Chapter Thirty Three
Jea groaned as she sank into the pillows on her bed. Laguna looked at her in concern. "Are you okay, Jea?"
She smiled weakly. "I'm okay. I don't like confrontations with Auntie. They're highly upsetting."
Laguna pulled her into his lap, cuddling her close to his chest. She burrowed into his warmth, her stomach tucked between her body and his, protectively. Laguna leaned back against the headboard.
A few minutes later, Jea's breathing had slowed to the even rhythm of sleep. The blonde man smiled and closed his eyes. He stayed like that all night.
* * * * * *
They were roused the next morning by a pounding at the door. Groggily, Jea made her way to the front door. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she pried open the portal and her eyelids. Gher, her cousin, was standing on the steps, dressed in black and looking solemn.
"What is it, Gher? What's the matter?"
The boy looked like he was trying not to grin. "It's Aunt Guendar," he said quietly. "She's-she's dead."
Jea stared at Gher. "Are you serious?" she choked out in disbelief. Laguna put a hand on her shoulder.
The youth nodded. "Apparently, some type of snake got into her room and bit her. But, yeah, she's dead. They're gonna go ahead and do the funeral this afternoon." He paused, unsure. "The family has extended an invitation to you and your friends to attend the funeral.."
Jea nodded slowly, shock still prominent on her elf like features. "Yeah.Sure.Thanks, Gher."
The teen dashed off and she shut the door. Laguna squeezed her shoulder. "Jea?"
As she turned to him, her face broke into a huge grin. "She's gone! Laguna, she's finally gone! That woman was the bane of my existence! She was behind everything I despise! She was the reason I left this town-she tormented me throughout my childhood, making me utterly miserable! I'm finally free of her! I-" She broke off, laughing and weeping in joy, to fly into his arms. She hugged him fiercely, feeling a great weight lift from her shoulders.
Just as suddenly, she dropped her arms and turned her head towards the woods. A chorus of howls went up somewhere nearby, followed by happy barks and yips.
Jea and Laguna watched as Wolf padded into the room and opened the door. (Don't ask how, okay? I just know that he did it.) Outside, a gigantic ebony wolf waited patiently. His nails were as sharp as cat's claws, and his slit pupiled eyes gleamed an iridescent green. The most unusual feature on him, though, were the crimson patches that looked like spilled blood on his muzzle and chest.
He and Wolf butted heads briefly, before the new canine trotted over to Jea. He put both paws on her chest and licked her face affectionately, gripping her chin gently between his jaws for a split second, as a greeting. Laughing, she grabbed his muzzle with her hands in reciprocal of the gesture. He then continued to slather her face. Giggling, she put both hands up to ward him off. "Bloodbath! Stop it!"
Bloodbath stopped, wagging his tail briefly. Then he looked wickedly at her. Jea raised one eyebrow. "What are you talking about, Little Brother? You did WHAT?! You sly old beast! I love you, Bro!! Way to go!!"
Bloodbath practically purred as Jea scratched his ears affectionately. Laguna blinked in confusion. "'Little Brother?' What's going on?" he asked, feeling left out.
Wolf grinned at him. *This is my brother, Bloodbath. It seems he made a deal with an asp who wished to leave the sands behind. Jea's just happy to see him.*
Then Wolf trotted over to his brother. Bloodbath eyed him as Wolf spoke privately. The hulking animal actually started and his massive head swiveled to take in Jea. Tilting his head curiously, he growled a query.
Jea giggled childishly. "Yes, Little Brother, it's true. See?" She waved her wedding ring in front of his nose. "That's him-over there." The ranger pointed at Laguna.
The midnight colored lupe studied him scrupulously, carefully inspecting Laguna. Bloodbath did indeed appear to be a concerned brother, deciding whether or not his sister's choice was acceptable. Sniffing at him cautiously, the wolf whined at Jea. She laughed again and made an obscure gesture. Bloodbath "grinned" at Laguna with an expression of pure mirth.
It was at that moment that Laguna had an epiphany. He suddenly understood the world that his wife lived in. Jea's world was filled with voices-and not just those of the wolves. The animals, the plants-hell, even the rocks talked to her. No matter where she was, the world was full of talk; always noisy, never silent. And she could talk back. He could see why some people both feared and hated her-she had something most could only hope and dream about. Her powers were great simply because of the grand scale of them. If angered, she could set the very world around a person against them-through a request, rather than an energy draining spell.
The paladin was shaken from his musings when he felt teeth clamp down on his hand, tight enough that he couldn't shake it loose, but not enough to break the skin. Looking down in surprise, he saw Blood' gripping his hand and staring at him intently. The wolf growled softly.
