Small Beginnings

[Asher Mossa]

The sun peeked through the open window of the guest room where Asher had stayed the night before. Whether this would be his home when he was not serving the Mandragora, or if he would have his own was a question that would have to be answered. For now this was where Alvida had arranged under extremely short notice. The fireplace which had been raging the night before contained only the burnt evidence of what once had been. Ash and soot covered the stone interior behind the grate which was designed to keep the coals contained to the fire place. The smell of cedar wood smoke filled the room, it was sweet and inviting, something which made the room more than a place to sleep. It was home.

Asher stirred as the the sun hit his face. He lay on his back tangled up in the bed sheets and the naked woman at his side. It was hard to know where one of them ended and the other began as their bodies were so wrapped around each other there was no doubt as to what had transpired the night before. His eyelids peeled back slowly as his he took in the surroundings of where he woke up. Asher did not remember much of the party, but as he rolled his head over to see the blonde seer next to him, Asher vividly remembered how they had ended up like this.

As the events of that particular part of the night rolled in his mind, Asher licked his lips only to discover his entire mouth felt like cotton. Alvida had been right about the mead. Their liquor was stronger than Asher had realized, but he didn’t seem to worse for the wear. That would likely change as he tried to get up, but perhaps they had time. He had wanted to leave at dawn, but by the look of the sky, it had been long last for a while now.

“Good morning,” he said as his lips pressed a kiss to the forehead of the woman still in his grasp. “I think we’ve slept in,” Asher said as his leg tried to kick the sheets off of it.

A few labored breaths drew oxygen deep into his lungs which caused him to yawn. Asher inadvertently stretched as his mouth came to a close. His eyes were back to looking up to the ceiling as he seemed to make no move to get out of the bed. He no longer cared if they were found out, or if they were delayed in their trip to the island where the tree Asher had seen in his vision was. He was content in knowing that he was right where he belonged. This was the one thing that seemed right, the first thing in a very long time.

[member="Alvida Osulf"]

 

[Alvida Osulf]

Skógur Heim | [member="Asher Mossa"]​

​

Wake up, little wolf. The Gods are calling.​

Golden streams of light broke through the window, coupled with a torrent of bird songs that broke the early morning silence. The bedroom still smelled faintly of iron rich blood and smouldering wood, now mixed in with distinct smell of dew on grass. Milk-white face buried into the soft feather pillow, she was remiss to peel apart her eyelids, but Alvida felt the body entangled in hers shift slowly. A groggy groan came from the mess of bedclothes that was the young wolf, it cracked and broke from the previous nights heavy drinking. Willowy arms scrambled for the covers that Asher attempted to kick off with his leg. In one swift movement she flung them back over her head to block out the blaring sun. Once sheltered from its harsh rays her hands found the smooth expanse of his chest once more. Like a monkey clinging to a tree Alvida wrapped herself around his frame.

A moment later she felt the soft graze of his lips against her forehead, which brought her lips up into the first smile of the day. Alvida didn't really want to get up just yet. Everything was so serene and peaceful it felt almost rude disturbing it. Mumbling into his chest with a voice that was barely a whisper, she spoke. 'Dvöl. The sjáendur eru ekki ad fara neitt.' It was time for the voices to wake up, and they did so by chastising her. Alvida cracked open a single eyelid, revealing bloodshot sea-foam orbs. What was wrong with what she had just said? Slowly she came to the realisation that she had spoken her own tongue. 'Wait...' She finally realised she would have to translate it. Her tone broke as she spoke, forcing her to clear her throat sharply. 'I mean. Stay... The seers are not going anywhere.'

One sharp, well pruned nail traced a complicated dance across his patterned chest. Now that the light entirely flooded the room Alvida wasn't sure if she was going to be able to get back to sleep. All she knew was she wanted to stay here. Memories of the night before were flooding her brain and drowning out any other thoughts, but they couldn't stay like this forever. Wearily she dragged her eyes across the guest bedroom, taking in the mess they had made last night. The sheets were definitely worse for wear. Still coated in blood from last nights hunt, crimson stains dotted across the white backdrop. Alvida herself could have probably used a bath, if only to free herself of the dried rouge. It would probably help with the splitting headache too.

Finally, she convinced herself to sit up and rest herself against him. The voices were already making it very clear that there was no use staying in bed and she was already running out of time to make a sneaky escape. Someone would come to wake Asher for breakfast soon and Alvida had no desire to shock anyone this early in the morning. After pressing a few delicately placed kisses onto his cream coloured skin Alvida spoke. 'I should leave, before someone decides to come and wake you. Will you meet me downstairs in an hour? We can have breakfast and decide what to do from there.' Alvida still wasn't quite awake. Her tone sounded dreary and plain, compared to her usually eccentric pitch. Sleepy eyes glanced up at Asher from her position on his chest.

 

[Asher Mossa]

The longer Asher lay in the bed, the more awake he became. His appetite was growing as well, only eclipsed by the appetite for the woman in his bed. As his head became more clear, however, he realized just how precarious of a position they would be in should someone decide they want to fetch the guest. Still, Asher was loathe to let her leave. Even as she began to stir, and words he did not know left her mouth, Asher pulled her closer. He laughed at the way she pulled the sheets over her head. It reminded him of the thing one would expect from a growing teenager that could sleep all day without any repercussions. Asher wished they could stay there, but this was not their home, and Asher was just a guest.

Alvida finally translated what she had said, and Asher had at least understood the intent. She truly did not want to leave either. They remained together, lazy for several moments, just enjoying each other's presence. What they had done the night before had been exhilarating, and Asher was already addicted to her, but being with her was simply about that, being with her. For Asher this was as intimate as their trysts had been. His wife had told him in the cavern to live and move on. She had told him there would be another. Asher just had not expected another to find him so soon after. He breathed in her scent as she sat up against him. He sighed when she spoke knowing she was right.

"One hour, sure. I can let them think the lost son cannot handle his mead."

Asher grinned as he placed a hungry kiss on her lips. If she had to leave, then he was at least getting another taste of her before she did. While she had said the seers were not going anywhere, Asher knew they would both have to leave. He had heard the voice calling to him the night before, and he knew Alvida had heard it as well. Without any thought to it, Asher knew they could not even remain at the house all day, or explore the village. The Father wanted him to come, and Asher could not deny the pull.

His sigh was a reluctant acceptance of the inevitable. She had to leave before they got caught, and they had to leave for the tree. He nodded as the kiss broke.

"One hour... now go before I lose all my willpower and they catch us in a more compromising situation than we are in now..."

