Surfacing Ch. 28

Now Gaelan was focused on the hooded rider making his way down, waiting to see his face. Belatedly, I realized I never really told her what he was.

"He was Human," I leaned to her ear. "Now he looks like a Greylands native."

It was close enough for the time I had to prepare her, trying to suspend her expectations as quickly as possible. I'd almost forgotten how he would appear to others.

"And he's welcome here?" she asked. It had not taken her long to focus on the fact that he was the only non-Elf here.

"Yes," I said. Not much more to say on that. At least at the moment.

Gavin turned around from the cliff wall, his face still partially covered with his hood, and just as he got close enough for her to see in, her startled gasp and defensive posture slightly behind me coincided with Rennyn's greeting. I wasn't sure whether Gavin had picked up on both or not, but he looked at the Tilabil giving him a small bow.

*Good morning, Gavin. I trust you are rested?*

"As I still must be, it seems," he commented blandly.

"What, jealous of those who don't sleep every cycle?" I chuckled. Rennyn was certainly one of those, as was Mourn.

Gavin looked at me. "Envy can be useful. All the better to keep the goal in mind."

My necromancer was trying to figure out a way he could bypass sleep. Why was I not surprised? Even more, I almost believed he'd solve the puzzle, eventually.

"I know it is early," Gavin said, turning back to Rennyn, "but if Shunraeki would see me, I have some questions to ask her. She may also find your presence reassuring, as you can offer me insight on a possible solution."

The Tilabil nodded and swept his blue-green arm out toward the cave entrance. *Let us see if she will give us audience.*

I had no doubt they'd be in there for a while, and I almost asked to go but right then we received our second flying arrival. Even Gavin did not seem annoyed to pause and wait a few more moments. The Sun would be showing soon right behind a set of powerfully flapping wings that, at first glance, resembled a giant eagle with an equally giant fish clutched in its talons below it, weighing it down.

Then I realized it was Mourn gripping Jael by her wrists. He had lifted her off the ground by sheer strength, they were not gliding as Roh had been so they had to be coming from much closer than I realized. She had curled her legs up to keep from swinging to wildly and soon enough I heard her laughing as the half-blood clearly intended to drop her off on the shelf.

Right on time.

Without speaking we all made room, as none of us were sure exactly where or how Mourn was going to land, and at first he didn't.

"Now," he said as they passed overheard, and they both let go.

Jael dropped and rolled, needing the room we'd made but landing uninjured and springing to her feet with a happy, uninhibited squeal as Mourn kept going, banking to the right to turn around. Again, Roh squawked a territorial warning at him and he kept away without harrying the nervous beast. Still, he had to land.

His control wasn't perfect as he achieved a speed and angle which was manageable to get his bare feet on the ground and his wings down without thwapping anyone present upside the head. Iethys, Furuc, and Nioah all gave their own short cheer of applause and he grunted in thanks.

Mourn was breathing hard and I could tell he expended an incredible amount of physical energy since I had last seen him. His muscles were swollen and full of blood as they had been following any of our previous fights; they even twitched here and there. There was a weakness in his stance that simply implied that he had pushed himself as far as he could go and had enjoyed every minute of it. He was even smiling; that was nice to see.

Jael ran up to him and put her arms around his middle. "Oh my fucking goddess, we have to do that again!!"

"Soon," he agreed, still trying to catch his breath. He nodded. "We will."

Gaelan's mouth was sagging a bit looking at him, at them, and she ducked a bit more still behind me, looking between Gavin with the Tilabil, and Mourn with Jael. She may have had the briefest chance before, upon first waking, to see them all, but her naked panic had taken over and everyone but Shunraeki, Iethys, and Rennyn and been told to leave.

Now she could only stare and try to come to terms with what she was seeing. I couldn't really help her with that, but I was starting to see the benefits of being able to wait.

"Gavin," I said loud enough to gain his attention, just because I knew he'd go inside the cave in a moment without a second thought to anyone out here.

He turned around. I stepped slightly to the side and presented with my hand.

"Gaelan."

Neither of them knew what I expected them to do. Neither did I, except just some fucking acknowledgement.

The Deathwalker acquiesced to step a bit closer, looking her over as deliberately as if he was mentally undressing her—though his sight was probably going a bit deeper than skin. Clearly it creeped her out as she looked at me for direction.

