Well here's something y'all haven't seen in a while...a WPL update! My deepest apologies for the turtle-pace, but life threw me a curveball and I whiffed it. You all had such beautiful words of support...and I can never thank you enough. Alright, that's enough with the mushy stuff...honestly I can hear Azhure Tigress puking from here!
A crapload of thanks to all my reviewers: Nemrut (I like your story); Zodiac (lol...thank you for your wordless review grin ); Visigoth (careful of your heart, dear); Lilly Tiger (I'm flattered you would add me to your favorites...thank you); Baka (glad to see you little sis); Loveline (I've missed you Ell); Chicken (Luba's the bomb); Spyder ( cringes away from pitchfork ); Pita (as always, I appreciate your insights); Nisa (bonus points for use of the word crescendo); Chibi (always a good idea to keep Nisa happy); Blaze (oh my...she called me a genius, y'all); Krystal (I loved making that bitch beg); Knight (not sadistic at all...I loved writing it); Vince (appreciate your planet's support); Heart of Elements (thank you to my biggest fan ever); Raniphae (thank you for your thoughts).
Whale Welcome to Lilly Tiger, Chibi Horsewoman, Heart of Elements, and Raniphae. Thanks for jumping into the Pit and moshing with us, folks. Big blowhole welcome to you all (believe it or not...that IS a good thing.).
Donut club: Visigoth for wondering about the Oracle's powers; Lilly Tiger...no real insights here, but I like apple pie, alright! Spyder for his Sandpit theory; Pita for risking her Holy A just to review the chappie; Nemrut, Spyder, Chicken, Pita, Baka, Loveline, GotW, Vince, and Knight...you all rendered such beautiful support at a time when I didn't think I deserved it. But you guys stuck by me, and it's the major reason WPL continues. I cannot express my thanks enough...I am truly blessed and humbled to have such an incredible network of friends.
On a more personal note, Visigoth, Azhure Tigress, Baka, and Pita each receive a special thank-you...and you all know why. I shall not cheapen what you four, personally, have done for me over the past few months by repeating it here. Just know and understand how deeply moved and touched I am to be called your friend and sister (and a few other things in Az-T's case grin ). I do not have words sufficent to express my gratitude, and a simple thank-you seems a poor way to repay you...though it is all I have to offer. But I offer it freely...thank you, my friends. Thank you!
Chapter 25
Why? How? What will become of us now that you're gone? How will they carry on without you? The questions flitted through her mind like bees buzzing haphazardly around a dead flower, unable to comprehend its silence. Halinor, still trapped in a sphere of pale violet, lay slumped and pondering. Her tears long since exhausted, the old woman nevertheless continued to heave great breaths of despair.
Irma Lair was gone, murdered by the hand of one Halinor had once called friend and sister; though Irma, herself, had played a part in her own demise. The young woman had given herself to the cold hand of death, almost seeming to welcome an end to her life; a life that had known hideous agony and emotional suffering of late. She had been unable to fight the demons that had usurped her mind and broken her spirit; unable to combat the nightmares and terrors that had shattered her sanity and destroyed her sense of security and trust. Under such heavy burdens, Halinor could understand why someone would want to end it all; but it didn't make it any easier for those left behind to deal with the fallout.
And still she found herself asking why and how Irma could do such a thing. Halinor knew she could never fully comprehend everything Irma had been forced to endure, nor would she ever completely know the extent of the girl's mental and emotional damage; but she simply couldn't conceive of an existence being so painful as to prefer death over life. Halinor had experienced her share of pain, both physical and emotional, but never had she felt so low as to wish to stop living.
The former Guardian cried out in anguish and pounded her fist against the floor of her prison, too exhausted to do much else. It seemed like hours since Luba had returned from placing Irma in her Chamber, though it had likely been mere minutes. Halinor shuddered as she recalled the depth of rage in the Caretaker's eyes; never before had Luba looked so angry…or vengeful. Halinor didn't need powers of telepathy to know what was on the cat's mind, and she found herself almost hoping Luba would succeed.
Halinor mentally slapped herself for thinking such a thing. The Oracle had taught them to respect and cherish all life, even those of one's enemies. Still, the old woman couldn't help wishing Nerissa would be permanently defeated this day; how many Guardians did they have to lose before even the Oracle would agree the universe was better off without her? She knew she shouldn't allow herself to feel like this, it would only make her more miserable in the long run. She tried to turn her mind to the meditation exercises Yan Lin had taught her years ago, but she was too angry, too tired…too hurt, to concentrate.
Just then, the bubble in which she floated suddenly dissolved. Halinor yelped as she unexpectedly hit the polished floor of the fortress. Rubbing her elbow, the Former Guardian sat up and gazed around, somewhat bewildered. The Oracle was nowhere in sight, so it couldn't have been his doing; but then what had caused her prison to fade so abruptly? When no immediate answer presented itself, Halinor rose unsteadily to her feet; but even that simple task left the old woman gasping, and she sagged against the wall.
Come on Halinor, she scolded herself, you can't be that old. You can do this.
Supporting herself on the wall, the exhausted woman took one tentative step, then another. After only a few paces, however, her shaking knees refused to support her body-weight, and Halinor fell to the ground. She placed her back against the smooth, cold wall, and growled under her breath.
Useless, Halinor thought in frustration, this wretched old body is useless! I couldn't save Irma from Nerissa; now I can't even carry myself down this infernal hall!
In the midst of Halinor's silent tirade, a door opened at the end of the corridor and Luba strode into view. The cat approached the oblivious old woman and wordlessly hoisted the former Guardian into her powerful arms. Pulled suddenly from her reverie, Halinor gasped loudly.
"Luba! You startled me. What's..."
Halinor swallowed as she glanced into the Caretaker's face; she realized instantly that she had been wrong before about her assessment of Luba's rage. The cat's entire being seemed to vibrate with an all-consuming fury, unquenchable, inextinguishable, and nearly uncontainable. Her very soul burned with the fires of wrath and ire, and her eyes flashed with indignation. Even Luba's silence was deafening, as resonant as a great thunderstorm. Irascible claws dug into Halinor's sensitive flesh, but she was too nervous to address the issue with the angry Caretaker.
Luba marched back through the door and turned towards the Auramere Chamber. She tramped along in silence, her heavy footsteps the only discernible sounds. After a moment, Halinor's concern outweighed her caution, and she managed to cultivate enough courage to speak.
"Luba?" the old woman asked tentatively.
The cat's only response was a short, yet firm, snarl. Halinor swallowed and fell silent. She knew Luba was beyond angry, and that the cat would talk only when she felt ready. Halinor closed her mouth and did not press her friend more.