[member="Alvida Osulf"]

 

[Alvida Osulf]

Skógur Heim | [member="Asher Mossa"]

You're going to get caught.​

'One hour.' She confirmed in a serious tone, green eyes never shifting from his deep brown ones. Upon closer inspection he didn't seem to be feeling too rough from the night before. She had seen better men in worse states after that much mead. Alvida laugh sweetly at his words, letting it trickle from her throat like a waterfall. With the demeanour of an excitable puppy, one hand reached out to playfully shove his chest, while the other tucked wild golden hair behind her ears. With no plans to translate what she was about to say next, Alvida let a smug smile take over her expression. 'Vinsamlegast ekki freista mig.' Unable to resist, she gave him one last kiss, only then finding the will power to slip herself free of his grasp. Within seconds she had slipped out of the heavy wooden door, letting it click silently behind her.

Back in the silence of her own room Alvida found the time to wash, dress and comb the tangles from her hair. The wolf never enjoyed bath time, it whimpered at the sight of the crimson water trickling down the drain and cried at the feeling of the comb running through the knots in their hair. The whole process of beautifying herself made Alvida wince too, simply by instinct she was enthralled to mother nature and everything she had to offer, dirt and all. Yet, it was a necessity if their destination was Dyr Gudis. The skin-changers of the settlement were more in tune with their human side. Her wild ways were only entertained because of her gift to see into the future. Having grown sick of her Father's thunderous voice bellowing curses in her ears for upsetting them she had been well trained to respect them as much as her disposition allowed. As the sun continued to beat its warm summer dance, growing in strength as it travelled across the sky, she settled on a dress that was simple and light. Easy to move around in but thin enough to allow the breeze to reach her skin. Blonde locks thrown into some relatively simple braids, Alvida was ready, and so were the voices. They cheered and screeched at the door to her room opening, all a titter over the impending visit to Hjartad Skóginum. 'The Heart of the Forest'.

She took the stairs down to the feasting hall two at a time and burst through the set of double doors with a serious amount of vigour for only having woken up an hour ago. In the short time it had taken her to get from Ashers room to her own to the feasting hall the effects of the mead had completely faded. A warm, comforting smell of some kind of stew filled the wooden structure from corner to corner. Most of the remnants of last nights celebrations had been cleared away and the long tables in the centre of the room had been laid for breakfast. There was a pleasant atmosphere all around, it seemed the start of the summer had put everyone in a good mood. A soft hum of conversation tied in harmoniously with the sounds of nature that carried through the open windows. Alvida charged up to the head table and threw herself into one of the tall, ornately decorated chairs to tuck into the stew and to await the arrival of Asher.

Vinsamlegast ekki freista mig. - Please, do not tempt me.

 

[Asher Mossa]

One hour, and the slowest hour of Asher's life it seemed. While it would not have taken him that long to get ready, Asher had to track down clothing. It had not been five minutes before Alvida left that someone came looking to help him get sorted and to be sure he had held his mead well. He shook his head at the resounding knock at the door knowing that just a few minutes ago the scene would have been much different for the poor attendant to walk in on. Asher chuckled to himself at the irony of how close it truly had been, hoping for a day when it would not matter. For now, he was just the stranger Alvida brought home from her travels, but in time Asher hoped that he could be seen as a son, a child of Skógur Heim, and someone worth of Alvida. Asher had been conflicted in his mind and soul for a time during the past week, but when they had snuck away to the rooftop the night before, Asher knew it was destiny.

He descended the stairs dressed in a simple tunic which was likely meant for a servant, or a working shirt of some kind. Rikhard was much larger than Asher, so the tunic was not his. They managed to find one which fit him. His long hair was pulled up into a messy bun, the typical way Asher kept his hair. He wore it down on occasion, but today if they were going to be moving about and seeing thing, he did not want to have mess with it. Aside from the muslin tunic, everything else was Ashers. The brown pants, his leather boots, and the vambraces he wore on his forearms. From the belt hung his lightsaber, a weapon he was curious if Alvida had ever seen before. Perhaps he would let her play with it later. He was curious if she would like it or not.

Alvida was already at the table with some kind of stew sitting in a bowl in front of her. Asher took the chair opposite of her, and nodded as a bowl of the same stew was set in front of him.

"I take it you slept well," he said asking a question he already knew the answer to.

Without any ceremony Asher started to eat, but then stopped. His eyes looked up to Alvida with a curious expression.

"I meant to ask last night, but is there a tribute we must pay to the gods before we eat?"

It was the case with many cultures, a tradition Asher found to be an obstacle to satisfying his hunger. Regardless he wanted to know his people, and he wanted to be like them. If that meant relearning habits, or breaking old ones, then he would do it. At the core of everything, Asher simply wanted to head to the island. He wanted to meet the seers, but more importantly, Asher wanted to go to that massive tree which had been calling to him since the night before.

"He still calls out, Alvida..."

[member="Alvida Osulf"]

 

[Alvida Osulf]

Skógur Heim | [member="Asher Mossa"]

He will not wait much longer.​

More than content to sit, scooping spoonful after spoonful of the rich stew in her mouth, Alvida watched the door for movement. When Asher appeared her head perked up, a wide grin settling on the edges of her lips. She had already made up a bowl of stew for him, which was sitting opposite her on the table, steam billowing from the surface. The wolf made her playfully growl at his words but her smooth tone indicated her amusement at his question. 'Very well, thank you. My night was particularly exhausting, I was asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.' Her mouth shifted to a grin that flashed bright white teeth in Asher's direction.

Alvida shook her head, a spray of blonde hair flying across her face. 'Not here. Here we are warriors, farmers, hunters and gatherers. The Gods would be more upset that we had wasted day light and squandered their blessings of fertility and time.' Alvida stopped for a second to scrape the wooden bowl clean and polish off her meal. Both she and the wolf found it very upsetting that they would only have time for one bowl. As she licked her lips clean she continued, her voice taking a marginally serious tone. 'Where we must venture today, if we are offered food, yes. It depends on the God. I will teach you if we are to go in each one, but we will not have time today. The one I will take you to is where the seers live. The only offering you must make today is an important one. Every child of the Gods must give up something they truly treasure when they first visit the temple of Fadirin. When my Father first took me I gave up a silver bracelet my Grandmother had made herself and gifted me at birth. You must give something of equal importance. It is tradition, to show Fadirin you are willing to give up anything for the guidance of his wisdom and good nature. After all of this we will visit him, and the tree.'

Asher's voice took on a wishful tone she was sure he hadn't noticed. A knowing smile crossed her lips, coupled with a gentle nod of her milk-white face. 'He will always call, now you are known to him. Let us not make him wait much longer for you to answer.' Alvida pushed the chair back from the table, not caring much for the loud scraping noise it made. A round faced woman with soft wrinkles etched into her pale skin spoke sharply from her place at the bubbling pot, the only free hand she held covering her ear. 'Alvida, hversu oft hef ég sagt dér ad gera dad ekki?' A sheepish grin formed on the young blonde's face, wild green eyes finding Asher's with an amused glint in them. 'She does not like the noise. It hurts her ears. Dvi midur mamma!'

