Star's Journey: The Night Watch

by Freida Right

-part III of V- Star and her friends have found a new purpose with the Zebak rebellion. They now call themselves the Crusaders, and use their talents to do good deeds for the people of Habaharan. But when an old friend appears on enemy shores and Zizi is captured, it will take nothing less than a new adventure and the help of a pirate to rescue them...

14. Chapter 13: The Mother of Maris

This particular Titan story might be a bit awkward and graphic, for it sort of involves a birth. The Great Serpent lays its eggs once a year on that godforsaken island, after all. Everything about this particular Dragon revolves around motherhood, because… You know, mother of all serpents. I have this theory that she was the mother of the Four Sisters, too.

So if the Great Serpent reminds you vaguely of Mary, Mother of Christ, please don't be alarmed. I did that on purpose.

But anyway, a story about the Great Serpent, and how Orin actually came by the famous crystal. The explanation you are about to see was inspired by Final Fantasy IV, if you're interested, where there is a similar boss to beat to get a similar item created in a similar manner. I've been looking forward to getting around to this one, because Orin's whole story was never actually explained, because it apparently wasn't important enough.

Not today, Emily. NOT TODAY.

Also, memories and remembrance imagery. ;D

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Chapter 13: The Mother of Maris

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It took some time, but the household finally settled itself to hear about what the Crusaders had been doing while the rest of them waited in fear for them. Most of them had gathered around the low table in the common room's center, where Forley was largely in charge of telling the whole story. Iris was more than happy to listen from the basin of warm water Thora had prepared for her, in a corner and well away from the windows. Vivi and Zizi had wandered off into one of the hidden rooms and fallen asleep right away. Even Keids was silent as the story was told, content to let someone else explain things for a change.

Things were as much as they should be.

The squad listened in tense silence as Forley told them of Keids' plan, and the 13 children in need of escape, and of how Iris had agreed to lead them to safety. It was plain from all their faces that they were less than pleased with it. It went without saying that the Crusaders intended to go as well, if only to make sure Iris and her crew made it to their stolen ship and out of the harbor in one piece. Zamiel spent most of that time groaning and rubbing his face in irritation.

"It's a clever plan, to be sure," he said when the plan was explained. "But the captain will forgive me if I have one or two doubts about it, particularly the parts concerning my brother and his friends. We only just got them back, for pity's sake!"

"And he's already sworn to never let me out of his sight again," Zan added dryly from his place on the floor.

"Yes, there is that," Zamiel agreed, almost brightly, as if it decided everything.

"Surely there is a way we can talk you young people out of it," Zack Rivan insisted. "We can't go with you this time, and we won't leave you to the mercy of pirates."

Star huffed at that. "It's far more than mercy, believe me."

"Aye, it be," Keids added, cracking his knuckles loudly. "I pity de fool what come 'tween me and dem chilluns."

There he was, like a storm at sea once again. For all their doubts and worries, squad C-57 seemed to believe him at once, if only because they were now terrified of him.

"I'd pity the fool, too," Zak laughed nervously. "You three certainly seem to trust this man; I guess I can see why now."

"Very well, then," Zione said with a sigh. "That is that, it seems. What happens next? Is there anything we can do to help?"

"All we need is a few hours' rest before we have to go again," Forley told her. "It won't do to attempt this with no sleep, but Iris already looks better. How are you feeling over there?"

Iris raised her hand and waved feebly. "I am fine, thank you," she said flatly.

"We gon' go quiet like," Keids told them, reaching into his pocket. "I be all de guards dem Crusaders gon' need. Got wit' me all the strength o' ten o' you men."

Zamiel fidgeted, wanting to scoff at the declaration but not daring to insult the man. "How is that?" he asked instead.

Keids opened his hand and showed them what he had taken from his pocket. To everyone's shock and wonder, two magicites were glowing in his palm. One was a sapphire, like Zamiel's; the other was a clear, glittering, perfect diamond, the rarest and most powerful of air stones.

"All what's left o' de bad ol' days o' Keids' youth, dis here be," he said evenly. "Always had a talent wit' all dem waters, he did; give 'im dis purty ol' stone right off, dey did. De diamond we fin' later, and purty ol' sapphire fin' itself a likin' fer it. Dey been stronger den ever. It's all I ever need 'round 'ere."

