Sarevok woke up abruptly, like he always did. In that regard he was very unlike Peri, who liked to linger a long time in the bed, drifting in the pleasant no-man's land between sleep and awakeness. Sarevok liked to pamper her by bringing her breakfast in the bed, knowing how much she enjoyed the luxury. Now his sister was tight asleep. Sarevok gently brushed a few strands of her glossy hair from her face.
Last night he had been about to shatter, but her love had kept him in one piece. Oddly enough Winski's anger had felt soothing to him. It was as if he was a little boy and his father was worried of him out of love. Come to think of it, that was probably precisely as Winski saw it. No spiky armor, ascent from the depths of the Abyss or immortality could make him regard Sarevok as anything other than his son, who needed scolding and guidance at times. Sarevok smiled. To be honest he was pleased about the fact.
And mother... she had accepted him, praised him even. And made tea, like in the old, bad days of being Anchev and living in Ordulin. The tea was a symbol of love and nurture for him. It had been often the single solace for him with the violent urges ripping his soul and Reiltar's beatings ripping his body. Imoen, too, had comforted him. Sarevok could remember how he had been unhappy that Imoen wouldn't accept and forgive him in the beginning of their relationship, and then been angry at himself for feeling so. It seemed very distant now.
Actually I am an ungrateful, self centered brat, Sarevok thought. So much love surrounding me - an opportunity to travel together with my family, the members of whom I have greatly wronged in the past... such a blessing!
Ashamed of himself, the large warrior rose and walked up the deck of the ship where Winski and Jelena were marveling at the first rays of the sun.
- "Mother? What is that thing on your hair?"
The two turned around, a smug and blissful smile on their faces.
- "Well? What is it? And why do you look so pleased with yourselves?"
- "Apparently you were destined to be the first one to know," Winski said. "Son. We are married now. We are a man and a wife."
- "Jelena Perorate..." Jelena said. "I remember when I dreamed of it being my name, in our mortal life. To carry it proudly and without fear, without a need to hide anything. Alas, it was not to be... but my afterlife has given me thousandfold what I have missed in my first one."
Sarevok was speechless at first. Then he embraced both of them deeply, not letting go for a long time.
- "Mother. Father. Let me congratulate you. This..." the emotion nearly overwhelmed him, and he swallowed, "this was my secret dream when I was a child. That you were married, and my mother and father... we went through a lot to get where we are now, but now we have everything we need. I was just reflecting on that... I have no reason to wallow in self-torment, as I am blessed with so much love and the best possible company."
- "Poor son. The depth of your regrets and the scrutiny you put yourself under speaks of the profundity of your new outlook and desire for redemption," Jelena said. "But it is good if you can move on from self-torture that serves no purpose."
- "Father... I have something I would ask. A big thing. Now I have no family name to carry, for I will never be Anchev again. Will you give me yours, like you gave it to mother by your bond? I would be honored if I would be your son in name also..." Sarevok eyed Winski almost timidly, an unreasoned fear of rejection surfacing in his soul.
Winski, however, was in tears.
- "That you ask to do so... and that I would have my beloved son going by my name... is the greatest honor and reason for pride. I truly am a blessed man. I have a wife, our union blessed by the kindest and wisest god in the pantheon, and my beloved son carrying my name. Sarevok Perorate."
After that the family was quiet for a long time, just embracing. They would have news to tell.
