She looked over at Kreyl and frowned. "He is Momma's closest friend and Defender. So protective of her, and now me it seems." She huffed. "Sometimes I wish I could just get out for a little while, see the world..."
"Good," Callia said, smiling warmly. She patted Selina's back. "Don't worry about the children. I'm sure they'll be fine. And with your protector watching over them..."
Saegle slowly entered the gates and walked up to the two females. He looked worse for wear. Callia stood up and nodded to the demigod. "I'll leave the two of you alone," she said and turned to go inside.
Saegle walked to his wife and nearly fell into her arms, sobbing. He looked up and saw the kender's small coffin sitting on the bench she used to sit on all the time. The sobs wracked his body.
Ventranolf smiled. "Perhaps we could go on an adventure together? I've always dreamed of exploring new places..."
Callia entered the home then and the drow stood up. He turned to Alisha and took her hand into his. He kissed the back of her hand and bowed. "Begging your pardon, my lady," he said to her before leaving her to go to his mother.
Mother and son hugged one another and joined their mentor.
Seeing the half-elfmaiden alone, Alia took the opprotunity to check on her. He walked to the table and sat down. "I'm sorry, Alisha," he began. "I know I haven't been the best brother around."
He looked at her curiously. "So, what did our cousin want to talk to you about?"
Selina caught her husband in her arms, holding him or dear life. Together, they cried openly for a long time.
Alisha blushed as Ventranolf kissed her hand. Kreyl muttered something to himself, but regained composure as the drow trio spoke quietly nearby.
Alisha smiled at her bother sat down. "It's ok, Alia. It's a rough tim for all of us." She perked at the mention of the drow male. "Oh! He mntioned teaching me the sword. Perhaps going on an adventure."
Selas cooed on her shoulder, though it came to her mind as speech. Be careful what you tell the males, Alisha. There is competition going on, I think.
Alisha looked the dove in the eyes. Don't be silly, Selas. They are family.
The bird merely ruffled it's feathers.
"Yeah? I know what kind of swordplay he wants to teach you..." the half-elf mumbled to himself. He sighed, "Just be careful around him, Alisha. I don't trust him."
Arisoon chuckled softly to himself and put the poker back. He turned to the siblings and started towards them.
Arisoon? came the pegasus's voice.
The demigod growled softly to himself and turned around. He walked up to the stallion and folded his arms in front of him. "Yes?" he inquired, clearly annoyed.
I just wanted to tell you ware yourself. Alia is immensely protective over his sister. And magic will only work until you tire out, he warned.
Arisoon rolled his eyes.
The demigod looked up as he heard the back door open. The two silver dragons entered the house. "Oh, look, your friends have made it," he commented to the stallion.
Brightsky stood up and walked to the two dragons. Tinsel, Coby, he greeted.
They smiled at him and nodded their heads.
Seeing his opprotunity, the demigod walked up to the table where Alia and Alisha sat. "You don't mind me sitting here, do you?" he asked Alisha.
"Yes, I do," Alia responded.
Arisoon smiled pleasantly at his nephew. "It's a good thing I wasn't asking you, then." He turned to Alisha. "I saw the drow talking to you. No doubt offering you his... services..."
Alisha raised her eyebrows at the implications of her brother and Uncle, rolling her eyes. Sh knew what they were implying, but if she commented, that was like admitting Selas was right.
You know I am. They've already fought over you. And by the way, the elflord is NOT family, and he's nearly as bad as the other three.
Alisha pointedly ignored him, turnng to Alia and Ari.
"You do realize, both of you are acting jealous? Don't be silly. Ventranolf's intentions are as pure and honourable as your own." She eyed both males. "Unless you'e saying your intentions aren't pure." she teased.
In the corner, so shocked by Alisha's words, Kreyl nearly fell over.
Alia and Arisoon looked at Alisha incredulously. "What would I be jealous of?" Alia asked his sister. "That drow has nothing. And he means nothing."
