Personal Log 10<\/p>\n
(Morning thoughts of Raven’s new people as she played with her son)<\/p>\n
The days slipped by. The green had calm and I grew closer to the people I called friends. Kara had finally moved in. Little Sister had developed an attachment that is very strong to Valoki or is it him that had the attachment. I know his heart and did not worry. He is unto me for all times and I unto him but each of us unto ourselves and free to do as the spirit of the flame directed us.<\/p>\n
Mystic seemed ever the watcher over all of us but he has been staying gone for longer spans of time. My spirit aches when he is gone. I understand, that his spirits guide him into unknown paths. If the spirits of his people call, he will go. His heart is good, he is a teacher, a healer and unto his own, much the way I should be. My spirit is at ease with him. No words seem needed to tell him of my heart, he seems to understand his place within.<\/p>\n
William is working harder and harder for my duty. Every waking minute he is speaking to me of the trade. Mostly he thinks I am over my head in it, I don’t understand his words but he goes each night and stand protector over the Seeker. It makes him happy to go with me. I will not allow his smile to fade. He is my first mate. Sometimes I feel strange when he looks into my eyes or holds me in his arms. The acts are normal for people to do but there is something within him I don’t fully understand and he will not let me there. So much pain has he always known, I think he is just adjusting, as I am, to the new way of life. His heart is open to me but is also closed.<\/p>\n
Linda makes her list of things she wants. William retrieves all that she needs but not nearly the things she wants. They are a pair to watch. The words they have are quite humorous to listen too. It is a joyous sound that fills the air in this empty warehouse forest. She seems happy to tend to Josho. She is learning well of my people’s ways and she is so willing to learn the lessons of the mating.
\nI know, though she has experience in the art, that she is not ready yet for the teachings. The green moved to quickly in her life, she needs to be a young before she is ready.<\/p>\n
Sweet little Josho, you are my light in the darkness of the green. I look into your eyes and see all what life means. The smile on your face can ease all, even that of my burning. I look unto you sweet brown eyes and wonder if my parent felt the same. Some day I will bare a child but none will take your place. You have stolen me away into your soft giggle. I hear you speaking to me and you draw me into your mind. You are pure unto the flame and I wish you to be for all times to come. My son of the green, one unto your father you must be.<\/p>\n
My mind came back into focus when the radio sounded<\/p>\n
Drakeon radios “Hey group got info for ya.”<\/p>\n
Josho fell as I stood him and William laughed as he slipped his arm around my waist. John, now a younger man, walked in to play with his grandson. I waited for the radio to speak again.<\/p>\n
I grew impatient and radioed, “What Drake?”<\/p>\n
Drakeon radioed “1st capital bank is about to be robbed. I think we should stop the robbery.”<\/p>\n
I radioed. “What is a robbery?”<\/p>\n
Drakeon radioed back “People are stealing things from others that do not belong to one”<\/p>\n
Little brother chimed in over his radio; “It’s a dark thing.”<\/p>\n
Archer radioed, “Drakeon…speak standard…<\/p>\n
His voice echoed in my ears. On the radio I spoke, “Yes, I will get John to take me there.”<\/p>\n
I placed my son in William’s arms and he kissed me on the check. He whispered into my ear, “Keep your pretty head low.” Valoki flew to my shoulder as I pulled up the hood of my cloak. John took me out to the car, he had out side.<\/p>\n
Archer radioed, “Okay. So tell me where this bank is…”<\/p>\n
I felt a lump in my throat and gave my radio to John. His eyes looked sad as he received the instructions from Cufaen. John drove in silence as I replaced my radio. John pulled up and ran around to let me out of the door. Cufean was already waiting. I looked into Cufean’s eyes with out thought and was lost. It was if no time had past, I was again softly burning.<\/p>\n
Cufaen looked back in mine speaking softly, “Hello, little elf…”<\/p>\n
Valoki hissed at him and screamed, “You got to stay away from him. Raven! Valoki to Raven … Come in Raven. For the sake of the flame at least wave bye to John.” I turned my head but it was too late. John was already driving away. I mumbled a greeting in my native tongue.<\/p>\n
Archer smiled and bowed to Valoki, “And you, little dragon.”<\/p>\n
Valoki hissed lightly at him. In my mind Valoki spoke, “I will never understand what makes you burn for this over sized troll.” Valoki took to the sky.<\/p>\n
“Which one is a bank?” I questioned as Cat bounced next to us. I opened my mind eyes to scan the area.<\/p>\n
