• Closed • [Oakleigh] Together Again

[Edalene]

19 Saun 717


It was dusk by the time she arrived at the dig site. There was still a little light from the twin suns blazing over the horizons, but the humidity had lessened. Still, even in her linen white shirt and beige pants, Edalene was warm, unusued to the heat. Even a few seasons living in Viden had left her unused to the heat of her homeland.

With a pang, she thought of Duncan, trapped in the winter wasteland of the wilds of Viden. She pushed down the guilt, though, unable to contemplate what she had left behind. It was all for Aeodan, she knew. She had work back in Viden, and Duncan, and still she could not help but feel like she was only half herself when she was without her love. And Edalene could never ask Aeodan to give up his work. It was too important.

And so, after that dream that left her aching, she had decided to come to him.

As far as she knew, Aeodan did not know she was coming. But she could feel his emotions stronger and stronger as she neared the site, and knew that he would feel the same. Edalene wanted to surprise him, though; hopefully he would just think it another sense of deja vu, a remnant of the dream they had shared.

The cart pulled up, and Edalene jumped out, flipping a gold nel to the driver. "Thank you," she said, walking around to pick up her luggage. She waved him away when he tried to help; she didn't have much. "It's fine, I've got it." He smiled at her, murmured a word of farewell, and she watched as he urged his horses away again.

Turning, she tugged the trunk behind her, sweating a little from the effort. She smiled as she saw the tree she had seen in her dream; it was all exactly the same, which just made her sure the dream had been shared. There was no way she could have imagined this site, with the barrows as ancient and impressive as they were. Again beneath the tree, a team of guards.

"Excuse me," she said, approaching. Excitement bubbled inside of her - she was about to see her love. For real. "I'm looking for my brother. Aeodan Burnett. He's not expecting me, but I wanted to surprise him." Again, she thought, she wondered if he would be surprised. But at this point, she wanted to fall into his arms. She didn't care if he knew she was coming. She just needed her love.

[Aeodan]

He felt her before he saw her, but it did not make the surprise any less welcome. Aeodan, who had been toiling with getting the artifacts sent back to Viden for the past thirty-six breaks straight, sat against the tree with his eyes closed. Sleep wasn't a luxury he could afford at this crucial stage, and the Duke had been kind enough to lend him the study so that he could direct the scholars and guards from the expedition. He needed the caravans to make it to the docks in Welles, and then from there, on a ship to Andaris, which would carry the relics through the portals back to Viden. What should have been a mind-numbingly easy task turned out to be a mind-numbingly involved task.

There were bandits along the roads to Welles, causing trouble for everyone. Strange things were happening, and Aeodan had enough headaches without having to pay extra for more guardsmen to protect the caravan. Of course, Judah had offered to lead it for free, but Aeodan felt safer keeping the man closer to him. All in the name of self-defense, assuredly.

But his eyes snapped open when he felt the nervousness growing in his stomach. His own quickly rose to match it, and if Edalene really was there, he knew she could feel it to. Craning his neck around, he raised a hand to shield his dark eyes from the suns. It took a moment to adjust to the brightness, but when it subsided, there she was. And she was magnificent.

Leaping to his feet, Aeodan ignored the dull ache in his legs and ran to the love of his life. He embraced her roughly, lifting her from the ground and twirling her in arms that had grown stronger since he left Viden. Perhaps it was the work in the barrows, or it was training with Judah... Whatever it was, Aeodan used the strength to twirl Edalene around and around.

"My love! What a surprise!" He laughed brightly, his jubilation bubbling out of him like a shaken champagne. His smile stretched the length of his features, radiating positivity and happiness that could rival even the most perfect spring morning. Still holding her close, he pulled her in and kissed her. The softness of her lips sent electricity through his muscles, and a soft moan of 'Mmm' escaped him. He held the kiss for another trill or two, and let her go.

"Welcome to Oakleigh, my love! What are you doing here?!" He kept her soft hand in his, pulling it back and forth in glee as he spoke. He couldn't have been giddier, and it showed right through the tiredness the last few trials had instilled deep within him. She could still see it in his eyes... But now, he could sleep soundly. Edalene was there, and he could sleep again.

All was right.

[Edalene]

As she waited to hear where she could find her brother, she suddenly realised she would not need to wait much longer. Her limbs, infused with a tiredness that she couldn't attribute to just herself, suddenly vibrated with an echoing excitement, that thrummed through her entire body. Aeodan knew, then.

