Praeteritum, part 10
Primrose, Fiore had gone on much like business as usual since the others had departed. The only noticeable difference was the influx of visitors. They didn't come to sight see. They came for the clinic and they kept Blythe, Dubhan, and the others very busy. Still, private time could be found if one knew when to look for it.
This night, Kavi sat working at his desk, furiously writing. He'd been doing it every night since Jasper gave him the news about Cygnus. Blythe watched him with concern. He wasn't sleeping much at all. "Kavi-kun?", he called. No response. "Kavi?" Still nothing. Finally, he pulled his chair from the desk and loudly called, "Kavi!". Jarred from his thoughts, the dragon slayer looked to him in shock. "Talk to me", said Blythe, resuming his usual tenderness. Kavi half smiled and half sighed. He'd been so lost to writing, he'd neglected to eat dinner...again. The plate sat untouched by his books. Quickly inking the end of his current sentence, he closed the book and finally set his pen down. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you", he said sheepishly.
Blythe shook his head with a faint grin. "I don't care about that; I'm worried about you. I understand wanting to collect your thoughts with what we've learned, but this is getting out of control. You're going to make yourself sick again", he chided. For the first time in days, Kavi looked himself over. He was in poor shape. Staring to his feet, he apologized once more, this time more sincerely. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to make you worry...I just had to write it all out before I forget what I'm supposed to say..." Blythe lilted his head in question. "To whom?", he asked carefully. He really hoped his lover meant Cygnus, but the aversion to being looked in the eye made him realize otherwise. Grasping his shoulders, Blythe stared firmly until his eyes were met. "Kavi, no. We talked about this. You can't track your father down now after all these years. It won't end well for you", he pleaded. Kavi's heart sank. His husband was right, of course, and just maybe he needed to hear it, but it was still his best shot at finding out the truth.
"And here I thought you would encourage personal growth", he sighed, teasingly. Blythe smiled wryly. They had discussed the topic in depth a few times. He was one of the select few that knew Kavi's birth father was still alive and well. Most of the guild believed him dead and better for it. Kissing Kavi's forehead softly, he pulled his hands to get him up. "You need to eat and get some sleep", he said hugging him tightly upon standing. "I know", ceded Kavi. "...And bathe", added Blythe, only half joking. Kavi chuckled despite himself. "All right. I'll go get cleaned up and then we'll go out, okay?", he offered. Pulling away, Blythe studied his eyes. It looked like the Kavi he knew and loved was starting to come back. "Sounds fun, but I don't know anywhere open besides the bar at this hour", he said. Kavi froze. He'd completely lost track of time again. Blythe gave him a kind, warm smile. "Don't worry about it. Come on, let's get washed up and then we can raid the kitchen", he grinned. Kavi gave in and followed his beloved's advice.
Later that night, the distraught dragon slayer stared at the ceiling, sleepless once again. Blythe was tossing and turning, probably worried sick, but asleep, even if just barely. Watching him twitch, Kavi grinned faintly to himself. "He must really be lost right now", he thought. It was the only time Blythe started sleep walking again, when his mind was uneasy. Kavi had stopped him from wandering off four times already that night. He silently chided himself for making his lover worry so and despite his pride, and likely his better judgment, he made a decision. Tomorrow, he would ask a certain someone for help.
The next day began as any other. Blythe stayed for breakfast before heading to the clinic with Rani. Kavi was now the official guild master, not just the acting one, so he had a lot to do. Giving out assignments, paying bills, filing paperwork, and so much more...and he loved every minute of it. Still, he'd promised himself that once his work was done, he had to make an attempt. He stared briefly up the stairs toward his room where his journal of collected thoughts was kept. Fighting the urge to continue writing, he headed outside and across the street. Villagers waved and greeted him as he passed by and once inside the clinic, waiting patients expressed their gratitude for the guild's help in setting up the place. It took some time to get through all of the pleasantries, but he made it.
