NO: Yay. I put in a request for a 'Kate Constable' section. Hehe. This allows for growths (prays K.C. publishes more Tremaris bookies.)
Onto Chapter 3.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of characters from the original Chanters of Tremaris series; I do however own Darrow's "real" name (which I won't tell you!) and Serli, Darrow's mother.
As a side-note: I just found out mica is a thin rock (thinner than shale). It can peel off into paper-thin sheets. Also, you know that sparkly stuff in your toothpaste? That's mica! Kinda cool, eh?
This chapter is also kinda long. Its repayment for not publishing before running off to camp. :) buh-bye, R&R plz!
Chapter 3: Darrow's Name
"No!" Trout yelled. The dead Mica came closer. "Stay away…" He wept (He rarely cried) "Please…" He felt a hurt deep in his soul, seeing Mica again had broken his heart all over again.
Ropes twined around his arms and legs, rooting him to the dream-ground. Dead-Mica drew nearer; he could feel the death-like cold on his skin.
"Trout…" She whispered. "TROUT!"
"Mica, please!" He didn't know how long he could keep the tears from spilling out of his eyes. She, that Trout had known, never knew how much he loved her. "I'm sorry… It came too fast… I couldn't stop it…" His pleads fell on deaf ears.
"You left me to die, Trout!" Dead-Mica accused. "You did nothing! You will pay with your life!" Trout didn't want to die. His bridge wasn't finished; the which-way hadn't been perfected. He struggled against the bonds. They only held him tighter. Dead-Mica placed her freezing fingers onto Trout's throat.
He and Mica (when she was living) were about the same strength, but in lands of the dead, Mica was stronger. She clenched harder. Spots appeared in front of his eyes. Air was being deprived of his brain.
A realization dawned on Trout. If he died now, he would be with Mica forever. The thought stopped the struggles. The ropes that bound him disappeared and Mica let go. She had stepped back, thinking him dead.
Trout stood, still dizzy from the lack of oxygen, and embraced the dead woman. She was deathly cold. He hugged he tighter unknowingly giving her some of his warmth. Tears streamed down Mica's cold face. She reached up and kissed Trout on the lips, he was beginning to feel colder and she was beginning to feel hotter.
He broke the kiss (due to another lack of air to breathe). Mica was more tepid than when he had first met her. She whispered in his ear. He nodded in agreement.
-In the lands of the living-
Trout awoke, he was in his bed and Halasaa was holding his hand, doing a Dance of Becoming.
Ah. He said. Welcome back to the lands of the living. We almost lost you.
"I have to go!" He may have sounded half-crazed, but this dream wasn't a dream. It had been longer. He had touched Mica this time. He had hugged his dead love. He had agreed to what Mica had said.
You have just awoken, Trout, you cannot go anywhere. It may kill you.
"Then at least I'd be with Mica." Trout said sourly. Then, Halasaa hadn't heard of his promise. "I told Mica I would be there!" Trout couldn't remember where she had told him to be, just that he had to be there soon.
I have never heard of this. Halasaa said, dubious. But, I think you two share a unique bond. If Mica's spirit speaks truthfully, then we must obey it. Come let us take the Fledgewing you can heal on the boat. We will explain it to Tonno. Trout was stunned by Halasaa's long speech, but stood. He had shaky feet and he leaned on the Tree Man's lean form. "Thank you, Halasaa." He could still feel the ghostly imprint of Mica's hands on his back and her lips on his.
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Calwyn walked with Darrow on the crowded street. They were near the docks. He seemed to be looking for a certain ship.
"This was where I was captured and taken to the Black Palace, as I once told you," He said suddenly.
"I remember," Please, no pity… his voice rang in her head. "Why are we here in Geel?"
"To look for a ship," something gnawed at him, what she couldn't guess. "Here, the Dock Master." They had approached a fat man. Darrow spoke. "I am looking for a ship, can you tell me when it last docked?"