Arisoon rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything. He watched the small bird and smiled. "So, how are you liking Selas?" he asked, changing the subject.
I don't know how I'm going to continue without her, Brightsky sighed to his friends.
Tinsel wrapped her long neck around the pegasus and drew him into a hug. "Times like these are difficult for us all, my friend," she said. "Just remember your family is here."
The stallion looked up at the dragon curiously. My family is dead as well. Remember? he reminded her.
Coby shook his head. "Look around you, Pegasus. All these people gathered here. They are your family. We are your family. All of us are connected."
Brightsky nodded at the dragon's wise words.
Saegle pulled away from his wife and gazed at her. "This is too hard for me. How can I bury someone I love so much?" he cried, wiping his soaked face with a hand. "What am I going to do?"
Zynx approached the house with his mate. He was in his dragon form, his shiny black scales melding nicely with his silver underbelly. As he walked through the garden, he sighed, "This was Tassana Burrfoot's Home. I can still remember the first time I met her," he said to his mate.
"I was barely older then a hatchling and my mother had abandoned me. Or perhaps some human had stolen me? I don't remember that part too well. But, I had ended up in a tavern, looking for someone to take care of me.
"I saw Lady Tassana talking to someone and walked up to her. I had never known a person who was so kind. She took me in and raised me as best she could. Luckily she had Coby and Tinsel to teach me the finer points of dragonhood. I was very lucky to have found Lady Tassana," he said.
He licked his mate's cheek and continued down the path. Coming to the fountain, he saw Saegle and Selina. He nodded to them and continued on, not wanting to disturb them.
But, he stopped by the bench where the coffin lay. He turned his head and closed his eyes, preparing himself for the sight. Ever so carefully, the black and silver dragon peered into the coffin of his beloved lady. Dragon tears fell softly from his eyes.
"I shall never forget you, Mother," he whispered. He licked the kender's cold cheek and then went into the house.
Callia and Ventranolf sat on the sofa. The drow held his mother's hand as she wept silently.
"I cannot believe she is gone. How could she leave when there is still so much to do?" the drowkender questioned.
Ventranolf didn't say anything. He wouldn't know how to answer anyway. He looked up to the Black Widow for guidance.
The female drow had taken the fire poker when Arisoon had walked away. Now she poked at the fire fiercly. "It just doesn't make sense," she grumbled to herself. "I know you had a desire for power. I know how much you loved magic. Why in the Nine Hells would you throw it away? You cannot be that dumb, and yet you seem to be."
Seeing he wasn't going to get anything from a drow who talked to herself, Ventranolf tried to comfort his mother as best he could.
Selina pulled away from Saegle slightly, so she could see his face. She sniffed and wiped away her own tears, then wiped away his with a gentle hand.
"I know it's difficult dear heart. But, Tassana is not really gone. Her body may have died, but her soul and spirit still live on, and will forever. Everytime you think of her, she'll be here. Everytime you look at our children, our future grand children, she'll be alive. They all hold a piece of her in some way, as you do yourself. As even I do. Fernwood isn't just Tassa's home, Saegle, Fernwood is Tassana. No, beloved, the dear kendermaid is not gone."
She nodded to Zynx and his mate as they passed. Taking her husband's hand, she said, "Come inside, be with your family, We are all in this together and will lend each other our strength. This is not a time to mourn Tassana - it's a tim to remember her."
She led Saegle into the house. Seeing Kreyl looking a bit pale she followed his line of sight to where Alisha was speaking with Alia and Arisoon. She frowned, but said nothing. She led Saegle to a couch and sat down beside him.
Alisha smiled at Arisoon slightly. "I think perhaps you are avoiding my question. But fair enough - now is not the time to discuss such matters"
She stroked the head of the dove sitting on her shoulder. "I love Selas, thankyou. He is already proving to be a wonderful companion."
Seeing her parents come in, Alisha stood. "Would you like to join Alia and myself with our parents, Ari?"