as well. It was Ildin, he knew by the way her hair was up and in a tight bun. She also had an elaborate bow at her side and a quiver of arrows. She hadn’t told him to bring arrows…so he hadn’t. But he approached her and she smiled.

“Glad you showed up.” She said as she looked out over the crowd.

“What is all this about Mistress?” He questioned as Ildin answered simply.

“They are here for the ceremony, which you are taking a part in.” She would see Serrif suddenly get very serious and surprised. What ceremony?

He looked around to try and confirm and indeed the women were all bringing stuff to the beach and piling it in the boat beached on the shore. The same boat he had been using as a part of target practice. The women were putting the items that they brought into the boat and then stepping aside and standing on the shore side waiting. Serrif looked at the boat again and in the bottom of the boat beneath all the items seemed to be a well constructed wooden lattice. He didn’t understand what the purpose of it was since it hadn’t been there before now. It had to have been constructed today while he was away.

“Come.” Ildin said as she then walked through the crowd into the water a little. She walked in until she was at her knees while Serrif was about three quarters of the way to his knee.

by **Serrif Von Chatlyn** on November 3rd, 2011, 6:59 pm

As Serrif walked out into the water he noticed that the women were laying the items on the lattice formed by wood on the bottom of the boat. He didn’t know what was going on but he had a feeling that Ildin had been crafting his skills for this. Maybe not from the very beginning, but he knew she had this in mind from the first arrow he shot at a target in a boat. Had she been gently crafting and making him more skilled at hitting a target in a boat for this? He was beginning to think that this was more than possible. But she had her reasons for this, and more than anything he was honored to be part of this with her. He didn’t know he would ever have the ability nor the skills to be apart of anything having to do with the Konti festivals. If he had known he likely would’ve bought something a little more ornate to dress in. The women here were all dressed in wonderful white dresses with blue and pink accents. But he…well was dressed rather plainly. But he knew there was really no way he could go back now. He would have to stick this out.

“Mistress what is going on here?” Serrif asked in a whisper as Ildin looked to him with a smile.

“This is to honor Bala and our bountiful harvest. Items are brought and sacrificed in the fire that we will start.” She said as she motioned to the boat.

Of course! It all made sense now. He was going to with the help of Ildin somehow start a fire in the boat. The wooden lattice and kindling now suddenly made sense to him. If he was going to start the fire with his bow he had a somewhat large target to his because there was a well constructed pyre in the middle of the boat where the many targets had been before now. He smiled…she had been preparing him for this. There just wasn’t really any other reason for her to have trained him like she had. She had this very event in her mind when she put the target in the boat and floated it out into the surf for him to shoot at. The area he would likely be aiming for was exactly the size and shape of the square target he had been aiming at earlier. It was also the very same small boat. All of this brought him to the conclusion that Ildin had been grooming him for this. And now…all that was left was for him to show him what he had learned.

“So we will wait till they push it out to sea, and when I tell you shoot the pyre in the middle with this arrow and I will follow your lead and hit the pyre a second time just to make sure.” Ildin then handed him an ornate arrow of some kind that seemed to have a reservoir of oil in it. The tip also had a small groove in it that had a small amount of oil in it.

“How will the arrow get lit?”

“It is glyphed to have a small ignition on impact. That alone should be enough to start something and the oil in the arrow will continue it.” Serrif looked the arrow over and noted that it was front heavy…just like the practice arrows Ildin had him use.

It seemed that no small detail was ever lost with Ildin. It almost seemed like she had everything thought out way before he could ever think about it. She obviously wanted him to do well here. But for what purpose? Did she have anything to gain from this? He didn’t think so but he supposed that it was possible, but a little unlikely. Maybe she wanted to prove that she was turning out well skilled students, and what better place to do this than here and now? He knew that he wouldn’t want to miss or fail with all these people watching him. That would be embarrassing to say the very least. And he didn’t want to embarrass Ildin either. She had spent so much time training him that it would be a shame to suddenly not be able to meet the bar. So he would have to focus and meet this bar head on if he wanted to really impress both Ildin and those that had come here to see something spectacular. He wouldn’t fail now. That was not what he had been trained for. He hadn’t come this far to quit. No, he would do what he needed to.