The door to the antechamber opened and Luba entered. The other Council members were already present as the cat deposited her load next to an ashen-faced Yan Lin. The tiny woman reached out to steady her friend, while Luba supported Halinor on the other side. The Oracle looked into the eyes of each of his friends before he spoke.
"It is good to see you, my friends. Halinor, are you quite well?"
Halinor nodded wearily, but grief rendered her powerless to utter an answer to the Oracle's inquiry.
The Oracle nodded serenely. "I am glad you are not hurt. Althor has only recently allowed me to heal his damaged knee, but it appears that was the extent of injury."
Luba growled softly but said nothing. The Oracle, nonetheless, glanced in her direction, and was about to say something when Althor interrupted.
"Can't say the same for the Knights of Vengeance can we, eh Luba?" the dwarf laughed.
But Luba did not hear the gleeful little man; she was stubbornly holding the Oracle's gaze with a resentful one of her own.
"Yes, we have won the day, Althor," the Oracle responded, tearing his eyes from Luba's. "But we must now take steps to increase our defenses against another invasion. I fear Nerissa will not stop, but will attempt to press her perceived advantage. To this end, it is vital that we find her means of entrance before she can use it again."
Luba huffed and turned to stare at the wall on her left. She did not outwardly disrespect the Oracle, but all present knew she was obviously unhappy. The Oracle ignored his furry friend and continued.
"I am still weakened from my previous injuries, and so I ask for your help, my friends. In light of the fact that the Mage was an imposter, I believe there is good possibility that her private chambers contain a doorway that as yet remains undetected."
Althor nodded. "Good thinking, Oracle; now if only we knew where to look…"
"The fortress is vast," Tibor spoke up. "The Mage's chambers could be anywhere. Have we even a place to start?"
"I always find it best to start at the beginning," the Oracle smiled.
Althor narrowed his eyes. "Did he just make a joke?"
"We shall split the fortress between all of us," the Oracle continued. "The task will not seem as daunting if we each concentrate on our own areas."
Althor pounded a fist into his palm. "With any luck we'll find some Knights still lurking around; I haven't had this much fun in ages, and I wouldn't mind some more. But there is something I'm confused about, Oracle; what exactly happened to Sandpit? One moment he had us on the vominator, the next he was glowing brightly and flying all around the room. As if that wasn't strange enough, he began to disappear shortly after Luba left me. I don't mean he vanished; I mean the piles of sand he left everywhere started to dissipate, until not one grain is to be found anywhere. I've never seen anything like it. Oracle, what happened?"
The Oracle answered in a strangely monotone voice. "I called on the assistance of the creatures native to this land; those beings who have inhabited this fortress far longer than have we."
"I don't understand." Althor remarked.
"There are creatures too small for our natural eyes to behold, my friend. They inhabit this land, this fortress; and have done so for eternity. They are the Eolande; the first intelligent life to occupy this world."
"The Eolande?" Althor queried. "I know nothing of these Eolande."
The Oracle nodded. "That is not surprising; I have rarely spoken of them. Outside of myself, only Tibor has knowledge of them."
"The Oracle alone can command them," Tibor rumbled. "The Oracle alone can see them; but only with his mind."
"I command no one, my friend," The Oracle corrected gently. "Though it is true I can communicate with them telepathically, they are beings possessed of their own free will. I would never presume to rob them of it."
"Where did they come from?" Althor asked curiously.
"That, I do not know. I know only that they have been here, on this world, far longer than any other beings."
"Alright, if you can't tell me where they're from, can you at least tell me what they did to Sandpit?" Althor asked.
"I asked them to create a reverse whirlwind around Sandpit," the Oracle answered. "As their numbers are great, their force was vastly superior to that of Sandpit; naturally, they prevailed, and Sandpit was defeated. In addition, I asked my friends to carry each grain of sand to the far corners of the universe; there to scatter them across the vastness of the cosmos. I believe it will be some time before Sandpit is able to trouble us again."
Althor silently pondered this new information for a few seconds. As unlikely as it seemed, the Oracle would never lie; thus it had to be true. But if that were so, then…
"Oracle, why did these beings not assist the Guardians when they were attacked by Nerissa?"
The Oracle's face seemed to grow sad for a brief moment before returning to its natural impassivity. "Though very old by linear reckoning, these beings are much like little children; they possess the same fears, insecurities, and apprehensions as would a human child. Early in the battle, scores of them were grievously injured; the others became affrighted and hid themselves. Even so, vast numbers of them fell to the anger of…of the situation."
Tibor could see the Oracle growing distressed by the topic, and so he gently interrupted. "Enough of this; there are more pressing matters to which we must attend. Finding Nerissa's point of entrance could prove difficult and time-consuming; as such, I suggest we get to it."
As the friends began to discuss their individual assignments, Luba finally spoke.
"What of the Water Guardian, Oracle?"
A hush fell over the antechamber, and all eyes turned to the Caretaker as she silently challenged their leader. Her blue eyes hurled icy daggers at the man, accusing and angry. The Oracle's face remained as neutral as ever as he regarded his longtime friend.
"Speak your mind," he invited gently. "You have nothing to fear here."
Althor and Tibor stared at Luba, flabbergasted that she would dare to cross the Oracle like this. It was then that Tibor suddenly realized none of the women had said a word before now, and he turned his eyes to Yan Lin and Halinor. He was shocked to see both women wore the same haunted expression on their drawn faces. A chilling sense of foreboding immediately settled on the bodyguard's mind as he swiveled his gaze back to the cat.
Luba continued, her voice soft and dangerous. "How many times must we allow Nerissa to maim and destroy before we end her terror permanently? How many times must we forgive these acts of barbarism before we decide it is enough? How many times must she escape our clutches before we take more drastic measures?"
The Oracle nodded impassively and held Luba's icy gaze. "We are not the ones to decide what is enough, my friend. That is not a duty that falls to this Council. Our duty is to find it in our hearts to forgive, no matter the severity of the offense. In this, we distinguish ourselves from those who would call us their enemies. In this, we choose the greater good and walk the higher path."
"To hell with the higher path and the greater good," Luba shouted, finally losing all self-control. "We had an opportunity to prevent this long ago, and we ignored it. I will not be so foolish again!"
"You are hardly a fool, Caretaker, nor does your passion make you one. You have a tremendous heart and a noble spirit, dear friend; you lack only the vision which comes with experience. To allow savagery to beget savagery would initiate a never-ending cycle of bloodshed and tears; a cycle which would continue until neither party can recall the initial infraction, nor deduce the original transgressor. The conflict would become nothing more than a shared tradition; one full of hatred and pride which would not allow either side to dam the oceans of blood or stem the tide of tears. Thus they both become prisoners of their own shortsightedness; and their quest for justice becomes instead a thirst for vengeance. My dear friend, surely you can see the tragedies this would induce."
