Chapter Forty-five: Requiem Beneath The Birch Tree
It wasn't even noon yet, and Claudia's life was already plummeting to lower and lower depths. She supposed she should have been used to that by now, but this? Her throat was raw and the tears came against her will. She'd screamed at Ezran and the Moonshadow elf until they left, or rather were escorted out by some counsel member in the interest of their own safety once she started advancing on them as if she wasn't caged off from them. They were liars. Soren wasn't…he couldn't be…
"Claudia?" Claudia's heart nearly stopped. Now she knew this must have been a dream. An awful, awful dream.
"Wake up." she whispered hoarsely to herself. Nothing happened. Panic mounting, she demanded of herself; "Come on, wake up! Wake up, wake up, wake up!"
"Claudia, please." the unwelcome and all too familiar voice pleaded with her. "Look at me."
Her shoulders slumping in defeat, she turned around, her pale, tear-stained face beholding a hated figure. The blond hair, the blue eyes – his blue eyes – the stance and attire that spoke of good social standing. It was plain to see that the older woman had been crying as well. Claudia's nose wrinkled in disgust; how dare she show her face now?
"What are you doing here?" Claudia snarled harshly, and the pain in Lissa's eyes grew.
"Ezran told me what happened." Lissa said. Claudia watched, not letting her mother see the confusion. Ezran had gone to Del Bar and back? Exactly how long had it been? To her it seemed like only moments ago that she received the news – lie, she corrected herself – but she didn't really have the best sense of time in here. "I had to come. To say goodbye to my firstborn." For a moment, Lissa's eyes brightened with love and she gave a soft smile. "And to see my beautiful daughter again."
"Don't pretend to care!" Claudia demanded, doing what she could to raise her hoarse voice. "You left us. You destroyed our family."
"I know." Lissa told her, and Claudia looked shocked by this ready confession. She had expected some sorry excuse or even another lie about how things weren't perfect. Well, they were never perfect even when the family was whole, but did she really have to leave? Lissa sighed heavily. "This is my fault. I shouldn't have given you the choice, I should have just taken you both with me to Dal Bar. Maybe than, none of this would be happening to us." Lissa felt a new wave of tears build up as she took in Claudia's ragged appearance, the ghostly white skin, the darkness under her eyes which were themselves filled with pain. The most obvious thing was the whitened half of her hair, which Clover had seen on dark mages before and so she knew exactly what it meant. Her voice became strangled in a cry, a fresh batch of tears welling up with grief, now for her elder daughter. "Look what he's done to you."
Outrage flooded every inch of Claudia's body. Was she seriously blaming Viren – the good parent who actually loved her – for all of this? Before she could retaliate, Lissa turned away, the tears falling once more, and started to leave before she paused and continued to talk. "I've spoken with Opeli. They're…they're burying him outside the village in an hour. I'm sure it would mean the world to him if you attended. I love you, Claudia."
Clover broke into a run as if she could no longer bare to be there. Claudia roughly wiped her tears away, a whole host of new, horrible emotions now joining her grief for Soren.
The letter itself was bad enough without ripping open the memories of his stepfather's letter. Callum knew that this letter, rolled up in a bind rather than a wax seal, was destined to join King Harrow's letter, which was tucked safely away in his room where no prying eyes would find it. Callum had fiddled with and undone the bind already, but he was stalling actually opening the letter for much the same reason; Ibis had been his first mentor. He'd taught him so much in their year of training. He was a careful listener, an attentive friend and a fiercely devoted guard.
If Callum had known that a simple look was all that was needed, he would have done it sooner. He looked from the letter to the couch across from him, where Wendell and Zephyr sat. Well, where Wendell sat and Zephyr laid. She was holding on to her brother for dear life, as if the slightest wrong move would take him away, too. Her eyes remained closed, but tears were still flowing like two tiny streams. Callum didn't want to imagine it; losing her father and the love of her life, the father of her child, all in one foul swoop. Wendell took it in stride, choosing to be strong for Zephyr's sake, but his wide, hollow eyes gave him away; he was every bit as broken as his sister. Neither of them had spoken a word since it happened.
