First Star I see Tonight II

[Freya]

First Star I See Tonight

12th of Ash, 124rd Year, A.o.S.

Continued from here...

The silenced stretched uncomfortably long as the Kathar continued to take in his surroundings. His eyes scanned the tent, then the kneeling Avialae, and finally his eyes flicked to woman's wings. He stared at them for another extended moment before looking down at Freya who knelt on her knees, hands folded on her lap with her eyes focused on Kathar.

Freya could not help the small flinch when the man reached back with his other hand and touched at the bandages around his waist. Again he paused, silently pondering while Freya's brows furrowed with the slight annoyance. His head was heavy and his grip made her shoulder ache, but she dared not break his thoughts.

"Lucius." He finally spoke with a deep, almost gravely voice. He looked at Kala with narrowed eyes, "What are you?"

Lucius loosened his grip somewhat on Freya's shoulder but did not release her completely. For her part Freya felt herself steadily calming down. The situation was not unsalvageable. They were talking at least, and perhaps this was a case of disorientation on Lucius' part. He had woken up suddenly in a strange place surrounded by strangers. They also did not know what he had gone through before they found him. The curse had been malicious, and seemed targeted. Maybe Lucius had every reason to be paranoid.

"Wish I May..."

[Kala Leukos]

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► Show Spoiler

don't fool yourself in thinking you're more than you are
with your arms outstretched to me.
now, it's sixteen miles to the promised land
and I promise you, I'm doing the best I can.

and some days, they last longer than others,
but this day by the lake went too fast.
and if you want me, you better speak up.
I won't wait.
so you'd better move fast.

"Lucius," she acknowledged with a serious nod.

Kala opted for the truth.

"I was born the second child of Lady Akshara Yushis of House Leukos, hatakomon sworn to Great House Briathos, and Lord Vatar Tsuyoshi of House Qoros, who died in service to the thirteenth Synnekar Shokaze of Kalzasi. I found a Rift Gate and sailed the Aetherial Sea to Atoria, where Garel the Necromancer gave me wings, made me a Firstborn." She paused, and then her voice changed once more. Apparently, she was going for shock and awe on this one. As she spoke, an eye-watering fervor spread over Indric's face. He, at least, was a true believer.

Mother Naori took me into Her realm and made me Her Moritasi of Unity.

Kala thought she could be the new Obelisk to keep the Kathar safe and sane, but Naori hadn't given her a detailed plan—She merely demanded the freedom of the Kathar. The nascent goddess didn't know if Lucius' mind would make that leap, whether he was a dissident or wanted back into the Emperor's good graces. Sometimes it was difficult not to think of their Kathar cousins as mentally deficient. She knew they weren't, but she also hadn't lived through what they had; she couldn't empathize with the propaganda and the control that enforced their zealotry.

Still, she tried. She gave him the benefit of the doubt.

"We mean you no harm. We tended your hurts, we broke your curse. If you will not come to hospital, I have marrow gum to speed your bone fusion and blood liqueur to bolster your body's strength as it heals. If, after you are healed, you wish to return to your Handler, I will not stop you just as I did not stop Ser Baudric when he returned to the Imperium. If you wish to leave now, half-healed, we will not stop you, but I will not allow you to leave with a hostage."

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[Freya]

With every word Lucius' eyes showed greater confusion. He stared at Kala, at Indric where he knelt, and at Freya who still watched him carefully. There was an internal war within the Kathar's eyes. Beliefs fighting against what he was now faced with, experience that contradicted words. He again looked at Kala's wings, then at her stary form, and his expression hardened once more.

"You are a spy from the Free cities..." He began, looking between Kala and Indric, "One of the Prince's people."

There was venom in his voice, but Freya thought she saw a note of uncertainty.

"Are you here to take back the his son?"

It was Freya's turn to look confused, but she did not voice the questions that were not at the forefront of her mind. Instead she shifted slightly, drawing Lucius' attention to her.

"They are here because I asked them to come." She began, but quickly finished her words as the look in Lucius' eyes darkened further, "You were gravely injured and fell from the sky, damaging my carriage."

Freya waved at the carriage that was in view, though she wished the side he had crushed was facing them.

"The wound in your back was laced with a powerful hex. Were it not for her aid I would not have been able to heal you on my own."

Again Lucius looked suspiciously at Kala, but a few more gears were beginning to turn in his mind as he connected pieces that they were unaware of. Something seemed to be clicking for him, as slowly released his grip from Freya's shoulder, but a look told her that she should stay still.

"When the Stars Align"

[Kala Leukos]

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After Freya responded, she did as well.