Too impatient for Asher to finish his meal, Alvida lent over the table and snatched up his hand in her own. 'We cannot take my ship. I am not permitted to fly it near Dyr Gudis.' After pulling him up from the wooden bench she dragged him over to a large chest that had been pressed up against the inside wall. Once there she released him and used her shoulder to lift the weighted lid. Inside she removed a handcrafted leather bag, just big enough to take something to eat with them, considering they would not be back in time for the mid-day meal. 'We will have to take the boats. I think there is one free today, it is not market day and the new recruits were sent over yesterday. I think we have been lucky.' After dragging out some dried meat and fruit to shove them into her sack unceremoniously, Alvida slung it over her back with a grin. 'Let us go.'

Hversu oft hef ég sagt dér ad gera dad ekki? - How many times have I told you not to do that?
Dvi midur mamma! - I'm sorry Mother!

 

[Asher Mossa]

Asher was a bit pleased with himself for spurring on the answer he had set up for Alvida. They both knew the answer, and as she mentioned how she passed out the moment her head hit the pillow the man had to fight a smug look from pulling at the corners of his lips. The answer made him quite proud of himself despite the fact he was in no position to express it. Asher stifled a chuckle with the food he shoved in his mouth, and continued when Alvida explained there was no need to wait.

"I like these gods even more now," he said with a mouth half full of food. It was not good manners, but Asher had seen how these people ate. There was not much set aside for the decorum of fancier people. They were as close to the soil as the food they grew, and Asher appreciated that aspect of this people the most. Asher felt more and more at home, realising many of his behaviors stemmed from his childhood among them. He only wished that he could remember more than the bits and pieces which came to mind. Each memory felt like a puzzle piece to an incomplete picture that seemed like it would never be put together. Perhaps the trip to the seers and Fadirin would complete more of the picture, but Asher knew there would be more to find after this was complete.

His eyes lifted from the stew when Alvida mentioned that Fadirin would demand something that was dear to him. There was a brief silence as if he took the time to process what that meant, as well as what he would give. A small nod followed shortly, already knowing what he must give. It was going to be hard, but Asher knew that it was the exact price which was demanded. The stern look he had once given Alvida when she spoke of his wife and son had been given without understanding of what the gods whispered to her. Asher knew all to well that if he was to return home, then every part of him needed to as well. Asher not only had to move on, but he had to live. It was the message everyone had been telling him since the cavern, and before.

Asher nodded when Alvida explained that her mother hated the sound of the chairs scraping against the floor. It was like nails on chalkboard, his own ears hated that sound. He could only imagine with their sensitive hearing that the wolves hated it even more. LIttle time was given to eat however. Alvida was pulling him her way and out of the house. Technology was not allowed where they were going, her ship was not anyway. It made sense to Asher. He understood holy sites, and as much as the Mandragora did not worship anyone per se, they were a religion in their own right with shrines and places where technology was frowned upon an even forbidden.

"Fardirin asks for a hard thing to give," he finally said as he clutched at the rings which hung from the chain on his neck. "Still, it seems easier to pay now than it would have even a week ago. I should have never snapped at you for relaying his words to me."

She had become as much a part of his world as anyone. Alvida was more than just his guide in all this, more than a lover whom he enjoyed deeply. Their paths had been set on this journey for a reason, and Asher believed that this trip would provide that answer as much as the answer to other questions he had.

They reached the boats after a decent hike. The countryside was breathtaking. Green grasses, and the colored leaves of autumn mixed with the evergreens that dared the seasons to try and change them. Ashre breathed in the mid morning air that smelled of wood and water. It was not even discussed who would row as the boat was carved to be more of a canoe. Asher began to prep the boat as he motioned for Alvida to climb into it.

"I'll steer us where you lead us..."

Asher launched the boat into the water, wondering where this was all about to lead. The only thing he knew, was Fadirin's call was only getting louder.

[member="Alvida Osulf"]

 

[Alvida Osulf]

Skógur Heim | [member="Asher Mossa"]

Waves always make you feel sick.​

As they walked the relatively short hike to the docks where their boat awaited, Alvida listened to Asher talk. Her feet knew the path well enough to allow her eyes a quick gaze toward his chest as his hand came to wrap around the rings. A faded memory of the night they first met crossed her mind. The anger and sorrow on his face was something Alvida never wished to see again on anyone, especially not Asher. 'It is part of grieving for them and part of making yourself accept that you have lost them. Anger, sorrow, refusal to accept their passing... Everyone experiences these differently, in their own time. I would say you have been missing a large part of the healing process though. You have been on your own for so long.' Leather wrapped feet crunched softly against the bright green grass as they passed over a sloping hill. A tender expression formed on her face, an expression she happily shared with Asher as she bridged the gap between them by taking his hand. 'But I am glad to hear you say that it feels easier now. I have not found the time to say it so I shall say it now. Skógur Heim will not be a replacement for them and neither will I, but maybe we can fill a gap.'

She permitted herself a single second longer to get her fill of his warm, sun kissed face. Any longer and she knew the voices would take over, questions would begin to pour from her mouth unfiltered. There were many things she knew about Asher that no person should have rightly known considering the length of their friendship, but there were many things still hidden from her too. Part of her longed to ask for their names, to know what they looked like, to share in his sorrow and rejoice in their lives with him. Both the sensible side of her and the wild side urged her against this, all would come in time. Despite how close they had gotten over the past week or so some things took longer. She was sure it would surprise her when he finally felt ready to share all of himself, not just the parts she dug up forcefully or coaxed out of him in the night.

To distract herself from her wondering thoughts her eyes scanned the horizon in search of the teal ocean that would deliver them to Fadirin. As they approached the boat Alvida grew steadily giddier. Every muscle in her body was alive with excitement as the waters edge grew closer and closer. A long wooden boat stood peacefully on the calm, crystal clear surface practically beginning them to take it for a spin. She stood at the edge of the water, jittery and impatient as Asher prepared the boat. Almost the second his hand waved through the air Alvida had clambered onto the smooth wood, making the edges of the boat tilt violently with the forceful weight.

Positioning herself at the front of the ship, one hand wrapped around the expertly carved wolf figure, Alvida motioned to somewhere in the distance. Just on the horizon, likely almost imperceptible to Asher, a thin shadow stretched across the bright blue sky. 'Dyr Gudis is that way. If you are strong enough and quick enough we can be there in the hour.' Her blonde hair swung through the air as she whipped her head round to face him with a smug grin. 'If you cannot handle it I can take over for you.'

