Rising to the Surface
"I was worried about you Fenix. I was stressed a little and yes...I reacted a little out of proportion," Jewellyn tried to explain in answer to Fenix's query.
They were both on their way to the Companion's Stables. Tomorrow would be the Induction Ceremony; therefore the Companions and their Chosen needed to be ready soon. There would be grooming, and preparations for the ceremonial tacks had to be done. Orientation at the Collegium would be taking place too later that day. So much to do and get ready for.
"A little out of proportion?... So if I mention Aine again, you won't run away?"
Jewellyn had to smile at this. They both paused their walking for now. "Well you just did mention her silly. No need to worry Fenix, I am not so worried about all that right now." She found the less she thought or worried about Aine the better. She also was partially resigned to the fact that she would get Fenix's interest more than Aine ever could...eventually. I just need to be patient, she reminded herself.
"So I can talk a little more freely now?" he asked, meeting her gaze.
"Of course," Jewellyn said brightly. "Let's sit here on on of these benches, no-one seems to be around right now and we have a little time." Jewellyn sat down beckoning Fenix to do the same.
Fenix took in a deep breath as he sat down. "I never before in my life thought I was capable of killing anyone," he said, still feeling a bitter remorse over the whole thing, "My memories of it all come and go, but I do remember enough. It was brutal, violent..after I had seen what that bandit had done, I lost it. I went totally berserk."
"I felt that rage within you Fenix...it was dark and shadowy, but quite strong. I didn't think I could handle it and the visions you saw...I saw them too." said Jewellyn as she shuddered. "I tried to absorb as much of your pain as I could." Here she reached for Fenix's hand.
"That was always one thing I was very afraid of...that explosive anger," Fenix mused outloud. "What I did to Aine..."
:Take comfort in me, Chosen. I will help you through this because I love you.:
Fenix 'heard' the mindspeak from Aerali but it didn't seem to register. His eyes weren't so much looking at anything external as they were searching somewhere inside his soul for an anchor, somewhere to settle down and forget about all this. Thinking and talking about this caused memories of bad things to surface unbidden; terrible things that had happened to him when he was a child. The memories of the verbal and physical abuse he suffered back then rose up in his mind like a bitter bile from his stomach. Memories can be cruel, popping up when you least expect them...there was that time when I-
"I told you to shut up! If you would have done what I told you when I told you this wouldn't have happened!" I remember the veins stood out on Father's forehead, looking almost as if they could burst any moment. He yelled so loud I could feel it physically within me. "When is all that going to sink into your puny little head! How many times do I have to tell you!"
BAM! A heavy fist slammed the table, silverware clattered to the floor. The smell of Mead was everywhere and it was coming from Father, whenever he would shout..
Mom ran into the bedroom sobbing. I was terrified, reduced to a base, emotional wreck I-
"I don't want to think about it...never again!" Fenix exclaimed. Fenix's face was losing it's composure quickly. "No-
"NO! You won't forget about this, EVER! If I have to beat it into you I will, by the Gods! Come here now and taste justice!" The look in Dad's eyes when he became enraged was...well it wasn't human. Fenix shivered. Dad's justice was a most bitter tonic to swallow. "Come here I said, Fenix!"-
"Fenix! Are you ok? Fenix!" Jewellyn asked anxiously. She began to tune in on Fenix's anguish. This is getting out of hand, she thought. Some people are starting to look at us; I have to help him somehow I-
I remember Dad's funeral. I remember him lying there, and his face; his face had never looked that serene in life, but in death it sure looked at peace, why dad why! I remember that awful nightmare afterwards too, when all the sudden Dad's face took on a hideous grimace, and his eyes were ablaze, (but he was dead yes he was dead sure he was). "Come here now! and taste my justice, else I'll beat it into you yet!" His dad sat up and he-
He was sweating from head to toe and he felt clammy. Fenix moaned a little then passed out. Jewellyn quickly began to work on alleviating Fenix's anguish again. She wanted to get out of here as soon as possible; people might see, people might gossip.
:I will help you Jewellyn, and Aerali will help Fenix. Together we can overcome this.:
Mayei's presence, as communicated to her from the stables, was soothing; just knowing they were there had a calming effect. Jewellyn again felt that dark shape, that coiled snake of unbridled anger. She was hurting now too, but continued her healing through empathic abilities. She traced patterns on Fenix's forehead, she held his hands. All this despite the agony she was feeling and absorbing from him. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She would feel the nasty after effects later. Right now she wanted to get Fenix well and back to the Healer's Wing of the Collegium.
With the Companion's support and Jewellyn's skill as an empath, Fenix began to come around again. He looked around a little dazedly and managed to ask, "It's happened again, hasn't it?"
"We will get past this Fenix, don't worry." Right now she wanted to leave. She looked up, getting ready to move on. By the Gods! who is that? She looked over and saw a young gangly man with foppish hair and...that smile, that wicked smile. Is that smile directed at me? No, it couldn't be. He's looking at someone beyond me, I'm sure...Her heart sunk even a little bit more when she saw he was wearing aGuard Trainee's uniform. No, not him. Not here! she thought with a mounting anxiety. She did her best to hide her face as she tried to get up casually without attracting more notice. She reached down and offered her arm to Fenix. "Come on Fenix, let's go now!" she whispered loudly.
"What's the matter?" he asked. "Whats the big hurry?"
"I'll tell you when we get back, now isn't a good time. We need to go now!" she whispered again. Simon Dewwart was the last person she expected to see here.
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Koromiel: The plot thickens! Mwa ha ha ha ha! For once, I wasn't the one who came up with this particular twist. And don't you love it? Another clifhanger! Ah yes, we're evil...so maybe if you guys post a few reviews, we can get the next chapter out quicker. hehe. Until then!
Cheers!
