Ravenna's Own Daughter
Parchment Two: The Visit
Disclaimer: I own no part of Meredith Ann Pierce's "The Darkangel Trilogy" I only own the story I weave with her ideals and her stories. As well as the characters and situations. There will be some occasions that I will do flash backs from the original stories I do NOT own them, Meredith Ann Pierce does. The beginning poem also belongs to M.A.P. I would also like to say that I will be adding things from the books to fit in to the tale, so please don't sue! ! I have no money, I'm dirt poor.
-Avaric: Tour-of-the-Kings, The Gate-
The rain poured down as Erin, the-shadow-black-as-night, approached the castle of Avaric she clung to the Pendarlon as he galloped through the sandy plains of Avaric. She sighed softly and mentally upped her defenses. Irrylath was older yes, but that did not mean he had changed from his emotional immaturity. He had only once ever drawn his weapon to her. She hoped that he would not do so again. She had no quarrel with him other than his hurting Aeriel.
He must know by now that she was on her way by now. He must have seen her out of one of the many windows regardless of the rain. She wondered distantly if he knew of his child. She also wondered what his reaction would be if he didn't know, and she told him. It didn't matter. All she cared about was Aeriel. Aeriel was her light, her first and true friend.
Erin dragged herself out of her thoughts as the Pendarlon came to a slow pace stopping before entering the palace gates. "This is as far as I can take you, Shadow. I cannot go any further."
Erin nodded her head and slipped off his back. "Thank you."
He nodded and replied. "It's not needed. Goodbye." With that he turned and sped back off toward the desert.
Erin watched the Pendarlon run across the plains and dunes until he was finally out of her sight. She turned and looked toward the palace gates. She could see people walking around behind the gates of Avaric. 'He has done what he was bid to do for the Avarclon. He has returned the people to the land and is ruling over them.' She thought.
She moved toward, the gate and mentally sighed. The gates were closed. "Hello, anyone there?" Just as she spoke she saw two guards on the inside of the gates. One on each side and were dressed in the Avaric garb. They appeared not to be soaked and Erin glanced up to see a awning of sorts.
"Yes, traveler?" One of the men replied. "What do you seek? If nothing please go on your way."
Erin frowned a little. "I seek the King of Avaric. I have a message for him from Aeriel."
The guard looked slightly in awe seeing this the second guard went over to the other and asked him what was going on. He told him. The other guard looked just as awe struck as well. The first one spoke. "The Aeriel? The sorceress whom defeated the White Witch?"
Erin mentally sighed. "Yes, her."
"What business does she have with our King?"
"That matter is private and between the King and her." she replied
"I do not believe you. I do not allow admittance." The second guard said.
Erin heaved a sigh and questioned. "Will you at least inform your King that I am here and let him choose to admit me or not?"
The guards talked silently together for a few minutes then suddenly the second guard stalked off angrily into the rain while the first one looked at her and said "Kael went to tell the King. He doesn't believe your tale as I do. I'll admit you. For I remember seeing you once with Lady Aeriel. It was a very longtime ago. I was one of the soldiers sent to help defeat the Lorelei's army.
Erin nodded her head in thanks. "I'm glad you survived or I fear this message may have arrived too late. My thanks to you."
He nodded his head and unlocked the gates. "The gates are always shut and locked every Solstarset. To prevent thieves as much as possible." He made an opening large enough for Erin to slip through. "Stand under here out of the rain. You're already pretty soaked as it is.
"Thank you." she replied and stepped through an took a look around. "You'll have to wait here until Kael returns, he shouldn't be long though."
-The Tower, Tour-of-the-Kings-
Irrylath watched the arrival and departure of the Pendarlon. He also saw the Shadow talking to his guards. A few minutes later one of the guards walked off striding toward the castle. About seven minutes later there was a knock on the archway. "Come in." he said.
The guard walked though and said. "There is a dark-skinned girl below that says she brings a message from The Aeriel. I do not believe her though."
Irrylath replied softly. "Admit her." His gaze never left the window view.
"But my lord–" Kael started to say.
"Erin is Aeriel's shadow and messenger, admit her. No more questioning my judgement." he said. "I wish to see her."