 

[Asher Mossa]

Alone. Alvida was right. Asher had been lonely for so long, but that had been a prison of his own making. There was a reason for it, but not the one Alvida thought perhaps. For as intimate as they had been physically from their first meeting to now, there was much about the man that she did not know. Yes, the voices and her visions told her things which not even Asher knew, but his secrets were his own still. This trip to the island was supposed to answer questions, adn Asher hoped they did. It was difficult to move about feeling like he was a curse to those he lived among. It had been his default thinking since he was a child, and in the back of his mind he wondered if he would bring the same harm to Alvida and her family. Nothing of substance had befallen the Mandragora or the Confederacy, however. Perhaps it was broken. Still, Asher knew he could not keep this secret any longer.

Perhaps there would have been something to say sooner had it not been for the comment Alvida made about his strength. He chuckled and shook his head as the retort formed in his mind.

"You make me climb a cliff to prove my strength, and now you ask if I can row us along the water for an hour? Now I feel like you are taunting me simply because you enjoy it and nothing more, ástin mín."

The words came naturally without any idea of what they meant. A sudden memory surfaced of the words his father would use in regards to his mother, and it seemed fitting for Alvida in the moment. Perhaps there would have been more caution if he had known, but they also expressed the feelings which were beginning to flower within. She did not intend for her home, or even herself, to be a replacement for what Asher had lost, but Asher knew that they could have something very different, and different did not mean any more or any less. His eyes fell on hers as he gripped the oar and began to move them about the surface of the water. He settled into a knowing silence as his mind debated how to tell her his secret.

"It was a self imposed exile, he finally said after some silence on the matter. "For so long I have believed myself to be cursed by the gods themselves. My village was snuffed out. I escaped the slavers because tragedy befell them. My home was destroyed along with those who had lived in the village I had settled in. I met an old hermit who taught me the ways of the force, even he was killed. I have remained alone since, forcing myself to ensure that no harm could ever come to anyone I care about. My greatest fear has always been that it will happen again, and now that I find you have worked your way past my defenses, I fear what may become of you and your family because of me."

It was said. Asher returned to his rowing, and focused his mind on the rhythmic sloshing his oar made as it passed through the water to pull the boat along. Asher was curious as to what she would say about it all. Perhaps her voices would have an answer, or Fadirin himself.

[member="Alvida Osulf"]

 

[Alvida Osulf]

Skógur Heim | [member="Asher Mossa"]

​

Listen closely.​

Alvida stuck a bright pink tongue out at Asher, scrunching her face up in a childish expression. For once, it did not remain there long as it quickly turned to mild surprise at the sudden, fluent words that poured from Asher's mouth. Bright green eyes narrowed in his direction, her mouth still slightly agape as she spoke. 'Did someone teach you those words?' No. The voices cried, accompanied with the distant memory of a baritone voice that reminded her of her Father. All came with the sudden sensation of a watchful pair of eyes staring down at her, urging her to bring her mind down from the clouds and focus. She shook her head, answering her own question before Asher even got a chance to formulate a reply.

'No. The Gods are reminding you, the more we explore. Soon you will remember everything.' There was no mysterious tone to her voice this time, it was rather serious and factual. Having no more to say she turned her head back to the salty breeze rolling in from the ocean.The connotation of the sweet nickname was not lost on her, even if he had spoken the words Alvida was sure he did not know what they meant. Despite that certainty floating round in her head she couldn't prevent the subtle rose blush that crept over her cheeks. 'Do you know what it means?' The words were directed at Asher, but her face remained in the direction of the steadily growing shadow on the horizon.

Somehow, someway, the Father had given him the gift of these words and he never did anything without a reason. Alvida could only dance between two ideas. One the voices seemed to be arguing about, that he had no idea what the words meant and had simply spoken them to impress her. The other half, which happened to appear in the form of a thousand agitated butterflies in her stomach, told her she knew exactly what his words meant. They had shared too much, he knew her more intimately than any other, they were connected. Alvida just refused to admit it to herself yet. Everything in his life was still so raw, whether he was using her as a crutch to see him through it all or whether he genuinely cared was yet to be seen. His words, despite their meaning, only seemed to confuse her more and did nothing to help make her mind up on the subject.

Lost in her own head Alvida could have gone on staring at the crystal clear water forever, it was only Asher's soothing tone breaking the silence that brought her round again. Almost immediately she left her perch at the front of the boat and danced nimbly over the rows of seats, only stopping when she reached the gap in front of Asher. Slipping down between his knees and the bench, her legs folded neatly over each other and her eyes found the deep scars carved in his face. Entranced by his tone she simply sat and listened, like a child sat in front of an elder who regaled a nightmarish tale. He had suffered so much, Alvida felt her heart breaking with each word he spoke. She longed to reach out and comfort him but her better judgement demanded she remained attentive.

Silence overtook them for a long while after Asher spoke. Alvida's expression seemed to remain firmly the same, neither giving her away or allowing her to seem disinterested in his words. 'I do not think you are cursed.' She wanted to at least be clear of that. The idea of him being cursed was utterly ridiculous, but her tone was not harsh. She understood that for some life was weighted enough to make curses and bad luck an acceptable solution. Her lips pressed together briefly as she arranged her next words carefully in her head. 'You were taken from us when you were young. I have no doubts in my mind that this was not the doing of any God I know. None would shun their child so violently. What I do believe is that everything that you have done or experienced in your life thus far they have done to guide you right back here again.'

Alvida lent forward in the boat, pressing both her elbows against Asher's thighs. With her face almost inches away from his her eyes seemed to bare down into his soul. Willowy fingers reached out to grasp his chin between them, much like they had done the first night they met. 'Hlustadu á mig. Your heart cannot stay forever broken, and you cannot live your life waiting for darkness to come around the corner. That is one way you are certain to always find it.' Alvida pressed her lips against his, stealing a quick but passionate kiss. The words that followed were whispered against his supple skin. 'I do not fear for my family or my life, nor do I fear any curse. The Gods have seen fit to bless us with your arrival and we celebrate your return. You are home, you are amongst your people. You are one of us and we...' Another soft kiss found his lips between her words. '...do not believe in curses.'

Hlustadu á mig. - Listen to me.

 

[Asher Mossa]

'Did someone teach you those words?'

Of course not, and Asher simply shook his head whether she could see it or not. They were a distant memory that rushed to his mind, nothing more. The longer he was on the planet, and the closer they drew to the island where Fadirin waited for them, the more Asher was going to remember. In his mind he pictured some kind of unlocking of his mind perhaps, and the language of his people would just flow. While he would not rule it out, Asher was more convinced of the effort it would take for him to learn the language all over again. It seemed she was curious as to whether he knew the words meaning. His eyes watched as her skin became slightly more pink in the cheeks, her pale skin betraying that his words had meant something enough to stir a reaction.