“Raven…can you Mind scan the bank?”<\/p>\n
I smiled to myself as the likeness we thought at that moment. It was just after the green took the mid meal and the flux of people was still too much for my mind to follow. Archer loosen his katana in the scabbard. I watched with my own eyes and saw many entering the building called the bank and none ever seemed to leave.<\/p>\n
“Cufaen, why do people go in and don’t come out?” I asked, forgetting his title I was so much wanting to be closer. “Think we should enter too??”<\/p>\n
Archer watched the bank closely. “How many people have gone in?”<\/p>\n
I was slipping. Drake had arrived and I did not take note.<\/p>\n
Drakeon, “I will go.” He volunteered.<\/p>\n
“Quite a few.” I replied, “I do not number them but not one came out for a while.”<\/p>\n
Archer spoke quickly, “Can you go invisible, Drakeon?”<\/p>\n
Drakeon snorted, “Of course not.”<\/p>\n
Ghost Archer growled. I took Archers hand and became nothing unto the eyes of all.<\/p>\n
Drakeon retorted to the growl,” They would not expect me there, as long as I don’t purposely make a point on drawing attention. Also I was told it was going to be. Who said it was in progress?”<\/p>\n
Archer shook his head as he directed, “Cat…can you get across the street and to the far end of that building.” Archer pointed east.” take a look down the back side of the buildings…”<\/p>\n
“Ok I’ll do my best.” Cat headed off.”<\/p>\n
Drakeon smugly asked, “Ok ghost where do you want me to go then?” Ghost Archer pointed west.<\/p>\n
“Drakeon…can you go west and work your way north along the back side of those buildings.” Archer gave his order.<\/p>\n
“Ok. Radio for changes in course though.” Drakeon added.<\/p>\n
“Four dark ones, my love.” I slipped again with my tongue but my mind eyes had finally moved through the stone and steel that hampered it, “Seventeen innocent.”<\/p>\n
“Where?” Archer spoke quickly, “The four…”<\/p>\n
“Within the walls.” I interrupted.<\/p>\n
“None outside?”<\/p>\n
“That is all I can see in my minds eye this far.” I felt as if I was failing him, “I can not tell with so many here.”<\/p>\n
Archer grinned, as some new plot formed into his head “Okay…stay invisible…Raven and work your way north from here…stay on this side of the street… you are not to attack anyone by hand… your mental powers..” I released his hand and moved down the street keeping close to the buildings and avoiding the people. The street was almost empty now so movement was easy.<\/p>\n
Cat radioed, “Ok, where do you want me?”<\/p>\n
Archer radioed back, “Where are you Cat? Drakoen, report your location.”<\/p>\n
Drakeon radioed, “I am proceeding up the west building on the south.”<\/p>\n
Cat radioed, “Southeast corner of the bank.”<\/p>\n
Archer radioed, “Stop when you get a good view of the bank, both of you.”<\/p>\n
Archer radioed, “Raven, where are you?” Archer appeared beside Cat. .”What’s the back look like?” he asked cat but I could hear his voice in my ear. “Cat, can you watch the back?”<\/p>\n
Drakeon radioed, “I am on the northern side of the bank any where else you want me?”<\/p>\n
Archer radioed, “Drakeon…can you watch the north wall?”<\/p>\n
Drakeon radioed, “I am watching it now.”<\/p>\n
Archer radioed, “Drakeon, 20”<\/p>\n
Drakeon radioed back; “I am currently standing in middle of the north wall watching both sides. I am about to teleport to the roof to watch from there”<\/p>\n
Ghost Archer radioed, “Stay on the ground. Any windows?”<\/p>\n
Drakeon radioed back, “Not that I can see.<\/p>\n
I rested on a light pole across from the glass door. I let my mind eyes down losing the life forces I followed. I reached out to Archer and prayed he would here my mind speaking to him. Within his mind I said, “Archer, There are a couple windows, but they’re mostly covered with ads for opening a new checking account. There is fourteen people laying on the floor, and one person in a cream yellow button up shirt, blue jeans and a cowboy hat looking out at all of them. He’s holding a pistol and looks bored. The Vault in the back is open.” I closed the link before he could reply. I had to keep my mind clear of his clouding. I open my mind eyes.<\/p>\n
Archer pressed his back to the wall and moved north along the face of the building to the door.
\nHe dropped to his knee and peered through the door. The radio was sounding with voices as I watched my love go into danger. Something welled inside me, I did not have the control, and I just acted as it did so long ago. My mind open with the force of a blast and went forth to the gunman.
\nThe man I lashed out to just smiled then shouted something towards the vault. He seemed unfazed by my attack. In fact, he no longer appeared bored.<\/p>\n
I spoke within Archers mind once more, “He is unaffected by my minds harm.”<\/p>\n
Drakeon radioed, “GA you want me to break the wall in or anything while waiting here?”