Even the Crusaders had to gawk at the treasures in his hand. Keids had made it clear all along that he had a way with deep magic; but they never could have suspected this.

"Where in heaven and earth did you find the diamond?" Zane demanded. "They're so rare, even high ranking generals have to fight over them. People would kill for this stone."

Keids scowled and snatched the gems back. "Well, dey ain't killin' fer dis one," he growled. "Dey ain't ever gon' know 'bout it, 'cause ol' Keids got it now. Got de power o' wind, ice, an' all 'em waters in him hand, he do. Ye gon' doubt 'im now?"

Zane held up his hands in surrender and backed quickly away. "Not at all, sir," he said humbly. "I was only surprised, was all."

Keids chuckled, pleased at the sensation he had caused. "Did a good trade in dem stones a while back, we did," he continued. "Mavis an' Kito an' me, we know dem ways up 'ere. Made it a fun lil' game o' snatchin' 'em if ever we could. Some o' dem we keep fer ourselves, some o' dem we trade 'round. Made sure dem good folk gots a way o' keepin' safe, like. All in good fun, it were."

"Good fun, indeed," Zara muttered. "Now I can really see how Vivi is such a cunning thief; she clearly has a good teacher. Why stop, if it was such a clever game?"

Keids shrugged. "Dem good folk ain't s'possed to have 'em, see. Getting' caught wit' 'em lef' an' right. We ain't been pirates long, an' ain't know no better in dose days. Had to give it up, we did. Not 'fore snatchin' us upward o' 50 stone er more."

Zane began to laugh and shook his head. "Ah, yes, I remember now. I had just graduated from the academy, myself, when all that nonsense happened. Scads of thefts caused Central to crack down on magicites, and who they were handed out to. It was suddenly rare to see them assigned, even to top generals. But the incident passed as suddenly as it had begun, and they became common again a few years later. I say, that was you and your people? You're a braver man than I thought, sir."

Keids smirked at the praise, then glanced at Zeel as she cleared her throat sharply.

"I don't suppose you ever dealt a few stones to a woman named Zinobia?" she asked hopefully. Keids' eyes grew wide, and he laughed.

"Lil' ol' Zinobia? Why, a finer woman der ain't ever be!" he cheered. "My friend, she were. Aye, she come askin' 'bout a few stones way back in de day, when we been new at it. Traded 'er two fer a fair sum. Two months' pay, she had said."

"Did she say why she needed them?"

Keids shrugged. "Nay, ain't said a word, she did. Jus' say she need 'em fer somethin' o' 'er own. An' ol' Keids ain't 'bout pryin' into good folk's 'fairs, so he leave 'er be."

"Do you know what's happened to her since then?"

Now Keids squinted at her. "Ain't seen de girl in years, I ain't. Took off one day, she did, vanish into de city somewheres, an' we ain't seen 'er since. Ye seen 'er someplace? Ye gots'a tell me, woman!"

Zeel shook her head. "I'm afraid I haven't seen her. But I have seen the magicites you traded her. We all have, in fact. Zan and Forley have them right now."

Zan and Forley had already taken out their own magicites, and were staring at them in amazement. Everyone was doing the same, their eyes wide and their mouths hanging open in disbelief. Star couldn't believe it, either. How suddenly this part of that story had come together. The stones had come with a letter, explaining that a Central Control officer named Zinobia had betrayed her post by finding them illegally. Star and her family had wondered often what had become of this brave, defiant woman; but when they had tried to locate her, they hadn't been able to find her anywhere. She had simply vanished one day, leaving no trace, never to be seen again. Even the city's records had seemed baffled by it.

How incredible it was, that Keids had been such a strong part of their journey all along, even when they had no idea that he existed.

And so it was decided, with some reluctance, that the Crusaders must go out into the rainy night once again. Zack Rivan had been right—there was no way to talk them out of it. The remaining three of them settled themselves around the fire to rest, and speak of their next adventure. Star watched with a slight twinge as Alanis came to join them, sitting beside Forley and plainly avoiding her. Leah joined them, too, and that didn't bother Star in the slightest. Leah was so thoughtful and wise, it was a blessing to have her with them.

