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Chapter Two

Light from the just rising sun could be seen shining as patches of various forms upon the drawn curtains as the fair-haired woman silently followed her guide through the nearly deserted corridors. Archaic Celtic designs were everywhere one looked, as well as a design that seemed even older and more ancient. When they reached what was perhaps the oldest part of the castle, they stopped in front of a double-doored archway. The Watcher turned at this point, and said to the woman as he bowed, "My Lady, should you need anything, call for us, and we will provide it."

The woman nodded, and said imperiously, "I shall do so if I need such aid. You may go."

The man bowed once more, and left, returning the way he had come. Once the Watcher was out of view and hearing range of the woman, she opened one of the double-doors, and entered her quarters. Within, the ancient design could be seen everywhere, with not a Celtic design in sight. Giving a heartfelt sigh of one coming home after a long time being away, the woman shut the door, locked and then leaned against it, closing her eyes as her head thudded softly against the solid oak doors.

She stayed that way for several minutes, before opening her eyes and heading toward the bathing room. She had just removed all of her weapons when she became aware of slight movement behind her. Instantly, she grabbed her bow and an arrow as she whirled around and aimed unerringly at the intruder.

In a voice that held amusement, the Oracle said, "To an old friend, a threat of injury in not what I expected. Your intuition has failed you this day."

As swiftly as she had armed herself, the woman lowered her weapons and snapped out, "'Tis not wise to come upon me like that, nor am I in the mood for your antics, Child of Time."

"Child of Time, huh? Never thought that that would be an alias for an old friend," the Oracle commented lightly, as she moved gracefully towards the woman and offered her an embrace.

The woman shook her head in exasperation, before saying as she returned the embrace, "You know that I create designations for people when I'm not in control of my emotions, Faith. And you do travel through time, child." The woman pulled back to get a good look at the young-seeming Oracle, and lovingly stroked a lock of hair, saying, "Your hair is as white as mine now. Do you even know how old you are?"

"Age is but a word...Time is the proper query. I cannot tell you how long it has been, for I seem to move so frequently between its fine lines." Faith let go of the fair-haired woman, asking as she stepped back with a grin, "So how did it go with Maeve?"

"So it is," the woman agreed with a sudden carefree laugh, purposefully ignoring the question. "Especially for such eternal creatures as we!" She returned her weapons to the pile on the table behind her, then opened the door to the bathing room and entered in while saying, "Come and talk with me while I bathe, child of my heart. We have much to discuss... Such as your purpose for having me come here?"

Faith followed behind her, saying, "It seemed that you needed a little nudging, you were so set on breaking her. I felt that you had forgotten why you were sent here." She walked over to the mirror to see her reflection, commenting as she drew her pinky finger up to hook a stray hair from her face, "You are right, my hair has seemed to take on the flight of time. Do you think that I can ever regain my true color back?"

The woman glanced over her shoulder as she slipped out of her shirt, and answered, "I doubt it, beloved. Your power has grown greatly, and that must be expressed in some way. I do admit: I loved your dark locks as well, but this look does suit you." She finished undressing and went over to the sunken bathtub, and turned the knobs to adjust the water to her liking. "To answer your question about Maeve: there is much I have forgotten about this time in my life. I am still in the process of sorting out all the details of what happened. But one thing I'm sure of, Faith, is that I don't recall it being like this...why?"

Faith turned, saying seriously, "You have forgotten things, things that were painful to your current existence. For some reason, this is painful for you. What could it be? Or could it be someone? For me it could be the later, the one who created you. But no, it is because of what your Grandmother has done, or will do to you soon in this time. Think, my sweet. What does your heart tell you?"

The woman turned sharply, her breath hissing in as she stared wide-eyed at Faith. "Grandmother!" she exclaimed. "I do not understand. Do I need to go to her? But I am not of this time. Would me speaking to her not upset the balance?"

"Slow down! In time you will see her. The balance of time will shift when it is destined to do so. Let me worry about the grains of time. I will tell you when to intervene or not. I have never let you down, have I?" the Oracle said soothingly, as she knelt down to test the water.

The woman visibly calmed at Faith's words. For a stretch of time there was silence, but for the sound of water slowly filling the bathtub. After some time, she stopped the faucet and slipped into the water. Thoughtfully she said as she began washing herself, "If I am not here to speak with my Lady Grandmother, then who am I here for?"

Faith gazed into the water as if foreseeing the events of time, her eyes seemed to haze as if in a trance. "My fair one, the answers you seek can only be revealed at the alignment of the stars. I cannot not allude to you the exact propose of your mission her. Even I, have to bend to the guiding principles of Time." With a wave of her finger, she made the water ripple, as she looked deeply into the woman's eyes.

Silver eyes gazed frustratingly into dark brown, before – in a fit of child-like pique – the fair-haired woman splashed the Oracle while growling out, "Fine! If you will not tell me my exact purpose for being here, then at least give me a hint of what I'm supposed to so next. It's the least you could do!"

The Oracle leaped back and let out a chuckle, "Those who are think they are in control, hate those who can hinder." She placed her hand back into the water and splashed the woman back.

A gleam entered the woman's eyes as she lunged for Faith, saying, "True! But those who think they are in control can also hinder themselves."

Allowing the woman to lunge for her, she felt her body slowly fall into the tub. Drenched, shook her head and wiped the excess water from her eyes and began to laugh. As if a yawn, the fair-haired woman, erupted into laughter as well. Tears of joy began to emerge from the sides of Faith's face. With a curled finger she began to wipe them away, the only tear left was the one's from her christening.

A long moment of silence fell over them, then Faith composed her self and laid back in the tub. Bliss crossed her face before she spoke, "It has been a long time since you have laughed, has it not?"

The woman sobered slightly, as she said softly, "Aye, it has. There is so little that I have found joy in since my turning."

"Laughter cleanses the soul. Have you found so little joy that you bathe yourself in anger? The past is what controls you. It is you who has to make amends with that past for you to understand what you truly have to do here." As Faith closed her eyes and quietly awaited a response from the woman.

The woman lowered her eyes slowly, somberly, clearly in deep thought. The water lapped gently about them as she said hesitantly, "Then I am here in this time to right a wrong I did to someone?"

"Why do you doubt your intuition? Do I wound you so deeply that you continually try to keep building that wall to allow no one close to you? You love life so much that you won't allow yourself to live. Look to your inner-self and ask that question within yourself. No one has the answer you seek." As Faith, allowed herself to fall deeply into the embrace of the water.

The woman bit her lip for a moment, then closed her eyes completely, allowing herself to sink beneath the water. She floated there for a time, a dark silvery glow surrounding her. A minute passed, before her opened her eyes and rose to the surface of the water. Her gaze was resolute, as she said decisively, "It is so. I still do not know whom it is I have wronged, but I shall learn, and then set things right."

Swiftly Faith rose from the water, stepping out onto the tile. With a wave of her arm a swift breeze flowed around her and nothing else, in an instant she was dry. Once dry, the Oracle said lightly, "Then, my dear, you must continue your mission. The others are in a state of unconsciousness and I know that you want to explore."

With a gentle smile, Faith slowly faded away. Once she was gone, the fair-haired woman frowned in deep though as she contemplated her next move.

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TU and WRH