Luba was not a being of irrational savagery, but neither was she a creature of passivity. The Oracle's statement, while certainly true, did nothing to assuage the predator's rage that swelled inside the Caretaker. It begged for release, pleaded to exact the toll justice required; and Luba fought to control her most primeval instincts. She understood, on a very personal level, what the Oracle was talking about. The Bloodfeuds; she knew them well, as they were common among her people. Her own brothers had been slaughtered centuries before during an age-old Bloodfeud; one that had commenced even before her own grandmother had been conceived. Luba had little doubt she would have eventually perished in like manner had not the Oracle arrived to teach her a new way of life. Since then, the cat had learned to control the primitive beast, and had become a respected member of the Council of Candracar.
Now all the old instincts came crashing back, clamoring for place at the front of Luba's thoughts. Though the Caretaker pushed them back, she warred with her own spirit about whether she shouldn't let those instincts take hold for the good of the universe…and for Irma.
"This is no Bloodfeud, Oracle," Luba finally snarled softly. "I am speaking of protecting the universe and these children we call Guardians. Or perhaps you have forgotten, in your eternal years, that the Guardians are mere children."
A collective gasp ripped through the antechamber, and Tibor moved protectively in front of his charge. "How dare you speak to the Oracle after such fashion, Luba!"
"This is not your fight, Tibor," Luba growled dangerously.
"And this is not some infant you can push around, Caretaker. This is the Oracle, and I for one will not stand here and-"
"Calm yourself, Tibor," the Oracle intoned gently, placing a hand on Tibor's meaty shoulder. "Luba has the right to express her feelings and her points of view. I thank you for your loyalty, but please do nothing more to hinder this conversation."
Tibor looked into the calm, blue eyes of his oldest friend and begrudgingly acquiesced. He stepped back and tried to relax his emotions.
Satisfied, the Oracle nodded, then turned his attention back to the enraged Caretaker. "My heart aches that you hurt so, and yet it rejoices in the love you so obviously hold for the Guardians. They are special young women, Luba; the Aurameres chose them for a reason. Why they chose such young beings in not in my realm of knowledge; but I do know they have chosen wisely. The Guardians have been grievously injured, this is true; but they will recover, Luba. You must hold onto this and remember our role in this conflict."
"Tell me, Oracle," Luba snapped, "Is it in your realm of knowledge to tell me how the Water Guardian shall recover from death?"
Althor and Tibor began to mutter to one another in confusion, while Halinor and Yan Lin began to shed fresh tears. The Oracle held up his hand, imploring for silence. The peaceful expression had vanished from his face, and his eyes now searched Luba's. "Forgive me, but what is this of which you speak?"
Before Luba could respond, Halinor wailed, "She killed her, Oracle. Nerissa murdered Irma right before my eyes." She buried her face into Yan Lin's shoulder and shook with sobs.
The Oracle looked questioningly at the tiny grandmother; Yan Lin nodded, unable to speak through her own fountain of tears. As she tried to comfort her oldest friend, Halinor spoke shakily.
"I t-tried t-to stop it, but I w-was too w-weak. I-I b-begged her not to do it…"
"Shhh...none of that now," Yan Lin cooed softly, trying to be strong in spite of her grief. "It wasn't your fault Hali; there was nothing you could have done."
The Oracle laid a comforting hand on Halinor's shoulder and turned his gaze towards Luba. "Where is the Guardian now?"
"I took her to her Chamber."
The Oracle smiled then and raised Halinor's chin with his fingers. "Be comforted, friend Halinor; the Water Guardian yet lives."
"W-what?" Halinor stammered.
"The Water Guardian is not dead, and in her Chamber she will recover quickly."
"But…I saw her die, Oracle," Halinor insisted, not daring to hope her leader's words were true.
"That may truly have been what Nerissa intended you to see; but had one of the Guardians truly perished, I would have felt it. Again I say, be comforted and take heart; the Guardians, though injured, are yet alive."
Halinor gaped liked a goldfish for a moment, then she threw her arms around the Oracle's neck and cried for joy. The Oracle laughed softly and patted his friend's back. Presently, the former Guardian released the bald man and turned her hug towards her best friend. Yan Lin laughed with her, and soon Tibor and Althor joined in the mirth. The antechamber swelled with the feelings of joy and relief; but Luba stood stoically and unsmiling. While she was certainly happy that Irma was not dead, her original question remained unanswered. How long would it be before Nerissa finally succeeded in destroying them all? What price would be paid for Candracar's hesitation to get its hands dirty? Unnoticed, she snarled under her breath and quietly exited the antechamber.
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Feelings of exquisite relief and joy flooded Halinor's tormented heart at the Oracle's pronouncement. She's alive, Irma is alive! she silently effused. And though her joy seemed boundless, she knew it was but a fraction of what Yan Lin must have been feeling. Even the most limited telepath would have had difficulty containing an effervescent whoop next to the small oriental woman, so pervasive and tangible was her ecstasy. But Halinor didn't mind being overwhelmed by these kinds of feelings; in fact she found it all extremely refreshing. There had been so much gloom and anxiety of late; and the old woman thought she could feel the fortress itself breathe a sigh of relief.
Gradually, Halinor extricated herself from the overjoyed pile of friends, and turned her wide grin towards the Oracle.
"I can't believe it," she stated breathlessly, "Irma is actually alive!"
The Oracle laughed. "Yes, dear friend, the Water Guardian is alive; and she will soon be well enough to rejoin the other Guardians."
Halinor's smile fell and her eyes adopted a pained shadow. She quickly hid her expression behind a false grin and nodded firmly. Concerned, the Oracle stared deeply at his longtime friend. Unwilling to violate the privacy of her mind, the powerful leader instead spoke to the other Council Members.
"My friends, this news truly brings us joy at a time that may seem very dark, indeed. And while I am loathe to interrupt this sense of good feelings, we must yet attend to the business at hand. Nerissa must have a doorway of sorts that allows her access to this fortress; we must find this doorway and seal it immediately."
Determined nods met the Oracle's confident gaze as he continued. "Tibor, will you please search dilligently the uppermost portions of Candracar?"
"As you wish," Tibor bowed, and quietly exited the antechamber.
"Althor," the Oracle continued, "the lowest portions of the fortress shall be your responsibility. Be thorough; there is much at stake."