"Surely you know by now that Vivi and Zizi won't be going with you this time," she pointed out right away. "I know you all care very much about the four being whole, but you will just have to make do without them for now."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Forley agreed. "They can barely keep their eyes open just now. And besides, I would never dream of taking them from you like that."

Leah smiled gratefully. "You will have Iris for a time, though. She will be your Water element."

"I don't think that's quite right," Star said slowly, thinking it over. "In this instance, I think she will be more of a pointer finger—our purpose and direction. I think Keids will be our fourth, instead."

Alanis peeked around Forley to look at her. "That is very insightful," she said helpfully.

Star shrugged. "Now that I've been thinking about the past and the present and all they suddenly have in common, I can't stop thinking about it. It's like how books are fitted together at the printing presses around this city. There might be a thousand pages in a batch, printed exactly the same from one to the next; but each one goes with a different copy of the finished book. And so it goes until each book is completed. The pieces are all the same, but the puzzles are many, and end up in very different places."

She turned to look over her shoulder to look for Keids. He had gotten Thora by herself for a moment, and appeared to be saying something very flattering to her, for she looked very proud and pleased with herself.

Zan followed her gaze, and then grimaced at what he saw. "I don't feel very good about that…"

"About what, now?" Forley asked, also turning to look, and then laughing lightly. "Oh, yes, those two. I don't see why you're so upset, Zan. You have to admit, they make a fine couple."

"Don't," Zan grumbled, burring his face in his hands. "It's so embarrassing, I could just die."

Leah punched his shoulder playfully. "That is an exaggeration, and you know it. Besides, I agree with my brother."

Zan went on groaning, keeping his bright red face hidden behind his hands, and the others laughed at his sudden bashfulness. Star might have joined them, except she thought of something that would cheer him up. It seemed wrong not to do it, since he always went out of his way to make her happy.

"Wait here," she told him. "I think I know how to put some space between those two, but I need one of my notebooks first."

Zan looked puzzled, but she didn't give him time to question her. She ran across the room to the stairs and dashed down all three flights, wondering if she should take the chance to change her clothes.

No, I'd may as well leave them, she decided. There's still plenty of running around to do, and it's been easier in a shirt and trousers. I suppose I can change in the morning.

As she caught a glimpse of herself in her mirror, it was difficult to be content with this. She still disliked her borrowed clothes, and kohl was smudged all over her face again. Only now was it plain just how strongly her clothes smelled, too—like rum and stale smoke, just as Zan had said.

At least no one has badgered me about my clothes so far, she thought. Forley seems to have explained it all away. Still, someone could have told me that my face was a mess. Everyone must be so tired that they haven't noticed. That, or they're so shocked by everything else that my face doesn't frighten them. How embarrassing…

She tramped slowly back up the stairs, scolding herself for running down them before when she was already exhausted, herself, with her notebook under one arm. She thoughtfully stroked the spine of the book as she went, feeling pleasantly distracted from the night's events—from the riddle, the cries of despair, the plans, the borrowed clothes, and even from the struggle in her heart. The many troubles from the last few hours retreated to the back of her mind, as her thoughts drifted back to the time when she had filled this precious notebook.

She had lived with her parents in Rin, then. She had just discovered a love of history and amazingly true stories, and begun to seek them with a ravenous appetite. She had poured through her father's library, craving tales of Titans and Dragons and deep magic. She had spent weeks and months filling every blank book she could find. She had found her calling: to combine this relentless hunger with her great talent for words, and make her whole world a better place. And she had done it with the love and encouragement of her family, in the shelter of a safe place, in a time that had been much simpler and far less exciting.

The book in her hand was filled with the origin stories of the Titans and their talismans, and their first bonding with the Dragons who had created the world. It was also filled with knowledge and facts about the elements, and more stories of how the first Titans had used their new power in those early days.

Star had taken very little with her when she had left home, but this and a few other notebooks had found their way into those few things. In their own ways, they were as precious to her as the Book; she had worked hard on all of them, and they all mattered to her. The knowledge within them was a way to keep her past close, to remember where she had come from, and to honor the family and the people she had left behind. Farther and farther behind, it seemed, as she thought of it all less and less.

