Bard's Tale 01 - The Beginning

Unable to say goodbye at her quest's end, Tahna instead moved in with Lysandra. For seven months they lived together, enjoying each other's company. Tahna settled into domestic bliss, building a home while Lysandra continued creating potions and the odd scroll of magic to sell. Their nights were filled with slow, passionate love-making.

For Tahna, her world was radically changed. Where once a new day was simply another day of work serving in the temple, or a potentially emotionally scarring one of solving another child homicide, she now greeted each morning with enthusiasm. She was happy, and the monk and mage even talked of marriage. Until that one afternoon, when Lysandra went out to pick up some herbs she'd ordered and never returned.

February 25, 2069. The night was cool, with a bit of fog later in the evening. For Tahna, that day was burned into her memory; it was the night Lysandra failed to come home for dinner. When worry became cold fear, before turning into ash.

Tahna initially suspected the crazy Silver Knight, but learned that one had returned south within a month of the drow's death. So, someone -- or something else.

Some of Lysandra's friends helped with the search, but after three months of no trace, they gave up. They had their own lives to lead. Tahna contacted Tia for bank drafts, which Tia provided without question. Pushing her criminal expertise to its limits, Tahna ran down every lead, no matter how thin or tenuous. Gold to spellcasters to divine and search, all to no avail.

After more than a year, she'd even asked Tia to come and help search. Tia gave her a month, and used whatever spells and inquiries she had at her disposal to try and find Lysandra. A lot more gold was spent in the process, too. Tahna didn't care about that, and together they prayed for Lysandra's safe return.

Lysandra had simply vanished, as if she had never been.

Then came the day that Tia had to return to Tildor. Her obligations to the church demanded her attention. Tahna stayed, stubbornly hanging on. Searching and searching, the quest becoming an obsession. What had happened to her blonde beauty with those happy green eyes?

Once each year, the temple of Hecate permitted Tahna to approach, pay her gold, and make an inquiry. The first two years were the same. Silence. Awful, frustrating silence. The third year, the priestess screamed and yelled, ordering Tahna to begone, throwing the gold pieces after her. In the fourth year, the priestess refused the money or to even accept the task. Lysandra was cursed by Hecate, Tahna was informed, and any further inquiries would incur the wrath of the goddess.

Applications to her own temple in Caloren City proved equally as fruitless. Three years of hearing, "She is beyond your reach." But in the fourth year, the priest added that Tahna was hereby commanded to return to Tildor.

She'd been prepared to remain, to keep on searching, even if it meant retiring from church.

In the end, it was the letter she'd received from the Duchess of Biyandi that convinced her she needed to return. While she'd been in Caloren, searching for Lysandra, Tia had been hurt.

Tahna loved Tia dearly. Ever since they were children, Tia had taken charge of her two younger sisters, helping them to learn, playing with them, taking a hand in protecting them while they grew up. Then the early years together, the three of them adventuring and gaining experience even as they destroyed dens of evil.

Tia was the high priestess, and Tahna was the warrior monk. Aside from her skill at finding criminals, Tahna was also supposed to keep Tia safe while her sister fixed church problems and dispensed healing.

Despairing over Lysandra, and with the command to return home; adding to that, her guilt over not being their for her big sister.

Thus it was that Tahna found herself on the Plains of Harga, alone, heading east to the nation of Tildor. As her legs ate up the lonely, dangerous kilometers, she let herself drift over what could have been. Should have been.

It was the summer of 2073 all over again.

"How long do you intend to punish yourself for what happened?"

Startled, Tahna looked around.

She saw a woman dressed in a gi similar to her own, keeping pace, just slightly behind her own. But where Tahna's gi was the tan with dark brown trim, this woman wore solid black. The clothing matched her long, braided raven-colored hair and deep black skin.

"What--?" Tahna came to a stop. She didn't remember this happening during her trip!

The woman put her hands on her hips and shook her head. "You know that Tia never blamed you for anything that happened while you were away from her. Yet even now, decades later, you still feel guilty about it. She tried her best to help you find Lysandra, once she learned how you felt about her. So answer me, Tahna. How long do you intend to punish yourself? What happened was not your fault."

"Goddess?" Tahna thought it likely it was Her in the aspect of the Dark Warrior.