"Yes, my lord." The guard nodded his head and left.
"A message from Aeriel?" he said out loud softly. "Why didn't she deliver it herself?" He finished wondering what the message was. A moment later he called for a servant and they appeared in the archway.
"Yes my lord?"
"Please make sure our guest has a change of dry clothes and has her own seen to." he spoke softly. "And a room as well."
"Yes sir." The servant left and went to do as bid.
-The Gate, Erin's Room, and The Tower Tour-of-the-Kings-
Several minutes later the guard returned not looking happy and even less so when he saw Erin inside. "He has allowed her in and wishes to see her."
Erin nodded. "Thank you."
She left the guards at their posts and headed toward the castle where Irrylath was. Every so often she's glance about at the people. They were all covered in thick hides to protect them from the rain. Irrylath had brought the people back here. There were hundreds of them from what she could see. What brought them out into the rain she had no idea.
When she reached the steps she climbed them one by one seeing two figures guarding an open door. She stopped in front of them and said. "I'm here to see the King of Avaric, Irrylath."
One of the men nodded his head and replied. "We have been informed. You may pass."
As she walked through the open door a servant greeted her and told her to follow. As she followed the servant she saw many paintings and carvings. When they were finally in front of a door the servant spoke again.
"This is your room for the remainder of your stay. There are a change of dry clothes, and a basket for you to put your own in it so that we may clean and dry them."
Erin nodded her head. "Thank you."
The servant soon left and Erin headed into the room. What she saw was the most extravagant room she'd ever seen, even in her old master's house. There was a large bed in the middle of the room with Dark purple silks hanging about it and on it. In one corner there was several pillows clearly made of silk and stuffed full adorning the floor, as well as there being a few paintings and a basket on the floor. Erin walked over to the desk and stared down at the clean clothes and curled toe boots. Avaric garb.
Stripping off her clothing she placed them in the basket and grabbed the other clothing putting it on. She then grabbed the boots and slipped them onto her feet. Taking one last glance about the room she grabbed the basket, left the room and set it beside the door just as the servant appeared.
"My lord has sent me to take you to him."
Erin nodded her head and followed the servant until they reached a archway leading into a room.
"You'll find him in there. I will be back soon with some food." So saying the servant left down the hall.
She walked slowly through the archway and glanced around spotting Irrylath at one of the many windows. She spoke softly not long after. "Hello, Irrylath."
At hearing her voice he slowly turned around and spoke. "Hello, Erin. I hear you have a message for me from.. Aeriel."
His blue eyes pierced her she could not read them like she once had been able to do. Erin nodded her head and replied. "Yes she has sent a message to you, she bid me bring it even though I thought she should not. I advise you to sit."
Nodding his head he motioned to a small table with two chairs. "Sit as well, Shadow of my wife." As he spoke though he moved toward it and took his place in one of the chairs.
Erin nodded her head absently and made her way over to the table and sat down and started to speak." Irry-" but before she could start two servants came in and sat a bowl of fruit and a plate of cheese and crackers down onto the table as well as a pitcher of wine and one of water. They set two cups down upon the table and with a nod of Irrylath's head they took of leaving him and Erin alone once more.
Irrylath broke off a piece and offered it to Erin. She shook her head and he shrugged tossing it into his mouth and grabbed the pitcher of water and poured Erin a glass never having seen her drink any kind of wine. He set it in front of her and then filled his own with wine and took a sip saying. "So, what is this message she bade you bring me? I have thought constantly on what it might be but no valid ideas have come into my head."
Erin took a sip of the water and said. "You will be angry I am sure. But it is something you need to hear by messenger from her before word leads to your ears. And then you would be truly angry and she did not want you to hate her or be bitter toward her." Erin took another sip of water and looked Irrylath straight into his eyes. "You have a child. A daughter, Rowan. She's small, hair as black as yours, skin as mauve as yours but she has Aeriel's eyes. She's seventy-two daymonths old (six years). She feared word would reach you before I did. Rowan looks so much like you anyone could tell she was yours. Rowan's a miracle child she shouldn't -" Erin broke off remember that Irrylath has no knowledge that Aeriel cannot age, or die anymore, because of the White Witch's last gift to Aeriel. Erin's hand drifted absentmindedly toward Burning Bright. The pin that was used to bind her memories and take her life when it was removed.