by **Serrif Von Chatlyn** on November 17th, 2011, 2:34 pm

His eyes met the women placing items in the boat. There were all kinds of things being piled in the boat like a funeral pyre of sorts. It was interesting to watch because there was really no rhyme or reason to the items being sacrificed. Some people put small wooden statues, others put some grain or fruit. It just seemed they brought whatever they wanted to. He hadn’t brought anything personally but how could he? Until just now he had no idea what this was all about and it was too late now to turn back and get anything to put in the boat…and the few things he had he actually needed to keep. Not that he didn’t appreciate the gods and goddesses because he did. He was sure that they knew this through one avenue or another. And he was after all partaking in this ceremony so he was sure that one way or another the gods and goddesses that were knew that he respected them by partaking in this ceremony.

He looked out over the crowd and noticed several of the women in the crowd. Some of them he had seen at the temple while he worked there with Lym. They worked the Clinic and the labs much like Lym did. And others he noticed because he had treated their daughters and mothers when they fell ill. All of them were reverent, none of them spoke to one another they just watched. Although there were plenty of the women he had never seen before that didn’t stop him from feeling like he was part of this ceremony with them. Lym had chosen to honor him, even if it did seem like she was doing this for her own reasons. He did notice that several prominent members of Konti society were here. He recognized only one of them, V’nessi. He had heard stories of her uncanny abilities and how she was Avalis’s champion. She was the matron of Mura, the most respected leader of the entire isle. He had only heard her name whispered admirably by other Konti.

He continued to scan the crowd and see if there was anyone else he recognized. There…only about ten or so people away from V’nessi was Lym. She had come to this event. Serrif found himself growing slightly more nervous by the second. It seemed everyone important was here among the crowd. But who would miss this wonderful occasion to Bala especially after such a wonderful season and harvest? He half expected the goddess herself to show up and watch her own ceremony from the crowd…Oh what a sight that would be. His eyes continues to watch the members of the crowd until he came across a woman he never saw before; he was sure he never saw her because he would have remembered her stunning beauty. Who was she? Even among the Konti she stood out with almost unparalleled beauty. His mind flared and he began working on who this woman was. He looked around her and she didn’t seem to be surrounded by any family…And she was very very close to V’nessi…In fact she was at V’nessi’s right hand side…No….This wasn’t possible was it?

Could it be Avalis? No….why would Avalis come to the ceremony for Bala? And was Avalis a Konti? He pulled everything he knew about Avalis in his mind and could come to no logical conclusion as to who that woman was. He couldn’t pull any facts that would suggest she was Avalis, but he couldn’t disprove it either. He wished he could disprove this because it sure would make him feel a ton better. But now there was doubt. So he gently spoke to Ildin.

“Who is that woman at V’nessi’s right hand side?” He asked as Ildin looked out and smiled internally.

“Why? Did you mistake her for Avalis?” Ildin joked as Serrif then shrugged.

“I almost did.” He admitted.

“She is Shahal Timandre, head of the Timandre household.” Ildin said as if to introduce them formally. “She is one of the members of the Grandmothers’ Circle, as is Eunoe Kore at V’nessi’s left hand side.”

Serrif nodded and then felt relief come over him. He wasn’t in the presence of any divine beings so that made him feel a little better…even if it was just a little better. He wondered how Ildin had known he had mistaken her for Avalis. That was answered soon enough when Ildin spoke in a hushed voice to him.

“Many travelers mistake her for a goddess at first sight, but I assure you she is Konti.”

That little bit of reassurance brought Serrif come courage as he now was assured he wasn’t in the direct presence of any divines. But that didn’t stop the pressure from building up. He knew he needed to push it all away or else he wouldn’t be able to perform like he needed to. The waves were lapping at his legs as he stood in the surf with Ildin. Gently closing his eyes he looked down to the ocean beneath him and brought himself to center. Pushing away everything around him as he focused on one thing; his goal at hand. His task here was to simply hit the pyre in the center when he was called to. He began recalling every last lesson he and Ildin had ever had together. He knew he would have to account for wind, as well as the arrow drop. His skin was being caressed gently, telling him that the wind was active but he paid close attention to it…The wind didn’t seem to be shifting at all around him. Which was good, because it seemed it would be a relatively constant variable in this complex equation. As far as arrow drop that was just something he knew and wouldn’t be able to calculate out until he had the bow drawn and the arrow nocked.