What was more, the stories had done her new family and friends a great service. They had never heard these stories before, forbidden to even know such things existed beyond their steel wall. The tales had delighted them, and the facts had nourished them like fresh wood in the bakery ovens.

Star smiled at the idea. When she had realized that there was untold but silent power in her craft, she had never dreamed that it could reach so far. She had thought that her work would stay forever within her own place in the world, where she had supposed it mattered and was needed most.

How much bigger her own place in the world had turned out to be. How much bigger the whole world had turned out to be.

When she returned to the third floor, she was mildly pleased to see that Keids and Thora were still talking, and in fact appeared to be flirting rather boldly without caring that everyone could see them. Most of the squad was doing their best to pretend that it wasn't happening; Zamiel and Zack Rivan were scowling over it and looking a bit scandalized, but Zirita and Misha kept peeking over their shoulders and smiling. Zan was still huddled by the fire, staunchly gazing into the flames and likely battling the urge to look behind him.

So there was still a need for her and her notebook. There was one Titan story in particular which she suspected Keids would want to hear, which just might tear him from Thora's side, thus saving the day. The man was being very charming and seemed to be in an excellent mood; but Star, wary of all he could do, approached him with caution anyway, holding her book a bit shyly in front of her.

"Excuse me," she said politely, resisting the temptation to tug his sleeve or tap his shoulder, as Vivi would have done. Keids turned and looked irritated to be interrupted, but then grinned to see who it was.

"Why, 'tis de Star child," he greeted, clapping his hand on her shoulder. "How ye holdin' up, girl? 'Cited as I be?"

"I'm fine, thank you," she smiled back, holding up her book for him to see properly. "If it was alright with you, I had something I wanted to share with you. Something I feel you should know."

At the sight of the lovingly worn book, the man's blue eyes lit up like lightning. "Oh, one 'o yer great books, it be," he exclaimed. "I been hopin' 'a git me hands on de like! De writin' o' dese fine hands be a thing 'o legend! Watcha got fer me, den?"

Star ducked her head, glowing but bashful from the praise. "Well, since we talked before of the Great Serpent and all she did for you, I thought you might like to know another story about her. The story about the first Titan of Water."

Keids crossed his arms, looking quite smug. "Star child, ol' Keids done know all 'bout dat tale," he teased. "Read it all up in ol' Rowan 'o Rin, he did. Ye mark it down, yerself, girl."

Now Star crossed her arms and looked smug. "In part, yes. Papa did figure out much of it by himself; and those were the parts I wrote down then, because they were the parts that mattered in that story. But lil' ol' skinny rabbit didn't know the whole thing, not 'till much later."

Star only realized how thickly she had spoken after it was too late, and blinked at her poor grammar in horror. It really was true—too much time around this man had an astonishing effect on everyone around him. A picture of her father's face flashed before her eyes, of how baffled he would have been if he had just heard her; she also suddenly thought of Shaaran, who might have stood on her toes to smack her over the head, complaining that she had taught her better.

Keids laughed uproariously and threw his mighty arm around her. "I likes de cut o' yer tune," he proclaimed. "Got de stuff o' real pirates in ye, Star child, dat ye do! Come an' tell ol' Keids yer story, den, girl. I'm a'dyin' to hear it."

"Yes, indeed," Thora agreed, hiding her own laughter behind her hand. "I suspect it will cause a sensation, even more so than your new accent, which I must say I like quite a lot. Everyone, gather round and listen up, now. Star has a story for us, now."

Still blushing, Star ducked out from under Keids' arm, slightly surprised to see that the noise of conversation had ceased and that all eyes were on her. It was easy for her to forget, when Forley told excellent stories off the top of his head, that she was a good storyteller, too. She always mesmerized her audience when she read aloud from her books, a sort of magic of her very own. And everyone in the house had learned it by now as well. Though they had all heard the story she was about to read, every one of them would be glad to hear it again.

On an impulse, Star strode across the room to where Iris was still silently soaking in her tub in the corner. Iris peered up at her curiously, but said nothing.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" Star asked with a smile.

