A/N: Thanks to all those who reviewed (which is like... two people!). Come on, if you read this, please review, just so I know somebody's reading this story! I'm finally getting into more of the characters, and more of the relationships between them. Actually, I think this is more how this story is going to develop- it's about character relationships, against a background of events, as opposed to events dictating the characters, in a way. Okay, and on with the story!
Elmeir sighed as she looked up from her experiment. She slowly eased herself out of the crouched position she had held for the past two hours, and stretched her back. It cracked several times. Elmeir winced.
Ha. That should teach me to stare at some scaran crystal for hours at a time. I'm going to be sore for a week! She grumbled to herself. Outside her window, the moons were rising: Elewyth and Kaldarin, with Rysanor barely edging over the horizon. The three moons created a striking tableau in the ever-darkening sky. For the one night in the year, all three were almost perfectly full.
Elmeir glanced out the window, as she always did the one night when all the moons were full- it was a magical moment. But tonight, instead of turning back to her work, she stood, transfixed, at the window. Instead of the beautiful, pure silver face of Rysanor, there was only shattered fragments to be seen of its once silver face. Elewyth and Kaldarin shone fierce and proud in the sky, as if they were trying to make up for the lack of their polished compatriot, but they could not replace the magnificent Rysanor.
On Elmeir's face was a reflection of the shock, and yes, fear, of the entire planet as one by one, they saw the night sky.
A sudden darkening of her already dark room made her turn towards the doorway. A large figure stood ominously in the doorway, then moved into the room. Elmeir relaxed, looking up at her brother, Elasien. Standing easily at over 7 feet, his broad shoulders were accentuated by the dark green robe that he wore. His hair was the color of warm honey, a sweet, crystalline color that emphasized his lighter, golden skin. Looking at them, it was obvious they were brother and sister: Elmeir shared his particular coloring.
Have you seen Rysanor? she asked him in a hushed voice.
How could I have not? It is already the talk of Esseneth, and Rysanor rose not half an hour ago. Who could have done this? And what does it portend for us?
You ask the questions everyone will be asking, Elasien. I do not have your answers.
Elasien looked at her, frustrated. Can you not do something to find out, instead of staring endlessly at your scaran crystal? Or do you yet think there is some power in that crystal? he demanded angrily, gesturing at the smoky black crystal resting on her worktable.
Elmeir's only response was to go up to her beloved brother and put her arms around him. Slowly, Elasien relaxed enough to return the gesture. They stood there together, for a long moment, seeking reassurement and strength to go on from each other. Finally, they separated. Elasien no longer looked frustrated; if anything, he was resigned to his fate. Elmeir, by contrast, looked determined to seek answers. She swept aside the scaran into a wooden box with strange black inlays on it, pausing only to make sure it was safely closed before turning back to her worktable.
Elmeir pulled forth a map of the central continent of Lyra, and put some crushed herbs on the dot marked Then, she pulled out a golden sphere, holding it above the herbs, and began to chant. Time passed without reckoning, as she followed the flow of her words, eyes closed, until she felt the herbs collapse into ashes. Slowly, she opened her eyes. The herbs were no longer in a single heap above Esseneth. A thin line traced a path from Esseneth to the Leonin Desert, ending in a smaller pile somewhere in the middle of the desert. Elmeir sighed.
Something happened in the Leonin this night.
A hand was placed on her shoulder, of a darker gold than her own skin. She looked up into a face of darker gold, framed by gold hair tinged with brown- a rarity among the Eleann.
You shouldn't be expending your energy, Mia.
She sighed and smiled up at him. If I didn't, Arkon, who would? Besides, I'm fine. Truly.
Arkon didn't look convinced. Mia, I know that scaran is exhausting you, and knowing you, you've been staring at it for hours before attempting this new magic. You're going to end up killing yourself if you're not careful.
And I say again, if I didn't do this, who would?
Someone more rested than you, perhaps. This came from Elasien, who had been listening to the exchange between the two Eleann.
Elmeir only glared at her brother. Who else in Esseneth knows more than me about a spell I invented? Who else could do it better in the face of this disaster of unknown proportions?!
Elasien raised his arms in surrender. Peace, sister. I did not mean to offend, only to point out that you have been working since the sun was high in the sky, without stopping for anything. And frankly, I think one of your disciples would have done better than you in this instance, should you have collapsed from fatigue.
Shrugging, Elmeir got up, and staggered. Arkon caught her, scolding, I told you you were tired! Come with me. He supported her as she walked up the stairs, Elasien following the two of them, an odd look on his face.
Once up in the main house, Arkon gently lay Elmeir down on a low sofa-like bed, then sat down by her. Elasien raised an eyebrow, but quickly smoothed out his face as Arkon looked up at him.
I beg your pardon, Elasien, for disturbing your home like this. It's just, as soon as I saw that, he gestured out the window, I hurried to come see Elmeir.
Elasien raised his hands in a it's all right gesture, and turned towards Elmeir. Not surprisingly, she was asleep, with a slight smile on her face, curled around Arkon. Elasien looked at Arkon with raised eyebrows. Arkon shrugged silently in reply, then moved to get up. However, Elmeir, sensing that, curled herself even more firmly around Arkon, who looked softly down at her, and settled back down on the divan. Elasien sighed, and got up.
If you want me, I'll be making some plana. Would you like some?
I'll gladly take a mug, thank you. He silently watched as Elasien left the room, then turned back to Elmeir.
he murmured softly, although I am most comfortable like this, I should be going back to my home. Would you let me take some plana with your brother and leave, so you can rest? I will be back to see you tomorrow- don't even think of coming to the park to meet me. I will come here.
Elmeir stirred at his words, and opened her eyes. Arkon marveled at their color- a light, gold-hazel. Every time he saw them, he was again amazed at their color and beauty.
I'm fine, really, she replied in a whisper. Go take some plana and go home; I'll be up and running soon enough. I will see you tomorrow in the park.
He smiled down at her again. That's what you think, Mia. You will do no such thing. I will come see you, and you will show me your laboratory in more detail. He got up, and this time she made no resistance, only closed her eyes and went back to sleep.
Still smiling, Arkon entered into the other room, only to find Elasien standing by the table in the center of the room, holding two mugs of steaming plana on a platter.
Sit down, please, Elasien gestured towards an empty chair, then sat down himself. Arkon made no move to sit.
I'm sorry, Elasien, but I must get back to my home; no doubt my family is very worried. I only told Elmeir I would come drink so that she would sleep; she needs it.
Elasien smiled. Very well, Arkon. I understand your sentiment, but please, it's cold outside. Just a quick drink before you leave.
Very well. The two sat down and began drinking the warm liquid. After a couple minutes of awkward silence, Elasien spoke up again.
When did you meet my sister?
Arkon blushed slightly, but answered him readily enough. I ran into her one day at the park, a few months ago. We've been meeting there ever since.
Elasien nodded, and smiled again. I'm not going to bite your head off, you know. I just wish... oh, that she could have trusted me enough to have told me earlier, that's all. His voiced faded off into another minute of silence. Then he stirred again.
Anyway, you should head back to your home. As you said, this is not a normal evening, and they are probably worried.
Both were thinking of the shattered fragments of Rysanor, floating, yet falling to earth, in the night sky.
A/N: Again, please please review! I'm begging you!
