Aleron's Escape

[Aleron Carle(Retired)]

The stone was cold in my hands, but where she had touched me was warm and I moved my own hand between her breasts, her heartbeat thrumming through my hand and into my body. "If my mind plots, yours hears. Keep yourself safe and happy, don't let the voices get to you. I ran to you, you can run to me; just call to me. I don't have anything to give you, but I will find something- I promise, trust in me."

My hand lifted, then went to caress her face, my eyes solemn and feeling. "I will try to listen if you will try and stay you," I said softly, kissing her on the forehead, then the cheek before moving my lips to hers again- it would be a time before I could do so again. This was going to seem like a long while.

[Riva Carle (R)]

I kissed him, clinging to him with only the kiss, afraid to cause him pain by grabbing on to any other part of him.

I was afraid, I didn't want him to go. I did not remember a time when I had peace for so long. The quiet that suffused me in his presences was like rain upon the desert sands and I thought I would wither away when it was gone.

I drew a shuddering breath when the kiss ended, somewhere finding the strength to move back from him.

"You should go before the House becomes to busy for you to slip out unnoticed. It would not cause problems for me, but I fear they would not be so kind with you."

[Aleron Carle(Retired)]

I nodded, turning and going without looking back for fear I would not be able to leave once her eyes caught mine. Out of the courtyard I slipped, my heart-voice begging me not to go, to take my chances, to just wait a little while longer- still, I knew this was not to be, and my brain began to work. Act this way, keep quiet, don't let yourself limp, stop feeling...it all blended together. I cast one last glance back at Gentian as I walked into Night's Doorstep, then made my way back to where I had to go and all of the things that awaited me.

[Riva Carle (R)]

I sat in the trees, my knees pulled up and my forehead resting on them as he left. I knew he wouldn't look back and I couldn't bear to watch him go.

I felt the quiet peace melting away like an icicle in the sun. The voices returned, though not as loud or as insistent as before.

There were voices in the courtyard too, children playing in the fountain. I wished there was someone I could talk to, someone who could help me understand these things I felt. But the only person who didn't look at me as if I was covered in scales had just left, to return to the woman made of ice and steel and ancient pain.

Tears welled in my eyes and dripped down onto my shift.