Down the hall, Dubhan was squinting into a test tube. One of his projects was not going as planned. "Tomas, go find the cat and send her out with this list of supplies. I can't work without them", he ordered without looking up. Tomas grinned with a nod, knowing full well he would be the one to go. Rani was far too busy managing everyone in the waiting area. He left with the precious list. Moments later, the door opened. "Did you forget something?", called Dubhan. The lack of response made him pause his research. "Oh, it's you. Aren't you in the wrong wing? Blythe's on the other side of the building, you know", he said, settling his gaze over a nervous Kavi. The dragon slayer cleared his throat. "May I come in?" Dubhan shrugged, returning to his work, uninterested. It was a long awkward silence. Finally tired of being stared at, Dubhan set down his things in a huff. "What?!" He stared furiously at the intruder in his lab. Steeling his nerves, Kavi came out with it. "I need your help."
Dubhan stared at him completely dumbfounded. "I must have heard you wrong. You want my help?", he asked skeptically, pointing at his chest. Kavi nodded, holding his gaze despite his turning stomach. He still didn't really trust the guy and who could blame him? Stepping closer, Dubhan looked him over carefully. "You look like hell. Let me guess, you're not sleeping...", he began. A few investigative pokes and prods later, he added, "...Or eating." He gained a suddenly serious expression. "Does Blythe know you're here?" Kavi shook his head. "I came to see you...He knows what shape I'm in...That's why I'm asking you to help me. He's worried sick", he uttered. Dubhan crossed his arms with a bemused smirk. "Otherwise you wouldn't be caught dead alone with me, right?", he barbed.
Turning back to his desk, he resumed his notes. "So what is it you want? We both know how sick you'll get if you don't straighten out quickly. Pain medicine? An appetite stimulus?", he ventured, not looking up from his papers. "My mind's frayed...I need you to let me sleep", replied Kavi carefully. Dubhan's pen stopped moving. Glancing up, he asked, "Why not just ask Tomas then? It is his area of specialty." Kavi took a deep breath. "You and I both know he won't do anything without your say. Besides, I want as few people involved as possible." Dubhan gained a delighted grin. "Yes, heavens forbid the city find out the local guild master is human", he taunted. Kavi winced internally. Dubhan didn't know the news. No one did. "Can you help me or not?", he asked stiffly. "You don't have to get testy...Still, I'm impressed you trust me this much", replied the mad scientist. "I don't", stated Kavi firmly. Lightening his tone, he added, "But Blythe does. You two traded memories. He knows you better than I ever could and I trust his judgment." Dubhan leaned against his desk languidly. "How touching", he said sarcastically.
After an annoyed sigh, he said, "Fine, whatever you want to keep our dear Blythe happy. I won't tell him, but in exchange, you owe me a favor." Kavi was starting to lose his edge. "What do you want?", he asked clearly nervous. Dubhan laughed loudly at the reaction. "More funding! You two saints don't want to charge the people that come through here, but science is hardly free. I need supplies and some of them don't come cheap", he explained. Kavi let out a sigh of relief, glad it wasn't anything dark. "I'll see what I can do", he stated. "Good. Now go away; You're distracting me from my research. I'll send Tomas to find you when he comes back...wherever he wandered off to..." Kavi nodded and departed quickly, thankful the encounter was over.
Out in the main area, an old lady was crying as Blythe refused her money. "Save it for the new grand baby on the way. I don't keep any money from here, anyway", he said, smiling brightly. The woman nodded, giving in, and kissed his cheek in thanks before taking her leave. Rani leaned on the counter from her stool in relief the scene was over. "The sweet old woman wouldn't take 'no' as an answer", she supplied, upon seeing Kavi's soft expression. He nodded in acknowledgment. A man from the waiting area stepped up, intrigued. "You barely charge anything. How do you keep this place running at all?", he inquired. Blythe and Rani exchanged glances with Kavi. The guild master smiled politely. "The guild keeps nothing, sir. We use as little money as possible to keep supplies in stock. The rest goes to charity, which is where the rest of our stock comes from", he explained. The man smiled wide. "Do you have the paperwork to prove that?", he asked. Kavi looked at him skeptically. The man started laughing in response.