"You can count on me, Oracle," Althor responded enthusuastically. Turning smartly, he too exited the antechamber.
Turning next to Yan Lin, the Oracle spoke gently. "Honorable Yan Lin, I wish for you to remain with your daughter. She will likely be frightened and confused when she awakes; it is important that her first sight be your face. It will serve to calm and soothe her."
Yan Lin nodded, her eyes expressing wordless gratitude. Still overcome with emotion, the old woman merely smiled and left quietly.
As the door closed behind Yan Lin, the Oracle glanced at Halinor. "You are troubled, my friend. Tell me, what vexes your mind?"
Halinor stared at the floor, ashamed of her thoughts. She had always tried to trust the Oracle, even when she didn't understand his motives. She believed he had their best interests at heart, and that he truly cared for each and every one of them. Still, she couldn't help feeling a small pang of doubt, and something Luba had said earlier served only to engorge the flame of unease. Nevertheless, the Oracle deserved an answer; and Halinor was determined to hold her head high while she voiced her misgivings.
"I am concerned for the Guardians, Oracle," she said, looking her leader in the eyes. "They are so young and they have been through so much. They were nearly killed in horrific and unspeakable fashion; do we really have the right to ask them to risk so much again? Their physical wounds may heal, but the emotional scars will remain with them forever, I fear. How can we place them in such horrible circumstances again?"
The Oracle smiled gently at the impassioned woman. "Your heart does you justice, Halinor. Your concern for others is noble and admirable; it is a quality to be envied. You are not the only one to have asked questions such as these, and there are no simple answers. You know why the Guardians must continue to see to their duties; as a former Guardian yourself, you have a unique perspective on this very situation."
The Oracle fell silent for several minutes as he paced around the antechamber. When he finally spoke again, Halinor thought she could almost hear a twinge of regret, even sorrow in his voice. "You lost a very dear friend long ago; your fellow Guardian was struck down by one we all called friend. Death is difficult to handle, and it becomes that much more painful when it is someone we love so deeply. Of all the Guardians, you, Halinor, had the most difficulty in dealing with Cassidy's death. You blamed yourself; you still blame yourself. You must let go of this painful guilt. It will serve no good purpose."
Halinor clenched her fists as old wounds opened anew. She didn't see what this could possibly have to do with her original angst, but she decided to play along...for now. "Of course I blame myself, Oracle; of all the Guardians, I was the one best placed to prevent what happened. I would have known what was going on had I not selfishly switched off my telepathic powers that night. I could have stopped her, Oracle; I could have stopped them both."
The Oracle placed his hands on Halinor's slender shoulders and stared intently into her eyes. "You were asleep when Cassidy was felled; even had you been telepathically privvy to their entire conversation, you still would have been powerless to prevent the outcome. Without the aid of the Heart of Candracar, you could not have arrived in time to change anything. Cassidy made a choice; Nerissa made a choice. We all make choices every day and for good or ill, we must live with the consequences. You did not kill Cassidy, nor did you drive Nerissa to kill her. We all felt a sense of loss, we feel it still; but blaming yourself for a situation over which you had no control will only serve to destroy you. Please, my dear Halinor...you must let this go."
Silent tears rolled down Halinor's cheeks and she squeezed her eyes shut. He was right of course, she did still blame herself for Cassidy's death...at least to a point. But the Oracle was also correct in that her guilt truly served no one; everyone felt their own sense of responsibility for the events of that awful night, and they all shouldered their own degree of blame. But they had all learned to move on with their lives, and they had refused to wallow in self-pity. Perhaps it was time she put away her own self-inflicted pennance and allow herself to heal...truly heal.
Through her tears, Halinor smiled at her old friend. "Your words ring true, Oracle. I have been living with this guilt for far too long. Perhaps it is time I try to put it in its proper place."
The Oracle smiled. "I am pleased to hear you say that. It pains me to see you suffer so. Which is why I feel I must speak with you further about this."
Halinor raised a surprised eyebrow, but remained silent.
"You were present when Nerissa nearly killed the Water Guardian. Trapped as you were, you must have felt very helpless during the battle."
The former Guardian clenched her teeth and nodded. She wasn't sure she liked where this was going.
"Halinor," the Oracle continued gently, taking the woman's face in his hands, "you are no longer a Guardian; your powers have passed to another. A Fire Guardian at full strength would have been hard-pressed to defeat Nerissa; a task next to impossible for a former Guardian. Yet I know you tried to defend the Water Guardian, nonetheless; else why should you have been so exhausted as to require Luba to carry you to the antechamber?"
The old woman clasped trembling fingers around the Oracle's powerful wrists as he continued. "You must not blame yourself for what happened to the Water Guardian anymore than you should blame yourself for what happened to Cassidy. I believe you were willing to give your life to defend the Guardian; a most noble and loving gesture. Even though you knew there was little or no possibility for victory, you challenged Nerissa. These are the sorts of qualities that should occupy your thoughts; not the darkness of guilt or despair. You must learn to forgive yourself, dear friend; allow yourself to heal, and by so doing, help those around you to heal as well."
Halinor rested her forehead against the Oracle's chest as he correctly perceived her thoughts; and again he was right about everything. She had railed at the frailty and the uselessness of her body, and how it had failed her when Irma had needed protection. Yet she had known before the first blow was ever struck that she could not win; so why did it plague her so?
"Again you find a way to see inside my heart, Oracle," she breathed. "Though I know there was nothing I could have done, I still feel angry at my limitations. Irma needed me...and I let her down."
The Oracle nodded in understanding. "Then perhaps you could assist the young Guardian with her recovery. I feel strongly that she is struggling in a very dark place; I believe she feels trapped..." The Oracle's voice trailed off as his eyes stared unfocused in the distance. Halinor waited some minutes before clearing her throat awkwardly.
"Oracle?"
The Oracle shook himself and grinned wanly at his friend. "My apologies; I was..."listening" to something."
Halinor nodded, though she didn't have the first clue as to what her old friend was talking about. "You said I could help Irma with her recovery. What would you have me do?"
"She will need someone to lead her through the darkness; someone she knows and trusts. Someone with telepathic abilities. I will be engaged with the search for Nerissa's point of entry; and as the Fire Guardian is currently incapacitated, I believe the Water Guardian's best hope for aid is you."
Halinor swallowed the lump in her throat. "Me? But my telepathic abilites are practically non-existant now; I have difficulty hearing myself think. Would it not be more prudent to restore Taranee's abilities immediately so she could perform this task?"
The Oracle raised an amused eyebrow. "And how would you propose to restore the Fire Guardian's abilities so quickly?"
"We could use the Auramere, allow Taranee to draw power directly from it."
