Raven’s Personal Log 2
I never imagined how hard it could be to write to my people. The feelings that are going through me the hurt, the hope, the dream. All the things we are taught lost in a moment. Yet lingering in the things I can not let them know. I guess I better log the events of the day better than I did in my report.
Lady Kara, Sir Cat, the Drake and Lord Cufean took me a place called “Paris”. Sir Cat changed from a cat man, to a handsome young. He had the hair of soft black but not of silk like Cufean. Cat had eyes of sweet green but not the shine of Cufean. He was human and not elf like Cufean. If I had meet him in this form first … but what ifs are silliness to think of. Even Cufean was quite pleased at his appearance. Almost as if they where brothers. Well back to the facts. It was a place of stone and steel and stale air. But the people where alive and happy and the sun shined brightly. We stopped at a little “café” a place in which you can buy food. I had wanted rolls and berry spread with sparkle juice but that isn’t what I got. As it seems in the land of green too much sweet (except in boysen berry pie) and a drink with a funny taste. But I tried to eat it all the same. The drink they gave was like fireberry wine except it tickled the noise and wasn’t hot but still put you besides your mind.
We were seated at a table outside the “Cote Siene” in Paris. Across the river we could see a place called Notre Dame in the fading light on the evening sun. The meal was different and everyone sat sipping the wine drink and talking of life. Kara and Drakeon were across the street having their portrait sketched by one of the many artists found on the Left Bank. Sir Cat longed for Lady Kara and she didn’t notice his pain. Cufean asked me why I didn’t eat but my head was still spinning in the juice I had drank. He made light playful comments about my lack of readiness for this world. But he added, “I hope that your land never comes to what we have become.” That one statement sent chills down my spine but I was sure he didn’t understand the dark ones that well. The heavy clothing he dressed me called a “suit” became too uncomfortable to stand. So much cloth and for some reason I felt unusual warm in the cool breeze.
The one who brought us the food laid a paper before Cufean and we disgust the coin of the realm. It seems that only the gold coin can let us sustain here. I showed off the fine coins of my land by pouring them over the table, only I forgot the dream stone was in the bag. I placed it back in as the coins where examined and when the value was reached I placed my treasure back into my bag. Not enough to live on for a year but a good start. As we talked about costs and shelter, sweet Sir Cat offered me lodging. My heart felt happy at this, to be with the ones so good but of course I would trade for the honor.
A couple strolled up the river walk near us. Cufean glanced up at the two. “Fellow Americans” he said and I wondered what an American was but kept my tongue. ” My name is Aaron Wayne, we haven’t met.” Cufean said. A lie or does this land give many names to one? He told me Cufean and another Archer and another Ghost Archer and now he is Aaron Wayne, How many more names does he hold? At first I blurted out and asked whom Aaron was than realized what was meant. He asked Scott and Amanda to join us. I looked at this man “Scott” he seemed to be physically okay for mating. The conversation was boring Cufean was playing some sort of game with this man and than he mention the female of the stone. I was totally had forgotten and spoke it too ” The girl… I forgot the girl”. Cufean squeezed my hand and I knew I had misspoken. So I did the only smart thing to do I said, “Please excuse me I need to find a refresh room.”
The acknowledge came and I went off to explore. I entered the café and slipped back out and wandered down the street still with in sight of my companions. There was an older man playing music from a stringed box that he caressed like a female. The sounds so sweet and so alive I couldn’t help but to join with it in song. When he heard my words he smiled and winked and played even more rapturous. The people started to toss coins in a box that lay next to him and applaud loudly when the music fell silent. The old man smiled at me. Then shoveled some coins into my hands and spoke words I did not study but I smiled back and bowed slightly to him and ran back to the table with my new treasure.
Scott wasted no time when I returned and asked me of my name and I said “Raven of …” then remembered Cufean would not be pleased. But Cufean spoke quickly finishing my sentence, “San Francisco”. Scott raised a look at that answer but inquired, “Hey uh. You guys want to come to my wedding?” Cufean leaned over and whispered in my ear” Marrage is a custom where two people pledge themselves to one another and only one another for life”. More prattle went on and the couple left the table. I drank a little more of my drink and it put me beside myself again. I must remember never to drink that again. It was a wonderful day and the start of wonderful night.