Irrylath sat there in stunned silence. He betrayed no emotions in his eyes. His thoughts flashed to when he last saw Aeriel, back to being under the wedding sari amidst the rain pouring down outside, making love to her, loving her, making her his. After pulling himself out of his thoughts he said softly. "A child. A girl child." he took it all in and let out a sigh. "Why didn't she tell me sooner?" he spoke very very softly a small spark of anger finally lighting his eyes. "She didn't have to go through it alone, any of it. She could have came to me anytime!" Realizing his voice was raising he lowered it and shook his head. "I want to see her. I want to see both of them. Aeriel.. and what was her name?.. Rowan? I want to see my daughter.
Erin remained silent watching the Prince, no King, get a grasp on his emotions realizing for the first time he really had grew up within the last few years. She also realized that he truly did love Aeriel. No where did he mention that he was angry at her from keeping it from him, but instead said she didn't have to go through it alone, implying he would have been there for her. "She wasn't alone, King of Avaric. I was there with her, as was Melkior. She's never been alone since I've been her Shadow.
Irrylath grew quit and spoke. "Yes.." a little bitterness entered his voice. "You have always been there when I could not. I need to see Aeriel." His eyes pierced Erin with a look. "Set it up. I'll meet her where ever, but I need to meet with her. And.. I want to see my daughter."
-Outside the Archway in the Tower, Tour-of-the-Kings-
Outside the archway Sabr leaned back against the stone of the walls listening in on their conversation, hearing every little word that was said. You could only tell by the raging storm in her eyes, and the clenching of her right hand, that the words affected her deeply. Her thoughts ran, a girl child. She should have been the one to bare her King his first child. She should have been the one. Not some sorceress, but a warrior who could help defend their people as well as any King. She straightened her shoulders at the sound of foot steps, and efficiently walked toward them not wanting to be caught spying on their King. She met a soldier on the steps.
"Sabr your wanted in the barracks. There was a small dispute that needs your attention." the guard said.
"All right. Guard the door by our King, in my stead." As she spoke the guard took his place and she took off to solve the small dispute, her thoughts and emotions still racing.
-Avaric's White Plain, Desert-
Deep in the desert with her mother Rowan woke up crying, her mother held her and comforted her, but nothing she said could stop the little girl from crying. The only thing that Rowan would tell her mother about the dream was that it was a very bad nightmare, and that someone hurt not just her mommy but a lot of other people too! Even Aunt Erin!
"Oh, little one, it's okay. I'm right here." Aeriel hugged Rowan to her and her daughter clung to her as if her life depended upon it.
"I know mommy, but it was so scary!" she whispered, shaking.
Aeriel had decided not to go to Pirs to see her brother Roshka before she went to go see the Avarclon, because this feeling that something terrible was going to happen, was growing stronger day by day, she had to talk to the Avarclon. But this dream that her daughter had, settled it. This wasn't the first time her daughter had a prophetic kind of dream, she's had others, each minor with out trouble, only Melkior getting hurt out of them all. But this one was serious. If her daughter dreamed of her getting hurt, then whatever it was out there, could possibly be after her, or got her because she just happened to be in the way of what it wanted.
"My dear daughter, it's okay. Mommy will keep your nightmares away. I promise, all you have to do is close your eyes." Aeriel said.
"Do you promise mommy, do you?" the little girl asked shakily.
"I do, my dearest." she said softly. "Now close your eyes and relax."
Rowan did exactly as her mother told her, and after she did, Aeriel lifted her index finger up and as she did, it started to glow softly. "Goodnight, my heart." She pressed her finger to her daughters brow and the little girl immediately fell into a dreamless sleep.
The pearlstuff came to life simmering in her blood.
That power is not for that Aeriel, how many times do I have to tell you, it is not for personal use, but to help others.