He could envision himself pulling back the string and letting the arrow loose. He could see it sailing toward the pyre and striking it just where he needed it to go. Then he could envision Ildin’s arrow following his to the target and striking the already waning fire making it come to life with a large spark and ignition. The fire would travel throughout the lattice and engulf all the offerings the people brought to the event. It was real to him…All he needed was to place his arrow on target and all these events would be set into motion for him. His performance would go exactly as according to his plan. He just needed to place that one arrow on target perfectly. It wouldn’t be an extremely difficult task. All of Ildin’s training had indeed prepared him well for this event. He knew that he could do it. With his eyes closed he felt a shift in the wind…it was a little more violent now.

His eyes opened and he looked out over the horizon and saw dark clouds looming. Rain? That meant that they likely needed to speed things up here if they were going to get everything done on time. Ildin gently spoke to Serrif. “Don’t worry they are almost done, everything is on plan.”

He didn’t panic. If Ildin said everything was fine then everything was. That was that; he trusted her. And she was right the last few offerings were being put on the boat and the women took places along she shore in the masses. All of them wore white dresses with accented wonderful shades of blue. Two of the women stepped forward and shoved the boat out into the surf. Serrif watched and nocked his arrow waiting for Ildin to draw her bow first before he did. He knew when she did that he was to follow and place his arrow on target first. So here it was…a proving to not only Ildin but to all the Konti who stood before him now on this shore. He was to show that Ildin had taught him something. And prove he would.

Ildin nocked her arrow and Drew her bow up, signaling Serrif was to do the same. He was right behind her as he leveled his bow and then took aim at the pyre in the middle. The wind for a second faded as if to give him a reprieve. As if to say ‘Do it now’ and he was all too happy to oblige. He let loose the bowstring and cut through the anxiety he had been feeling. He followed the arrow intently with his eyes. Almost holding his breath as it continued on path toward his intended target. The pyre was rather large, so he knew he would likely hit it, but where was another story altogether. The arrow sailed across the space closing in on the pyre fast. It struck and Serrif felt instant relief throughout his entire body as the arrows tip ignited and set the pyre alight. Only seconds after Ildin’s precise arrow followed suit and struck the pyre. Only her arrow somehow managed to wiggle in between two of the logs and strike into the very heart of the pyre. Lighting the entire center within seconds.

Only moments later the entire inside of the boat was alight burning everything that was inside it like a giant out of control hellfire oven. It was a spectacle to be seen as the boat turned into a floating fireball. The small boat sailed off into the ocean but for several minutes afterward it could still be seen in the distance. Burning like an inferno, a distant light amidst the sea. Even when the rain started the fire still burned like a firestorm. Nothing was going to stop these offerings from being brought to Bala. He remained in the surf with Ildin for some time watching the ship sail out into the ocean. For some reason it was so very peaceful to watch for him. Even though the fire was so violent it brought a sense of peace to him.

A few seconds later Ildin spoke to him. “Now for a small feast, come and enjoy yourself.”

Ildin walked out of the surf and onto the shore. Serrif followed and well didn’t bother with shoes, it didn’t seem that many of the Konti had bothered either. Shoes were such a silly thing here on Mura. There weren’t any really dangerous things to step on here. The entire group was actually heading back to the city center. But as to where they were going escaped Serrif for the time being. “Where in particular are we going?”

“After this ceremony several families host dinners in honor of Bala and the rest of the Gods. You and I are going to one together as we were invited..”

“Yes but whose?”