"No," he shook his head, "but I might venture a guess based on the memory associated with it."

Did Asher mean the connotation of the words? There was part of him that did. Whether it was simply infatuation at this point, or something much deeper, was the question before them. The intimacy they shared was nothing to take lightly, after all they continued to be drawn to each other, even taking risks that something of a casual nature would not seem to tolerate. The last thing Asher wanted was to appear that their interludes meant nothing to him. Any uncertainty he might project came from the wrestling he did within himself. His mind had accepted his wife and son were gone, it even accepted their desire he be happy again, but his heart was still mending. Alvida was right, his loneliness had not helped him in that regard.

Certainly he did not believe he was cursed either. Once again his mind knew it, but his emotions were still catching up to the idea. His time among the Confederacy had proven that curses, as he had thought them to be, were nothing more than happenstance. Yet, Alvida painted a different picture. There was a bit of cruelty in it at first glance. How could the gods have used this all for some grand moment? Asher supposed he was going to find out, but as he continued to row he found his mind drifting to question that he would save for the tree itself.

The sound of her boots walking back, and the rocking of the canoe pulled him from the thoughts his mind had settled on. Alvida was as adorable as she was ferocious. Her patience with the questions and healing was also commendable. She could have cast him aside by now, but she viewed him as her charge despite the fact they were clearly deeper than that. His eyes locked on hers when her hand grabbed her chin. There was no choice left to him but to listen. A smile drew on his lips remembering their first meeting and the games she had played. She was his lady of the lake, the mysterious forest nymph that captured his curiosity and desire from the moment he laid eyes on her.

"I know..." It was all he could manage in response, and the look in his told Alivda he meant it.

Their lips stole more kisses. Her breath against his lips made it hard for him to focus on keeping them going as opposed to breaking for a repeat of their previous night's activity. Asher took in a deep sigh and kissed her again before he spoke.

"I pray that it will all be left on the island. There are so many questions that I have, and I know that they will all be answered."

Asher lifted his eyes back to the path ahead of them. The tree was in full view now, and a small bit of land began to grow more visible. Asher pointed it out as they grew closer. He could smell it, the difference between dirt and water. Perhaps Alvida had known sooner, but now Asher could sense it as well.

"We will be there soon... seems I am strong enough for you after all."

He winked.

[member="Alvida Osulf"]

 

[Alvida Osulf]

Skógur Heim | [member="Asher Mossa"]

​

I have waited for you for so long, my children.​

'I should never have doubted you.' Alvida grinned and gently swept the tip of her nose against his. Despite her voice being thick amusement it held a tender note. A moment later her high pitched giggle broke the bubble they had trapped themselves in and she reached out a hand to pat him softly on the head. Standing from her seat she glanced at the island looming ahead. From the outside Dyr Gudis looked small, but towering behind the small settlement was the gnarled trunk of the Father Tree. 'The tree is not far from the village, ten miles maybe. I am hoping your sacrifice to Fadirin will be enough to sate the seers. They may permit us to go straight to the tree and we can talk to them after we finish there. Otherwise I do not see how we can make it before the sun sets.' Alvida turned to face Asher for a brief moment with a smirk on her lips. 'We stayed up far too late.'

As the boat crept steadily toward the shore, Alvida could feel Fadirin calling to her. His voice shook her bones to the core and halted the blood in her veins, but both were feelings she craved day and night. To have them return was beyond explanation. Out of respect and fear the voices dimmed themselves to utter silence, so that she could hear the booming demands of the Father clearly. Despite the great power shadowing over them Alvida's wilder side, the wolf, could only produce sorrowful whimpers. Both she and Alvida knew the closer they got to Dyr Gudis the more well behaved she would have to be. With nothing else to do but wait Alvida's slim frame slipped down into Asher's lap, hips wriggling as she settled into the curve of his body.

Seeing the shadow of the tree against a clear blue sky was enough to silence the most wild of beasts. Alvida included. It was likely the first time since the couple met that she had been so quiet. For once she seemed entirely content to sit against him with no intentions of moving or speaking. Bright green eyes simply watched as the tree grew bigger and bigger in their reflection, moving with the boat as the waves knocked it gently from left to right. An aged wooden dock stuck out from the lush green land, Alvida motioned toward it with one hand. 'There is where we must leave the boat.' Her voice seemed almost timid in its tone.

Despite being on Dyr Gudis so often as she grew older Alvida could never shake the feeling of a great weight on her chest. It was like a pair of eyes constantly watching you, heavy in their judgements and merciless in their punishments. The sensation was both uplifting and terrifying to the young wolf as she was never without company on Dyr Gudis, even if she was "alone", but she was always watched. Rather grateful for Asher's presence Alvida allowed herself to sink back against him. Feeling each muscle in his chest tug and pull as he rowed put a soft smile on her face. She slowly came to the realisation that no matter the situation she felt comforted by him. He didn't have to say or do anything but in his presence some part of her knew a peace she couldn't describe.

Though she longed to stay there till the sun had set there was much work to do. Her muscles twitched and forced her to stand, carrying her feet across the wooden benches once again. The boat bumped softly into the pier making Alvida wobble a little. For a moment it seemed like she was going to topple over, but her hands caught the tall edge of the aged wooden dock and kept her steady. Working quickly, her nimble fingers flung a rope around the dock to anchor the boat to it. A mysterious expression crossed her milk-white face as she found Asher's eyes. 'Leyfdu okkur ad finna dér svör.' She offered one of her hands to him with a smile. 'Do not close your mind when you are here, Asher. There are many things to be learned. Eyes watching. Mouth shut. Come.' Her fingers wriggled temptingly, waiting for the warmth of his hand to spread through them.

Leyfdu okkur ad finna dér svör.- Let us find you some answers.

 

[Asher Mossa]

"And why wouldn't it," Asher demanded gently. "There is nothing else I possess which ties me to the past. The sacrifice is not just of value, but it is the one thing that keeps my memory drawn to them. It is more than an object I am offering them."

Asher's eyes looked to Alvida knowingly at her last comment. He hoped they would be permitted to the tree before sunset, though he was aware that may not be possible. A smirk pulled at the right corner of his mouth when Alvida suggested they had stayed up too late. She had been the one to wake him up, but there was never going to be protest about such things. The two enjoyed each other far more than they likely should have at this stage in their young relationship, but Asher was not about to change anything about that. They were deeply connected, and every touch or glance from the wolf reminded Asher of just how deep the connection seemed to run. They would have answers, but Asher already knew what The Father had been speaking. They were bonded for a purpose.