Iris shrugged and stared at her knees. "I cannot really stop you," she pointed out.

"I may have told this story when I was in Maris," Star explained as she settled herself on the floor, "or you may have heard it somewhere else. I'm not sure if you know it; not many people do. The Titans know what a little information can do, and so they prefer to guard some things carefully. But the Keeper allowed this story out some time ago, since my father was so close to the truth and still so far from it. The Keeper decided it was wrong for him to not know the whole truth for what it is, and so I learned it from him. From both of them. I wrote it down word for word, as they wanted it told. I believe the knowledge comes right from the crystal, itself."

At last, Iris looked truly interested. She even leaned against the side of her tub to listen better, and to see the book more closely. When Keids came and sat beside Star, Iris didn't even shrink away.

This is good, Star realized. They need to be able to trust each other, but they have been at odds all night for perfectly good reasons. Keids is enormous and loud and Zebak; Iris is small and frightened and Maris. Everything they have naturally repels them from working together. But if they have something in common—a whole Dragon and the same deep magic to unite them—perhaps they will finally begin to understand each other. Maybe even believe in each other.

Well, maybe that last part is wishful thinking; but my father was a dreamer, and I am certainly my father's child. How can I really help it?

She turned to the page she wanted, feeling a sense of nostalgia come over her. She remembered the day she had first turned to this page, when it had been blank and empty, and how she had filled it and several others after it. There had been a thunderstorm that day, and she had spent the whole time curled up in her bed, cozy and warm while she wrote. It had been fitting that water had been pouring from the sky, since Water was the very element she had been writing about. It never failed to tickle her whenever she turned to this page, even when just flipping past it to look for something else.

It was a powerful memory, equally fitting for the element that symbolized remembrance. She suspected that this was part of the reason this story was always so captivating when read. And already, before she had started reading, the whole room was watching, waiting impatiently for her to begin.

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The Mother of Maris

The deep waters of the world have always been a place of great treasures, mysteries, and secrets; and none are greater than Jaggra, daughter of Polaris, lady of all waters and mother of all that dwells in the deep. In time, it gave her mother's heart great pleasure to grant her children a place upon dry land, where they might tame the mighty seas at her side. These children walked upon the shore and spoke the human tongue; and men came to call them the Maris, for they had come from the sea. They lived upon the waters in the light of the sun, not below in the dark and cold, and brought their hallowed mother a joy as deep at the sea, itself.

The Maris were like men; but they were more of the sea, and so their hearts were cold and cunning and fearful, as the creatures they had once been. In time, fearfulness and distrust consumed them, and violence spread among them. Those who had once been their leaders fought amongst themselves, and spoke of war. The Maris became divided, a number of them came to follow each of their leaders. And so they became not one, but four, and the hatred between them brought fear to all the world.

Their hallowed mother was deeply grieved, and for a time walked among them in the form of a terrible, beautiful woman, clad in robes like living water. She scolded and threatened as only a mother could, and begged for peace; but her children were unruly, and would not hear her voice. Angered and dismayed, the Dragon retreated to the deep, preferring the company of her less willful children to the monsters she had borne. And the Maris came quickly to forget the ancient, mysterious Dragon that bore them. Instead, they whispered in dread of a terrible creature in the deep, cunning and merciless. They called her the Great Serpent, mother of all the sea's foulest things—gladly forgetting that she was their mother, as well.

The Maris came in time to call their clans after the four leaders who had divided them. The clan Fisk wore colors as green as the far waters, and were said to be the finest fishers in all the land. The clan Umbray wore clothes of silver that flashed like the sea at storm, and were crafters of magnificent tools. The clan Pandellis wore the blue of the distant skies, and crafted boats to better sail toward it. The clan Mirril wore the red of the rising and setting sun, and were learned in the ways of powerful potions.

Each clan found its own unique talent, which once was used for all. In those days, these great talents were used only for chaos and destruction.

Because the Mirril were gifted with crafting potions, they turned their knowledge to deadly poisons with which to kill their brothers. They were pleased to see many lives be lost to their knowledge; and yet they trembled at the power of their own skill, and wisely saw fit to craft an antidote for each poison. And they believed that they were clever, this way. If only they had the eyes to see that they were no different from the rest! Their brothers were no less cunning and cruel, and delighted in every life lost to their own skills.

