Step Three: Slowly Lift Away
Humans will learn respect in the most odd ways. They have no regard for an entity of great power and wish to conquer it at all times. But when this entity fights back with a force to be reckoned with, humans must rethink their approach. But…what if this greater entity…could not be conquered… A few more years passed in the port town as Narn realized she must learn to craft and efficiently sail a boat. Purn learned much from Bredi and the other guards about fighting and studied under all the artisans, mastering their skills. But every time Purn would smile… Narn looked away. Bredi also cared for the two of them. They almost became their own little family. Then, one day when Narn was being taught about steering the huge mass of wood, Bredi approached her. He and Narn took their daily walk before the sunset but Narn could tell something was amiss. Bredi looked into her eyes and said, "Narn, I have grown to love Purn as a father would a son. And I have also grown to love you as a…husband would a wife." He got on his knee and proceeded to ask Narn's hand in marriage. Purn had just gotten out of the blacksmith and spied Bredi and Narn standing on the docks. He was curious to see Bredi on his knee. He snuck into the shadows and listened in closer. When Bredi asked Narn, rage welled within him. Yet he knew not of the reason. He left the shadow and angrily tromped home. Narn was taken aback. Bredi got off his knee and awaited an answer. Narn stood angrily in her place. She slapped Bredi across the face and tromped home as well. Bredi stood in astonishment. He held his cheek for a moment then sighed. She still held a great love for Torme. He walked back to his post and made a promise to be her friend as long as either of them lived. Narn noticed Purn was home and he looked a bit mad himself. "He squirt, what's wrong with you?" She sat down on the couch as her 12 year old son climbed up near her. Purn looked towards his mother with sad eyes. "You were spying huh?" She smiled and rubbed his red hair. "Yes, he did ask me. And you know what I did?" "What did you do mother? I hope you didn't hurt him." "Well, I did slap him for having such an idea. I hope you aren't to mad." He smiled and went to get a piece of paper. Narn waited for him to come back. He wrote: When are we going to continue our journey mother? At this, Narn's smile lost a little happiness. "Come, tis time for sleep. Go on and get into your bed." He kissed her cheek and walked to his bedroom. Narn sat, looking at the fire as Bredi came in from afternoon watch. "Narn, I am sorry. I didn't realize…I hope this doesn't ruin things between us…" "I shall be leaving tomorrow. I will leave very early. Bredi, you once said you would come with me. Come with me tomorrow." "What did Purn say?" She did not answer him. "Why haven't you told him? Do you want it to be a surprise?" "Bredi, do you know what it's like to not be able to look at your smiling son because you're afraid?" "No, I don't." "Then do not mention this to him." "Narn, when we parted that day, Purn was crying yet there was no sound. Nor do I recall Purn ever talking." A tear fell down Narn's face. "What is wrong with him Narn?" "He cannot speak." "What happened?" "I am not sure but I think it has to do with the fire. His crib was ablaze when I retrieved him from it, if you remember." "Oh…" Narn stood and stretched. "Tomorrow, we make for the east, across the ocean. I saw a dragon fly overhead not long ago and I wish to know where they make home." "That's ludicrous!" "Follow me…and I will protect you." Narn's beautiful face bared a look of such seriousness, it scared Bredi. He knew she would not be safe on her own. "Who is to take care of Purn?" "Purn does not need me anymore. He is old enough to make it now. Bredi…I am sorry I did slap thee." "You were in the right my lady." "No…I wasn't…because truth is Bredi, I do love thee as well. But I do not wish harm on anyone else. Please, understand this." Bredi nodded as the lady smiled and walked to her bedroom. Bredi awaited the morn and did not sleep as well as he thought he would.
When light filtered through the window ever so softly, Narn was already awake. Purn was an early riser so she had been up before the sun. She was already dressed and packed and made her way to quietly wake Bredi up. But there he stood, ready to sail. "I know the boy as well as you Narn." "Then let me have one more look, I pray you. For I feel I shan't see him again." Narn left the room and walked silently to her son's room. There he lay, noiseless and handsome. Narn entered the room, quietly looking upon the face of her husband as well. She let a tear fall and then with a soft kiss, she walked out and nodded to Bredi. He opened the door to the chilly air of a port summer morn and out they walked, into silent streets.