Wolf's voice echoed in Laguna's mind in just such a way that the knight knew the animal's speech was on a private "channel." *My brother has a message for you, Laguna. 'Here me, human. Jea cares for you-a great deal. Hurt her, she who is my sister by blood and milk, and I swear that I myself will lead the Pack to tear out your throat and add your name to the Book of the Dead-IN YOUR OWN BLOOD!!'*
Laguna nodded. "I understand, Bloodbath. Do not worry. I promise that I will be careful."
Satisfied, the wolf released him and walked out the door. Jea closed it behind him, laughing quietly and shaking her head. "I'm gonna go bathe. Coming, Laguna?"
Grinning like a teenager, he followed her.
* * * * * *
As they were getting dressed, Laguna brought up a question he'd been meaning to ask. "Jea?"
"Yes?" The half elf glanced up from where she examining herself in the mirror.
"Um.The ceremony where they bonded you and Wolf-What kind of ritual is it?"
The ranger smiled. "Oh, that? It's not really that complicated. It's a druid spell. The elder knicks both individuals with a special knife and collects the blood in a crystal bowl. Then, using the blood and a lock of hair from the individuals as components, he casts the spell, twining the life-forces together."
"Can it be done with animals other than wolves?"
"Yeah. Why?"
The blonde knight looked a little sheepishly at his wife. "I was wondering if it could be done with Arkadia."
Jea smiled knowingly. "Of course it can," she murmured, stroking his face with one hand. "I'll talk to Elder Treesong after Auntie's funeral. Okay?"
Smiling softly, he took her hand and kissed it. "Thanks, Jea."
"Anytime, Lover. Anytime. Oh, and thanks for your support last night. I appreciate it."
"No problem. It was my pleasure," he remarked as she tugged a loose tunic over her vanished waistline, finishing their preparations for the funeral.
* * * * * *
The funeral was a mockery. No one in town had liked Guendar; the family had simply acquiesced to her demands because she was matriarch. They had spent decades cowering behind false facades, focusing more on the traditions of the family than the well being of all the members-after all, she had a perfect scape goat to take her malicious nature out on.
The attendees all wore forced masks of somberness-except for Jea. She refused to fake sorrow. Her expression one of quiet joy, and eternal relief.
The circus was over quickly-and as soon as the dirt had been shoveled over the coffin, the new family matriarch approached the ranger/druid, her face serious.
Jea frowned slightly, anticipating what was going on. Laguna stood protectively at her shoulder, and Jea sensed movement around her. Instinctively, she recognized the familiar shapes of childhood playmates, and knew that the wolves of the town had created a bizarre vanguard behind her.
The matriarch, Aunt Wyva, gave Jea a polite half bow. The ranger inclined her head, refusing to appear submissive to those who had not treated her with any decency because they were too afraid to stand up to Guendar.
"Jea Kinnaran," the woman said to the ranger.
"Jea Kinnaran Kimsteed, actually," Jea corrected with a dry smirk, gesturing at Laguna.
Her aunt took a step back in surprise. She recovered quickly and cut to the heart of the matter. "On behalf of the family, I would like to extend a formal apology for Guendar's treatment of you, and I would also like to formally welcome you as a legitimate member of the family-"
Jea scowled. "You're apologizing for Auntie's behavior? What about your own? You could have stopped her, but instead, like the cowards you are, you helped her! You made me a stranger to my own Kin! And now, you want to make amends, and welcome me back? And I suppose I should be all grateful too, right? Forget it. I don't want any part of it. You just want me back to ease your own guilty consciences-and to talk to them." She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "Well, as far as I'm concerned, ya'll can jest BITE ME. I don't recognize any of you. You're not my family; the only blood kin I have is Papa. You hypocrites are so quick to change opinions based on whoever is 'in charge' and your own personal desires. I don't need any of you. I've managed this long on my own.
"You let Guendar, that INSUFFERABLE BITCH, ostracize and torment me, my whole life here for being half elven and a bastard-things I COULDN'T help!!! You blamed ME for everything that went wrong, no matter what it was. If some girl got pregnant-when I was five-it was somehow my fault, even though I am female!!! I took to the wolves and Treesong's house to get away from it all! I got where I am today, ON MY OWN!!!!
"If you want a wolf-speaker do bad, then one of you learn it! I have a life of my own-a husband and friends! I've survived more SHIT than you can possibly imagine! I bet NONE of you have ever seen a demon!! Well guess what? Wolf and I are the ONLY survivors in a WAR against the damned things! If I could survive THAT, then I can obviously take care of myself!!" She calmed down and looked hard at her family.
Oakley stepped forward. "Jea, I know its too late to make it all up to you, and I know you'll be leaving, but is there anything we can do to make some of it up to you?" Jea looked into the eyes of all of them. "Take care of Papa," she replied quietly, then motion for Laguna to follow her as she left the cemetary.