"The holes are smoothed over," Gavin said with a nod, those inverted, icy-black eyes switching from Gaelan to me. "No differentiation. Whatever could mend, has."

Excellent diagnosis. I even caught Mourn nod once in acceptance, or resignation.

"What..." she croaked, then cleared her throat quickly. "Was it your doing, then?"

"A joint effort," Gavin replied, not responding to her wariness in any particular way. "Sirana desired it enough."

"And you make the effort to see to her desires?" she asked, and I got ready to smile at the joke.

He paused a moment to consider. "I suppose past actions would show that I do."

I blinked, not expecting that answer. At least not as some curious admission or realization such as it was.

"Why?" she asked bluntly. "Why have you traveled with her so long? Why help her to bring me back?"

Gavin looked like he might have wanted a staff for something to hold onto at the moment, just as something for his hands to do. Pondering social behaviors was probably a bit more difficult for him than solving necromantic challenges. At least he proved in his answer that he understood she was inviting insight on his link with me.

"I could take a solitary path and it would not disturb me," he said. "I could study what I wish, make my own design, but it would take much longer to gain what I seek. She possesses an unflagging drive and pulls me along in its wake, for I would never have found those rare individuals I have in so few months or have the connections I now do without aiding her. This benefits my Lady first, and myself as well."

Gaelan nodded like she wasn't surprised. "So, you helped her with me just to keep her happy?"

The grey mage tilted his head slightly. "I do not lend aid because of a fleeting state of mind. It passes, as all things will."

"Desire is fleeting," I commented.

He looked at me. "Not when the object of that desire is on a far horizon, only within reach with continued effort."

That was almost a tart retort. He would know, though; Nyx often stood with a horizon behind her.

"A bargain, then," Gaelan insisted, and again I started to nod in agreement.

"A starting point," he returned as quickly. "I forget a bargain made for bread once I've finished my breakfast. All things considered it is no longer any surprise to me the consequences of allying with Sirana are somewhat more far-reaching. I might expect you have already learned the same."

My older Sister didn't have a reply ready, and Gavin took the opportunity to turn around and start walking toward the cave's entrance, where Rennyn patiently waited.

*Ooookay,* I thought. That was interesting; I hadn't realized he saw things that way. After he was out of sight, I asked her, "Satisfied?"

Gaelan nodded hesitantly, dropping into Drow. "Are all Humans like this? He doesn't act like one less than a century old."

"Doesn't think like one, either," Jael offered, crossing her arms with a smirk.

"Not even close," I answered. "I've even wondered exactly how much time he's spent in the Greylands with Nyx the last two times he's died."

Gaelan's eyes widened. "Two times?"

"Well, his thing *is* death magic," Jael said, not changing her body language. She was enjoying being the one with more information for once.

Gaelan hummed, we paused again, and she was now out of excuses to keep ignoring Mourn, who observed but offered nothing so far to the conversation.

I touched her elbow to turn her slightly. "And...this is Mourn."

She would raise her eyes only slowly, looking over him not unlike how Gavin had looked over her, maybe seeing his aura as well as his body and wings. She blinked like the Sun was too bright already, though it was only just showing. She swallowed.

"Thank you for bringing me here," she said, first thing, "I am glad to be alive."

Though she would not get even half a step closer to him. She was either intimidated or it was something else she sensed about him. Or both.

I looked at the hybrid directly, expectantly. So now he had to give me some idea what he thought about all this, never mind Furuc's excuses on his behalf.

"You're welcome," his voice rumbled, his expression stoic. "And you are very lucky. Please honor my friend's life by knowing your own worth. Sirana will need all the help you can offer her."

********

That day saw the beginning of our training, such as it was. I wasn't entirely sure how Rennyn divided his time and attention so skillfully between us...at least in that nobody became outwardly impatient or resentful when another had his attention—or even inwardly, if everyone else felt as I did—and each was willing to wait their turn. It was as if Rennyn's presence, despite our mutual desire for his attention, made conflict seem a pointless waste, even though I knew and would never argue otherwise that conflict was necessary many parts of living.

*I agree, daughter,* he said when I made that observation. *But I am here for the time needed, no more, no less. There is no need to fight over it, only trust that there will be enough for all.*

Anyone else, and I would have said they were using a will spell of some kind to make everyone act outside their nature. But maybe it was that word that hung in the air: trust. I couldn't help but trust that he was telling the truth.