“The Timandres”

Well wasn’t this a pleasant surprise. It started out with a simple task and would now attend what could be considered the event of the season. He didn’t think he was dressed for the occasion, but then again neither was Ildin. So he assumed he would be safe because the two of them were dressed really the same. Both wearing black pants and long sleeved shirts that loosely clung to their figures. So they would stand out like sore thumbs but this was something Serrif was indeed used to…he was after all a man among an isle of women. He was also far taller than any of the women…so that made him stand out even more than he could ever have imagined.

by **Serrif Von Chatlyn** on November 20th, 2011, 9:11 pm

The entire walk with Ildin he could only think about how much he stuck out here. He wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing for his behalf, but truthfully he was glad he was who he was. A smile crossed his face as at times he believed the women were observing him as if he was something foreign to them. And it was true he had stayed on the isle far longer than most men. He had almost become a common sight here among them. But however common his appearance may become among them it would still be brief. Konti lived for a very long time and his presence here for almost a year would only be a drop in the ocean for these women. Even if he stayed here his entire lifespan he would only be just a mere memory for most if not all of them.

Serrif continued with Ildin and there on the outskirts of the lake was a rather large house…that he could only assume belonged to the Timandre family. The outside mimicked a large seashell and there had to be an almost unimaginable amount of work done to give the outside of the building this appearance. As the two of them approached he reached out and touched, the building felt like a giant sea shell as well. It’s surface was slick and almost feel glassy like a true giant sea shell from the ocean. But there wasn’t anything that had a shell this massive. So this couldn’t be real, no it had to be constructed somehow. He began running through the possibilities. How could one construct such a thing? It looked exactly like a giant spiral sea shell, only hundreds of times bigger.

He knew if you heated sand you could get glass, but to keep consistency you had to heat and meld it all at once. Meaning if this job was truly what he thought it was it would take magic of an uncanny level of some kind to get it accomplished. Did Mura even produce such mages? He wasn’t certain but he could also be overlooking a simpler solution to this. One that would provide him with a better and more feasible understanding of what he was looking at. But he wasn’t here to dwell on the beauty of this building. He was here to partake in a social event of some kind.

Once inside there was a smaller greeting room. Plenty of Konti were mingling here and watching almost curiously as Ildin and he entered through to the main room. He continued to follow because he was almost afraid to get lost here among these women. Who knew where he would end up and he may never be able to find his way out of this house if he ventured too deep into it. He had no idea if it extended underground or not, and if it did it only allowed him more of an opportunity to get turned around. He was also pretty sure that parts of the house extended underwater into the silver lake itself. This wasn’t uncommon but again that was just one more area he knew he didn’t want to visit. Unlike these women he was unable to breathe underwater.

The main chamber was large about a good eighty feet across, and it was round likely sitting at the center of the shell given his observations. It seemed there was a hallway around this room where there were a plethora of rooms. But this center area served as a sort of common living and breathing space for all those who lived here, and a perfect area to host a rather large event like this one. The space had been doctored up to meet the demands. Along the walls were various sized tables with food drink and other miscellaneous other items laid out on them. It seemed that the Timandre Family was indeed going to host something interesting here.

He did see that there were no heavy dishes present here, it was all mostly smaller lighter foods, but in large quantities. There were all kinds of fruits in bowls and some were laid out precut slices on ornate silver platters. But his attention was almost immediately drawn elsewhere as he had been falling behind Ildin as he was busy gathering the awe inspiring nature of the room instead of following her. But he saw her talking to someone…

The woman Ildin was talking to had several interesting characteristics, but the most outstanding one was the golden streaks of hair among her silver strands. She held herself highly and the second her eyes fell on Serrif he recognized her…Shahal Timandre. The matron of house Timandre. Well it was only fitting that she would be here as this was her Family and the event was being hosted in her household. He made his way to the side of his Mistress and he swore he heard Shahal say So this is your student

He wasn’t completely sure so as he came up to Ildin’s side he smiled and nodded not speaking first so Ildin spoke for him she knew he was somewhat nervous meeting someone as influential as Shahal. “This is Serrif Von Chatlyn my newest pupil.”

Shahal nodded and smiled to Serrif “How long have you been on the Isle Serrif?” She said almost as if to make small talk.

“I have been here a year come winter.”

Shahal seemed to toil over this in her mind some as she again looked to Serrif “Well, you have been here quite some time. I have it on good word that your studies have been going well with Lym, and by your performance tonight you have no doubt learned a good amount from Ildin as well.”

“My mistresses have taught me much in the way of bow and healing. But what I will treasure the most is the wisdom and mindset.”