The rest of the trip, Alvida was as much a distraction as anything else. Sitting in his lap, the breeze only drove her scent toward him all the more. She was intoxicating, and there was nothing more than Asher was finding himself wanting than to stop rowing and forget making it to the island by sunset altogether. Unfortunately the answers he sought were important, and Alvida wanted them as much as Asher had. He had called to them both, Fadirin, and his instructions had been clear. Even as they had gazed at the stars the night before Asher knew that he was being pulled to the island where the massive tree now stood twisted and knotted before their view.

Asher was in awe of the enormity of the tree. It took Alvida pointing out the dock for him to see the aged wood and the mangled ropes which held the posted logs in place. It was mysterious and dark as the rest of the rest of the island seemed for now. Perhaps it was the looming meeting, his nerves of meeting the seers, or the fact the voice in his head was so loud that it seemed to come from all around him, but Asher understood why even Alvida seemed so still now. It was terrifying, as much in a frightening sense as it produced awe and wonder within him. Asher was unsure which feeling should be more important, so he let them both weigh him down. It seemed the best option.

Booted feet stepped onto the wooden dock, and reached out for Alvida almost afraid she was going to fall. She recovered herself, but the canoe itself continued to wobble. Asher tied the rope to the dock, securing the canoe so it would not float away on them later. This seemed the last place Asher wanted to be stuck. He took the hand offered to him after nodding to what she said. For some reason he did not need her to translate for him here, and his response was as much a surprise as well.

"Hugur minn er alltaf opinn. Hvad sem Fardirin hefur að segja, mun ég hlusta."

Asher looked at Alvida with wide eyes. Something was already happening, but this was far from what he had expected.

"Let us go see the seers," he said his tongue returning to basic.

My mind is always open. Whatever Fadirin has to say, I will listen.

[member="Alvida Osulf"]

 

[Alvida Osulf]

Skógur Heim | [member="Asher Mossa"]

Now is the time to watch your tongue.​

Alvida shook her head in response to his demand. 'It is not that they will not be sated by your sacrifice in this way. That is not for them to judge. That is Fadirin's decision. What I am hoping is that they will not keep us with questions, or tempt us with answers.' A gentle smile formed on her lips as he took her hand, which she used to help him climb up onto the dock. With the boat securely in place Alvida turned to face the island ahead of them. Down the end of a long path the village seemed to come to a sudden end and open up into rolling forests of thick evergreens and tall boreals that scraped the sky. In the far off distance, though the size of the trunk would fool you into thinking it was closer, the Father tree stood tall and proud above them all.

Nodding her head firmly, almost as if to convince herself, Alvida found his hand with her own and began their walk down the dock. With each step two pairs of leather boots made a satisfying click against the age wood, then a soft crunch as the terrain switched to soil. Just ahead a wood archway twisted together with branches from young trees separated the docks from the entrance to Dyr Gudis. It was heavily decorated in flowers of white, gold and purple with thick vines that seemed to lace through every nook and cranny left by the weaved wood. 'That is the doorway. This is why we know this island as Dyr Gudis...' Though she did not need to translate for him now it felt appropriate, it was almost a habit by this point anyway. '...The Doorway of the Gods.' As they passed under it Alvida trailed her free hand along the soft petals that hung loosely from the archway. They left behind a powerfully pungent perfume of pollen and nature, which Alvida relished in taking deep lungfuls of.

Passing through the archway their feet stumbled upon a rough gravel floor that crunched under foot. Either side of them a few rows of masterfully crafted huts lined the path leading up to the ring of temples in the centre. Smells of all different kinds seemed to be rolling from them, dried meats, freshly baked bread, fried fish. It was almost a little settlement of it's own. 'There are nine Gods.' Alvida spoke in a hushed tone as they walked, almost as if she were fearful of disturbing whoever lived behind the doors. Her fingers motioned to three of the buildings they could see in the circle as they approached. 'Eight on the outer ring and one in the centre.' The more they walked the more attention they seemed to garner from the people living inside the wooden homes. Doors began to creak open and heads began to peak through windows to see just who this stranger walking on sacred ground was.

'I will name them for you some other time.' Her finger moved from each building to a structure in the centre that seemed to complex to have been made by hands. 'That is Fadirin's house.' It was constructed with dark wood and carved with ancient runes that were inlaid with solid gold. A torrent of thick, heavily perfumed smoke seemed to pour from every opening in the roof. An inexplicable power from deep inside trickled from every crack in the wall. It called to them, begged them, pulled them. It was inescapable. Almost on queue a voice called out from within. It was hallow and sounded like the earth itself, aged and cracked by the hands of time. 'Come, we have been waiting for you, Asher.' Alvida gave Asher's had a reassuring squeeze before tugging him gently, unable to ignore the tight grip of magic and mystery.

 

[Asher Mossa]

And what answers could they provide? The seers were likely to be as odd and mysterious as Alvida could be at times, the exchange he had with her when they first met being the example. If they enjoyed games as much as Alvida did, then her worry was likely founded. Still, Asher made her pause for just a brief moment and placed a kiss on her forehead.

“What is meant to happen today, will happen today,” he said reassuring her that while she could have her hopes, Asher was expecting nothing. It was odd because he should have. Yes, he wanted answers, he demanded them in fact, but he had no expectations of how or when they would come. It was a simple place to be, and it would be simpler once he made his sacrifice.

Alvida led them down the dock, pointing out various things of interest about the island itself. The first was a wooden entrance, twisted and arched, covered in flowers of the changing seasons. It was truly a spectacle of nature and craftsmanship itself. A small chuckle escaped as Alvida fell into the habit of translating for him, though he did not need it here. Asher found his first hope for when this journey was over. He wanted to remember their mother tongue. Asher wanted to be able to speak with Alvida in their language, and tell her what things were stirring inside him toward her in the tongue of his ancestors.

The homes encircled the ninth. Nine gods, but Fadirin remained in the center. It was a similar picture of the tree itself, giving life to those around it. Even the other gods seemed to draw strength from the Father. The thought seemed to warm Asher for a reason. It was short lived as the door opened and they were greeted by the other seers. A voice called out to them. Asher froze at the sound. It was natural yet not. They had known he was coming, and while he wanted to ask how, he voice did not seem to work. It was Alvida’s prompting hand that helped him to cross the threshold.

“I suppose it has been a long time coming. I heard him last night. He wanted me to come... I know he wants to see me.”

Asher was confident in what he knew. His eyes looked to Alvida.

“Do I need to give it to them now?”

[member="Alvida Osulf"]

 

[Alvida Osulf]

Skógur Heim | [member=Asher Mossa]

Do not underestimate his power.​

​

A light weight on the ground underfoot made soft crunching sounds as Alvida guided them up the roughly made stone path toward the temple of Fadirin. Clouds of thick scented smoke seemed to be pouring from every open window and every gap in the wooden construction. It danced across the clear sky creating complicated patterns that only seemed to break with the gentle breeze that rolled through the settlement. Alvida was grateful for the warmth of Asher's hand in her own. At the present moment he felt like a rock on a stormy sea. Neither she or the voices enjoyed talking to the mysterious seers that resided in the temple. 'Do not worry. We will find your answers.' She spoke in a rather hushed tone as she approached the building, especially now she was cast in the dim orange glow that the seer's flames threw out. 'They might not be the ones you were hoping for but they are here, somewhere.'