Rennyn was still very much in demand, though, and I would have said it seemed to give him joy without power, not as a god or a ruler but as someone who would let the youngest, mobile Wilder crawl up and over his shoulders and back as if he was an intriguing cliff face. And he would laugh. That same small toddler, not the wolf pup but one whose totem had not yet manifested itself, managed a leap from Rennyn to Mourn's shoulders, balancing exceedingly well for one so young.

"Ah, another climber," Mourn said, turning back his ears and reaching to detach her just as the small, brown child got hold of his banded queue.

"Mori!" she cried, reaching out her tiny hands, demanding to play.

"When you're a little bigger," he replied and handed her back to her mother, who smiled familiarly at the mercenary and nodded her head in thanks.

"That reminds me," Jael said. "Where did 'Morix' come from? A nickname on your To'vah one, right?"

He nodded. "It was as well as a small Elf can say in hearing it the first time."

The hybrid pointed toward one of the adult Elves sitting on a low, thick oak branch with a few others, his tanned legs crossed at the ankles and swinging back and forth.

"It's that one's fault."

A rather striking set of river-blue eyes framed by copper hair went wide as the Wilder put a hand to his chest. "What I do??"

Mourn grinned. "I'm told I have too many names."

The Wilder wrinkled his nose. "Pfft! Say who? Long history of Dragonbloods given names without number! Makes it hard to tell who belongs in what story."

"And this is a good thing?" Jael asked with a raised brow.

"Of course! Dragonbloods always in hiding in the stories."

"That's interesting," Gavin said suddenly before I had the chance, startling several Wilder as he'd been so far behind me it was easy to forget he was there. "Why is that?"

The unnamed male looked surprised, then hesitant and looked to Rennyn for guidance, who merely lifted his hand before going back to playing some hand-clapping game with the wolf pup-Elf.

*You brought it up, Tylen,* the Tilabil said without moving his lips, and Mourn's tail flicked a little bit but he waited.

As Tylen decided how to tell his version of an apparent favorite story, I realized this particular male was older than Shyntre, who was doubly older than me. It reminded me just how long Mourn had been coming here if Tylen was one of the first children he'd "chased" and who'd coined his name "Morix" around here. But it was also interesting to reflect that Tylen seemed far less...age-worn than my wizard. Or maybe even me. His three hundred years hadn't been nearly as harsh.

"Dragonbloods all have same interest in rare metal and stones, pulled from deep down and polished to great beauty and possibly to great magic," Tylen said. "They get this from To'vah blood, but their other side make them more predictable to some others. Many stories of weapons and magical items being taken by Dragonbloods but much confusion who has, or had, what. Protects their hoard."

"And how many Dragonbloods are we saying are stealing valuables around the Surface at any one time?" I asked.

Iethys had said Mourn was "unique." That is a one-of-a-kin word, unless she had used it incorrectly.

Tylen again shrugged and laughed. "We don't know! Too many names!"

I made a face and looked to Mourn. "Not a very satisfying ending. Anything you want to add?"

Mourn's tail flicked again as he considered.

"Come on," I coaxed. "What would you do if you ever met another half-Dragon?"

His ears turned back. He admitted, "Dragonbloods are likely to try and kill the other if they meet in the same territory."

"How do you know?" Jael demanded. "Have you met one?"

"Two," he amended. "The last one was half-Human. Entered Augran about seventy years ago. He's dead."

Both my Sisters and I stared in some alarm. The idea of others sired by Dragons hadn't been made real until just now, and they were killing each other?

"Did he try to kill you or just defended against your attack when you found him in your territory?" I asked.

Mourn frowned, his tail drawing a strong S-curve. "It was not coincidence he was in Augran, Sirana. He had heard of me first, made connections from rumors, probably. He was after my hoard."

"Would steal from each other like chipmunks," Tylen interjected with humorous glee and Mourn gave him a sardonic eyebrow but didn't protest the comparison.

Jael was snickering. "So that was the last one. What about the first one?"

The hybrid grunted and the grimly mocking look moved to the rest of his face. "The previous Guildmaster in Augran. Also half Human."

That was interesting. I crossed my arms and shifted my stance. "You didn't form the Guild out of nothing."

"No. I did change the purpose."

