Surfacing Ch. 38

"The feeling fades. It won't be like this forever," Halena said.

"Though it might last longer in Jaunda," Vik mused. "She's...different since surviving Auranka's bite."

"I noticed. Things are going to be so interesting around here."

Understatement of the century. Some thought it might take that long to stabilize our place in the Underdark, and either earlier or later, some might be curious to climb out of it.

"Depending on how things go," some would say. "If we don't lose bad, or just slide back into old habits."

"We won't go back," others said in defiance.

Many of those talking most were males who were starting to understand the new status for their sex at House Thalluen under Commander Vian. Others, as important, were those like my Mother and Matron Aurenthin, ready to stand for new standards among class, bloodline, and gender. Not everyone would win, they knew, but they didn't have to deny what they'd kept hidden for centuries. And if they didn't deny those ideas, what others might be out there, and what would happen when there were a few more choices?

I wouldn't get to watch, or be a part of it. I neither belonged nor felt comfortable resting in the Underdark, any more than Mourn did, and we had to get our small family somewhere safe enough to begin anew beneath the open Sky of which we'd dreamed so often already.

Jael's Mother came to us near the last moments, somehow managing to free herself of her many family members. Kennitha was radiant, in her element as her discoveries and powers grew along with her resources and status at my Mother's plantation. She was one of the younger Matrons overall, and it showed in the energy of her household, yet she managed to look so proud even of Mourn as she bid us well.

"I do apologize on behalf of my Daughters, Sirana," she said, and I nodded to her as she kept speaking. "They will have some good lessons to learn yet. I don't think they've seen any Drow refusing information on some intangible principle before, but it's an interesting concept. I like it." Kennitha smirked at Jael. "Then my To'vah-trained Blade Singer had to follow up and slam it home in a manner they have *always* understood."

Jael stuck out her jaw stubbornly, and Kennitha chuckled and pinched it.

"Mother!" she groused.

"Daughter," the Matron replied, smiling at both her and her mate. "Learn well from your Grandmaster. You are the first mage in a thousand years to learn these secrets, and I understand he was worked as hard for half as long to keep them alive. It is a great service to our line and our race."

She bowed her head to Mourn, to which he responded almost automatically, before looking back at Jael. "I will have no way of knowing whether any others of House Aurenthin will have the opportunity to learn, much less whether they will even be ready to handle magic! You leaped across the chasm when you found yours. Be too reckless and we may never meet you on the other side."

"No promises, Mother," Jael said plainly. "Though I don't plan to get killed."

"Of course not." Kennitha smiled beautifully. "Nonetheless, I hope to see you both again, and I hope to remain most proud of you, my youngest, as I am now. "

Jael seemed a little stunned at this, and stunned even more when her siblings—including the two she'd beaten up—and her cousins came to say goodbye and actually behaved around me. There were a few teases and jests but they gave ground easily.

"I'm in reverie," she grumbled as we were making final preparations.

"You drew a line," Mourn said. "They know it."

"Yeah, I know....just...I can't wait until we're alone at the Tower."

I looked forward to that myself, even managing to hold Vekika one last time, practicing a bit with the swaddled baby-bag on my back, which Mother and Gaelan had worked to make me one to take with me.

"Well balanced," I commented as my sister dozed.

"And she keeps the draft off," Rohenvi said amusedly, and I couldn't help but smile, imagining traipsing through the mountains with Ionne on my back this way.

I expected Ruk and Roh to have long, tight hugs for Gaelan and Natia when the time came, and accepted when they offered the same to me, Ruk embracing me first in a firm hold after I'd given Vekika back. What surprised me was when I thought the length appropriate and tried to draw away, he clasped tighter, holding me still.

"You have Jakrel's eyes, the same blue," he murmured in my ear. "And I must think all the proof that you must seek the Sky is in the color itself. Perhaps the same for us would have saved him."

Or perhaps it wouldn't have, not if the Abyss couldn't let us go without all of us tossing her toward that final edge ourselves.

I held my Father tighter, speechless as I drew his scent up and into my memory, and didn't draw away until he released me first.

My Mother was last, and she whispered again to me, "I am sorry, Sirana. Always remember you were born in honor of my beloved brother."

I swallowed the sudden, hard lump in my throat, taking in her scent as well. "I understand better. Thank you for talking."

I didn't think the next thing I wanted to say tested as well in voice, so I thought quietly, *I can forgive you. I'll never be or intend danger toward you or any family you make in this City.*

She sniffed softly. *Thank you...*

There was a knock at the door. "Enter!"

Eyin strode into the room, her common face warm and excited as intelligent eyes landed on me and my Priests. "Time to grab your kits, all. Morix says meeting at one and six in a sliver of a mark. The wilderness awaits!"

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A/N: I'm planning the full resolution out to Chapter 42. There's still more story and sex to come. ;)