The sky to the east light up suddenly, followed by an almost instantly explosion, causing the earth to shake. I quickly ducked under the table and said, “me thinks the shopping is off.” The umbrella of the table crumpled as the masonry smashed into it. Stone and rubble rained down from the sky in the whole of the area. Cufean rolled under the table, covering me like a protector.
The people on the streets stared across the river for a few moments then panicked, running, screaming and seeking shelter. Many fell to the ground as they were hit by flying debris. I opened my minds eye to see the people and find the evil as Kara and Cat took on new forms to aid all. I found nothing but the torn and anguished minds of the innocent. Another explosions rumble across the Seine.
The others had leapt into action but I had stayed to long under the warmth of Cufean, it was my duty to protect and aid. I crawled from beneath him and ripped the clothes I wore to bind the wounds of the fallen.
He to followed and lent aid. Cufean ran across the street to where the musician lay in a pool of blood. I followed him. I ripped the remainder of the skirt to bind him. “Where are the dark ones who have done this?” I demanded. But no answer for me to have.
Person to person crying in pain and covered in blood. Soon I wore only the close of my people and than I saw it. A small body under stone. Tears filled my eyes and my worry grew. Cufean must have been watching me because he was at my side as I lifted the frail one out of the debris. Cufean examined the child for a long time and his eyes closed and tears rolled down his cheek. I cried in full as I did the day Josho was brought back and his flame was no longer with in his shell. I stared at Cufean and he spoke in a foreign tongue, “Ishtar protégent cet enfant, la prennent dans votre coeur et l’observent au-dessus d’elle. Elle est votre enfant maintenant”. I grew angry and Cufean open his eyes and stared into mine for a long moment then bounced to his feet, with his jaw tight. I demanded again,” Where is this Dark ones that kills the babies?”
He replied,” We’ll find them…”
I open my minds eye and found many trapped and dying beneath the rubble. I traveled through the stone with my mind trying to reach them. Crying now in anger and rage. Cufean joined me and went down in the ground and brought back one with him. I pointed out where the people where and he saved them. Others joined the search and I pointed for them too. Even though I help in saving a few lives I failed to protect all that died around me. I could never be the great proctor like my parent had been, how could I ever of thought I was worthy to be a seeker? It was over and I was torn inside.
“Cufean?” I questioned.
“Yes,” he replied.
“Why Cufean?” He pulled me into his arms and held me tight.
Cufean quietly whispered, “I have no idea.”
“Do you know who?” I asked trembling in his strong arms my blood warming.
“No, I don’t know. It is called terrorism and is a fact of life in this world.”
Valoki swoop down and sat upon Cufean’s head. Cufean looked up at the dragonette and growled.
Cufean spoke,” Spock…take us home please….”
The four of us dematerialize and reassemble in a large library. My spirit was tired but not my mind. I could see the ash, soot and dry blood on all but Kara but she smelled of a rank swill. The others left to their own rooms. Cufean lead me out of the Library into his bedroom. Then into the bathroom, flipping on the lights. I saw myself in his huge looking glass. This bathroom had a gigantic tub surrounded by a plethora of plants. “Now is your chance to try that bath.” Cufean said holding me a foot away. He turned the knobs and started the water flowing in the tub. Out of a cubbyhole he pulled towels and a robe laid them on the side of the tub. I looked at the floor slowly lifting my eyes up wards, traveling from his feet to his lovely eyes.
“Raven…take a bath…relax…get clean…I’ll go get you something to drink and be back in a few minutes.”
“I know not of a bath. It is not how we clean.” I lowered my head back down and looked at the floor. He took me by the shoulders
“It’s easy… Take off your clothes…climb into the tub and lay back in the water…”
I removed my top and stripped my boots off. Ghost Archer smiled wryly. He reached over and turned the water off. I slipped into the luke warm water as he directed. “This world has a nudity taboo.” I asked why. He answered “I can’t really say why…far to complex even for me.” He uncapped a bottle called “shampoo”. “I’ll explain something to you” he continued “You asked about marriage in Paris when we were talking to Scott and Amanda.” I nodded. “It is like I said…where two pledge themselves to each other. For life. I am not married…I never have been.” His voice tight,” The only woman I would have married…died. Love causes this pledge.” He poured flower smelling liquid in to a cloth and had me wipe it all over.