And so this went, until Fate chanced to meet a family of the Mirril, to change their lives forever. One of their great potion masters had three sons—his apprentices, who spent their days devising new poisons for their can. The eldest brother was talented in the art, and the youngest brother found his place in brewing an antidote to every poison his brother could make. But the middle brother was jealous of their skill, and sought to prove himself by crafting a new poison in secret. He called his one great creation Death Sleep, for he planned for it to send its victim into a deep sleep filled with lovely dreams, as the poison silently, terribly drained the life away.

Not one person knew of the potion. And so it was by a terrible accident that the boys' own mother fell ill by it, mistaking it for something good to drink. All the clan was dismayed; and none were more grieved than the potion master and his family. And grieved beyond words was Orin, the youngest son who was so skilled with antidotes, because he had not known of this poison, and so had no cure for his mother. In a haze of terror, he took his brother's notes and sought to try, though he knew that any cure would be found far too late.

On his own, Orin had no clue where to begin crafting his antidote. But Fate was with him that night, and called him into the still waters that surrounded Maris, to the silent, secret isle in its bay where few dared venture. Little knowing what destiny led him, Orin followed the call around the little isle, to the far side where he could no longer see the shore, and no eye could see him. And as he rowed his boat, he cursed in his mind the other clans, regretting that if it were not for these, there would be no need for Mirril poison, and so his mother would not be doomed to die.

And yet as he thought of this, his heart was greatly changed as it came to him that if only there was peace between the four clans, this whole terrible tragedy might not have happened at all. He thought for the first time of clans beside his own, of other sons whose mothers had been lost to Mirril poison, while his own clan had hoarded the antidotes to itself. All at once, his cold Maris heart grew warm and began to ache at the thought of mothers and fathers, and sons and daughters, taken heedlessly from one another by his clan, just as his mother was being taken from him.

For the first time, a Maris longed for peace and unity between the four clans, and a day when such senseless death might cease among them. But Orin was only one young boy, with an already impossible task before him, and in his mind all was hopeless. Still, the call of Fate drew him onward, and he landed upon a calm and beautiful shore, where he gazed in wonder to the horizon, his grief forgotten for a brief moment.

There in the sky shone a brilliant full moon, the most glorious he had ever seen, and its reflection shone like a silver path to the heavens before him. The sense of Fate he had chased all along filled him, and he knew at once that something terrible and mighty was meant for him there, though he knew not what.

And as he gazed across the silvery path to the moon, the waters before him seemed to tremble in wonder like his own. Before his eyes, from the deep darkness of the sea, rose a figure too terrible for words.

She appeared not as a monster, but as a woman as glorious as the full moon, itself. A woman like his own kind, but filled with power and might. Her robes shone with all the colors of the sea, and her bare arms and head were adorned with gleaming copper that flashed in the moonlight. Brighter than all shone her fathomless eyes, glowing and golden as the stars, burning into Orin's very soul and commanding his mind.

He would have followed her into the deep to die, if she had asked him too, and he would have obeyed with gladness. The Maris no longer spoke of the hallowed mother they had cast aside, only of a dread monster—the fiercest, cruelest, and greatest of all serpents in the sea. And yet Orin knew at once, in his heart, that it could only be Jaggra, Lady of Water, who appeared before him.

He stood transfixed with wonder and terror as the unearthly figure strode across the surface of the water. As she drew near and Orin began to see her clearly, he realized with a start that the Dragon—the Great Serpent that all Maris had come to dread—was with child, and that her time to give birth was near at hand. Awestruck and wondering what this could mean, it was all he could do to stand upright before her, as she stepped onto dry land and towered above him, glowing eyes peering into him.

Her gaze held him captive for a long moment. No thought to speak, or flee, or act in any way crossed his mind; but he would have done any impossible task she commanded of him. And after a moment, her piercing gaze softened; and with a mother's smile, she touched her fingers to Orin's face in great affection.