"You're the new guild master, right? I'm from a branch of the magic council. We're interested in helping to fund this place so long as we get copies of your research in exchange. I know all about your prodigal mad man back there", he said, nodding down Dubhan's hall. Kavi stepped close, keeping his voice low. "Who sent you?", he asked. The man held up a small card. Reading it, Kavi nodded, relaxing faintly. It was one of his contacts. "Let's talk business, shall we?", offered the man. Blythe smiled in his normal friendly demeanor. "Go ahead, Kavi-kun. Unless an emergency happens, we should be done soon." Rani nodded in agreement. Kavi ceded and escorted the potential new ally out into the city. With luck, things would soon improve for everyone.
Back in the Nocte Regni, a lone wingless incubus sat in Gaia's sacred grove. His companion was missing. All he'd found upon waking was a note stating, "Leave this place and never come back." Jasper was certain it was the hind who had written it. Daphne didn't seem the type to be so cold. He was lost and in need of help. Why couldn't the hind, the supposed guardian of this place, see that? Seeing no reason to linger, he decided to keep moving. Down a path, he heard a faint voice call out. "Lost one, follow me", it said. It was unfamiliar, but somehow comforting. Eventually, he traced the source of the voice. "A stone?" A path marker glowed faintly from its core. The voice spoke again. "Yes, let the stones guide you. I will set you free from this place", it assured. The words themselves were gentle and encouraging, but the tone behind them seemed very sad. Having little choice, he followed the voice to the next stone marker and the next. Eventually, the trees gave way to a clearing. It was very bright ahead.
Squinting to adjust his eyes, Jasper could make out the sound of water, then a form...and a scream. "Kyaa!" A large rock flew into his face, spinning him 180 degrees. Crouching down, he held his now bleeding nose. It hurt badly, maybe even broken. He faced away from whatever had attacked him, holding one hand out behind himself as if to say, "Give me a minute." The water sloshed as if being walked through, then rippled into silence. He could hear someone moving. Tiny footsteps approached. "It's you!...Dear, Gaia, I'm so sorry! Are you all right?!" He froze. He knew that voice. "Daphne?", he ventured, still nursing his face. She circled around in front and knelt to face him. Pulling his hand away, she grimaced. "I can fix this...Hold still." CRUNCH! He shuddered as she snapped his cartilage back into alignment. Falling backward, he landed firmly on his butt. He tried not to touch his face, but the blood wouldn't stop.
"I'm so, so, SO sorry! I was just taking a bath and I saw someone come from the woods and I...-...Oooh! It's still bleeding!" She held one of her gloves out as a compress. He slowly accepted it, glancing away and blushing deeply. His voice was muffled, but she could make out, "I didn't see anything, I swear." She cupped her hands over her mouth, feeling guilty for having hit him. She then followed his gaze to the stone that had assailed him. It was far too large for someone of her size to throw. She fidgeted nervously as he glanced back to her in question. "I use nature magic...I can manipulate anything organic...There weren't any trees close enough to swat you, so I...Ahhh! I'm so sorry!" She kept apologizing profusely as she buckled the many straps of her dress into place. Once she was assured she was properly covered, she reached out to check on her patient. "The bleeding's starting to slow down...Are you all right?...I mean, I know you're not all right; I just hit you with a rock, but -...Are you okay?" She fussed over him so much it was endearing. Finally he chuckled softly, breaking her cycle of apologies. Her eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't seen him laugh before. He was so...No! Concentrate! He's bleeding!
