Sunken City of Astilogoth Epilogue (Naomi)
From Toosigma
| Title | Sunken City of Astilogoth - Epilogue |
|---|---|
| Author | Philip Mann - Naomi |
| Campaign | Convergent Threads |
| Session | Intersession |
| Posted | |
| Game Date |
My return to Sharn brought the thrill of returning home, but put it at odds with the guilt of having left to begin with. Both of the women that hold my heart have been harmed by my adventures. My Kayli, the shining star of my life, has become a beacon for all who wish to harm me. Lorisryn met her backstage at the Diamond Theater where he brought her flowers and was generally polite. However, I knew that his real purpose was to send a clear message through her that he could get to her at any time. I explained my fears to her and our family, and they all tried very hard to assure me that they would be able to look after one another. There was an undertone, however, that everyone seemed to know that I would have to cease adventuring to be able to protect them directly, and I think we all knew that keeping me home is exactly what Lorisryn and his compatriots want.
Thea, not apparently a target of those who specifically oppose me, fell victim to her own predatory family. Her father, prompted by a scandalous article in the Tavick's Tattler, physically assaulted his own daughter for being seen with me. I could be angry of the degrading sleight in the article, and I think I would be justified, but the fact that a piece of bad writing was enough for her father to striker her overtook anything I may have felt for my own sake. Like Kayli, I wanted to protect Thea from those who would harm her no matter who they are.
As we talked, Thea posed that we could stop seeing each other but I balked. I told her that I did not believe what others think really matters, but how we feel that counts. She seemed to feel the same way, but I could clearly see her reservations about our continued association and what it would mean to her family. All that I could tell her was that I could not understand how any family would put the words of another ahead of anything else. By the time we were done talking, however, I knew deep within me that I would not see her at her aunt's celebration. She would not be seen there, but I imagined that nothing either of us did would prevent the article Haywood Mos put to print from tainting every conversation and glance through the evening. I just hoped that this too would not come home to hurt Kayli along with the actions that I have already been set in motion.
The days since I returned home passed much as they had before, save that the evenings in Aryth seem to be getting colder as I see more coats coming through the Eyrie's door. Mayhap it is the weather as well, but I had a constant feeling that these days may be the last peaceful days I spend with my Kayli. I prayed daily that she did not take the threat Lorisryn poses lightly. More, however, I thought through the fog of my feelings to find an undeniable truth of my heart. While I would gladly place my own life on the line to save either of theirs, if today I had to choose just one to spend my life with it would undoubtedly be Kayli. I suppose it is just a difference in how we have grown together compared to Thea and I who are drawn by forces neither of us understand, like moths lost in the glow cast by each other. I do truly enjoy every moment I get with her and hope for years to come, but there has always been a reluctance on her part that I can feel constantly. Not a hesitation to trust, I think, but a hesitation to love openly for fear of what hurt she could experience if I abused that love. I could never harm her, and I do love her as well, but her reservations have put a tiny distance between us that I hope we may overcome in the time ahead.
Kayli, on the other hand, could have any number of others at her side yet she chose me. Hundreds of patrons at the Eyrie and thousands of others come to see her perform on stage, many certainly dreaming of stealing her heart, but when she sings of love, she sings of her feelings for me. Through my flaws and mystery, through my continuous absences and hurtful off-handed remarks, the certain danger my adventures have brought upon her and our family, and even my confession of loving of another along with her, she has stayed with me. She gives so selflessly, and I forever wonder how I will be able to show her that my heart is truly hers. She is my adoptive sister, best friend, confidant, and partner in life; she is the one I choose before all others; she is my love.
The time came for Hero to enact a plan that I knew he had been hatching for many weeks. Driven by fear, he faked his own death and the death of young Mathis. Had I not discovered that the child was his half-brother, and that both are hunted by Hero's grandmother, I would have interceded on behalf of the boy. I only hoped that Arabel agreed to the plan and will peacefully join her brother before too long. If I understood correctly they would be reunited in Valenar, far from the towering spires of Sharn. I think I will go there someday to visit them and to see the kingdom that Lia and Chiba Morn left when they chose to continue the fight along side of the Cyran Army rather than return home.
Of late, I have realized that Hero's expressed concern for my safety is in many ways an attempt to disguise his fear as something more noble. He is scared, terrified more probably, at the prospect of dying and he is equally afraid to face that fear. There is no shame in being afraid, but to hide behind a veil of concern for others while simply trying to ensure one's own survival is cowardice at the highest level. Mayhap that is part of the reason why I did not take to him right away; that the predatory animal instinct inside of me could smell his fear and found it revolting.
Within what seemed to be hours of our return, I received an invitation to his month's Tain Gala. I found it interesting in that the request was for me and my “companions”, but most curious was that Kayli received a separate invitation addressed specifically to her. I suppose someone has found it important that both Kayli and I appear at the event regardless, but I cannot help but wonder why the separate invitations for the two of us who live under the same roof. Mayhap someone has it in mind to draw her in and, “take her measure” as Askin once told me, mayhap even to try to set us at odds in one of their high-born games of power and manipulation. She is a very smart girl and far more clever in such a crowd than I am, so I shall not worry about her. Indeed, she may well have to come to my rescue should I be cornered again by rude old nobles who wish to make me to be a whore for no good reason. It could be far simpler however, and is simply a case that a rising star in a prominent theater has been invited, mayhap to try to entice her to another theater; and, as an added curiosity, an adventurer and her “companions” will also be in attendance to be poked and prodded by the noble guests. In any case, I will do as I would and contract Himmel to dress Kayli in his best so that I can dote on her a little more between now and then...
