CH: 4 Hope Remains
The order has been given again, and this time Nyssa was about to leave again and though she wanted to stay she could not go against the order and prepared herself for it going through the series of mediations and training. And as the time of leaving approached she felt more and more ready to carry the work as member of League.
"You do care about Bruce aren't you?" Ducard asked her one night taking her by surprise.
"Maybe," was her reply for she was still lighting the candles." As friend perhaps."
"I do have a feeling that there is more just a friendship that is it going between him and you. Bruce hardly concentrates when you are around and it looks quite childish."
"Give him a chance father, he will do fine. At least he is trying to prove that he is learning."
Ducard was quiet but he was aware that she indeed cared about Bruce and he understood that very well, as long it did not go more beyond the friendship Bruce and his daughter would do just fine or would they?
Next day at training session
Ducard remained aloof, always the savagely forthright instructor; never the friendly mentor, but a bond grew between Bruce and him regardless. Bruce could not have given it a label, or even described it. It neither his personal experience nor his reading had he encountered anything like it. But he knew it was there, as he knew he had blood in his veins.
Yet still he would allow his guard to slip by at each time when Nyssa appeared out nowhere. This could cost him a teaching that Ducard had given to him and no matter what he would do Ducard would find a way to punish him with a harder work. And when he would come to his senses Nyssa was gone and Ducard stopped forward and looked at Bruce with disgust.
"Childish, Wayne." His voice was harsh and mistake that Bruce had done." Resume!"
And so on, the training carried on forward and with that a gap that become between Nyssa and Bruce became even more wider and nothing but twilight and shadow was there that remained. Bruce heard that she was leaving and on a eve of her leaving he decided to confront her one last time trying to as her to stay, but she could not for it was the order and she had to go.
"You can not leave now I barely get to know you," Bruce said," It is just not right. Please stay one more night."
"I must go, it is an order" Nyssa replied firmly.
"Can you stay longer please?" Bruce watched as she shook her head.
"No, I can not." Reaching into the pocket of her tunic she produced a small bag of simple black velvet cloth tied with a gold ribbon." This is for you. Something that you can remember me by when the time comes for you to leave."
"You know that I would never forget you," He replied then took a bag from her hand." Nyssa you had already given me so much and I do not know how to repay you."
"You do not have to," she moved closer reaching over to touch his face." Just remember me as we are now and you will be all right. There is it still hope for you and you will to just fine."
She turned around and assumed her packing again. Bruce remained silent at this though he could not let her go just yet.
"Kindness in giving creates love." He spoke causing her to turn and look back at him again.
"Lao Tzu, those were his words." She said." But there is it nothing but a shadow and twilight between us, Bruce. It is too late for a love."
"There is a chance for us to be together one day."
"I can not give you what you seek. I am sorry." And with these words she could feel her heart was breaking apart, and in few hours later she was gone away form the temple and away from his life for good.