"Where are we now?", he asked, slowly removing the makeshift compress. His face was already starting to bruise. "The inner sanctum. How did you find this place?", she replied, curious. "Outsiders never come here without guidance", she added. Jasper glanced back to the stone path he had followed. It wasn't there anymore. "About that..." He slowly explained his journey. When he'd finished talking, Daphne had a warm smile on her face as she gazed at the grass wafting in the breeze. Fighting his instinct to blush, he asked about the stones. "It's my friend. She's worried about you, too...No one even knows she's here besides the hind and myself. She must really have taken a liking to you. This grove is her hiding place", she said. Becoming sad, she uttered, "And her tomb." Jasper offered the bloodied glove back to its owner. She washed it silently in the pond she was bathing in.
"I'm sorry...It sounds like you're really close", he offered. Daphne nodded shyly. "I can't tell you any more than that. I probably already said too much", she began. Then that same voice from before whispered on the wind. "Bring him to the temple and we will send him home." The duo glanced at each other as if confirming they had both heard it. Getting to their feet, Daphne carefully looked around for her superior. Staying low to the ground, she waved Jasper to follow. "Who is this friend of yours?", he asked. "She once served another goddess who turned on her. Now she lives here under Gaia's watch...She's slowly dying and there's nothing anyone can do...If she's calling to meet you, you must really be the lost prince", she replied.
Ahead, the brush spilled into a massive temple structure. Jasper watched Daphne's keen ears twitch as she listened for any sign of the hind. The coast was clear. Once inside, they passed a large sunlight atrium, then it got very dark on he other side. "We need to wait here for our eyes to adjust before I can lead you in", uttered Daphne. Jasper grinned to himself. He could see perfectly fine. His eyes were those of the night. Still, he said nothing and waited politely. A few minutes passed and Daphne led him into the complex. They paused just short of an ornate archway leading into an even darker area. "Are you certain, my lady?", called Daphne. Jasper glanced at her in question. Since when do friends address each other as 'my lady'? "Yes; Bring him in. My eyes must see the truth", spoke someone from the gloom. It was the voice from the stones. After briefly hesitating, the duo obeyed.
Jasper could make out a shape in the gloom. It looked like a statue until one pale, reflective eye opened to peer at him. "I know your incubus blood lets you see clearly in this low light. Come closer. Mine isn't so strong anymore." He swallowed nervously and advanced. This statue...a succubus? Daphne stood pensively in the gloom. It was too quiet. "My name is Jasper Shinwa...What's yours?", he ventured. "My name is of no use to anyone. It only recalls another lifetime", replied the living stone. He came to stand before the statue breathlessly. "That name is false. I can hear it in your voice...", she said sadly, noting his lost wings in his outline. "My lady, this is the lost prince", supplied Daphne. It was so silent, one could hear a pin drop. "That isn't possible. Lady Ione killed her brother as an infant", said the stone. "Please...Activate your power and see for yourself", plead Daphne. A sound akin to hissing filled the air as magic flowed through the stone. Finally, her succubus vision was working again. A pained gasp rang out. "You...You've the blood of Lord Eurus!", exclaimed the voice in shock. "Tell me, how many children did he have?", it asked almost frantically. Jasper glanced to Daphne for confirmation. He wouldn't exactly be surprised to learn of a few more siblings lurking about. "Only two, my lady", said the faun distantly. "...Leave us." She bowed faintly and departed.
Jasper slowly crept closer to the stone. His vision was working just fine and clearly showed a gorgeous woman turning to stone. Only sparse bits of pale, blue skin remained. A single lock of near glowing hair remained untouched by the curse. Jasper's heart was in his throat. "Daphne said your previous patron abandoned you", he said, desperately curious, but fighting the urge to jump to conclusions. "Yes. I served the chaste goddess, Artemis...I was weak...I fell in love and betrayed my position as her priestess...Thus, I was eternally cursed", replied the statue, her voice hiding something. "Are you...Lady Menodora?", asked Jasper, nervous beyond belief. A long pause filled the air. "...I used to be", said the voice, sad beyond words. Jasper, too, was crying at this point. Tears spilling uncontrollably down his face, he uttered, "Mom?".