“Oh, care to share I do love wisdom.” Shahal said intrigued.

“I have learned that pain is only a barrier that prevents some from reaching the goals they want. Pain tries to dictate physical limits, by pushing past it we can achieve things never thought possible by using the strength within along with the strength of the mind. Then one can achieve what they want.”

by **Serrif Von Chatlyn** on November 25th, 2011, 7:11 pm

“Such wise words from one so young. Indeed, pain is a natural burden, but bear in mind that it is also a gift, for wounds make better lessons than lectures.”

Shahal indeed spoke true words to Serrif. He nodded and then responded. “Indeed, scars and wounds make for the best teachers. And pain the best lecturer, it has certainly taught me valuable lessons in the past. There can be no humility, pity nor fear without pain. And all of those are valuable tools as well as teachers.” Had he really come to this dinner to have a philosophical discussion with the head of the Timandre Family? It certainly was looking that way.

"I agree," she said melodiously, a soft smile blossomed on her lips - a slight curve of the corners of her lips. "Only through embracing it can we defeat and endure pain. Denied or feared, it grows. Thus, we conquer ourselves."

“Yes, conquering pain and your body is needed and essential. Especially if one wishes to become anything greater than they are currently…but you have a dinner to host Shahal. I will not bother you further. I am sure you are a busy woman with plenty to do.”

Shahal almost looked disappointed when Serrif brought up her other ‘duties’ but they were real and as head of the Timandre family she did have plenty to do. With that she shot him a wonderful disarming smile that completely caught him off guard. She completely disarmed him with a simple smile…how had she managed this? Was it just her beauty? Or was it the way she held herself. She was a strong woman, or she came across as one to him. This caused him to pause for a few moments in order to compose himself fully. But all he could manage was a nod and a smile.

“I would love for our paths to cross again.” He managed with a smile.

“As would I.” came her salacious response as she then turned around and went about mingling with some more individuals.

Ildin actually managed a small smile as she looked to Serrif. He had encountered the matron and hadn’t fallen completely on his face before her beauty. Although it was interesting to see him shaken up by something as simple as a smile. But the matron did have a way with men; almost every Konti knew that. And it seemed that Serrif hadn’t heard anything about her. But Ildin wasn’t about to spoil anyone’s fun…and some things were better learned firsthand. It was going to be a very interesting night for Serrif. Among all these Konti and Timandre girls he was sure to be something of a jewel among them even if he didn’t feel special.

“Well Serrif, I trust that I can leave you alone for a little to mingle with people as you please.”

“Yes, I think I can manage.” He laughed a little and then looked around some for anyone or anything that resembled a familiar face.

His eyes hadn’t met anyone that seemed familiar. So he was alone here among an Isle of beautiful women. And was now seemingly in the center of a circus ring catching glances off what seemed like wonderment to him. He was an oddity in more than one way to these women; something he had grown used to after all this time. But here in this setting it seemed….different. Usually he felt like they were admiring him, maybe even longing for him. But right now here in this event he felt like they were sizing him up. Maybe that was what they were doing all the time without his knowledge.

There was a gathering of four Konti sipping on a very exquisite looking wine. All of them with white hair and wonderful eyes. Gracefully he made his way over to the group and started looking them over gently sizing up who he was walking toward. Each of the women wore wonderful white and blue robes; likely having just come from the ceremony he had performed at. He couldn’t remember them from the ceremony; but there was no way he could have remembered everyone from that large event. They all looked young, but all Konti ‘looked’ young.

The four were in a somewhat semi circle leaving a spot perfectly open for him to come up and introduce himself. Maybe he could even take part in a conversation or two with the women. But he needed to know more about them before he waltzed in. As he looked at the group the woman on the right edge noticed him first, her lavender eyes seemed to twinkle as she recognized him…which wasn’t hard to do. A sly smile spread across her face as her eyes trailed his body…oh the wondrous possibilities of this man! Serrif noticed several things about her as well. She was first and foremost not marked by Rak’keli, actually none of the women were meaning they were all marked by Avalis. He would have to be cautious around them. But this make the event even more entertaining and enthralling for him in a way. The other three had their hands around clear ornate wine glasses and the other hand perched on a hip or using them to accent points as they talked.