The bald man cocked his head. "I believe I see where this reasoning will take us; and I am sorry but I cannot allow the Auramere, nor the Fire Guardian, to be placed in danger of this magnitude. Perhaps were there a greater degree of calm, I would lend it more thought; but it is simply too risky at this time. We must trust the Chamber to assist the Guardian's healing process for now."
Halinor's shoulders slumped, but she trusted her leader. This also meant there was no getting out of the Oracle's request to assist in Irma's recovery process. She tried to sound more confident than she felt as she voiced her conviction.
"Then I shall do my best to lead Irma through this darkness."
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A sea of darkness clouded her thoughts. Shadows loomed in her every memory. Living terror haunted her every dream; a never-ending nightmare from which there was no escape. Every black moment was filled with angst and riddled with despair. The crushing weight of hopelessness rested on her heart; the herald of a doom worse than any imagination could conjure.
She had failed them, failed them all; failed to protect them, to guard them, to stem the tide of evil and oppression. They were helpless, wounded, damaged; they had needed her…and she had disappointed them. The fortress was fallen, the Guardians were no more, the peace of the universe was shattered. She had fought so hard to prevent this outcome, but in the end it had all been for naught. The Guardians had been utterly destroyed, and the Heart of Candracar now lay in the corrupt hands of Nerissa.
She tried to banish the awful thoughts, but to no avail. They bombarded her mind every moment, tearing at her sanity and ripping away her last vestiges of hope. It was then she realized this was worse than a nightmare; it was reality.
She screamed in frustration and rage, knowing no ears heard her despair. She was alone to face the horror of a universe enslaved to evil. No one was left to help her; no one was left to help anyone. So utterly alone…and yet she wasn't.
Her screams of anger turned to screams of pain as her skin blistered beneath a fiery brand. She cried out as the sharp sting of leather and glass shredded her skin. She writhed in silent agony from the crushing assault of lightning. She could hear their voices, but not their words; though it hardly mattered. She knew they were mocking her and deriding her sufferings. This was to be her eternal existence; unimaginable agony fettered with moments of unbearable darkness.
Suddenly another voice pierced her sufferings; one that sounded so far away. She didn't know why, but she felt as if she should follow it. Though she could barely hear it, she knew it wasn't possessed of the same animosity as those other voices. She forced her battered mind to focus on the soft voice, and gradually it came through clearer until she could make out actual words.
Be calm child; let the water soothe your wounds and allay your fears.
The water? What water? Here there was only darkness and pain; an infinite oblivion of suffering.
You are safe here Guardian; come to me now.
Come to who? Where was here exactly? And why had the voice called her Guardian? The Guardians were dead; she had watched them all die at Nerissa's hands.
Come to me child.
Come where? Who was me? She tried to call out to the voice, to ask for additional direction. But the ghostly words had faded, and in their place, pain descended. Under the crushing agony, she surrendered to the darkness…and to the terror of her nightmares.
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Halinor sighed and slumped sideways. She was caught by Luba before she could fall to the floor. The Caretaker steadied the exhausted woman and was rewarded with a tired, yet grateful smile.
"I almost had her that time," Halinor said softly. "She actually heard some of my words. If only I were a little stronger."
"Patience my friend," Luba growled. "You are making progress; it is only a matter of time now."
Halinor patted the cat's paw and smiled again. Luba was right; any progress at this point was significant. Three days ago, they had all thought Irma was dead, killed by the savagery of Nerissa and the Knights of Vengeance; but the old woman could feel an active mind beneath the broken shell of Irma's body, and she knew the girl was still holding on.
"It was a good thing you insisted on taking Irma to her Chamber when you did," Halinor said. "She would be truly dead now if you had not done so."
Luba's only reply was a low grunt as she turned her attention to the giant pool of turquoise water that dominated the Chamber. Though more than twenty feet deep, it was easy for anyone to see to the bottom, so clear was the liquid. The pool itself was made of aquamarines so smooth and fine, they appeared to be liquid themselves. The edges of the huge watery vestibule were lined with blue sapphires of the most brilliant radiance. The floors and walls surrounding the pool were smoothly-polished quartz crystal; translucent and lustrous, the crystal surfaces reflected the water beautifully.
Irma lay at the bottom of the pool, wrapped protectively in the "arms" of the water. The young woman writhed and struggled in her comatose state, despite her element's best efforts to calm her. She would scream often, causing Halinor to wince. The former Guardian's telepathic abilities could sense Irma's terror and pain.
As another terrified scream ripped from Irma's lungs, Halinor clapped her hands over her ears, even though it was her mind that heard the cutting shriek.
"We have to find a way to reach her," Luba growled in frustration. She knew what had caused Halinor's pained reaction, as the former Guardian had explained it days ago.
Halinor nodded sadly. She knew Luba was not frustrated with her, but rather with her own inability to help. The cat had taken Irma's "death" particularly hard; she had even been reduced to her own form of crying, though she would likely rip out the innards of anyone who suggested such a thing aloud. Now she was forced to wait while the Guardian recovered on her own; even if that recovery meant additional suffering.
"I have been trying to contact Irma for three days, Luba," Halinor finally answered. "But her mind is so jumbled I am having difficulty sifting through everything."
"Jumbled," Luba scoffed, "is that what we are calling it now? Do you not mean damaged?"
Halinor sighed. "Yes, Luba, I mean damaged; I was merely trying to soften the circumstances."
"She does not need us to 'soften the circumstances;' she needs us to help her snap out of this evil that imprisons her. She has defeated Nerissa before; the Guardian will not give in now."
Halinor glanced sideways at her friend, but said nothing. She had not told anyone how Irma had fallen; how she had surrendered at the end rather than unleash an unstable, incredibly powerful being on the universe. The former Guardian closed her eyes and recalled the look of horror that had crossed Irma's beautiful features when she realized what she had done to Raythor. She shuddered as she remembered how the girl's eyes had practically pleaded with Nerissa to kill her. She winced as her mind replayed the awful crack of lightning as Nerissa obliged her foe. Irma had done nothing to avoid the deadly tendril, nor to defend herself against it. She had simply let it come, let it strike her chest with its full, lethal force. Even now Halinor didn't know how Irma was still alive; and she was both relieved and terrified for the girl.
"Perhaps once the Oracle has finished blocking Nerissa's point of invasion, he can contact Irma," Halinor said.
"The Oracle will be occupied with that task for some time yet; he only barely discovered the Mage's Meditation Chamber," Luba answered shortly. "Removing the enchantments and then placing the subsequent wards is a taxing and time-consuming process."