In the hall, Daphne muffled her own tears and covered her mouth. Was it really true?
The sound of grating stone on stone rang out as the statue reached for his face. "Have you really survived all this time, my precious Zephyrus?", she asked tearfully. He nodded, unable to keep his emotions in check. He launched himself into a tight embrace. She was so cold. He couldn't even imagine her agony. Still, he held on tightly, desperate for confirmation. He could feel warm tears on the back of his neck. "I'm so thankful you're alive...They told me you were dead...", she uttered, unable to hug him back. "Why?...Why did Artemis do this to you?!", he cried. She would have smiled if she could, but most of her face was frozen in time. "Shh, don't judge the gods, my son", she said, trying to soothe him. "Is it so wrong to fall in love?!", he asked. It just wasn't fair. "You must have grown in the overworld. Here, the gods rule everything. They can seem cruel, but it was my vice that lead to this imprisonment in my own body...The curse is strong. It latched on quickly...Instead of turning others to stone as a gorgon, I became this...I knew Artemis would never forgive my transgressions, but I wanted you to live, so I came here and threw myself at Gaia's feet. I pleaded to survive long enough to birth you. After all, none of this was your fault..."
He slowly stepped back to see her face as he listened. "She took pity on me and showed mercy. The innocent life that had been conceived was spared, so I thought...Your father took you to the palace and I remained here in exile. This temple is the only thing slowing my demise...It may not seem like much of a life, but I spend each day in penance, praying to be forgiven...Letting you go was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but I was relieved you had been saved...Then the news came. Ione had slain you..." Her voice broke. The memories must have been torture. "I - ...I assumed it was Artemis laughing at my last attempt to defy her...I accepted it as the truth...How? How are you here now?" gathering his nerves, Jasper told her what he could. Though her face did not move, he could sense a serene smile upon it. "Eurus always was crafty...I wish you could have gotten to know him...", she said sadly. "At least I can get to know you", he ventured, putting on a brave face. "Tell me, who raised you out there? The regiment?" He shook his head. "Puck and Veda Shinwa", he replied. "Oberon's emissary?...Then you were in good hands...Still, where are your wings?"
It seemed like only a few hours passed while the two spoke, exchanging stories of their pasts. In reality, the entire day was now gone. Jasper sat on the floor, facing his long lost mother, smiling like a child listening to his favorite tale. A low growl rang out, interrupting the atmosphere. Jasper shifted shyly. "I can no longer eat, but you must do so if you wish to stay strong", chided Phoebe. As if on cue, Daphne shyly shuffled in with a tray of fruit and nuts. He smiled genuinely toward her, gluing her to the spot. She turned bright red and shied her gaze lest she drop the food. "Daphne, join us. You've been like a daughter to me all these years", said the statue. The faun nodded and silently sat beside her new friend. Talk continued as they ate until a chill ran through the air. Phoebe suddenly lost all speech and resumed a fully stone appearance. Jasper peered beside him in question. Daphne jolted to her hooves. "The hind's back! You have to hide!", she hissed, attempting to shove someone twice her size behind the statue. He awkwardly allowed her to move him. It was like a small girl trying to push an adult; Cute, yet comical.
"Daphne, where are you?!", rang a demanding voice. "H-here!", replied the faun, scurrying away from the hidden incubus. "What have you been doing all day? The garden hasn't been touched", chided her superior. Daphne hung her hand and rang her hands apologetically. "Forgive me", she said meekly. The hind sighed as she hung her bow on the wall. "Don't tell me you were talking to that rock", she said coldly. She smirked at the look on Daphne's face. "Caught you again. I've already told you, knowledge of Artemis isn't going to help you if you plan on gaining rank with Gaia." She nodded sullenly. Honestly, she didn't really want to be the next hind, but she was clearly the better candidate between the two. After all, Gaia spoke to her the most and her kindness was helpful to the creatures of the grove. The hind sighed, exasperated. "I'm going to bed. Keep your voices down if you must continue", she said, stalking from the room.