Jea groaned as she sank into the pillows on her bed. Laguna looked at her in concern. "Are you okay, Jea?"
She smiled weakly. "I'm okay. I don't like confrontations with Auntie. They're highly upsetting."
Laguna pulled her into his lap, cuddling her close to his chest. She burrowed into his warmth, her stomach tucked between her body and his, protectively. Laguna leaned back against the headboard.
A few minutes later, Jea's breathing had slowed to the even rhythm of sleep. The blonde man smiled and closed his eyes. He stayed like that all night.
* * * * * *
They were roused the next morning by a pounding at the door. Groggily, Jea made her way to the front door. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she pried open the portal and her eyelids. Gher, her cousin, was standing on the steps, dressed in black and looking solemn.
"What is it, Gher? What's the matter?"
The boy looked like he was trying not to grin. "It's Aunt Guendar," he said quietly. "She's-she's dead."
Jea stared at Gher. "Are you serious?" she choked out in disbelief. Laguna put a hand on her shoulder.
The youth nodded. "Apparently, some type of snake got into her room and bit her. But, yeah, she's dead. They're gonna go ahead and do the funeral this afternoon." He paused, unsure. "The family has extended an invitation to you and your friends to attend the funeral.."
Jea nodded slowly, shock still prominent on her elf like features. "Yeah.Sure.Thanks, Gher."
The teen dashed off and she shut the door. Laguna squeezed her shoulder. "Jea?"
As she turned to him, her face broke into a huge grin. "She's gone! Laguna, she's finally gone! That woman was the bane of my existence! She was behind everything I despise! She was the reason I left this town-she tormented me throughout my childhood, making me utterly miserable! I'm finally free of her! I-" She broke off, laughing and weeping in joy, to fly into his arms. She hugged him fiercely, feeling a great weight lift from her shoulders.
Just as suddenly, she dropped her arms and turned her head towards the woods. A chorus of howls went up somewhere nearby, followed by happy barks and yips.
Jea and Laguna watched as Wolf padded into the room and opened the door. (Don't ask how, okay? I just know that he did it.) Outside, a gigantic ebony wolf waited patiently. His nails were as sharp as cat's claws, and his slit pupiled eyes gleamed an iridescent green. The most unusual feature on him, though, were the crimson patches that looked like spilled blood on his muzzle and chest.
He and Wolf butted heads briefly, before the new canine trotted over to Jea. He put both paws on her chest and licked her face affectionately, gripping her chin gently between his jaws for a split second, as a greeting. Laughing, she grabbed his muzzle with her hands in reciprocal of the gesture. He then continued to slather her face. Giggling, she put both hands up to ward him off. "Bloodbath! Stop it!"
Bloodbath stopped, wagging his tail briefly. Then he looked wickedly at her. Jea raised one eyebrow. "What are you talking about, Little Brother? You did WHAT?! You sly old beast! I love you, Bro!! Way to go!!"
Bloodbath practically purred as Jea scratched his ears affectionately. Laguna blinked in confusion. "'Little Brother?' What's going on?" he asked, feeling left out.
Wolf grinned at him. *This is my brother, Bloodbath. It seems he made a deal with an asp who wished to leave the sands behind. Jea's just happy to see him.*
Then Wolf trotted over to his brother. Bloodbath eyed him as Wolf spoke privately. The hulking animal actually started and his massive head swiveled to take in Jea. Tilting his head curiously, he growled a query.
Jea giggled childishly. "Yes, Little Brother, it's true. See?" She waved her wedding ring in front of his nose. "That's him-over there." The ranger pointed at Laguna.
The midnight colored lupe studied him scrupulously, carefully inspecting Laguna. Bloodbath did indeed appear to be a concerned brother, deciding whether or not his sister's choice was acceptable. Sniffing at him cautiously, the wolf whined at Jea. She laughed again and made an obscure gesture. Bloodbath "grinned" at Laguna with an expression of pure mirth.
It was at that moment that Laguna had an epiphany. He suddenly understood the world that his wife lived in. Jea's world was filled with voices-and not just those of the wolves. The animals, the plants-hell, even the rocks talked to her. No matter where she was, the world was full of talk; always noisy, never silent. And she could talk back. He could see why some people both feared and hated her-she had something most could only hope and dream about. Her powers were great simply because of the grand scale of them. If angered, she could set the very world around a person against them-through a request, rather than an energy draining spell.
The paladin was shaken from his musings when he felt teeth clamp down on his hand, tight enough that he couldn't shake it loose, but not enough to break the skin. Looking down in surprise, he saw Blood' gripping his hand and staring at him intently. The wolf growled softly.