Edalene could not help the brilliant grin that spread across her cheeks when she saw the dash of her brother in her periphery, coming from a tree close by. Laughing, she dropped her luggage, opening her arms just that he crashed into her. To her surprise, he squeezed, lifting her up into the air and twirling her around. She couldn't stop the laughter that fell from her lips.

"Aeodan!" she laughed, putting her hand on his shoulder and squeezing. Before she could say any more, he pulled her in, and Edalene instinctually returned the kiss passionately, headless of those watching her. Her body seemed to come alive under his touch. This - this was what she had been missing, what the dream had haunted her with. She felt right. At centre with the world. And she knew her decision to come here had been the right one.

When the kiss broke, Edalene still kept her arms wrapped around her brother, reluctant to step even a little away from him. Happily she let him swing their entwined palms together. "I've come to stay, my love," she smiled, reaching up to place a palm on his cheek. He was sweaty, and his cheek felt grainy to the touch - as if he had been working in the dirt. "I missed you so. After that dream," she said, not feeling the need to clarify - she knew it had been shared, knew he knew what she was speaking of, "I couldn't spend another night alone."

She leaned in, pressing another kiss to his lips, before pulling away and taking a good look at him. For only being gone half a season, Aeodan seemed to have changed dramatically. "Look at you! You're so tan now," Edalene marvelled, stroking her thumb on his cheek. "And stronger, too! Who knew academia would be so strenuous?"

All of a sudden she was aware of the exhaustion sitting in his chest. Now that they were so close, she felt his tiredness keenly. "Show me to your quarters," Edalene suggested gently. "We can reunite there, yes?"

[Aeodan]

Aeodan smirked at Edalene, an unseen hint of arrogance colouring his face. He winked at her, tightening his grip around her waist.

"Aye, if they'd told me that this expedition was going to be so much work, I'd have told them to send Seth. He could use to be brought down a peg or two." He chuckled, still holding Edalene in his arms. He could not let her go, no matter how hard he tried. Even when she insisted they retire and try to sleep, Aeodan shook his head.

"And lose another trill with you? Eda, so much has happened... For all that you saw... You have to see it in person. The dream has nothing on the real thing. Let me just gather my things, and we will go look at the barrows." He smiled at her, rushing back over to the tree to retrieve his diary and field notes. He'd written so much on the findings that the binding of the diary had to be cut and rewrapped with leather cord to hold the pages together. A few of them were coloured wrongly, because the pages did not come from the same notebook, but were instead ripped from a temporary one he'd been using.

Returning to Edalene, Aeodan offered her the crook of his elbow. Walking arm in arm together, the two set off. Aeodan's slightly musky scent wafted over to her with the breeze, and he quickly apologised.

"You'll have to excuse the smell. I've worked hard these last few breaks. I don't imagine I smell of flowers. But, you'll be pleased to know... The museum is going to be built. The Duke loved the idea." Aeodan grinned at Edalene.

"You should meet the Duke. He is... unique, to say the least. I know that you studied the nobility here in Rynmere and... He doesn't strike me as a Venora. Strangely, more a Gawyne with his peculiarities and eccentricism. But Eda... He's so funny. He's probably one of the nicest men I've ever met, and I'm including Father. He's wonderful, and I'm sure he'll love you... And, he has his own wine. Oh, I'm so glad you're here."

His rambling slowed until he was out of words, and he just walked contentedly along with Eda. There was a spring to his step, and she could feel the joy sparking from his skin, almost tangible in its electricity. He had so much to show her, and so little time in which to do it. If only he had an eternity to share with her.

[Edalene]

Edalene shook her head fondly as Aeodan rushed off, returning to the tree to gather his things. She wanted to say something, insist that he slow down, that they rest - and Edalene had more in her mind than just resting, given how long they'd been apart - but he was so excited to show her the barrows for real that she didn't have the heart to stop him.

"Aeodan," she sighed, taking his arm when he returned and offered it to her. "You know I meant I'm staying permanently, right?" She pulled them to a halt, and looked into his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere. We have no rush. I'm not going to be parted from you again." But she smiled a wry smile, shaking her head. "But I know better by now that I cannot stop you when you set your mind to something. Very well, love. Show me the barrows - and then we sleep." Edalene left her luggage in the shade of the tree, hoping it would be safe there - but she couldn't very well bring them into the barrows.