Once her footsteps had faded and the sound of hooves upon marble was gone, both Daphne and Jasper sighed in relief. He slowly crept out from hiding. "Why do you listen to her anyway?", he uttered. Yona's bluntness had rubbed off on him. He quickly apologized. "I'm sorry. It's none of my business." Daphne offered a kind grin. "It's all right, but we need to get you out of here", she said. He looked longingly toward the still stone. A gentle touch to his arm brought him back to reality. "She'll sleep for a few days after such exertion...Don't worry; She isn't dead, just resting", assured the faun. Jasper nodded and begrudgingly followed her to a hidden room elsewhere in the temple. "You'll be safe here. I'm the only one who knows about this place. Stay hidden until I come to get you, okay?" He nodded, still lost to his thoughts. "It's okay. You're not alone." Those gentle words and the soft eyes accompanying them hit hard. All he could do was nod again. Once Daphne departed, his red cheeks cooled and he curled up on the makeshift bed she had provided.
Jasper's dreamscape had been altered. He stood amidst darkness, staring at passing rocks that floated by. His magic usually stabilized it into something comforting. This was clearly a reflection of his psyche. Sighing deeply, he looked about. Trying to concentrate, he could hear things shifting around his tightly closed eyes. When they opened, he was standing on a beach. The tide was sinking fast. In fact, each wave shrank the water's edge further and further away. Something was moving behind himself. He turned to find a forest lining the shifting sands. He looked back to the waning sea. It was time to let go. Resolutely, he made his way to the trees.
Dark shadows taunted him just out of his focus. He had much to emotionally digest and being physically hunted by the hind wasn't helping. Eventually, he found a clearing that opened into a cave. He grinned faintly and sat down expectantly. It took a while, but, sure enough, a familiar sound came to his ears. The earth was being moved beneath rhythmic scales. Veda emerged with a sad smile. Upon meeting her eyes, he rose to hug her. "It's good to see you", he said sincerely. His adoptive mother embraced him tightly. She both missed him deeply and had worried so much. "How have you been? You don't look well", she fussed, cupping his cheek as they parted. He grinned bashfully. "It's been interesting here", he said cryptically. "I was hoping you'd meet me soon", she ventured, offering a change of scenery with her magic. Everything now looked like home in the undercroft of the guild.
Jasper sat gratefully on a large pillow. This place resembled his parents' room. "How is everyone?", he asked. Veda smiled softly. Of course he'd worry about everyone else despite his predicament. Settling herself beside him, she loosely wrapped her coils around his waist in an extended hug. "It's been busy with the clinic, but everyone seems okay", she replied. "And Kavi?", he added, watching her reaction carefully. She sighed faintly. "You know your brother...but Blythe's doing wonders to keep him in check...He'll be all right", she stated. He nodded as if in thought. "Durga's well. She's so full of life", said the naga, smiling proudly. Jasper grinned in response. "I'm glad", he said softly. He really did love his new sister. After a long pause passed, he ventured, "Have you spoken with dad?". Veda shook her head sadly. "His magic is very weak. He only managed to speak with us before with the king's help", she explained.
Another awkward quiet settled over them. Finally, Veda reached out and tucked some loose hair behind her son's ear. "Are the gods treating you well?", she asked carefully. Jasper grinned wryly. He was marked by Oberon and that likely didn't sit well with his home pantheon. "I haven't met them yet", he said idly. Veda hugged him gently. "May they watch over you", she whispered. After that, her image began to fade. She smiled to herself. "I think Durga's waking me up. Stay safe. We'll talk again soon, okay?" He nodded. "Stay strong. I love you", she said, kissing his brow tenderly. Then she was gone. Jasper sighed to himself. Could he really do what everyone expected of him?
To be continued...