"I cannot reach her alone, Luba; I am not strong enough. I have been trying for three days, and I fear all I've done is inadvertently enhance whatever terrors hold her mind captive."
"Then you must keep trying," Luba insisted.
Halinor sighed, knowing there was no arguing with Luba. She knew the cat was still stinging from her confrontation with the Oracle, and the fact that the two had not spoken to one another since then was hardly a good sign. Luba would get over it someday, but until she did, things were bound to be tense around the fortress. Add to that Irma's current condition, and stress was at an all-time high.
Thoughts of inadequacy invaded Halinor's mind, preventing her from concentrating fully on her task. What if she failed and Irma died anyway? Luba seemed to sense Halinor's thoughts, and gently squeezed her friend's shoulder.
"You are the only one who can do this, Halinor; the Guardian needs you. You must try and try again."
Halinor glowed at Luba's confidence. With renewed determination, she closed her eyes and raised her fingers to her temples.
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Irma, hear me.
Irma was snapped from her dark despair by the familiar voice she had heard before. She tried to listen through the derisive laughter of her captors, but the voice was so soft and so far away.
Come to me Irma; come to me now.
She tried to concentrate on the soothing tone; tried to distinguish it from the pain and the despair. She knew that voice, she had heard it before. If she could just remember…
Be calm Water Guardian; you are safe now.
Water Guardian? Why was the voice calling her Water Guardian? The Water Guardian was dead…wasn't she? She struggled to think clearly, to disperse the fog of agony that dominated and controlled her.
Something in her overtaxed mind suddenly fell into place. She remembered Nerissa attacking the fortress and imprisoning Halinor. She remembered fighting the Knights of Vengeance and getting blasted by Nerissa in the hallway.
She grabbed her head in her hands and grunted; the pounding in her skull threatened to overwhelm her. Stubbornly, she forced herself to think through the pain. If she had been fighting Nerissa, then that meant she very well could be the Water Guardian. If that was the case, then she wasn't dead, and perhaps her friends still lived as well. Was it possible she really was safe in her Chamber, and that Candracar remained free? Could all this truly be a nightmare after all? Could she really wake up and everything would be alright?
The water Irma; let it help you.
The voice was clearer now, and seemed closer. The disembodied voice; that had to mean a telepath. Now Irma knew where she had heard that voice, and to whom it belonged.
Halinor?
Yes child; follow my voice.
Irma focused more readily on Halinor's soothing tones. The darkness began to shatter around her, and the pain in her body receded. In a matter of minutes, her eyes opened and gazed around at the calming hues of blue that surrounded her. She felt the most exquisite joy, and for a moment she thought her heart might explode. She was momentarily disoriented; but it didn't take her long to realize she was in her Elemental Chamber, and the overwhelming feelings of joy emanated not from herself, but from the water that lovingly held her.
She laughed then and patted the arm that encircled her shoulders. Her body suddenly felt crushed in a vice and she couldn't breathe. After a few seconds, the constriction was gone.
"Okay, okay; I missed you too," Irma grinned, returning the crushing hug as best she could. She closed her eyes and let herself drown in the soothing currents of her element. Here, she was safe, protected; nothing could hurt her in the water.
After several minutes, she opened her eyes and glanced up; Luba and Halinor were gazing anxiously down at her. Irma blinked then narrowed her eyes, struggling to recall every detail of her most recent memories. The last thing she remembered was the triumphant look on Nerissa's face as she watched her victim fall. She remembered Halinor's expression of horror, as she witnessed her young friend surrender to the powers of evil. And she remembered the pain, the indescribable agony of the lightning, tearing into her chest and ravaging her entire body. She shuddered and closed her eyes as the memories suddenly came flooding back like a monsoon; a perfect recollection of what should have been the Water Guardian's final battle.
Her breathing came in short, quick gasps, and her heart began to race uncontrollably; for a moment, Irma felt she was on the verge of all-out panic. She fought for control, her mind reaching out for anything stable or tranquil. At that moment, Hay Lin's face swam into her mind's eye and Irma's breath caught in her throat. She clung desperately to that image, as though it were a life-preserver. Gradually, she felt her pulse begin to regulate and her breathing slowed to normal. She took several deep, calming breaths before she opened her eyes.
Halinor and Luba still gazed into the water, waiting for the young Guardian to surface. Even from this distance, Irma could see they looked stressed and exhausted. Hesitantly, Irma began to swim to the surface; she was leery of the reception she would receive from the Council Members…most especially Halinor.
Finally breaking the surface of the gigantic pool, Irma glided to the side where Luba and Halinor waited. When she came within reach, the big feline reached a powerful paw into the water and grasped the front of Irma's shirt. With a surprised yelp, the Guardian was hoisted roughly out of the pool and deposited on the crystal floor. Luba placed both paws on Irma's shoulders and stared intently into her eyes. Unnerved by Luba's piercing, ice-blue gaze, Irma tried to pull away; but the cat was too strong. The Guardian gulped, certain she was about to be on the receiving end of one of Luba's "lessons." It was then she heard a low rumbling sound emanating from Luba's throat; a sound Irma could only describe as purring.
"It is good to see you well, Guardian," Luba growled softly, not releasing the clearly nervous girl from her grip. "Have you sufficiently recovered?"
Still uneasy under Luba's stare, Irma opened her mouth to respond, only to emit naught but a small squeak. She coughed and cleared her throat before she made another attempt.
"I'm fine Luba; just peachy," Irma croaked.
Luba nodded, seemingly satisfied by the answer. "That is good. We feared you were lost."
Irma said nothing, only nodded uncomfortably. She didn't know what to say; after all she hadn't expected to be alive either. Fortunately, she was saved by Halinor.
"Luba, now that Irma has awoken, would you please be so kind as to inform the Oracle?" the old woman asked pointedly.
Luba tore her eyes from Irma's and shifted them to the taller woman standing behind the young Guardian. Those eyes narrowed briefly but the feline nodded and released Irma's shoulders.
"As you wish," Luba growled. With a nod to Irma, the cat turned and strode out of the Chamber.
Irma swallowed another lump in her throat and exhaled deeply. She held her face in her hand and shook her head. Then she jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder again. She spun and saw Halinor looking at her with concern. The older woman raised an eyebrow as their eyes met.
"Forget I was here?" Halinor smirked.
Irma only grunted and shook her head. She said nothing as she sat down at the side of the pool, her feet dangling in the perfect water. Halinor regarded her critically before inviting herself to sit down at her side. She folded her hands in her lap and waited in silence for several minutes. She glanced at Irma out of the corner of her eye every once in a while. The young woman's eyes were closed and her hands gripped the edge of the pool tightly.