As Serrif drew closer he began to see other things that he could use as information. The one who had taken an interest in him wore an interesting pendant around her neck that formed a symbol he had never seen before. The one to her right had an interesting looking bracelet as did the other two. He had no idea what he was getting himself into when he finally got within polite speaking distance.

“Well, hello there M’Lord I do not believe I know your name.” The interested woman said as the groups focus suddenly changed. A man? Well what a pleasure this was.

“Serrif Von Chatlyn M’Lady, although I would much prefer to know your name as well.” To this the woman let out a faint giggle and then smiled.

“Of course Serrif, I am Ulvin, these are my sisters Javis, Kriss, and T’Sasha.”

“Well met, I am glad to be in friendly company.”

“I am glad you decided to join us. Sometimes we bore of each others company, the company of a man…is a much welcome sight.” Serrif swore Ulvin was singing him a sirens song right now, but he didn’t mind one bit.

“Oh? Well I have come to much enjoy the company of women while here, especially Konti women.”

“Do you have a choice, I don’t see many other women around? Do you?” Ulvin said with a smile as her sisters smiled a little doubtlessly enjoying how Ulvin conversed with this stranger.

“Well now I have met a few interesting women, but like you say most if not all of them are Konti.”

“So you must be Ildin’s newest pupil.” Kriss said as she looked him over and nodded. “You certainly seem to fit the role. Large, masculine, strong and hardened…”

“And level handed Kriss.” T’Sasha interrupted as Kriss nodded correcting herself.

“Yes level handed under pressure.”

“Well no use in denying it, I am indeed Ildin’s newest pupil, she is a most interesting teacher. Beautiful yet challenging, one could say she is easy on the eyes but hard on the pupils.” That lightened the mood some as the women giggled at his tasteful pun. Indeed many knew Ildin to be both beautiful and yet harsh when it came to criticism.

“You seem to have also impressed Shahal some as well, tell me Serrif where did you learn those aimable skills?” Ulvin sipped her wine and awaited her answer from the man.

“Well, one learns how to navigate social situations when the time calls for it. Especially when there are noted individuals of influence about; flexibility is key.”

“You do possess a good amount of knowledge for someone so young.” Ulvin smiled and nodded to her sisters; they seemed to agree on the subject almost entirely.

“My race lives exceptionally short lives in comparison to yours, so we must acquire wisdom faster than most; we live reckless lives so we tend to learn most lessons the hard way.”

“Sometimes that is the only way some lessons can be learned.” Kriss injected between sips of her wine.

“I am curious Serrif had you ever had a glass of fine Konti wine? The grapes are grown along the bank of the Silver Lake. It is then fermented with Vision Water for years; sometimes for as many as thirty or sixty years. It has a very unique taste.” Ulvin was curious just how much of Konti culture Serrif had been exposed to and enjoyed.

” “I would hope so, I have found many crafts by Konti are exquisite and prideful. I have never met a people that takes so much pride in the works that they create. Each work seems to be an expression of the soul. But I have never had the pleasure of a fine wine created by a Konti.”

“Well we will fix that right now then.” Ulvin walked over to a table and picked up a crystal wine glass with a crimson wine in it. It didn’t take her long to come back with the glass offering it to Serrif.

by **Serrif Von Chatlyn** on November 26th, 2011, 2:22 am

He took the glass gracefully from the woman and looked at the liquid inside of it watching its viscosity and smelling its aroma. It was sweet smelling, he had never been a connoisseur of wine before now. Nor did he ever see himself being one of those high society types sipping at wine and debating politics. No; he wasn’t that kind of person. But he did like the thought of being around comfortable company; and these women were just that to him. He sipped the wine slowly and savored its sweet taste in his mouth. The wine was light and tasteful. There was a certain other aspects to the wine that he couldn’t quite understand. Maybe it was the aging of the wine with the vision water? He had remembered sipping on vision water and it was nothing like this. He nodded savoring the taste in his mouth.

“Well, I must say this is wonderful like everything else on the isle. Special in its very own way.”

“Yes, that specific wine has been aged nearly a hundred years. Mixed and brewed to perfection.” Kriss then nodded.