"You don't sound so sure, Tahna. And you haven't answered my question."

"I'm not punishing myself. I still miss Lysandra."

The ebony woman sighed. "The problem with people is that when they become really good at something, they find it hard or even impossible to believe they can make mistakes. Or they believe they made a mistake when they didn't, unable to see that circumstances might simply have been beyond their control. You are very good at what you do, Tahna Khrysanna Landers, and you can't see the forest for the trees. Mindal has that problem, too. But at least you have Tia to help with that deficiency."

"I don't understand," Tahna said.

"I, personally, had no trouble with you being with Lysandra. Quite the contrary, actually. Your relationship with Lysandra was an opportunity for me to open a dialog with Hecate. This, I recall, was your twelfth day on the plains after leaving Greenwood the Great, on your return trip to Tildor."

"I... uh, yes, that's right."

"Do you remember what's ahead of you on this day?"

Tahna paused, trying to remember. Then it came back. She'd been absorbed, thinking over that last day with Lysandra, reliving each moment for the thousandths time, trying to sift through everything that happened for a clue, for something that didn't belong or was out of place. Something that would jump out and provide a trail that would lead to Lysandra.

But a crash through the grass just north of her had been followed by the roaring of several lions. If not for the sudden appearance of an antelope, Tahna would have walked right into their midst. She normally would have picked up on their presence and avoided them. But she'd allowed herself to become distracted while traveling alone in the wilderness -- a dangerous mistake. It had been a very near thing. Tahna's gaze suddenly shot back to the woman.

The goddess nodded. In the light of the three suns overhead, she was so dark her skin took on a slight indigo hue as it shone in the daylight. "You're welcome. Again. I do seem to recall a short, but heartfelt thank you at the time, but it's nice, twenty-one years after the fact, that you understand better how close you came to becoming food for lions that day."

"Will you... will you answer my questions?"

"If we're going to talk, I'd prefer to sit and have something to eat." She raised her hand and snapped her fingers.

Instantly, in the middle of the vast expanse of waist-high grass, a restaurant appeared next to them, one with a wide sidewalk and outside tables and chairs. Inside, visible through the large plate-glass windows were padded seats around tables, and patrons eating meals.

Above the building, Tahna read a sign in big, neon-red letters. Motorcycle Mama's Grilled Cheese and Coffee House. She knew what coffee was and liked it. But what was a motorcycle?

Leading the way, the Dark Warrior entered the restaurant, and nodded as a waiter approached. Tahna noticed that he didn't walk. He drifted over the floor. She realized he must be a namarutna, a free-willed angel.

Tahna kept pace. The angel-waiter took them to a window-booth, with a view of the plains.

Just as Tahna was about to ask why they didn't eat outside, an antelope darted through the grass less than seven meters away, followed by two lionesses in hot pursuit. The antelope zigged, and all three turned hard right and vanished into the tall grass.

Inside was good, Tahna thought.

Very quickly, the angel-waiter returned with their coffees and grilled cheese sandwiches, then moved off to other patrons.

"You may ask whatever you wish. This is your dream after all, and answers may come from me or they may actually come from deep inside yourself," the Dark Warrior told her. "However, you may not like the answers you get. And I don't promise to answer if I don't think it to be in your best interest."

Tahna looked at the food and ignored it. Years of heartache bubbled up, fresh and raw once again. Where to start? So, she simply asked, "Why?"

The black woman chewed thoughtfully, turning the half-eaten toasted sandwich over to examine it briefly before taking another bite. "Smoked Gouda. Nice alternative. Cheddar is good, but sometimes it's plain boring. The rye bread is a nice touch, too. Why what, Tahna? Why were you born? Why did you become a warrior monk? Why do you love your sisters so much? Be specific."

"What happened to Lysandra? We were so happy together!"

The goddess sipped the coffee and settled against the padded cushions of the booth. "Hmm. I never get tired of that flavor. A smooth blend.

"Oh, Tahna. It had nothing to do with you, Tahna. Nothing at all. Hecate wasn't exactly thrilled, but I had no issues. None at all. And yes, I do know how much you love her. Even after all these years. Love, but also a bit of pride thwarted. You are incredibly good at finding people, finding clues, but this stopped you cold. Like that day, when you were distracted and almost became cat food. Pride can be a fatal error, Tahna."