"Do you want to talk about it Irma?"
The Guardian shrugged slightly. "What is there to talk about? You were there; you saw it."
"Yes I was; that's why I'm concerned about you."
"Yeah, well…don't be," Irma answered gruffly.
Halinor sighed and stared out over the water. "It's not good to keep it inside like this; you need to let it out."
"What would you know about it?" Irma growled, her eyes still squeezed tightly shut. "Have you ever been where I am now?"
"No, I haven't; but I know what it's like to be in pain," Halinor answered gently. "I know what it's like to feel as though your entire world has been turned upside down."
Irma merely shook her head, but said nothing.
Halinor remained silent for several more minutes, gathering her thoughts. When she finally spoke, it was with gentle, motherly tones. "Irma, I can help you get through this. I know you feel conflicted and angry; you must resolve those feelings or they will tear you apart in the end. Please, let me help you."
Irma's eyes snapped open and she stared at her feet, dangling in the water. "You know I feel conflicted and angry? I suppose you would know that because you invaded my mind."
"Irma…"
The young Guardian clenched her fists angrily, but her tone was soft and menacing. "That is so typical of you apathetic immortals; you don't care about anyone but yourselves."
"No, Irma, listen to me…"
"What gives you the right to just barge into peoples' brains whenever you feel like it?" Irma snarled, her voice starting to rise. "I'm not some book you can just check out from the library and peruse at your leisure. Why can't you people get that through your heads and just leave me the hell alone!" As she screamed the last word, Irma grunted and grabbed the sides of her head. She gritted her teeth against the sudden wave of pain.
Without hesitation, Halinor gathered the young woman into her arms and held her close. Irma didn't fight her, much to Halinor's surprise.
"It'll be alright Irma, just give it some time," Halinor soothed. The older woman began to hum softly as she gently stroked the suffering girl's hair.
Even through the pain in her head, Irma recognized the tune. It was something Hay Lin would hum occasionally when she was painting. Curiosity got the better of her animosity.
"Where did you learn that?" she asked shakily.
Halinor stopped humming. "The tune you mean? Yan Lin taught it to me many years ago; she said it was something her grandmother used to sing to her when she was a little girl. It used to help me feel better when I was angry or otherwise upset."
Irma had to admit that she did feel a little better; the pain in her head had subsided to a dull ache. It was then that Irma realized how much she had missed this; being held by a caring mother and hearing her reassuring voice. It had been weeks since she had seen her own mother, and only now did Irma allow herself to see how much she missed her. To that end, Irma clung tightly to Halinor as the older woman hummed and stroked her auburn locks.
Halinor smiled when the child in her arms finally returned her embrace. Even though she was in her Guardian form, and looked every bit the confident young woman, Irma was still but a girl. The former Guardian gently rocked the young Water Mistress and patted her back soothingly.
"It won't always be like this, my dear child; you will get through this. You will learn to cope. You will learn to trust again."
Irma closed her eyes and clung tighter to the gentle woman. As she thought about it, it seemed unlikely Halinor would use her powers of telepathy to injure someone. The former Guardian had done nothing but try to help Irma since she had endured the Joining. She was starting to feel foolish for jumping down Halinor's throat; for getting all defensive when she had no real cause to do so. Halinor's your friend, you idiot, Irma scolded herself. Keep going like this and you won't have anybody to carry that title.
Irma took a few deep breaths to calm herself. "I'm sorry Halinor; I shouldn't have jumped on you like that. All you've done is try to help, and I've repaid your kindness with mistrust and suspicion."
"Shhh, child; none of that matters now," Halinor murmured softly. "You have endured an awful ordeal; your distrust is more than understandable."
"But not excusable," Irma scoffed.
"You are too hard on yourself, Irma. It will take time for you to heal; you must give yourself that time."
"I've had enough time," Irma replied in disgust. "I think it's time I stop attacking my friends and grow up a little."
Halinor's heart ached for the young Guardian. "I am sorry you and your friends must carry such a terrible burden at such a young age. I find it a tragic injustice, as a matter of fact. You should be enjoying your childhood; instead you are forced to suffer all manner of hateful traumas. You should be dreaming of boyfriends and first kisses; instead your dreams are haunted by nightmarish visions of indescribable torture and humiliation. You should..."
"Umm, Halinor? I hate to interrupt you while you're on a roll and all, but you're not really helping."
Halinor sighed heavily. "I'm sorry Irma; I guess I was venting a little. Here I should be listening to you; and yet I'm running amok at the mouth. What was I thinking?"
Still clinging tightly to the old woman, Irma shrugged. "Everyone has a breaking point," she replied. Then her voice became very soft, "everyone..."
Halinor remained silent, waiting for Irma to continue. After a few moments, the silence was broken by a soft, frightened voice.
"I don't know who I am anymore, Halinor; I don't know what I am. One minute I'm this quavering mass of jello too terrified to even face my friends; the next I'm this raging tool of vengeance trying to murder someone." Irma began to tremble despite Halinor's best attempts to comfort her. "I'm trying to fight it, but I don't know what to do; I feel so angry and hopeless, like I'll never be me again. Then I kick myself for the pity party and I try to go on; but all I end up doing is hurting someone. Mrs. Lin, Luba, Hay-Hay, Cornelia...the list doesn't end there. I've become dangerous, Halinor; dangerous to everyone."
Halinor practically felt Irma deflate in her arms, and her heart ached all the more for the terrified girl. It was awful enough that Nerissa and her cronies had savagely tortured Irma, but then she had been forced to relive all her abuse for weeks afterward just so she could live. Halinor began to wonder if it was all worth it; and she couldn't help questioning whether or not they had actually done what was best for Irma by saving her life. But Halinor knew that decision wasn't up to her, and all she could do now was try to help relieve some of Irma's suffering. To that end, she tightened her motherly grip on the violently-trembling Guardian.
"Oh Irma, I wish I could wave a magic wand and make all your anguish disappear. I would give anything to take this agony from you, but that is not within my power. I understand why you thought allowing Nerissa to strike you down would be the best solution, but it's not. Don't you know how dearly you would be missed? Don't you see what your death would do to your friends? Why do you think Will chose to put you through what she knew would be unspeakable horror?"
"Because the universe needs a Water Guardian; and it would be easier if the girls didn't have to train a new one," Irma answered flatly.
"No dear child, no," Halinor almost wailed. "It was because she couldn't bear the thought of a world, of a life, without you. She needs you, Irma Lair; they all need you. Not because you can create great tidal waves or find water in the Gobi Desert; but because you are their dear friend. I don't know how we would have explained it to them had your suicide been successful."