Edalene giggled at his words. "Honestly, I hadn't even noticed it." Even as they walked, Edalene leant in and pressed a tender kiss to his cheek. "But it's worth it, to be close to you." She squeezed his arm tightly. "I missed you so much," she admitted softly, casting her eyes down. When Aeodan mentioned the museum, Edalene snapped her eyes back up to his, her smile a million watts. "He did? That's wonderful! Oh, Aeodan, your very own museum!" Her unbeating heart swelled with pride for her twin. It almost felt that the SongStone warmed with joy inside of her.

"He does sound like an exceptional man," Edalene mused fondly, shaking her head. Aeodan was speaking a thousand miles a bit, and it warmed her heart. Though she was worried about him, working so hard, she couldn't find it in her to quell his excitement. She could feel his happiness and love radiating from him in waves, and it meant the world to her to know he had missed her as much as she had missed him. Two souls. They were meant to be together, not to be parted, and it felt so right to be in his arms again.

"You'll have to introduce me to him, my love. Maybe I'll even get to try this wine." She grinned at him, before pulling him to a stop before they reached the barrows. "Stop for a moment, love," she murmured, smiling. Edalene turned to face her brother, a hand coming out to trace his cheek, feeling the slight sweat there, that earthy smell.

"My love, you look exhausted, and I don't want to tire you out. And honestly I would love to hold you in bed right now and," she leaned in, winking, "I have missed certain parts of you very much." Edalene ducked in, and pressed a sensuous kiss to his lips. "I know you're excited, but if you want to rest, we can leave the barrows until tomorrow." Still, Edalene had a feeling he would want to show them to her now - he was so proud of his work.

[Aeodan]

Aeodan could not help but smile at his sister, beaming radiance at her from so close to her. She could feel his excitement and relief echoing between the two of them, and she could also feel that Aeodan was too intent on showing her his discoveries to... rest. There was plenty of time for that later, after he had impressed her thoroughly with what he had found. Yvithia knew, once Edalene saw... Well, there would certainly be no rest that trial.

Aeodan, though, did slow down for a trill. He took a deep breath to steady himself, and still holding Eda's hands, looked her directly in her eyes.

"My love, I spent so many trials without you that I will waste none sleeping while there are things to be showing you. I will not hear no for an answer. Now come on!" He gave a playful tug on her hands, but she felt something had changed in her brother. He'd taken control, had been assertive, and that was not like Aeodan at all. It seemed that perhaps he had found more than just a few Jourkadri artifacts since coming to the Settlements. And Aeodan knew that Edalene would either love the new sense of assertiveness, or she would feel slighted that he'd changed. But he needed to do it, to be his own man. To be the man that would take care of Edalene for the rest of their lives.

He had a plan.

Aeodan had decided upon arriving in the Settlements without Edalene that he no longer wanted to be without her. Ever. And so he had considered contracting a smith while he was in the area to fashion him a ring, but none of them seemed the right fit. He'd heard of one, whose exploits as a knight and a smith were quiet but many, and another of a man whose fledgling ability was something to cherish, but neither smith seemed appropriate. And then he considered having one made in Nashaki or Hiladrith, where the Qi'ora were in abundance, but even they seemed too banal for the idea he had in mind. And so Aeodan resolved to find the perfect ring, not in the future, but in the past.

Of course, he could not tell Eda this. Instead, he just had to show her his passion in other ways, and he would do so the best he could. Still tugging on her hands, he led her to the site of the first barrow, chit-chatting along the way. As it loomed in front of them, though, Aeodan fell silent. The awe was tangible, especially across their link, and Aeodan clenched Edalene's hand tightly.

"The First Barrow, my love. It's much more magnificent in person, no?" He smiled slightly, the corners of his lips pulling up to reveal his elation at finally being able to show her his work. "Come this way. The entrance is here."

And he led her there. Tearing a piece of his shirt, he lit it on fire and thrust it into the dark chasm, illuminating the inside. Surprisingly, few of the insects had remained once the barrow was unsealed.

"Shall I go first, my love, or would you like to?" Aeodan's smile bolstered her resolve, as it had their entire lives.

[Edalene]

Edalene smiled at her brother. Yes, he had changed since he had come to the Settlements. It warmed her heart to see him so happy and assertive, though. After the Temple, Aeodan had spent so much energy worrying about her, making sure she was okay. Aeodan deserved to do something for himself. Aeodan deserved to receive all the praise. And he seemed to have become a more confident man - yes, a man, no longer was he a boy - for it.