"Yes, sir, I can." The over-sized Dock Master replied. Darrow whispered something to Calwyn, she looked unhappy, but complied. "It'll cost ye."
"I can pay. How much?"
"10 Marks."
"6." Darrow countered.
"8 Marks, that's my final deal." The portly man offered.
"Deal." Darrow agreed. Calwyn was scowling at Darrow, she was probably angry about his sending her away, but it was a surprise.
"Which ship ye be lookin' fur?"
"The Gold Arrow." Darrow privately hoped it wasn't here in the port, that way he could spend more time with Calwyn.
The man looked at his tablet, then he looked up. "Its your lucky day m'friend. Gold Arrow is here in port. Dock 10." Nodding, Darrow handed the Dock Master the 8 marks as promised. He went and fetched Calwyn.
"Dock 10." He repeated.
"I don't see why you have to keep it a secret. Secrets are dangerous." Calwyn pushed out her lower lip and bulged her eyes in a puppy-dog eye fashion. He kissed her on the lips and took her hand.
"You'll see, love." They walked toward Dock 10. Calwyn pulled up her hood, lest any see the Singer of all Songs. Crowds still weren't her forte.
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Joran looked out over the prow of the ship. Unloading the supplies was going well. In a few hours, they would pull out of Geel. His wife, Serli, came out. She slipped under his arm, feeling the warmth of his body.
"Joran dear, I need more parchment." Her grey hair glinted like silver. In a few years, they both would retire back to the Kalysons.
Then Serli saw something that made her heart jump; she even felt Joran's race. A tall man mirroring Joran stood at the gangplank, on his right was a hooded woman. Could it… could it really be their son?
"Ho!" Their son yelled.
"Ho!" Joran hailed. Serli felt it rumble in her husband's chest. "Come aboard!"
The pair boarded the ship. Serli wiggled out of Joran's embrace and ran to hug Eron (their son); tears streamed down her sun-tanned face. She practically jumped onto her son she was so excited.
"I knew you would come back!" She wiped tears away. "I knew it!" Darrow was obviously pleased at his homecoming.
Joran joined them. "Hello, m'boy." The woman in the cloak was momentarily forgotten.
Eron turned from Serli to Joran. "Hello, M-Mother. Hello, Father." The ordeal had attracted the crew's attention. The first mate, the only crewmember from the original crew came up to him.
"Welcome back, Mouse." He said.
"Thank you." Darrow replied.
"Come to my quarters, son, bring your woman with you." Joran interrupted. They made their way through the crowd. Calwyn quietly followed. The first mate stuck around to talk with Darrow.
"I'm glad you're back, Mouse, Arram died a couple years back. Almost everyone else left after your… peculiar display."
"I see," Was all Darrow could say. Gold Arrow started to pull out of the port.
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Calwyn sat. Darrow sat next to her. Calwyn broke the silence between them. "Your nickname was Mouse?"
"Yes, I'll explain it later." He replied shortly.
What is your real name? If this if the Gold Arrow; Darrow is not your real name, is it? Calwyn questioned in mind-speech.
"No, that's why I came here to find it. For many years I've wanted to come back. Then, the chase with Samis occurred. Now is the only time I've had."
And you wanted to leave me! Calwyn accused.
"Not, leave-"
"Eron, get a chair for your mother." Joran said. Darrow blinked, Eron?
Calwyn sighed. "I think, sir, we should refer to your son as Darrow."
Looking at his mother, then at his father's surprised face, he spoke. "No, it's alright. Eron…" He trailed off. It was too simple. Looking out the porthole, he thought to himself, My name is Eron. I am Eron. I am a son of the Marshlands.
His lover spoke; interrupting his thoughts. "Darrow, er, Eron, your mother still doesn't have a chair."
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NO: So, yeah. I invented 'Eron'. Nothing big… I just thought Darrow should have a real name, not the ship's name that he semi-grew up on.