Aeriel laughed softly. "If not to help someone else, regardless if she is my daughter, then what good are they? I would have done the same for any stranger and you well know it. You object because she is Irrylath's daughter, and we will see him while I visit with the Avarclon. That cannot be avoided for he is King. That is the reason why you object. She's Irrylath's child. And you don't wish it to be used for that reason."
The pearlstuff simmered so hotly Aeriel winced.
It matters not what my reason is, I said not to use it as such and you still ignore my demands. You have far too much will in you. And you say you are a slave to me. If that were so you'd bow completely. It's not in you I think. We must get back to the matter at hand, this evil I sense, it's got destruction in it's wake. It will undo everything.
With that the pearlstuff simmered once more and grew quite.
Aeriel's eyes filled with tears, one sliding down her cheek. She closed her eyes and more fell. She inhaled air shakily and thought, I love you, my Irrylath..
-The Tower, Erin's Room, Tour-of-the-Kings-
Erin stared at him. "I don't think that would be possible."
Irrylath again pierced her with a look. "I know you can contact her through Bright Burning. You've done it before. I need this and yet.. I cannot leave this city, she must come here."
"She's already left NuRavenna. She's on her way to a destination I do not yet know of." she replied.
Irrylath took a sip of his wine and set his cup down and clasped his hands together. "There's something going on with the world. The Avarclon senses something. And so do the other lons. Something that could possibly be even worse than the Lorelei. And on a certain level I feel it. Like something is tearing our world apart."
Erin sat still a look of blankness upon her face. "If that's true.. Aeriel would have-" Erin broke off. "So that's why she's left NuRavenna. She must have sensed it as well." She stood up and said. "I will do what I can." She left the King where he sat at the table and headed toward the room she was given. Upon arriving to it she noticed the basket was gone and stepped into the room. She undid Bright burning and held it out in front of herself and took it from it's sheath. "Aeriel. Aeriel, your message was sent."
Suddenly Aeriel appeared in front of Erin. "How did he take it, my Shadow?" Her thoughts were racing about him, but she knew better than to mention him, for the pearlstuff would come to life and she'd already had a distinctive conversation with it. But oh, the questions she wanted to ask about him.
Erin stared a moment at the wall and spoke. "He handled it better than anyone could have thought. He has changed greatly. But, he wants to see you, and Rowan. " she said softly.
Aeriel grew silent and spoke. "I had thought as much. I'm sorry Erin that I did not tell you before. But my journey already leads me to Avaric. A change of plans. Rowan has had another one of her prophetic dreams. I must speak with the Avarclon. There is something going on and I have need of his guidence for the maidens have not yet come to me when I call."
Erin nodded her head. "I shall tell him then." She didn't ask about the dream, she knew exactly what it meant when Little Rowan had one of her dreams.
Aeriel said softly. "Be careful my Shadow, for I know not what comes."
"I will." Erin replied and sheathed Bright Burning.
-Deep Earth, Underground-
It was dark, extremely dark. He couldn't see anything, and the cold, it had invaded his entire body. He shook a little with it. Where was he? How did he come to be here? Then, suddenly, all the memories returned and hatred burned brightly filling his soul. He could see nothing, but the hatred and anger he felt pushed him forward to examine everything with his hands. Stone. All around him. He assumed he was encased in a stone grave. He then placed his hands in front of himself, and pushed up, the stone top budging little.
The more he remembered about why he was there, the angrier he got. Damn the Ancients. Damn them to all the hells and back. He would have his revenge. With the anger came new found strength. He pushed and pushed the stone slab until he felt it give, but because he couldn't see he had to feel for the crack to see if it had budged any at all, and it had. Renewed with satisfaction he kept pushing until the thing crashed against the floor, shattering.
He breathed deeply of the air and laughed as he sat up. He felt his way out of the cursed box, and as soon as he was out he halted. Air. He raised his hands to feel for it, for a way out, then laughed. "I remember everything now. You should have done a better job in disguising my memory.." His deep timbre voice uttered.
Suddenly he snapped his fingers and a light appeared out of nowhere. His laughter grew, and an evil grin spread out across his lips as he found a stairway up. Oh yes, he would have his revenge.
-Chapter End-
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