She let herself be led (which was something she would not let just anybody do) to the barrow's entrance. Of course she had seen it in the dream, but it inspired an awe in person that could not be conveyed in the misty corners of shared dreams. "It really is," she breathed, sending him a slight smile, but unable to look away from the structure before her. The age... the wealth of knowledge here... It was phenomenal that Aeodan had been able to come and work here, and so deserved.

Edalene smiled wryly as he ripped his shirt, set it aflame and thrust it through the gaping maw leading into the barrow. Surely they had a tinderbox or torch, but she said nothing, determined to let her brother enjoy this moment. She looked over in surprise at his question, before hesitating. "You... you're sure I can go first?" She remembered the fear and claustrophobia she had felt just dreaming of the place - surely it would be worse in person.

No, she decided, no. Aeodan had changed - so could she. She would not let fear grip and dictate her. "I'll go first." Letting go of Aeodan's hands,
she squared her shoulders, and with a deep breath, went into the waiting gloom.

And the fear and panic she had felt in the dream did not come.

Edalene let out a surprised and grateful laugh, before taking in the smell of the place. It was musty, and she could hear slight rustles in the corners - insects skittering for safety. A wry smile took to her lips. What fear did she have of the common insect now, after what she had faced? Surprised by her own bravery, Edalene smiled and turned around, looking with awe at the tombs and the wide cavernous space, waiting for Aeodan to come through. He should lead her - he should show her what she should see. It was, after all, Aeodan's project, and she was so very proud of him.

[Aeodan]

The meagre light provided a dim illumination for the barrow, but Edalene could see how spacious it was inside. Divided into three equal parts, the entrance was set directly in the center. The dirt where the three chest had been sitting was lighter in colour than the surrounding soil, a consequence of the wood of the chests absorbing nutrients from it over time. Three distinct grooves sat on the floor in the shape of the wooden chests, but they been excavated, catalogued and sent back to Viden already. As too had the four bodies, all skeletal remains with their Final Cuts, even the two children.

As Aeodan entered behind her, he wrapped his thin arms around her waist from behind. Burying his face in the back of her neck, he gave her a gentle kiss at the base of her head. She smelled like he remembered, and he inhaled deeply the scent of her hair. She was in the Settlements with him. She was real, this wasn't a dream. And Aeodan's excitement radiated from him, overpowering even Edalene's awe and proudness. They just stood there for a few bits, Aeodan's arms wrapped around her, the two of them swaying ever so gently in the barrow.

"The last time we'd been in anything like this together, it was trying to kill us." He intentionally didn't mention that it HAD killed Edalene. "And now, it could make our lives easier forever. This barrow, and the second, has shown us so much already regarding the lives of the Jourkadri tribesmen. This could be my academic break, right here before us."

He smiled and showed her over to where they'd found the bodies. Though they were not dug into the earth, it was obvious where each had lied and their sizes. One man, one woman, two children. But Aeodan, through his discoveries prior, had not seen that they had a traditional family structure. Instead, he assumed that the barrow was one for those who lived in the same abode, a dwelling he'd yet to piece together. Hopefully some of the findings from the 'library barrow' would help him to piece the living familial structure together, but as of now, it was speculation.

"Even the children had been Cut. Could you imagine, Eda? Being a young child, and getting your first blood, and them cutting you in honour? Or a young boy killing his first deer, and they carve the Cut for Deer into you? At first, I thought it barbaric, but there is a certain sense of pride that instills, I think. A desire to have your Cuts be the wildest and most prolific. And refugees from Sheor, they probably had to do something to distinguish themselves from the mageocracy."

He sighed, sliding his frail fingers into Edalene's. Holding her hand always made him feel better, so he did so frequently. Here, though, it was to guide her more through the barrow. He stopped in front of the chests' dwelling next.

"Three of them, with miscellaneous trinkets and artifacts. The Jourkadri were not master craftsmen by any means, but there is a distinct beauty of the Cuts on non-sapient life. For example, they had ivory pieces inscribed with the Cuts that I assume they used for currency. Which was an interesting method of doing so, but perhaps even better than the one we have now. Or perhaps it was a dowry of some sort. I'm not quite sure. I'm going to sit down with the catalogues of the items and see if I cannot piece some information together."

He grinned devilishly.

"Since I'm the only one who can read the Cuts." He knew he'd created value for himself, and he secretly savoured the idea that the Academy couldn't steal credit for his work, because they couldn't read it. Aeodan stroked the pale silver mark over his eyes faintly and smiled.