Callum took a deep breath and pulled himself together. What right did he have to break down like this? Ibis hadn't been his father, he could grieve later, when the world wasn't at stake. Right now, Callum had to get cleaned up for the funeral. Since time was of the essence, there would be no three-day reprieve, fancy dressing up or forced speeches, just a solemn burial of Soren and Ibis. The rest of the fallen guard were on their ways home, so that they might each be properly mourned by friends and family and laid to rest in their homelands. Such was tradition for fallen Dragonguard, unless said guard requested otherwise. Ibis had requested to be buried here, where his youngest lived and would be raising her children. In fact, for the first time in centuries, the Storm Spire was completely deserted, with Queen Zubeia having fled the spire on the insistence of Callum and the others, to keep herself safe for the time being. Callum finally unfurled the paper, surprised to find two slips rather than the one. This seemed to get Wendell and Zephyr's attention as well.
Callum,
If you're reading this, I'm gone. I can only hope that you've defeated Aaravos and that Prince Azymondias and Princess Kimaare have remained safe. Callum, in my two-hundred and sixty-three years, no one could have imagined a human somehow finding a way to do magic. Even years after the fact, the knowledge that I was privileged enough to see it, let alone teach him, is incredible to me, and for this I thank you. I don't know how you managed to do it, but hopefully you will discover how it is possible and go on to teach other humans your craft.
Callum, I'm not looking to displace King Harrow or your late father by saying this, but I'd be lying if I said I don't love you like a second son. I apologize for subjecting you to this for a third time in your life.
Callum felt a rush of affection for his former mentor crash over him like a strong wave. He wished there was a way to talk to Ibis again, if only because his presence was a familiar and comforting one. He honestly returned the feeling, with how, together with Zephyr, Wendell and his family, the family as a whole seemed so happy to basically adopt him and Ezran as their own soon after meeting them. Well, that was what Callum felt, even though none of them spoke of it.
On the second page, you will find a rune along with the information needed to use it.
Callum took a moment to shuffle the second letter to the front. He beheld a rune drawn in a style he was unfamiliar with; it looked a lot like the star symbol itself, something Callum had never seen before. It was more like a constellation than the wispy strokes of sky magic, the sturdiness of earth runes or the flame-like runes of sun magic. Beneath the trigger word, there were instructions to paint the rune over one's heart and the information of the extra something that was needed for this, a high-level spell. The caster needed to want the revival with their whole heart and to believe that it was possible. Callum returned to the front letter.
It is a bit of star magic gifted to me by Kaiya, who's daughter, Bianca, is a star mage. Once everything is settled, seek her out. Kaiya has spoken to her about you and she would be honored to teach you. The spell is the counterpart to the dark magic spell that was likely what allowed Viren to come back to the world of the living. It was further corrupted by dark magic by being forcibly prolonged; this spell is only meant to revive the dead for a few moments, just long enough to say goodbye.
Callum's eyes widened and he had to reread this portion of the letter a few times to fully absorb everything, even though he got the feeling he'd heard all of this before.
There are a few conditions that apply as well. First of all, I regret to inform your that this spell is only possible on the freshly deceased; you will not be able to speak with your parents using it. Second, it is not advisable to revive someone who has died in pain. You would only be returning them to the pain of their injury.
Something in Callum deflated with disappointment. Without realizing it, he'd been excited to see his parents again, to tell Soren not to worry - they'll all be here to help Zephyr take care of his child - to finally be able to tell a father figure of his goodbye. But Soren had been stabbed in the back of the head and Ibis had been half butchered to death. No, he couldn't be so selfish. No matter how much he wanted to see them again, he couldn't put them in that kind of pain just to say goodbye.
Finally, it is only possible to perform this spell once on a given subject, so the time must be used wisely.
Despite all of this, I must request that you not revive me. I have lived a full life, short for my kind but long for yours, and yet I feel as though I've accomplished more than most men just by having met and taught you. My children know what has happened to me, as you must have known, I'm sure. It is all I can ask for to have died serving the Dragon Queen. My only regret is that I'll never see my second grandchild be born. Soren is a fine man, and I know he will raise a fine young half-elf.