Wolf's voice echoed in Laguna's mind in just such a way that the knight knew the animal's speech was on a private "channel." *My brother has a message for you, Laguna. 'Here me, human. Jea cares for you-a great deal. Hurt her, she who is my sister by blood and milk, and I swear that I myself will lead the Pack to tear out your throat and add your name to the Book of the Dead-IN YOUR OWN BLOOD!!'*
Laguna nodded. "I understand, Bloodbath. Do not worry. I promise that I will be careful."
Satisfied, the wolf released him and walked out the door. Jea closed it behind him, laughing quietly and shaking her head. "I'm gonna go bathe. Coming, Laguna?"
Grinning like a teenager, he followed her.
* * * * * *
As they were getting dressed, Laguna brought up a question he'd been meaning to ask. "Jea?"
"Yes?" The half elf glanced up from where she examining herself in the mirror.
"Um.The ceremony where they bonded you and Wolf-What kind of ritual is it?"
The ranger smiled. "Oh, that? It's not really that complicated. It's a druid spell. The elder knicks both individuals with a special knife and collects the blood in a crystal bowl. Then, using the blood and a lock of hair from the individuals as components, he casts the spell, twining the life-forces together."
"Can it be done with animals other than wolves?"
"Yeah. Why?"
The blonde knight looked a little sheepishly at his wife. "I was wondering if it could be done with Arkadia."
Jea smiled knowingly. "Of course it can," she murmured, stroking his face with one hand. "I'll talk to Elder Treesong after Auntie's funeral. Okay?"
Smiling softly, he took her hand and kissed it. "Thanks, Jea."
"Anytime, Lover. Anytime. Oh, and thanks for your support last night. I appreciate it."
"No problem. It was my pleasure," he remarked as she tugged a loose tunic over her vanished waistline, finishing their preparations for the funeral.
* * * * * *
The funeral was a mockery. No one in town had liked Guendar; the family had simply acquiesced to her demands because she was matriarch. They had spent decades cowering behind false facades, focusing more on the traditions of the family than the well being of all the members-after all, she had a perfect scape goat to take her malicious nature out on.
The attendees all wore forced masks of somberness-except for Jea. She refused to fake sorrow. Her expression one of quiet joy, and eternal relief.
The circus was over quickly-and as soon as the dirt had been shoveled over the coffin, the new family matriarch approached the ranger/druid, her face serious.
Jea frowned slightly, anticipating what was going on. Laguna stood protectively at her shoulder, and Jea sensed movement around her. Instinctively, she recognized the familiar shapes of childhood playmates, and knew that the wolves of the town had created a bizarre vanguard behind her.
The matriarch, Aunt Wyva, gave Jea a polite half bow. The ranger inclined her head, refusing to appear submissive to those who had not treated her with any decency because they were too afraid to stand up to Guendar.
"Jea Kinnaran," the woman said to the ranger.
"Jea Kinnaran Kimsteed, actually," Jea corrected with a dry smirk, gesturing at Laguna.
Her aunt took a step back in surprise. She recovered quickly and cut to the heart of the matter. "On behalf of the family, I would like to extend a formal apology for Guendar's treatment of you, and I would also like to formally welcome you as a legitimate member of the family-"
Jea scowled. "You're apologizing for Auntie's behavior? What about your own? You could have stopped her, but instead, like the cowards you are, you helped her! You made me a stranger to my own Kin! And now, you want to make amends, and welcome me back? And I suppose I should be all grateful too, right? Forget it. I don't want any part of it. You just want me back to ease your own guilty consciences-and to talk to them." She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "Well, as far as I'm concerned, ya'll can jest BITE ME. I don't recognize any of you. You're not my family; the only blood kin I have is Papa. You hypocrites are so quick to change opinions based on whoever is 'in charge' and your own personal desires. I don't need any of you. I've managed this long on my own.
"You let Guendar, that INSUFFERABLE BITCH, ostracize and torment me, my whole life here for being half elven and a bastard-things I COULDN'T help!!! You blamed ME for everything that went wrong, no matter what it was. If some girl got pregnant-when I was five-it was somehow my fault, even though I am female!!! I took to the wolves and Treesong's house to get away from it all! I got where I am today, ON MY OWN!!!!
"If you want a wolf-speaker do bad, then one of you learn it! I have a life of my own-a husband and friends! I've survived more SHIT than you can possibly imagine! I bet NONE of you have ever seen a demon!! Well guess what? Wolf and I are the ONLY survivors in a WAR against the damned things! If I could survive THAT, then I can obviously take care of myself!!" She calmed down and looked hard at her family.
Oakley stepped forward. "Jea, I know its too late to make it all up to you, and I know you'll be leaving, but is there anything we can do to make some of it up to you?" Jea looked into the eyes of all of them. "Take care of Papa," she replied quietly, then motion for Laguna to follow her as she left the cemetary.