“Everything on the isle is special and separate from everything else I have ever experienced.” He admitted openly.

Right about then he heard little soft patting on the ceiling. He thought nothing of it at first and decided to discard it and instead continue his conversation with these women. He was actually enjoying socializing with these Konti. They seemed innocent enough, but Ulvin seemed to have her own agenda…

“Here come with me.” Ulvin said as she then simply turned around and started walking down a hallway. The three other sisters simply giggled and then Kriss spoke next.

“Go ahead Serrif. She doesn’t bite…hard anyway. I have never heard anyone complain though.”

And with that little bit of knowledge Serrif smiled and followed Ulvin. She made a turn and eventually they were out on a rather large balcony overlooking Mura’s Silver Lake. It was a beautiful sight to behold especially when it was sparkling under the moonlight. The stars reflected in the surface like a living breathing mirror. Ripples shot across the surface bowing and skewing the mirrors perfect glass surface gently. There Ulvin was leaning on the ivory and silver colored banister overlooking the lake. It was peaceful there with her, the wind tenderly caressing her hair billowing it about her fragile enticing frame. If he was a man of lesser moral standing he would take advantage of her. Tell her sweet words and seduce this woman. But instead he figured it was likely best to shove those wants off and enjoy her company.

“It’s a shame Serrif…” Ulvin started as she looked out over the lake waiting for Serrif to join her.

“How Ulvin with a view this beautiful can anything be so dreary?” He questioned as he then moved over to the balcony to the kale.

“Has everything ever reminded you of your past Serrif? Like a smell, a taste, a place anything…maybe a person?” She queried as she looked out over the lake as if she was expecting something wonderful to happen suddenly.

“I doubt there is much here that could remind me of my past Ulvin.” He laid a hand on her shoulder as if he knew already, as if he wanted to ask ‘Do I remind you of someone?’

Ulvin sipped her wine and sighed as she composed herself slowly. “Yes Serrif, my first lover.” His warm caring hand on her shoulder didn’t make controlling herself any easier.

“Tell me about him Ulvin if you want.” He knew sometimes talking through things made coping easier. And by the tone in her voice he knew that her lover was dead by now.

“He was a strong man, like you. His will was strong and he wanted to make a difference in the world. Like you he studied at the Opal Order and Rak’keli eventually graced him with a mark. But…he ventured abroad after our first child.”

Serrif didn’t need to be told any more than that but he queried her onward to find out more about her first love. “You were young then weren’t you?”

“Yes, I missed him dearly. But he perished out there trying to help those that needed it. I searched for him for years until I learned the truth. My heart broke for him…and I think Lhex has again delivered him to me Serrif. I feel you are him…reincarnated.” She turned to look at him directly with hope shimmering in her eyes.

“I know your story Serrif. I have taken a great interest in you since I learned of your studies under Ildin intrigued me. I know this seems…forward of me. But I have to know if you are him…It is killing me to know Serrif.” She said as she put an arm around his back and wove her fingers with his hand.

“What do you need me to do Ulvin?” He asked as he looked to her wondering what she was doing.

“Dance with me right here Serrif.” She said sweetly as she started the dance. It was more of a test than anything it was something only her lover would’ve known. Maybe he would know it, maybe not but she needed to know if it was even possible.

Her actions puzzled him, but she did look familiar to him. That could be for any reason though. Most Konti women looked similar. He wove his fingers gently with hers His other hand wrapped around her back just like hers and he held her tight enough to where she could hear his heart beat. The dance started and at first he was just trying to evade her feet. But slowly he began to get the hang of it…and he knew he was never a dancer. This did feel familiar; or maybe he was just making things up in his mind because he wanted to make her happy. But with every passing second this felt more and more familiar to him with every step. She wasn’t even taking the lead here she was waiting to see what if anything he remembered. Nearly every movement was in line with what she remembered.

The sky gently opened up on them with a light shower, but he was focused on her the entire time. Every step felt like he had remembered it for so very long. But was this even possible? Did past lives go through a circular pattern again and again living similar lives to what they had been in the past? He shook it off and continued the dance as the sky wept on them. Almost as if to help set the mood for the two. The rain slowly got more and more violent as the two continued to dance.