At the set of intricately carved double doors they were greeted by two willowy frames dressed in simple tunics and leather pants. The only difference between themselves and the crowd that had gathered at the edge of the circle were the circles of forest green around their eyes, ears, mouths and noses. It almost looked as if they were growing moss on their pale faces, but upon closer inspection it appeared to just be some kind of face paint. Alvida squeezed Asher's fingers in her own and shook her head. 'Not yet.' The seers took their turns inspecting the couple, taking particular note of the way her hand entwined with his. They stepped aside, one hand outstretched to guide them through to the heart of the temple. Alvida tugged gently on Asher's arm to cross the threshold into the cloud of perfumed smoke.

Inside only seemed more impressive than the outside. A massive opening in the centre of the room was surrounded by balconies that stretched up at least two stories. Every single wall appeared to be decorated in runes and images of Fadirin's might and grace. In the very heart of it all stood a towering statue of an unfamiliar grey stone that seemed to sparkle in the dim torchlight and smokey air. Alvida's free hand motioned up toward the statue that appeared to depict a man with a Fatherly expression of concern etched into his face. To anyone else's eyes it appeared that the God of all Gods was simply a man, with nothing special that made him stand out as anything but that. 'Fadirin.' It seemed that was all she was willing to say on the matter as she pulled Asher further toward the stone statue.

After a moment or two of tense silence the taller of the pair spoke up. 'It seems you have found your way back to him, after all this time. Many of us have envisioned this day, though your face and name have been clouded to us until now.' Alvida chose to ignore them, whether Asher would or not would be up to him. With her hand still in his she edged toward the statue with the attitude of an animal approaching something they're unsure of. There was a rumbling in her chest that seemed to shake her bones to the very core the closer she got. His voice boomed loud and clear in her head like a symphony of beating drums. 'Here...' Her voice seemed to trail off, continuing as the tip of her finger pointed to a shallow wooden bowl at the very bottom of the statue. '...There is where you must place it.' With no amount of reluctance Alvida let go of Asher's hand. It felt remarkably like saying goodbye to a child on their first day of school. Alvida felt protective of him, worried about him, concerned for him. The confusing mix of emotions unsettled the voices in her head, but they were quickly silenced by the thunderous voice that demanded her attention. 'Go to him.'

 

[Asher Mossa]

Smoke filled the room as Asher and Alvida presses further into the temple. There was enough that Asher coughed a few times wondering if the haze was from some other hallucinogenic drug that would grant them visions. Asher knew better than to ask. Had he let on anything that would even suggest Alvida had given him a taste of the mushrooms she would likely be in a lot of trouble. Asher seemed to understand what she had done had not exactly been allowed. Alvida had done it anyway. The vision had been clear. He could still hear the call to leave with Alvida and find his home. Now that he had, Asher found some questions already answered. There was only one question that still weighed on his mind.

Why?

Only the Father knew. Alvida had made it clear that he was the only one with answers. He stood still when she indicated that he should not move. They waited for the other seers to evaluate them, of sorts. Asher looked to Alvida waiting to see when he could ask his questions or make his gift, but she seemed to be focused on the stone beyond the seers. It was Fadirin.

He was not the image of a tree as Asher had expected. Rather he was simply a man. It was a depiction that made Asher a little uneasy. The thought of serving another man, worshiping a man, was different than some nebulous force or tree. Yet, the way Alvida looked at him, it was clear he was something more, much more. Voices pulled his attention away from the stone and the wolf. The seers spoke to him once more, Alvida’s warning still fresh in his mind about not turning to the seers for answers, but only to Fadirin.

Asher had to admit their words made him consider another question... what did they mean they had expected him but had known his name or face. Still, Alvida pulled Asher to the stone. She pointed to a bowl where he had to place the gift, then let go of his hand.

He gulped as his hand pulled at the chain around his neck and lifted it out from under his shirt. The rings which were on it law in his palm as his eyes looked down on the final piece that tied him to the past, a life he no longer wanted to know. Yes, he was going to remember but the ones he had lost, but the darkness of it all needed to be consumed. With a confident look, Asher glanced toward Alvida before placing his gift in the bowl.

Megi dessi gjöf vera velpóknanlegt tákn um hollustu mína.

Asher turned to look at Alvida once more, then back to the seers. He had no idea what would happen next.

[member="Alvida Osulf"]

Spoiler

May this gift be a pleasing token of my devotion.

 

[Alvida Osulf]

Skógur Heim | [member="Asher Mossa"]

​

He will ruin this sacred moment, you have made a mistake bringing him here.​

Once he had placed his offering down Alvida tugged softly on the material of his tunic to bring him a few paces back from the statue. Almost the instant he was far enough away a bright blue flame burst forth from the shallow wooden bowl. It burned aggressively bright, casting the whole room in an azure tinge. The heavily perfumed smoke danced around the room in strange patterns against the light. Alvida's eyes were wide as she watched the flames consume Asher's offering. They spread slowly, travelling along the leather chord toward the circles of metal joined onto it. Part of her wondered if he realised that in the process of offering it, it would be destroyed. The voices wondered if he would try to stop the inevitable, if he would finally come to his senses and realise it was all a mistake being here. That he didn't want his home, he wanted the memories of his wife and child more. Alvida shook her head to free herself of the cacophony of negative thoughts and slipped her arm into Asher's.

The fire sparked once or twice with angry red flames that contrasted against the blue, making wild shadows dance against Fadirin's face. Her grip tightened around Asher's arm as she watched the flames creep toward the rings. They would be gone in a matter of minutes. Alvida had seen more than just a set of metal circles be destroyed by Fadirin's fire. There were a few tense seconds where the voices made Alvida jittery, they screamed that he would try to break free of her grip and put his hand in the flames to rescue them. After all Alvida had almost done the same for her own offering, the only thing that had stopped her was the heavy weight of her Father's hands on her shoulders. The Seers seemed to expect the same of the stranger and shuffled in their spaces, something Alvida had never seen them do for any of the offerings she had watched thus far. They seemed to know the weight the rings held, the memories they contained for Asher.