"If you are referring to Talon Novalys," she said, struggling to remain normal, which she was suddenly finding difficult while literally answering a prayer and working toward the goal Mother Naori had bequeathed unto her. "Then, no. He is no longer Shinsei; Karam Senue is the new Shokaze of Kalzasi. And I would only bring you to either of them at your request. I am not doing this as a Kalzasern citizen. Soon enough I will transcend citizenship. I am here to offer you a choice. Free will, as intended by the Gods.

"If you choose to return to your handler, I will not stop you, but in the meantime, will you let me finish my healing?"

Even as he relaxed a bit around Freya, Kala relaxed her arcane grips on his lungs and his bondage. She pulled faintly glowing phials out of her satchel, though one could hardly tell they were glowing for her own glow.

Indric cleared his throat. "I will see what I can do about the carriage."

He eyed Lucius as he rose to his feet and brushed off his knees. There was genuine concern for the stranger there, but also wariness. Indric, like most Synnekar, wanted to free his Kathar cousins from the Emperor's control, but he wouldn't risk Kala's safety for it.

"Thank you, Indric," she murmured, and he smiled almost beatifically.

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[Freya]

The Prince from Kalzasi... Even Freya had heard of Talon Novalys, though her information was surface level at best. She had traveled through Karnor a time or two, but she was not the most familiar with that region or its nobility. Still it seemed there was a connection between the Star Mother and Talon, and for whatever reason the Kathar suspected something related was happening here.

Lucius did not seem convinced in any case, but the outright hostility had cooled somewhat to merely distrust. He grimaced at Kala's words, but did not speak to contradict her. His eyes, however, said he held her opinion in little regard.

Freya smiled at Indra when he stood, "Thank you. I will..." She paused and looked sideways at Lucius, "I will join you when I can. Hopefully it is not too damaged to fix."

For the first time the Kathar showed a bit of shame, or perhaps remorse, but did not say anything and simply let Indric leave. He had shifted his weight into a sitting position, only wincing slightly as he rested his hands on his knees.

"Your kind always think you know best." he growled, "We are loyal to the people, but if you think that makes us slaves then you understand nothing."

He looked as if he wanted to spit at Kala's feet, but restrained himself, "I don't need your healing."

His eyes were cold once again, "You use your magic to slap a pair of wings on your back and pretend to be one of us. Were it not for your aid I would have gutted you for insulting my people. Even those traitors in Karnor have more honor."

Though he might acknowledge her power, or even her divine nature, Lucius simply could not accept Kala for what she claimed to be, or rather what she appeared to be. Gods could change their form, and she herself admitted that she was not born with her wings. He viewed the entire situation from the perspective of a man who was looking at a mockery to his very way of life.

Freya looked between the two, lingering on the winged goddess of stars, and doing her best to keep her features smooth. This was not a conversation she could participate in...

"When the Stars Align"

[Kala Leukos]

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Indric paused to listen to Freya. He gave one last glance back at Lucius and Kala, then smiled and nodded to Freya before striding purposefully toward her carriage. He and Ceran hadn't had their mercenary troupe long before Kala became the youngest moritasi and they had found religion. At first, they were able to protect her. Now, he knew how powerful she was growing and he felt less like he was protecting and more like he was there for moral support. Of course, she was still vulnerable; Talon Novalys had been taken by agents of Zaichaer and the Imperium. Regardless, he had learned to temper his ambitions. He would guard her when he was able; otherwise, he would be helpful.

Kala paused a beat to watch him walk away. They could feel a different sort of bond between them, which grew rapidly more tenuous as he walked away, but even when he reached the carriage, it wasn't tensed to snap. He was still close enough to remain a part of this little miracle.

Her gaze returned to Lucius.

"Very well," she said, putting away her phials, and then kneeling in a contemplative pose on the ground, regarding him calmly. "We did good work. That you are conscious and able to defend yourself now is an encouraging sign." She looked at him, and she Sembled him as she had learned how to do at the Tranquil Gardens. Yes, he was healing apace. "The necromantic treatments would speed things along, but sometimes letting the body set its own pace is wise, as well.

"You are correct in that I cannot perfectly empathize with the Kathar. I was born among my feathered brothers, likely too small to be able to bear more of our kind. But I have seen the Obelisk. I have Sembled it, back before my wings would have made me a target. I have some understanding of how it goes in the Imperium. Would you care to enlighten me further?"

It was a polite invitation. She could prove herself merely by flying. If she were an animist, she would have to radically alter her musculature, lighten her bones like a birds, in order to fly with wings of that size. Avialae wings were magical; they shouldn't be enough to enable flight and yet, they did. That was why the removal of those wings stole many of the benefits that set them apart from their other races, not only flight.