"And over here... That patch of soil." She knew the one he was talking about. He walked her over to it and paused in front of it, the two of them taking it in together.

[Edalene]

She shuddered slightly when her brother's arms wrapped around her, and Edalene let herself lean back into his embrace. She tilted her head to the side as he kissed softly along her neck, and her arms came around to rest on his, folded over her stomach - over her scar. Edalene let her eyes fall shut, and she breathed in deeply. She could smell the must and the dirt of the tomb, but more than anything, she could smell Aeodan, and he felt like home.

Edalene let herself stand in silence. She let herself just be with Aeodan. This - now that they had spent twenty trials apart, the longest she had ever been separated from him, she knew she could never bear it again. Everything she did now, she would make sure it was with him. At his words, Edalene turned and kissed him softly, her hands coming up to rest on his cheeks. "My love," she whispered, quiet in this ancient place. "You have done so well." Kissing him again, Edalene pulled away and took his hand, letting him lead her through the barrow.

Edalene shuddered at the thought of being marred in such a painful way at such a young age, but she paused as a thought occured to her. "It is not so different from us, I think," she said, pulling their entwined hands up so they could look at the blackness of their fingertips. Her hand came up to stroke the silvery scar that marred Aeodan's eye. "We are marked by our accomplishments, too," and her hand then came to rest on her belly, where beneath her dress lay the sign of her death. "And they are too sometimes excruciatingly painful."

The chests interested her less than the idea of the bodies, carved with their life stories on their frames, but she followed Aeodan dutifully, and smiled at his excitement. Edalene laughed, shaking her head. "How very sneaky of you," she teased, rolling her eyes. "What if I learn to read the Cuts? Worried I might steal your accomplishments, run off into the distance and live on your successes?" She nudged him in the side. She knew that through their link she would feel her sarcasm. There was nothing in this world that could tear her apart from her brother.

Her joviality disappeared somewhat as they came to the soil. A soil that held some power she could not understand. Even as she held her brother's hand, she felt herself shrink against him, reluctant to get too close to it. "Have you found out what it is, yet?" she whispered, as if the soil could hear and would rise up, strike them, and draw them screaming into the ground. If only she could touch it, perhaps Ralaith would instil her with some wisdom, but her body screamed at her to stay as far from the soil as possible.

Edalene shuddered, and turned to her brother. "I almost want to touch it... to call Ti'atha, ask for her to search for us. I'm sure my Lord would know more, but Aeodan..." She turned back, and breathed, focusing on the soil and looking at it as if she could see the passage of time herself. "That soil... it is old. But not just old, it is heavy - it carries weight of life and death within it."

► Show Spoiler

Edalene is using the Shirvain ability Eyes of the Antiquated to determine the weight of time on the patch of hallowed soil.

[Aeodan]

Aeodan bit his lip as Edalene told him about the weight of life and death on the patch. He'd already guessed that it held some importance to the Jourkadri, but to say that it bore true weight only spurred his curiosity to nearly actionable levels. He wanted to reach out, to dig a handful of the roiling soil from the circle and toss it to the side. But he knew, in his heart, that to do so was to invite folly. Instead, he exercised restraint, shaking his head at his sister's question.

"I'm not sure what's there. To be honest, I can't bring myself to disturb the spot. I know there is knowledge beneath it, but I also know that it does what it does for a reason, and I don't need to invite any more ruin on us than we already have."

Of course, Aeodan did know what was beneath it. But he also knew that to disturb the soil again was to invite that ruin. The Jourkadri Blood Curse ran deep, and the last thing he would do is risk subjecting Edalene to that. He'd die before he allowed her to suffer, to feel even a modicum of pain or emotional suffering. He couldn't do that to her, not while he was still breathing. He knew better, his curiosity and pride be damned.

"I know it's hard not to pry, but it isn't worth it. Not this time." He grabbed her hand and squeezed. Kissing her cheek, he looked at her eyes, smiling. "Just trust me on this one, okay?" He kissed her, this time on the lips.

"I can teach you the Cuts, if you'd like. They aren't so hard to understand once you understand the different between Common and Sheoran Common. It's not so insurmountable, especially with my expertise. All you'd need to do is ask... Nicely." He winked at her, squeezing her hand again. It was unusual, but he was feeling amorous in that setting, strange and unique. He tugged at her hand, moving his eyes to suggest they move away from the cursed dirt and closer to where they could lie down and be comfortable.