A powerful smell of melting metal overtook the temple, obvious even against the heavily perfumed air. Alvida's eyes danced with the fire that consumed the silver rings. From her place by the statue she could see them melting slowly, bubbling away and sinking into the soft wood the bowl was made from. In the end, almost five minutes after Asher had placed his offering into the bowl, the flames died down as suddenly as they had begun. Nothing remained in the bowl, not a hint of what had been there previously. No scorch marks on the wood or frazzled leather, not even smudge of metal where the rings had sat before. The first to break the silence was the seer who had spoken previously. 'He is pleased. Now come with us sonur födurins, we will give you his blessing.' Alvida whipped her head round and narrowed her eyes at the willow figure cast in the now dim light. 'Hann krefst nærveru okkar á trénu.'

Normally she would have never spoken out against the seers and normally they would have never allowed such cheek from a young wolf, but they would be here all day if they followed them further into the temple's depths. There were a tense few moments where both the seers and Alvida seemed to stare intently at each other. Despite the seers having mysterious qualities that made them seem more human than animals, they were still wolves at heart and wolves were not afraid to battle each other. For a moment it almost seemed as if they would. Several low growls seemed to echo from the hollow wooden walls, but it was difficult to tell who's throat the growls were coming from. 'Fínn. Fara.' The tension in Alvida's shoulders released instantly and she turned her sea-foam eyes up to Asher. In normal circumstances she would have allowed him a minute or two to gather himself after watching his offering burn, but the longer they stayed the more likely they were to be kept behind.

Sonur Födurins - Son of the Father.
Hann krefst nærveru okkar á trénu.- He demands our presence at the tree.
Fínn. Fara. - Fine. Go.

 

[Asher Mossa]

There was no answer from Alvida, she simply tugged on his tunic and pulled him back a few paces. Asher had no idea what to expect, but one thing he had resolved was that a sacrifice meant he was not getting the rings back. What he did not expect was the bowl to burst into flames within a few seconds of placing the rings inside. The combustion was fast, and instantly hot. He could feel the heat on his face as his eyes watched the fire take the only thing he had of his wife and son left. There was another fire burning on the inside as Asher had to fight with himself on whether to reach out for the gift and take it back, or allow it to be consumed. The tension was thick and the conflict ripe within him. Several tears fell as he watched the remnants of his past burn unsure of whether it was from freedom or loss that they came. Had it not been for the weight and pressure of Alvida hanging onto his arm, Asher would not have felt anchored to reality in that moment at all.

His eyes looked to the young woman and suddenly understood something. Alvida was not just his guide on this journey, but she was his anchor as well.

Eyes turned back to the bowl and watched as the fire consumed the rings and leather band that held them. Everything seemed to melt in the flame without haring the dish. It was an astonishing thing to witness that the bowl itself did not burn, scorch, or display any evidence of the gift which had been consumed. Asher wanted to reach his hand in the dish to feel it out of sheer curiosity, but he thought better of it. He could feel the seers looking at him, and he could feel Alvida looking at him. The silence was almost loud itself, but everything broke when one of the seers spoke. Asher looked up at the wolf, then back to Alvida. It seemed as though they were arguing silently about what needed to happen next.

He could hear the growling and knew that a fight could break out. Not that his words would help, but Asher decided to speak as well.

"Fadirin has called to me himself. He asks me to come to him, to go to the tree. Alvida is to be my only guide, it is his wish."

The growling continued for a bit before the seer finally allowed them to leave. Asher did not want to remain with them as it was. These seers were clearly not his people even if it seemed as though they could tell him things. For now there was one place Asher knew he needed to go.

"Let's go," he said as there eyes met, still glistening with tears, and in one swift motion Asher took Alvida's hand and encouraged her to lead on. "It is time for what we came here for. Let's get some answers."

[member="Alvida Osulf"]

 

[Alvida Osulf]

Skógur Heim | [member="Asher Mossa"]

​

All you cause is tears and anger.​

Alvida almost cringed at his words, she felt her shoulders going up and her face crinkling, but she stopped herself. The seers reactions to his demands would only be worsened by her reaction, so she kept a straight face. To her utter relief they seemed to be agreeable and thankfully Asher could sense her haste. When she glanced up at him to nod her head she noticed the sparkle of tears in the corner of his eyes. For a moment she was mildly surprised, most of her focus had gone on the fire and the rings burning within it. Not on Asher's reaction. She had expected him to be angry about the loss of his rings, she had expected him to make a mad dash for the fire, she even expected a sadness of some kind, but she had not expected tears. They cut a deep gash into the little wolf's heart, which forced her to turn her head toward their exit before any signs of her regret were made plain on her face.

The doors swung open slowly on ancient hinges with a flick of Alvida's wrist. Sunlight burst through the cracks and illuminated their path as she guided them out into the open. For the meanwhile she said nothing to Asher, instead deciding it was better to get as far away from the Seers as possible before speaking. It wasn't a far walk from the temple to the route they would take to the tree. As they drew further and further away from Fadirin and his power Alvida felt the heavy weight of his devotee's ever watchful eyes lift from her shoulders slightly. She felt relief that the next thing she would lay her eyes on was the great open field they needed to cross to get to the forest that surrounded the tree. Alvida had been so lost in her own mind she had barely noticed the rapid pace she had set to get some distance between herself and the seers. She had been charging forward so quickly that, for a split second, she entirely forgot that Asher was still holding her hand.

Once she had slowed herself down she turned her head up to face him. Leaning gently with one of her steps she pressed her shoulder against his, an apologetic look crossing her face. 'I am sorry for the seers. They do not like me and I do not like them.' For some reason that sentence alone didn't feel like enough, not after all that had just come to pass. It was likely that his mind was focused on much more important matters than the fight that had almost broken out. A moment or two passed by in which Alvida seemed to be holding her breath, holding back something she wanted to say. Now they were far enough away from the protection of Fadirin's thunderous voice the rest of the voices in her head had peaked. Torrents of anxieties from many of them regarding what she had made him do, what she had neglected to tell him before he had placed the rings into the bowl. Hundreds of them pounding away at her skull, ruthless in their onslaught and savage in their destruction of her confidence and her sanity. Pale rose lips parted for a brief second and a noise followed that was almost the start of a sentence. She almost slipped over the edge into the deep, cavernous abyss of psychosis. Almost.

'I did not tell you what would happen to your rings when you sacrificed them, because I was afraid you would not do it.' Almost as quickly as her unrest took hold it had released her again. The words formed smoothly on her tongue and slipped out as easily as a laugh or a sigh. 'I perhaps should not have disrespected you in this way. You are stronger than I gave you credit for, and I know this. I should know this.' She pulled gently on his arm to stop them in their tracks, just on the edge of the grassy plain that seemed to stretch for miles. With gentle sweeps of her fingers she wiped the remaining tears from his eyes and smoothed her thumb against his cheek. 'I am sorry.' Her tone wobbled, as if she was on the verge of letting tears spill herself. In an instant her arms wrapped around his waist and she drew herself against his chest. She drew a deep breath of his scent to steady her mind and her emotions.