"Your heart is opened, as deep and wide as all the waters of the world," said the Dragon. For all her might and power, her voice was like the gentle waves on the silent shore. "You long for your people to be whole—the same prayer I have raised a thousand times, for the sake of the children I love. An impossible task lays before you, dear one. I will make it possible for you."

Before his eyes, the shape of a woman vanished; and instead, he saw the Dragon as she really was. Above him rose a creature of nightmare, which brought no fear to his heart. Truly, there was no serpent greater than she, for her body coiled around the shore like a wall of glittering green scales; her spiny fins flared around her mighty head like a magnificent crown; and her fangs dripped a venom that sizzled and burned dangerously on the sand.

Any other Maris would have felt his heart give way from fright, and found himself dead before her. But Orin saw her as none other had in years without number, as the mother to him that she was, and this made her achingly beautiful to him. The Dragon saw this in him, nodding her mighty head as she slithered into the island's thick forest.

"The time for my young to arrive is upon us, for the fullest moon of the year has risen," she told him. "Come with me, into the forest. Sit with me, ease my pain, and learn my secrets. There, I will give you the answers you seek."

And so it was that Orin followed his Hallowed Mother into the thick forest in the island's center, brought her comfort and eased her pain, and was given the means to rescue his mother from death. The young potion maker watched in amazement as the small batch of his brew changed color, one at a time, from deepest blue, to brightest green, to shimmering silver – one color for each divided clan, together at last.

"But Mother," he said after a time, puzzled, "what of the color for my clan?"

And the Dragon smiled in her dragonish way, barring her dripping fangs and bowing her head low, saying to him, "Soon and very soon, now, there will be no care for clans left in your heart. Your heart will be for all clans and all creatures, for I have a gift or you."

As she spoke, a single drop of steaming venom dripped into the brew; and all at once, the potion became as clear as the sky, and the sky, and the purpose Orin somehow understood his Mother had in store for him.

Both their labors completed, the Great Serpent transformed once again, taking on the shape of a tall, beautiful Maris, towering above the pool where her eggs lay in safety. Bending nearly double, she reached deep into the treacherous water and drew out a wonder – a great, round, glowing crystal, swimming with color as though all the light and waters of the world were alive within.

This treasure she presented to Orin, saying, "This I leave with you, my son, of my heart and body to make your kind one again. Take it, place your hands upon it, and become as I am, as you were made to be."

And so Orin took the wondrous crystal in his hands, and at once he was changed forever. In an instant, the young Mirril potion maker was gone, left to memories of time. There was no room left in his heart for one clan, or one family, or one person. There was room there for none other than Jaggra, his true Mother, and her deep, passionate love for her children.

Taking these treasures with him, he climbed back into his boat, summoning the tide for the first time to aid his return to the shore. The strength of the waves and the power of fierce winds were within him, flowing in his veins as deep magic filled him.

The young man who stepped upon the shore was far from the one who had left it, not long ago at all. Already, his presence, and the presence of the crystal, had called all Maris to wake as the first light of day shone beyond the sea. And as they stole from their homes to gaze upon the creature on the shore, the distrust and the ages of bitter hatred between them seemed to melt away with the tide and the shadows of the night.

"I am the Keeper of the Crystal," he proclaimed to his people, all memory of his old name long forgotten. "By the powers that made us and bind us, I say let these days of war fall away from us. Let there be peace and life between us, and let us never again battle over that which cannot be control, and belongs to us all."

And all the Maris were amazed, enthralled by the power of the crystal, and longing to be whole again filled their hearts as it had filled the heart of Orin, who was now called Keeper of the Crystal – the first Titan of deep, mysterious Water, and all that dwells within it.

And so it was that the Titan's mother was saved from death, and lived to see her youngest son lead their people with wisdom. And so it was that all the Maris clans set aside their love of death and destruction, and together became prosperous. And so it was, that the truth of Orin's powerful meeting with his Hallowed Mother remained with the crystal, carefully and reverently guarded from mortal minds – until another young Titan with a heart for his own people chanced to discover it, and learn its secrets.

And so it has been, to this very day.