Irma was hoping it hadn't been that obvious, but apparently Halinor had seen right through her. "I just didn't want to live anymore; I didn't see the point. I've become a monster Halinor; and I couldn't unleash that on the world."
"You are not a monster, and I don't want to ever hear you refer to yourself like that again. You are a courageous and caring young woman; you were willing to sacrifice yourself in order to prevent some perceived demon from wreaking havoc on the universe. That shows your devotion to your duty; even after all you've been through, you're still trying to protect others."
"Don't Halinor," Irma pleaded, "I'm no hero; please don't make me out to be one. I tried to kill myself; I'm nothing but a selfish weakling who doesn't have the spine to show Nerissa she was wrong about me. Please try to understand, I'm not who or what you think I am."
"I do understand, Irma; more than you know, I understand. But you need to see past the evil that was inflicted upon you. You need to see through the mental anguish that plagues your dreams. You need to see who you are and what you mean to your friends. You are Irma Lair, Water Guardian, daughter, friend, sister. You are many things to many people; but a monster is not one of them."
Irma pulled away from Halinor then and stood up. She turned her back to the old woman and walked a few paces away. Closing her eyes, she wrapped her arms around herself and bowed her head. "Then what do you call someone who tries to drown her best friend? Or strangle her teammate? Or pull all the moisture out of her enemy's body?"
Halinor stood. "I call it a frightened, confused little girl who refuses to see her own self-worth."
Irma's eyes snapped open. Out of the corner of her eye, she stared over her left shoulder at the old woman behind her. "Self-worth?" she scoffed. "What worth is someone who could turn on her friends at the drop of a hat? What worth is someone who sometimes can't even distinguish between a dream and reality? What worth is someone who can't even trust herself, much less her best friends?"
Halinor's eyes flashed with conviction. "She is worth more than all the precious jewels of the universe. She is worth more than the finest silk, the largest gold mine, or the richest sultan. Her worth cannot be measured in gold or silver, nor in rubies or diamonds; but rather it is her heart that makes her so priceless."
Irma shook her head and fought the tears that threatened. "Don't say those things, please."
"Why? Because you may start to believe them, and in so doing, start to believe in yourself?"
"Please, stop..." Irma pleaded.
"No, Irma, I won't stop," Halinor answered, her voice thick with passion. "You need to see who you are, and what you mean to all of us. You need to understand what we see in you, and what you should see in yourself. You need to know that you can and will get through this; and we will help you every step of the way."
Irma spun around, her fists clenched and her eyes angry. "Why do you care?!" she shouted.
"Because I love you!" Halinor blurted out.
Irma was taken aback. She didn't know what she had been expecting, but that wasn't it. She stared open-mouthed at Halinor, completely at a loss for words. After several seconds of silence, Irma blinked then shook herself. "You...you what?"
"I love you, Irma," Halinor repeated gently. "I love you like the daughter I've never had; and I won't stand by and watch you destroy yourself like this."
Irma blinked stupidly at the older woman; she didn't know what to say or what to do. Feeling suddenly awkward, Halinor sighed and turned her back to the young Guardian. She sat down on the flawless crystal floor and hugged her knees to her chest. "I know I shouldn't feel this way; I'm supposed to remain aloof and keep myself from becoming attached to you girls. Not to mention you already have a mother, and I would never dream of replacing her. But as I've watched you struggle these past weeks, against your enemies and against yourself, I couldn't help feeling drawn to you. Now I have this overwhelming urge to protect you; and the fact that you don't need my protection doesn't stop me from feeling this way."
Irma couldn't bring herself to move, much less respond. She knew Halinor was a friend, but she had no idea the former Guardian felt so strongly about her. A daughter? Irma stared at the floor, trying to process Halinor's words. She was so deep in thought, she nearly didn't notice the older woman's soft voice as she spoke again.
"I don't expect you to return these feelings, Irma, but I cannot deny my own any longer. I am sorry if this makes you feel awkward. If you would rather I go…"
Irma's head snapped up so quickly, she actually winced at the near-backlash. She moved quickly to stand behind Halinor and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. The older woman glanced over her shoulder and covered Irma's hand with hers. She stared into those beautiful turquoise eyes, bright and dancing. Without warning, Irma's face broke into a huge smile and she threw her arms around Halinor's neck.
"Thank you Halinor," she said, squeezing her surrogate mother gently. "Thank you so much; thank you, thank you, thank you."
Halinor smiled. "So I take it you're okay with this?"
"I'm more than okay with it; I'm overwhelmed. I didn't realize how much I've needed a mother-figure until now. It feels good to have an adult that can understand…well, you know, everything."
Without standing up, Halinor extricated herself from Irma's grip and spun to face the young girl. She placed her hands firmly on Irma's shoulders and stared deep into her eyes.
"I will always be here when you need me, my child."
Irma only nodded, too overwhelmed to speak. She buried her face in Halinor's shoulder and clung tightly to the slender woman. Halinor patted the young Guardian's back reassuringly and spoke softly.
"Oh my dear child, you have so much to live for. Killing yourself is not the answer; it only causes more problems. Promise me, please, you will never think of doing something like that again."
Still unable to find her voice, Irma merely nodded. That was good enough for Halinor. She held her daughter tightly and closed her eyes contentedly.
The door opened and Luba walked into the Chamber. Not feeling the slightest bit awkward at the scene before her eyes, the cat loudly cleared her throat. The two women jumped, startled by the sound.
"The Air Guardian has awoken."
Halinor and Irma looked at each other and blinked. Then simultaneous smiles split their lips as they scrambled to their feet. Irma couldn't wait to see her sister; she had missed her so much.
As she and Halinor neared Luba's location near the Chamber doors, the Caretaker held up her paw. Guardian and former Guardian halted, eyeing the cat with curiosity. Luba glanced first at Halinor, then turned her piercing gaze to Irma.
"You should prepare yourselves," she said quietly. "I do not believe you will enjoy what you see."
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There it is folks; if you love it, send your comments to Azhure Tigress. If you hate it, send your comments to Azhure Tigress twice; she loves to read them all! My sincerest and deepest feelings of gratitude to my beautiful editor, Az-T. You know I cannot do this without you bitching at me so damn much! Honestly, folks, she is the reason you get a better chapter out of me. We agree on nothing; which is why she's good for me. It's her fault if you love the chappie, so be sure to give her some love (though be prepared to duck or lose teeth in the process). So thank you again my sista from another mista...kudos to you. I'll try to get 26 posted a little quicker, but life is what happens when you've made other plans. My thanks, again, to all of you for not giving up on me...Ciao!