A pang of sorrow pierced Callum's heart. Soren would never be able to raise his child now. And Ibis. Callum couldn't hide his disappointment in how he didn't want to be revived anyway, and if that was the case, why even give him this spell? As one last gift? But Callum realized that it was probably impossible now, anyway; Ibis and Soren were already being prepared for burial.
Until next we meet,
Ibis of the Skywing Elves
Callum's eyes were blurry with tears. The first letter fell to the floor as he stood up abruptly and rushed up the stairs, the second piece of paper clutched in his hand. This got Zephyr and Wendell's attention once more, as well as that of Amaya who stood in the doorway, having been halfway through entering the room when her nephew suddenly sprang to life.
At the same moment, his eyes shot wide open and he let out a gasp as air flooded his lungs, with a jerk so violent that it caused his whole body to give a sharp flinch. He was…alive? But that fall. No creature could hope to survive a fall like that.
"Very good." He was too confused to even be scared, although a brief shiver did overtake him at the abruptness of the statement. It was Aaravos, who's eyes were completely black in the fashion of dark mages. When the blackness let up, though, there was only pure light in place of the malicious eyes he hated.
"But I…I fell." he said, remembering and now looking himself over. His armor and weapons were gone, his midsection bore large patches from where Queen Zubeia's teeth had punctured his skin, which looked like they'd been sealed off and healed badly. In fact, his whole body was covered in scars, cuts and bruises.
"It's been done before." Aaravos told him. "Of course, you may want to get the job done quickly, or else develop a taste for snuffing out the lives of lesser magical creatures, before the decay sets in."
"Job?" the former prince asked. "Wait, decay?"
"Viren's line." Aaravos reminded. "The son may be gone, but the daughter lives. And you laid claim to both of their lives, did you not?"
Aaravos was pleased to see the rage returning to his eyes. He would have his hands full with a certain archmage in training, he couldn't bother himself with Claudia who would no doubt be seeking vengeance for her fallen kin. His plan was simply to wait until one had ended the other, then to finish the victor, assuming there was to be one, off while they were still tired, ensuring that there would be no trouble down the road. He knew from experience that Claudia was a wild card and he'd need his full attention on the human mage.
"I'll kill her." the younger elf promised, his voice overflowing with venom. "Then that line will be gone for good."
Aaravos couldn't help but smile in amusement at what he alone knew. Viren's son had sired an unborn offspring, not that that really meant much. Like he had once assessed with the young star dragon, an infant wasn't an invincible being. His newly revived friend needn't bother with that, the mother would be facing him as soon as Callum and Claudia were out of the way. "Welcome back, Amer."
Callum stared at himself in the mirror in his room. He'd almost forgotten about the scar. Would the rune still work when a decent part of it was over a scar? It had to work, Callum had decided as he replaced his shirt. If it didn't…well, what else was new, he thought morosely. A whining noise caught his attention; Kimaare was looking up at him sadly. Callum put on a brave face as he picked up the small dragon, carried her to his bed and sat down to pet her. She purred.
"Callum?" Callum looked to the doorway to see Rayla coming over to him. She was freshly washed, and her hair had been brushed so thoroughly, it looked almost glossy. The red-rimmed eyes that spoke of tears shed couldn't be groomed away, though. She sat next to Callum, took his hand and leaned on him.
"Service is starting in a few minutes. I think everyone's ready." she said, quietly.
Callum didn't respond right away, but he looked at their intertwined fingers. It seemed to give him courage for something that had been in the back of his mind as a vague desire, but this…somehow it solidified that desire, made it more real. With one look at his sketchbook, sitting faithfully on his bedside table, Callum knew what he wanted.
"Rayla," he started, "about Mira." He paused to gauge her reaction. Interest flashed in her eyes; what was this about? "Do you…do you really want to give her up?"
"Of course not, I love that kid." Rayla told him, and he knew it was true. This plucked up his courage, his mind filling with images of the other night; the picture, the sleeping child, the loving kiss. Now he knew what had had him so transfixed on that night.