"Is she dead?"

"No."

Tahna sat up. "She's alive? Where is she? Trapped on one of the planes--"

"She's not alive, either." She picked up the second half of the sandwich as she chewed.

"Not dead, but not alive. What... oh, sweet goddess. Lysandra is undead, isn't she." Tahna blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears.

"Yes, she's undead. She fought bravely, desperately against it. Then succumbed. And Hecate has cursed her for it. If she is slain, her soul goes to Tartarus, condemned to burn in torment for the rest of eternity. By order of her own goddess." Took another bite and chewed. Then she added, "Maybe next time I'll give Manchego a try. Or Edom."

Tahna sucked air, grief welling up. "Is there no hope for her? I could... I could try to save her!"

Shaking her head, the goddess set down the rest of the sandwich. "No! You would not succeed. I've looked at it several ways. Examined hundreds of permutations. Even with your sisters helping, you all die. Every single time. Lysandra would kill you herself, Tahna, and though it pained her, there would be no mercy. None. You might even share her fate and become cursed. And I would not be happy about that."

"Lysandra..." Tears spilled freely from Tahna's eyes.

"She loved you, Tahna. Loves you still. But not as deeply as you love her. As sad as it is to say, it might have been better if she had died. But that choice is long gone. Your devotion, your intensity in your love is amazing. She did help you and thus did service for me. I pay my debts. Always. There may be a way for you to save her, but most certainly not now, and not for many years yet. Many years, Tahna. I ask that you trust me to make that happen."

"So... what? I'm just supposed to move on?"

"You have free will, my child. You are free to do what you want, as long as you're willing to reap the consequences. Your unsettled heart is the result of your previous choices." The goddess took another bite of her sandwich and gave a sigh. She even closed her eyes, nodding as she enjoyed the mixture of hot flavors. Took another drink of her espresso coffee.

Memories of her time with Lysandra flitted through Tahna's mind. The sound of her voice, the feel of her body against her own. Her green eyes full of happiness and love. The pleasure of her lips. Both sets.

When Tahna felt the seat shift, she opened her eyes, and saw that the goddess was next to her, arms moving around her. Drawing her in.

"Holding grief inside is never good. So often you forget that I love you. Let me share your burden."

It was all too much. Tahna let loose, sobs wracking her body. For a long time she cried, and her goddess held her, providing comfort with the strength of her incredibly strong arms.

When Tahna had cried herself to exhaustion, the Dark Warrior kissed Tahna on the top of her head. "Are you finally ready to hear my words, my child? Because I have tried to reach you so many times, and every time you have refused to listen."

"I... didn't know. I'll listen now." Tahna wiped her eyes, then took the napkin held in front of her and blew, then wiped her nose.

"Tell me the thirty-first psalm."

Tahna searched her memory, then quoted, "Open hearts often find pain, but closed hearts never find love." Taking a long breath, she winced. Tia had quoted that same psalm earlier. "Are you asking me to give this marriage thing a try?"

"Whatever you had between you and Lysandra is gone. I'm not asking you to give up your feelings for her. Cherish the memories for the good times that they were. Lysandra is not my follower. Is she were, we wouldn't even be having this discussion. She helped you kill a foul child-murderer without asking anything in return. She helped you render justice for sixteen dead children."

"Sixteen!" Tahna exclaimed. "I only knew of four!"

"He disintegrated the bodies of the others. It is because of that service to you and to me, that I take on this task of helping you both. Lysandra has sworn herself to Hecate, and I must tread very carefully in how I approach that goddess. And rightfully so. If another god or goddess interfered with any of my children in a way that even hinted at anything untoward, they would feel my just wrath. For that same reason, I must deal carefully when the mortals involved have pledged themselves to another Power. So, I will do my best to arrange it so that you can help Lysandra. But I mean it when I say that if such even becomes possible, it is many years away. Hecate was angry enough at Lysandra to curse her. I want it clearly understood, Tahna. You can not help her. Do not resume your search for her."

"Something's changed, hasn't it. I would find something this time, wouldn't I?"