He was an elementalist, something they had in common, and the talons he had used on Freya were the product of animus. Well, then he wasn't equipped to suss out the truth with arcane senses.

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[Freya]

Lucius seemed taken aback by the calm that was returned for his harsh words. This more than anything set him back and made him question the current situation. He did not say anything, but looked at Kala with a difficult to read expression.

Freya watched him as he struggled internally. She could sympathize with what the Kathar must be feeling. To him it was likely that this calm, polite discussion ran counter to his expectations for how a run in with the traitorous Synnekar must be. Perhaps he had anticipated an equally harsh retort to his claims of insult, or his mockery of her wings, or even anger at his quick dismissal of further aid. Maybe that was what they were taught to expect. What's more a winged woman claiming to be Avialae was so outlandish that Lucius simply could not imagine that anything she said after her grand reveal could be true. Yet despite all of this and his obvious hostility she was not fighting back, but offered a diplomatic discussion.

Looking between them the Dragonborn hesitated, and then made to stand. This earned a sharp look from Lucius, but he made no move to stop her. A good sign, Freya thought.

"I will go speak with Indric while you converse." She said softly, trying her best to smile assuredly at Lucius, "Take your time. You are welcome to leave whenever you wish, or you can stay as long as you desire."

When she turned and walked bast Kala she reached up and plucked Asteri where he sat on her shoulder, setting him gently on Kala's instead. He looked a bit disgruntled to be moved so unceremoniously, but quickly found a comfortable spot and watched Lucius with one half-lidded eye.

These two needed space, and freedom to talk openly on a subject that Freya had no part in. Despite all her divine power, and awe inspiring form, Lucius was like a rock being looked down on by a dragon. No matter how much he should be inspired, or cowed, by the person in front of him, like a rock he showed no sign of his internal self. Perhaps his aura showed the suppressed emotions, the fear and uncertainty that years of training had taught him to control. Maybe she could see the doubt that lingered in his thoughts, thoughts the he struggled to push to the back of his mind.

Leaving them behind Freya walked around the carriage to find Indric, and to inspect the damage.

"How is it?" She asked when she reached him.

The Kathar said nothing to Kala, simply looked at her with a conflicted expression. Uncertain what there was even to say.

"When the Stars Align"

[Kala Leukos]

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Kala looked from Asteri on her shoulder to Freya with bemusement, but offered a smile and no reproach. Perhaps this was merely a way for Freya to absent herself physically from the difficult conversation while still being able to listen through her aidolon; at least, that was how she understood it from Asallon, her absent Silver Wing, and Indric, who was quite skilled but always seemed to defer to the Siltori when it came to magic. She gave the spirit a little nuzzle with her cheek, then let her simple smile fade to seriousness as she looked at the Kathar once more.

At least now, Freya was no longer threatened. Even if he had it within him to get up and attack her, now Indric could stop him or, if not, at least slow him down while Kala attacked his exposed flank. She didn't want to, but she wouldn't let him harm people just because he as a fellow Avialae. She wondered how different this might have gone were this happening the first time she met Freya, when she had three Avialae. Perhaps seeing Kaus, Ceran, and Indric working together and working with her might have tapped into that Avialae need for belonging, for bonding. But that was not the case.

She looked thoughtful for a moment, then, "It will be three years at the end of Frost since I saw Ser Baudric. He was injured somewhere, somehow, and picked up by Kalzasern patrols. When he woke up, he was in our hospital, and his collar was broken. It broke my heart to see his reaction, how he thought it better to find a sword to fall upon rather than accept healing from his Synnekar cousins or, even Kalzasern healers with no stake in the matter except wanting to heal. In the end, he allowed us to heal his body, and he went back to the Imperium to turn himself in. He supposed he would be exterminated for having been away from his handler, for having allowed his collar to be broken, and for allowing himself to be polluted by our presence."

She smiled again, softly, sadly. "Philosophical differences are one thing, but I just saw another warrior with wings who needed help. Like my brothers. Like my father who died in service. It is a shame we are so divided by our loyalties. I did offer Baudric an alternative to punishment and death. I offered to bond to him to ease whatever negative repercussions to the broken collar he might suffer... to give him a home until he decided he wanted to set out and make his own. Alas. I hope whoever encountered him first saw his loyalty and devotion and at least paused to consider the circumstances, and his unimpeachable honor.