Sneaking among the buildings, the two raced to beat the town's first breath of life. The harbor was awaiting the new quietly. Narn was the first down the hill and into the boat. Bredi clambered on the bridge and untied the boat hurriedly. Narn came out and released the sails. She began to hear a disturbance within the small port house. "Bredi, come on. We have to go…now!" Bredi threw his pack on the giant ship as the gentle sea breeze filled the sails and they eerily glided out. Narn assumed command at the wheel. Bredi knew something of cartography and was in charge of drawing the map this time. The sun came up eventually…and Haden Port was a but blink of life. Narn smiled sadly with a last look as she pictured her son waving goodbye. He was smiling. Narn gritted her teeth and turned away. The ocean stretched out before them, ready to be sailed and explored. Looking at the glossy top of the ocean, she knew the Purn wouldn't have been alive long had he come with her. She sighed and guided the ship along the barging waves. "The bluest jewel was over the mountains love…A new home to carry our sons heart," she muttered as the sun rose to the top of the sky.
They had been sailing for two months together and Narn had become quite happy again. They had sung songs while cleaning the decks and when Bredi had taught Narn to fish, they both had laughed until their sides hurt. Night had approached now but the sky was clear and the waves were quiet. Narn was leaning over the rail, listening to the waves when Bredi came up behind her. "Tis late m'lady. I think it be best if you went on to bed." "Oh but the night is so wonderful this eve. Pray, let me stay a bit longer." "I hold no control over m'lady. She does what she will," he said as he placed a friendly hand upon her hip. Narn's heart jumped. Bredi smiled, removed his hand and walked back to the helm. Narn wondered what she had felt and looked back at the ocean. A few more moments passed and then Narn went below the deck. When in her room, she opened the drawer that held the clothed bundles. She took one out and opened it. Inside this particular one, was a ruby red jewel, smoothed over by time…or magic. Narn held the stone in her hand and felt the dream trapped inside it flow through her again. She had tried many times to find out what the dream meant. When the short vision ended, she was still baffled but replaced the cloth and hid it away again. Climbing underneath the covers, she slowly closed her eyes as she caught a shaft of light in her face before complete darkness descended. As she slipped into a dream of wondrous proportions, a wave of warmth washed over her and stayed till morning came.
It was still night, in the dead of it actually, when the boat was disturbed in it's gentle rocking motion. Narn stirred in her sleep as Bredi opened his eyes. He smiled at Narn and kissed her cheek. Getting up and out of her bed, he went and stood on the deck. All seemed to be clear…except something arose on the horizon. Bredi walked to the hull and stared at the monstrous pillars of rock rising in the distance. He stood in wonder but as he did, he felt another force move the boat gently. He went to the rail, thinking it to be a passing whale. When he spotted nothing, he looked back at the pillars. A bird of some sort, a rather big one, glided among them. Then the force moving the ship began to grow stronger. He turned around, hand on the hilt of his sword, to spy the disturber. Something was casting a faint glow in the water…two little eerie glows. Bredi leaned a little to look closer. The creature lunged at his face as he backed away. Erupting from the ocean, Bredi knew the creature. But before he could mouth one word, Narn was at his side, arrow drawn to a taught bow. Her aim was at the figure circling overhead. She released the arrow but the winged demon spun and flew at them. They scrambled to get away, but the grasping, taloned feet closed around them before they could go below. Narn saw the boat sinking below them and looked to the foot across from her. Bredi was screaming out in pain because one of the talons had pierced his armor. Narn's fingers began to lose their grasp and she dropped her bow. It fell until everything was white and the bow, ocean and boat were no longer visible. The slow, steady beating of the wings soothed her heart into submission and she drifted out of consciousness.