"Yes. But I also meant what I said. I need for you to listen to me. If you try, you. Will. Die. When, and if the time ever comes for you to help Lysandra, you will know it. Do you understand?"

Tahna nodded sadly, too empty to cry again.

The ebony goddess sighed. "Love is the strongest thing in the universe. And the most fragile. It is whatever you make it out to be. Each relationship between two people is unique. It always is. Yet at the same time, it's also the same as every other relationship. Every emotional connection can't help but share similarities with all the zillions of others in the multi-verse."

Rena picked up the dill gherkin and munched on it before continuing.

"Do I want you to marry this young half-elf, Reison Whisper Wind? I tell you true, I think you and he will be a good match. And because of how intensely you come to love those in your life, I think you could be truly happy with him. Certainly happier than you have been these past twenty years. But do I ask you to do this, for my sake? No. Certainly not! Accept him or not for yourself, Tahna. I'm not the one who will be living with him, day after day, raising his children--"

Tahna's head snapped up at that.

The Dark Warrior nodded. "That sort of thing does tend to happen. If you accept him as your husband, do so with a truly open heart. If you do less than that, you cheat him and yourself, and not a one of us will be happy with that outcome. If you choose to decline, I will accept your choice. You have prayed to find something more, to find a new sense of purpose. Tia seeks love, and a life filled with children. Mindal seeks love and a renewal of her music, to rekindle her joy in life. I suggest to you, Tahna Khrysanna Landers, that you seek love, too, and a home to put your roots into, a home to defend and to call your own. I want you to be happy. I have created the opportunity, for you and your sisters to have that for which you seek, and to remain together, bound within the same marriage. It is up to you to accept or reject it."

Tahna didn't answer.

"I know, I know. You were happy already. You had your time with Lysandra. I've already explained that, and it is what it is, so let it go. I mean it. If you agree to the marriage, don't hold back in the fraudulent belief that it's only going to be temporary. What you had before was no less grand and precious despite how it turned out. What I say now is don't close your heart to new love because of that."

"All right." Tahna replied without enthusiasm.

"Do you wish me to ease your heart's pain?"

The monk looked up sharply. "I don't want to forget her."

"All mortal memories fade eventually. But, I won't do anything without your permission."

"Whatever you wish, goddess. I trust you."

She suddenly laughed, giving Tahna a squeeze. "I have a better idea. I will grant you a gift, one to make all married women jealous, if they but learned of it."

Intrigued, Tahna lifted her head. "What?"

"When he looks at you and tells you something, you will know if he speaks true or not, and the measure of his truth. Pay attention to this. You will know the truth in your heart. And it works all the time. All you need do is ponder a moment over his words."

"You mean, like a detect lie spell? That could be useful." Tahna considered the possibilities. If Reison had less than honorable intentions toward her sisters, she would know of it!

"If you prefer to think of it like detect lie, then yes. No equivocation. If he tells you something, you will know it in your heart. Not just in your thoughts. Be warned. That gift will have consequences for you. It only works for him, and if you reject him, it goes away immediately. If you get married, it goes away a year after the ceremony. To do otherwise would be unfair to him, and a blessing for you. Do you accept the gift and its conditions?"

"I accept, Goddess."

"Remember, open hearts often find pain, but closed hearts never find love. Open your heart, Tahna. Open it wide to the possibility of love and happiness, of finding serenity and purpose too long denied. Now I bid you rest. And be at peace."

And Tahna felt herself laying back, suddenly in her bed again. Her emotional exhaustion now drawing her down to sleep. Cracking open her eyes, she saw her sisters sleeping beside her. Mindal made small noises and slowly rolled her hips, but her eyes were closed. Felt the warm, protective arms of the Dark Warrior slip around from behind her, keeping her safe.

Rest, came the gentle command into her sleepy thoughts. Immensely comforted that her goddess would hold her as she slept, Tahna closed her eyes again, descending into the darkness of dreamless slumber.

* * * * *

Part 7

* * * * *

The next morning, all three sisters awoke at same instant. Without a word, they collected their possessions and restored the room to its previous state. There was a huge wet spot on the bed where Mindal had slept. Both of her older sisters noticed it but made no comment, partly absorbed with the results of their own dreams.