Glad She Defeated Me

It was night, and the sky was shiny dark, the pale light of the moon making the fields bask in its eerie glow. The boat was gliding slowly, and the undead moved about, the wraiths wailing, the hungry ghouls reaching their hands, the skeletons rising and clattering around. The ground was littered with bones, old armor, rusted weapons and other evidence of fighting.

- "The war... five hundred years ago. It was fought for the control of the farmland... and still the farmland gives no-one food as the land was ruined by the war," Jelena said, smiling bitterly.

The undead were drawn to the warmth of their bodies, but she effortlessly turned them away when they approached, and the ones with a mind got the hint.

Peri shrugged.

- "Wars are about more than just a spot of land. They redefine power relationships," she said.

- "They cause unmeasurable suffering for people who have no part of that power, and I want... I must believe that there could be a world without war," Jelena replied.

- "Oh? What about a slave revolt? Blood is shed, yes... but can you say it is not worth it? Then the slaves are free," Peri said, her eyes glittering in the dark.

- "The Ilmatari know well that violence is a part of this world, and I certainly wouldn't condemn slaves who revolt," Jelena said. "It is more a question of striving for something important, of not giving up. Perhaps the slaves could revolt in a way that doesn't hurt anyone."

Peri snorted.

- "Good idea. On the other hand, once they are massacred and their souls go to the planes they may be better off than in this life," she said.

- "Sister. Do not scorn my mother for her beliefs," Sarevok said. "I can not share her frame of mind, for I can not be meek. I can not quietly and softly tend the wounds and help the suffering. I must strike, fight, ride my passion... but I, too, can believe in something worth fighting for. I think it is important that people like mother exist."

- "I did not deny that," Peri said. "It is just that... for me violence seems just as undeniable fact as life and death, that living things must eat and breathe. I can not think what ought to be, I just see what is. Loving my family and my friends, that is primal. My honor is in being bold, leaving other people alone, respecting their freedom, being worth my word."

- "You are cynical for a young woman," Winski said. "But then, you are older than your years. And your cynicism isn't an intellectual shield denying the worth of ideals, morals and emotions like mine was. Your cynicism is world-weariness of an old warrior who has seen too much and that makes it so odd. But considering that you are immortal, the odd impression probably will just increase. A three hundred years old human looking like a twenty-years old girl... that should be amusing."

Peri's eyes suddenly welled with tears. Surprised, Jelena and Sarevok turned to look at her.

- "Imoen... couldn't we make her immortal too? She... she will grow old and die..."

Peri bit her lip, apparently annoyed that she was so emotional in front of the others.

- "Peri... Imoen is even younger than you are." Jelena was speaking quietly, as Imoen was sleeping with Cespenar, and she didn't want her to wake up. "She has a long, long life ahead of her and no-one knows what will happen. She is already a mage of immense power, a legend of her own right. They call her The Pink Wizard. Perhaps some sort of event will give her the chance. But it has to be her own choice. And anyway... you had to make a quick decision there at the Throne. Now you are starting to realize the implications. This is the price, or part of it anyway. You are not like mortals who know they have to die and enter the afterlife. You will have to get to know them and let them go, always being set apart from them because of this. I am glad that both you and Sarevok are immortal. That way you don't have to face the terrible loneliness many who dream of immortality don't count on."

Peri was nodding, getting tired. She curled to sleep her head resting in Sarevok's lap.

- "Mother, it is wonderful having you with us. She never had a mother... well, one who would have cared for her anyway," Sarevok said. He was stroking Peri's hair absent-mindedly.

- "I know," Jelena replied. "Do not worry. I am sure she will feel better after not too long. It can't be easy - her life has been one big turmoil, epic events centering on her and her having to deal with both the destiny of the Realms and the dark beast that was her blood. And now, suddenly, it is all over. She has been hoping for that, waiting for that, no doubt... but still she is bound to feel empty and depressed. There is a void she has to fill, and she has no idea with what. Yet."

- "You are so good at seeing in people's heart, mother. I was afraid that you would not like her... or be angry with her. She can be very stubborn and confrontational, not very diplomatic."

- "Don't worry, Sarevok. How could I not like someone so important to my son? I will release Winski and go rowing now," she said. Sarevok wondered why she was smiling gently.

- "Dear son."

Sarevok smiled and nodded.

- "Who fought the war anyway? The war whose dead haunt these fields?" he asked.

- "The kingdoms of Sword Coast and Amn," Winski said.

They were quiet for a while.

- "I am glad that we didn't succeed," Sarevok said. "I am glad that she defeated me."

- "So am I," Winski said.