"So do I." he told her and cleared his throat. He needed to get this right. "So, I was thinking…what if we keep her?" Rayla's face was blank, but her eyes grew and shone. "I know we're young, but she could have a good life here we us." Callum gave a swallow, forcing the next word out. "Together."
Callum's emphasis on the word together was furthered by his taking her hand already clasped in his own and covering it with his other hand in an almost pleading gesture. "I know this isn't the time for it, but what if is all the time we –"
Callum was cut off and found himself on his back with Rayla kissing him fiercely. She smiled as they broke apart. "Yes, Callum. I'd love that."
"I love you." Callum replied, his eyes shining as he looked up at her. They laughed as they continued to kiss and stroke each other.
"Having fun, you two?" The sudden question made them jump. Janai smirked as though she'd caught a pair of much younger children in the middle of causing trouble. Rayla slowly climbed off of Callum, who gave his aunt's significant other a meek smile as he stood up. Janai didn't give them a chance to explain, just gestured for them to follow. The swell of happiness in their hearts vaporized instantly as reality came crashing down on them; it was time.
Claudia had chosen to come. Also here were Lissa, Opeli, Callum, Ezran, the general and commander, the Moonshadow elf, her parents, the Sunfire Queen, Soren's Skywing elf, and a second Skywing elf who Claudia had never seen before. Callum and his elf were standing close together, and holding the elf's hand was the little Earthblood elf who still looked afraid of Claudia. Just as well, Claudia told herself, she was just some brat.
Claudia was closely guarded by two of Amaya's men on either side of her, but she hardly cared about that. She just kept her eyes on one of the two simple wooden coffins being lowered; the one that had only two feathers – one brown and one gray – sitting on it, as opposed to the other which bore the same with the addition of a third, darker feather. Ibis had already been lowered, and Soren was still in the process. Claudia kept her eyes squarely on the coffin; she was here for him, not for Lissa, not for Callum or Ezran, not for anybody else, so she told herself.
Zephyr and Wendell had picked a lovely spot, at the edge of the woods, beneath a birch tree. There was nothing special to either Ibis or Soren about birch trees, but they were a symbol of longevity and rebirth, as the white bark and slim branches gave these trees a kind of year-round beauty. There was an old superstition among the elves as well, that burying the dead under a birch tree would ensure peace in the afterlife, something that Zephyr especially wished for.
"What a touching display of grief." A deep, cold voice sent ice through everyone's vanes. Everyone backed away, clearing a path to the new voice's owner, with Callum, Rayla, Amaya and Janai moving protectively in front of the younger attendants. It was Aaravos, along with…
"Amer?" Janai questioned, her eyes wide. "But you're dead."
"I won't die until I've wiped out every trace of that Viren from the face of the planet." Amer declared, looking at Soren's coffin with satisfaction before locking eyes with Claudia. In an instant, she knew it had been Amer who killed Soren, which was only confirmed by his next words: "One down, one to go."
"Don't be afraid, Aarush." Aaravos said, looking at Callum. The two eyes filled with light almost made the younger mage long for the cunning, dangerous, but at least readable eyes he was used to from Aaravos. "I've no reason to hurt you. Provided, of course, that you follow these simple orders."
"And what orders are those?" Callum asked.
"Meet me at the pinnacle of the Storm Spire at high noon today and bring dear Claudia with you. Amer is rather insistent on it." the Startouch elf said, "Our little confrontation will take place before the day is over. If you refuse, or if anyone else gets any ideas, the Storm Spire and your village will be the first of many to parish." Aaravos didn't wait for a response, but a flash of sudden light blinded everyone present. When the light dimmed, Aaravos and Amer were gone.
Author's Notes: Admit it, you guys thought I didn't listen when I asked if Claudia should be redeemed, and the overwhelming majority was 'yes, but not without being punished'. I listened, we were just going through the punishment part. As Don Bluth put it, "Every story needs a happy ending. Until then, feel free to put your characters through absolute hell." Bianca is an Italian girl's name that can mean 'White', 'Bright', or 'Shining'. Also, that was quite the bold move on Callum's part to propose just before a funeral. Poor kids are going to have whiplash by the end of this day. Up next…the final battle. Review.