"What, the previous half-blood had less foresight?"

"Correct. He only used it to find and obtain rare objects and live in luxury with females serving him. He also didn't have Krithannia, Talov, and Graul when it came time to defend what he had."

I couldn't help but smile, having this glimpse into his past. What stories could I get from the dark-haired Noldor and the old dwarf later, I wondered?

"Hm. Heard of any others?" Gavin asked.

Mourn tilted a smile at him. "Not confirmed."

I looked over at ever-peaceful Rennyn. I wanted to test.

"Anything wrong with Dragon sons killing each other for treasure or are you just glad the Elf-blood has won both times?"

*So must it be,* Rennyn replied, not really answering my question. *Dragonbloods are born powerful but slower to find the wisdom of either parent by their conflicting nature. May the wisest one hold on to his hoard.*

That was the oddest statement he'd ever said, and the ancient one had said some head-scratchers thus far.

"What do you care about Mourn having enough jewels and coins to make him wealthy?" I asked.

*I do not,* Rennyn said plainly. *But Dragonbloods need a hoard. They must have one. Moryxxyleth follows his blood.* Now the Tilabil smiled, his blind, golden eyes encompassing us all and I forgot my next question. *His wisdom has reached a level any Father would be proud. That Jael comes to him now is proof he is ready.*

My younger Sister squirmed a little at this, but with a small, excited smile rather than the anxious frown from before.

"Indeed. Not so wise, once?" Gavin asked, quietly trying to keep the conversation going.

*If you refer to the creation of the Human's Witch Hunters at Manalar,* the Tilabil answered with a nod. *He has shown great diligence in seeing them stripped of power and the sacred pool transformed through a hopeful rebirth. This is one reason I am here.*

We looked at each other, all except Mourn who stood now with a very straight back, his chin up, his attention fixed on Rennyn. It was as if he'd been waiting for the ancient Elf to say something like this.

"Um, it is?" I asked. "How so?"

*Moryxxyleth has earned back his Baenar master's blades and will now be able to begin teaching Jael.* Rennyn kissed the forehead of the third child he'd held in his lap and set him down to stand up. *Sirana, Gaelan, Gavin, come with us if you will. We will move to the grove. You may stand as witness.*

********

We were shushed of any further questions until we were in the proper place. That "proper place" ended up being, once again, just inside the giant ring of trees onto the way of elemental peace. Unsurprisingly, the guiding siblings and the storyweaver met us there.

We were barefoot with toes wiggling pleasurably in the grass, and this was the first time Gaelan was seeing it for herself and so she took her time to absorb the wonder, as we had. I was still allowed my spiders at my nape, as we were all encouraged to bring all our weapons for this, and we waited for what would happen next.

"Wait here, please," Rennyn said, and he vanished.

I didn't expect him to be gone long but I still asked, "Why is there never any sound or light or anything when he does that?"

Iethys smiled at me, but looked to her brother. Furuc answered for her, probably because he could put a finer point on it.

"Why would there be when there's no spell to cast?"

I wasn't entirely surprised, but I exchanged glances with my Sisters first then decided to focus on Gavin's response rather than Mourn's. The grey mage had probably already considered and set aside three different theories in the time it took Rennyn to come back.

The Tilabil held a small box made of a dark, reddish wood, polished to a gloss but very simple otherwise. I noticed that the hypnotic, ever shifting color of his skin swirled just a little faster with his hands on the box.

*I do not favor long speeches,* he began, *but as you know we enjoy stories, and our son deserves to hear acknowledgement of how far he's come. His allies should be aware of the significance of this moment to him if they intend to remain at his side.*

We all nodded, probably trying not to seem too eager. Mourn took it upon himself to drop to one knee so that he was no longer towering over the rest of us. His tail was still as it curled to rest around him in a small, not quite complete circle. He wore his harness, his sliders, all his weapons. He waited with his forearm braced on his thigh, somehow a sign for the rest of us to get comfortable in our stances. At ease.

*Moryxxyleth was taught Blade Song by the last remaining Grandmaster among the Baenari. This is an art and a magical discipline which has never been common and cannot be taught en masse, but only one master to one apprentice for many years. During that time, the master cannot shift focus to another apprentice if the first is to achieve their own mastery. Assuming the master keeps their focus on their pupil, it is then up to the apprentice to achieve their potential.*