I could see this hurt him to talk about so I asked question to inquire of his bloodline and if we could be to close. He saw I was troubling with hidden questions. I had never asked this of a man before and I wasn’t sure how. He wiped my face with the cloth and it was a gentle touch. I was lost in his eyes but I need to talk. I stepped out of the pool of water and pulled him into the looking glass. I stood behind him and pleaded to the flame for him to have the sight. And asked him what he saw. He did not see what I did. He did ask, “Do you see the man so deeply in love that he abandons the world to find that love?” I knew not of this love he talked. I needed to think of how to explain and in a way his meanings might be close to mine. He told me to wash my locks and I bent over to wet my head over the side of the tub and did as he told. I could feel him watching me in silence.
Okay I had the courage now, “Can you reproduce?” He conformed he could. “What would make you choose to” He replied “love”. This pained him and tears ran on his face I took the tear and tasted his pain.
He opened his eyes and swallowed hard and mumbled instructions and left the room.
I hurt him. I felt so foolish, I was not bold enough, I could do nothing right. Did he not understand the need of my people to grow strong? Did he not understand my duty? I know I was the first seeker to leave without given of their seed but I was chosen. The need to great to wait. Yes I wanted to believe that is why I asked but I didn’t understand these strange new feelings erupting in me. The warmth growing in my blood. I gathered my things and dressed only what was mine and made my way to the forest of the cold green. I held back tears, of my own, by singing the song of the lonely. I missed the loving embrace of my people. My dream was not true. I would never feel the touch of joy carrying his seed. Some where off in the distance I heard a reply. It was not an echo but a reply of his strong male voice reaching across the still woods. I fell silent and felt all the more alone. I was a fool, unworthy of the trust of my people, unworthy of the seed of the man of my dreams. I held sweet Valoki close to me, only him, as only him to understand my pains. I felt so out of place trying to understand their strange customs.
Cufaen approached beneath the tree I sat and spoke, “Why do you sing such a song, Raven of the Fireoak Forest?”
“Because I am alone.” I thought but said, “because as in the … my forest I am here one unto itself.”
He did not understand and came up the tree to be with me. Oh, how I longed for his lips to press against mine. His arms to hold me through the night. He pressed on to find my troubles. So I did speak, “My own mind wanted something to the point of believing that this would be the place for it to be. My tongue is not good as the books I learned is not yours, but close. I am not worthy to be a seeker. I have only done wrong. I have pained my lord.” He took his cloak and placed it over me, I was cold and still wet and he took notice but I continued, “I have made a jester of my self. I can’t answer you because you can not see in the looking glass.” He brought forth a looking glass from the air and I tried to explain again. He said he understood but I really didn’t think so. So I decided to make my dream real, “I am willing to mate, a seeker is allowed to do so.”
He just smiled and said, “I am allowed to mate as well … and do so … as often as I can …”
“But it takes love to procreate for you?” I wanted to understand but in the forest you only mated for the seed
“To me…love come first ” More things was said but he also said, “I wanted children with the woman I love.”
He asked me many question of home, the first seeker, and of this LOVE. The most important thing in the world to him very cherished Love.
He asked “What have you seen, Raven? What is your dream?”
” I see eyes of green and hair of darken silk,” I ran my hand through his hair, “Non other than me I am one unto myself. You are not of this land but it is your home and you are one unto yourself.”
Cufean lifted into the air, holding me, and floated to the earth setting me on my feet. I closed my eyes to hold my dream inside. Did he understand I wanted to be one unto him because he was me?
“I do not reject you, Raven. It is that my heart bares too many scars and yet heals…”
” You can keep you heart unto itself ”
” Raven…I cannot go to the Fireoak Forest…not under your terms.” he softly said as breaking bad news.
“I did not ask you to. I asked for the seed that would make my people strong and I will not be the alone.”
” You would have my child….”
“It would be an honor to me and my people.”
“Raven … I do not tell you ‘no'”
He gave me hope, to keep my dream. He flew me back to his room. He left me in his room of books where I read and wrote for a long span of time and Lord Cufean went on a hunt. I hope his search if fruitful where mine is just a hope