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"The end," Star concluded, closing her notebook with a sigh. She had always liked that ending, because it spoke so plainly of her father. The words had been passed from the crystal, to the Keeper, to her father, and then to her, and she had written them exactly as they had been given; but she had often wondered how such a detail had made its way into this very personal tale. A long time ago, she had wondered if the Keeper, himself, had come up with those last words, as a way to playfully tease her father from afar, as she supposed brothers would.

Now, with the past and present connecting in so many ways around her, Star felt that she understood. Neither Titan had devised that twist – she suspected strongly that, like the rest of the tale, those words had come directly from the crystal, and therefore from the heart of the Dragon, herself. Because Orin's tale and Rowan's were so remarkably alike, driven by so many of the same fears and desires, and by their own mothers.

That had moved the Dragon's strangely motherly heart. It was plainly very important to her. Important enough to mention in her own story, that had nothing to do with the Arin or the Lord of Earth, or anything else.

There was no applause, as there often was when she finished telling a story. Instead, the whole company was standing or sitting back quietly, thinking the tale over and appreciating everything it suddenly meant to them. Even Keids was silent, thoughtfully stroking his beard and gazing into space, marveling over what he had heard. Iris was staring at her knees again, and looking like she had something on her mind.

"A thought comes to me," the Maris girl said abruptly. "A thought of the Hallowed Mother's heart and mind. Both were repeated many times, and I cannot believe it was for nothing. Do you suppose she knows where I am, even now?"

Star paused, thinking slowly about that. "Perhaps," she said at last, not sure what else to say.

"I thought before that I came to this wretched place by a terrible accident," Iris continued. "That I had done this to myself because I am selfish and prone to trouble, as my friends and parents are always complaining; but now, I am not so sure. In the hours since then, I have begun to wonder if I was brought here on purpose, like this pirate was – by the will of the Great Serpent, to do some wonder of my own. Do you think it foolish of me to think such things at a time like this?"

"Not at all," Star smiled. "Your sudden appearance here has proven to be a miracle, which some would say is mere coincidence, but I think we all know better than that by now."

Iris glanced at her sideways, and a faint smile spread over her pale face. "I will remember this night, then. I will remember it to today's Keeper, and all our kind. I will tell them all what I've seen and heard. Perhaps the Keeper will remember my memories even to the other Titans, at least to let them know that you live. It will comfort them to know what you have done here, I think."

It was a comforting thought to Star, as well. There were days when she and her cousins still felt terrible about leaving their families behind, unable to even say goodbye or make vain promises to return one day. But as Iris spoke, something clicked in her mind:

Remember, too, the journey, dear,

And all you do and see and hear.

She had felt all along the strangeness in the most recent riddle the sigil had given her. It had come from the gold medallion around her neck, but the tone had felt… Odd to her, somehow. What was more, it felt like many of the words had been given to her, but were meant for someone else to understand and use. The feeling had pricked at her all night, more and more when she had a few minutes to think of it; and now, at last, she knew why.

The words had been meant for Iris the whole time. They had been words of motherly encouragement, for a terrified child who didn't realize that she had a mission to accomplish. Somehow, perhaps just because Iris was there, and because the love of a mother could breach any boundary, the voice of Jaggra, Lady of Water, had crept like a stream across the barren desert and into the Earth sigil, where it could be heard.

And the most amazing part was that Iris didn't even need to hear those words now, even though they were meant for her. She simply understood it now, and had found the courage and will to do it.

She is humble, and obedient for once, Star thought, gazing back at the Maris in wonder. She has learned quite a lot from this adventure, and will learn quite a lot more on the next once. Like Orin, the young person who returns to Maris shores will be far from the one who set out, not at all that long ago.

Her parents will be so proud, and so glad. And they won't be the only ones…

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Afterthoughts…

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This took a stupidly long time to finish, because I had a new job to start, a funeral to go to, and a house to get together so we could sell it. I'm in the middle of the grieving process right now, as I know some of you already know, and it's made creativity of any kind understandably difficult. Which has been frustrating, because this chapter sat nearly completed for nearly two months and I couldn't find the oomph to finish it!

But here it is, finally, in all it's thrown-together goodness. I know this retelling of Orin's tale probably won't fly with a lot of people, but blah. BLAH, I say.

Happy Halloween, in advance! 8D