"That would have been... a full season between the last time I saw him and my journey to find Atoria. I was young then. Well, younger... and perhaps naive. I am still young and still probably naive, but I chose to help Freya heal you all the same. Even if that meant you might wake and harm us. As she said, you are free to go. I would suggest walking rather than flying while your ribs are healing. I'm not certain where we are, but the two of you could probably reach a town before her supplies run out. Or even a farm. I would have Indric open you a portal, but he hasn't been to Gel'Grandal or any population center in the Imperium for obvious reasons. We can't stay long. Freya's prayer brought me here and..." She laughed quietly at her own expense. "I'm new to this nascent divinity thing. When we do leave, though, I hope I can count on the honor of a Kathar warrior that you will not cause her any more harm. I do not know what happened to Ser Baudric, but if you underwent the same moral training as he did, then I will take you at your word."

Meanwhile, Indric had found cracked timbers and the like. Nothing was shattered entirely, but he already had a wild spirit helping him mend the wood by the time Freya arrived. He almost didn't hear her coming between his work and attempting to pay close attention to Kala's emotional state through their bond. He didn't want to eavesdrop, but if she felt an instant of fear, he would bolt back to her side no matter what.

He blinked sheepishly at Freya.

"I think I explained to the little sylvan what I needed it to do," he said. "I'm mending what seems broken, and it should get you to where you are going, but I would have an expert look at it before you wander off the beaten track again."

The little wood elemental hooted helpfully.

► Show Spoiler

The unedited version because I can't get mad at plagiarism and than plagiarize, but I wanted to make Mirage laugh:

"I think I explained to the little groot what I needed it to do," he said. "I'm mending what seems broken, and it should get you to where you are going, but I would have an expert look at it before you wander off the beaten track again."

"I am Groot," said the little wood elemental helpfully.

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[Freya]

Lucius did not speak for a time after Kala finished her story. He also could not hold her gaze, and instead looked to the side with an unreadable expression. His wings shuddered, a sign of discomfort usually masked, but then Lucius thought he could be allowed this moment of weakness. His body hurt though he knew the augmentations were already doing their work. It would take but a few days for him to be fully restored once again, but that was not what truly troubled him. What the woman said struck a nerve in the Kathar, a nerve which was already raw and aching.

"I did not know Baudric, but he sounds loyal, like all Kathar should be." This time his voice was not laced with scorn, but he still did not look at Kala as he spoke.

"I won't take your healing... But you have my word that I will not harm the woman Freya." His wings moved again as he seemed to test them, "My wings will be strong enough to carry me once again in a days time."

His reluctance to talk was plain across his features, but the reason for it was not so clear. Yet he was a man well trained and he reigned in his emotions whatever they might be.

"While I appreciate the assistance... I do not wish to owe you." He finally looked at Kala, a well practiced mask of civility sliding into place, "How can I repay you and clear these depts?"

Asteri yawned and seemed to not be paying attention, but that could not be further from the truth. He was carefully watching Lucius, his movements, and quietly sending impressions back to Freya. She was similar distracted as Indric, but she still smiled at the spirit that was repairing her carriage.

"We are not far from a larger town about a days travel from here." Freya said as she examined the damage, "I will stop by on the way and see if there is a carpenter who can help fix whatever else may need repairs."

"When the Stars Align"

[Kala Leukos]

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Perhaps it was something in the finality of his words, the certitude. Her nature would not allow her to overawe him into submission; she believed too much in the freedom of choice the Great Gods had granted the soul. She began to fade, albeit slowly.

"If I have your word, then I am content. I worked alongside Freya to heal you at her request, answering her prayer. You owe me nothing. If you feel a debt is owed, then repay her. Don't fly away, but see her safely to the next town to be sure her wagon's repairs are complete and she isn't stranded on the road."

At the wagon, Indric realized he was fading, too. He hurried to tell Freya what he thought she should know.

"I looked under and I think the chassis is fine, the axles intact. You should have no trouble, I think, but better safe than sorry. The sylvan will stay until the aether I offered him runs out... If the work isn't done, you will have enough time to contract him yourself." He paused, but only briefly. "Thank you for what you are doing. For the Kathar. I can't speak for anyone but myself, but... thank you." His hand was over his heart, kneeling there beside her cart as the wood elemental fluted a song as it worked.

Kala paused too, then, "If you would be so kind, though, Ser Lucius... Should you encounter Baudric..."

She paused again. What could she say? She wouldn't know if he had survived, so how could Lucius tell him that she was pleased at his survival or not.

"Well, should you encounter him, please respect his loyalty. And if you would have me in your debt, should you ever have the life of a Kalzsern citizen or Synnekar Avialae in your hands, show what mercy you might. Loyalty is an excellent virtue, necessary even, but it takes true strength to be kind."

Indric stood and hurried back, not nearing Lucius lest he react poorly, but unsure whether being too far from Kala would cause some sort of divine problem. There was no logic too it, merely fear. The traveler did not want to be left behind. They were flickering now. Soon, no doubt, they would be gone.

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