Ulvin was light on her feet, was he her lover from long ago? Had he reincarnated and found his way back to her again if only for a night? How had she missed this? She could almost feel the tears of joy coming to her eyes as she continued to follow him. Every step was perfectly in line with what she remembered, and she could hear his heart beat in her ear. She could tell that he did know the dance that they had so long ago on this very same balcony, after this same ceremony honoring Bala. She pushed herself into his chest hugging him tight as his massive body sheltered her from most of the rain. Oh the memories came swimming back to her one by one. She closed her eyes, every memory sweet. She remembered how he would hold her at night when they laid together in her room. How he would dance with her spontaneously whenever he felt like it. And how he made all her sisters jealous with his devotion to healing and the Opal Order. And with these memories came how she found out about his death at the hand of slavers. But he was back now…dancing with her.

“Even with the rain you are beautiful Ulvin.” His mind formed the words almost as if he couldn’t stop them it was almost like he didn’t know what he was saying…it was an odd feeling.

With those simple words he swore Ulvin would erupt in tears, she looked up to him and smiled. “You are him, I am sure of it now Serrif…just hold me Daskin…one last time hold me as your love. I have missed you.” She pleaded to him.

He didn’t need to nod or even say a word as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him as the rain poured down over them. He wasn’t sure if he was Daskin her former lover. But he did know that that dance and this woman…this place felt familiar to him. So much that he couldn’t ignore it completely. He could feel her body melt into him. His mind couldn’t even begin to imagine what having her lover come back to her could feel like. After all these years he never considered himself special but he knew that there were definitely things that he knew he couldn’t even begin to understand. Maybe he was this Daskin that Ulvin thought he was. It was possible, stranger things had happened in the past.

He could feel her body start to release all her pent up frustration and heart break. Ulvin began to slowly and quietly weep in his arms. Her legs grew weak as she began to remember how her Daskin had perished at the hand of slavers. They had tortured him for days until they had killed him to show the others who was really in charge. “I….Serrif if you are anything like Daskin you have a very hard life ahead of you. Promise me love…promise me you will not let Rak’keli’s morality shadow your good judgment. Please don’t let them kill you again.” She pleaded as the memories came flooding back to her.

She had only heard the story from one of the slaves that had been there. It was a horrific tale of a man who tried to turn the wrath of slavers away from those they enslaved. But it didn’t work and instead got him tortured endlessly for days before they killed him. In a way she blamed Rak’keli for her lovers death. She was heart broken over the entire event. Daskin had believed so strongly in Rak’keli and in the end it didn’t secure him his life. But the stories she had heard of her lover were amazing. How much good he had done…he didn’t disserve the death he received.

“Promise me Serrif…” She said again determination settled in her eyes as she looked into his.

“I will not let fantasy get in the way of reality Ulvin.” Ulvin smiled and settled her head on his shoulder and wept with the rain as she thought about her Daskin. It had been so long since she had thought about him. Oh how she had missed him. And now he had returned to him; maybe in a different body but she was pretty sure this man was Daskin incarnate.

He gently embraced the weeping Konti there on the balcony. Something about the rain was soothing even among the chaos here. He knew there was almost nothing he could do but just simply be here to help her ease the suffering she was feeling. It had to be a long time since she had this kind of tension released. It was almost like through seeing him she knew her Daskin was ok now. That everything he had suffered was over now. He didn’t know this woman, but for some reason she felt familiar to him. But that could be for any reason really. He was around Konti all the time, but Ulvin seemed more familiar. Her presence seemed different than any of the other Konti.

“I’m sorry for your loss Ulvin…” But before he could finish she interrupted him.

“You don’t even know what this…what you mean for me Serrif. I…thought my Daskin was lost forever. I can’t expect you to understand this, but it is comforting to see you here. In a way it makes everything ok. He suffered more than most and gave himself away out there in the world; and it was the end of him. Please, don’t make his mistakes.”

“I will do my best not to.”

“Thank you Serrif for the dance….for everything. I needed it.”

“I know.”

Requests :

by **Archelon** on December 21st, 2011, 9:10 pm

Thread Award

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And the Results!!!!:

Serrif :

Would you like some extra turtle sauce ? :