\nGhost Archer radioed, “Don’t break anything…Cat, can you follow me in, I am going through the wall…Drakeon…how quickly can you get in and get to the vault? Drakeon, if you can, slam the door to the vault and hold it… I followed staying one to the nothingness of others sight.”<\/p>\n
Archer slipped and arrow from the quiver and notched it. He desolidified, rolling through the wall, coming up in a kneeling stance, aiming at the man and fired a stun arrow at the guy. His arrow flew straight and true, passing through the man’s chest and flying past him as if he weren’t there.<\/p>\n
He looked down at his chest and smiled, looking back at Ghost “Bout time you fellas showed up, we all were getting’ bored waitin’ fer ya’s.”<\/p>\n
I sent an illusion of my self dressed in my native clothes ahead of me, the illusion slide behind the men as I made my way down the wall slipping pass Cat and Archer.<\/p>\n
The man with the gun glanced at the gun and smiled, tucking it away “Howdy y’all. I’m Triumph.” He took a very insulting old-fashioned boxing stance “Who’s the first victim?” A very loud BOOM sounded, as part of the vault exploded outward, showing a very very large man looking confused.<\/p>\n
Drakeon radioed, “This guy I am fighting is called Brute impressive strength.”<\/p>\n
Archer calmly pulled another arrow and notched it. “We can try that again….” Archer targeted Triumph and loosen his arrow. Triumph just smiled and did not budge; watching the arrow as it hit him. For a brief instant, his skin took on the consistency of steel. He glanced down at his chest and rubbed it “Hmm … cool, never seen that one before.”<\/p>\n
Archer grinned, “Got more …”<\/p>\n
Cat jumped at the man and doing a spin kick. His leg never connecting.<\/p>\n
Triumph just smiled and gave Cat a little wave “Hi.”<\/p>\n
I looked to the one called Brute and jumped into his mind. Filling the control on him. I demanded aloud. “Attack Triumph.”<\/p>\n
His mind rebelled, I had asked too much. Brute screamed, “NO! Triumph Friend! Brute not hurt friend! GRRRRR!”<\/p>\n
Valoki swooped down to try his best but failed. Triumph glanced around to see what he felt on his backside, shrugging and looked back at Cat “Well howdy son, you shore look eager ta meet me.” He smiled and just stood there.<\/p>\n
Cat smarted off, “Why not me? No one else would.”<\/p>\n
Archer spoke as if in he was chatting to a friend, “I gotta admit, Triumph…You can take a lickin.”
\nHe pulled another arrow. Triumph crossed his arms and waited expectantly. Archer casually notched the arrow. “Now just hold still…”<\/p>\n
Triumph smiled as the arrow flew at him, and suddenly time seemed to stand still. He brought his hand up, caught the arrow, tossing it aside. He blinked; looking a bit surprised then smirked at Ghost Archer, striking a very bad Karate pose “Hiiiyaaaa…. Shucks son, ya have ta do better’n dat.”
\nCat took his chance, this strike catching flesh. Triumph blinked as Cat made contact. He scowled “Damnation son! You done actually hit me! I don’ like that!”<\/p>\n
“Ah GA… Do you think we have problems here?” Cat smiled a little nervously. Cat did another kick. Triumph didn’t seem to move as he shifted his head ever so slightly as for his foot to miss its target.<\/p>\n
Archer reached over his shoulder and fingered an arrow. He slipped the arrow out and laid it to the string. Slowly he pulled the bow up. Archer drew a bead on Triumph and at the last moment shifted fire to Brute’s head. Brute’s head snapped back from the blow and he blinked stupidly.<\/p>\n
I had open my minds eye once more to try and take control of Triumph. As my mind touched him. I felt another blocking me and holding my touch away. I felt an angry welling inside me. I believe the term is, I was pissed off. “Sir Triumph let the people leave. Please Sir Triumph let these people go.”<\/p>\n
Triumph spun to look at Brute and scratched his head in wonder, turning back to chuckle at Ghost “Well shee-oot boy, First time I seen ole Brute dere knocked silly.” He glanced at Raven “Can’t do that Lady, mah job ain’t done yet.” He gave a mysterious smile and pulled his pistol out, aiming it at a nearby person “Who’s next?”<\/p>\n
Drakeon grinned. Archer moved into Triumph. Cat reached out for the gun, his hand going right through Triumph’s<\/p>\n
Drakeon smirked, “Well brute I hate to fight and run but my friends need me.” Drakeon teleported away.<\/p>\n
Triumph shook his head at Ghost and Cat “Ya all are startin’ ta get annoyin, ya knows that?” He points his pistol at the closest hostage and says “Don’t move or I shoot.”<\/p>\n
“Really?” Archer asked, “Why?”<\/p>\n
I became solid to the eye, “No shoot me if you must kill.”<\/p>\n
Triumph blinked at Ghost “What?”<\/p>\n
“Why shoot?” Archer shrugged, “We obviously are nothing more than a moment of play for you…”<\/p>\n
“I told ya, you all are annoyin’ the trail dust outta me. Now y’all back off nice an easy or the broad buys it.”<\/p>\n
“You could leave anytime you want …” Archer began, ever himself with questions on his lips, “So why are you hanging around?”<\/p>\n
“Hell son, my idea of play is two redheads, a blonde and a brunette in a hot tub with three empty bottles of booze. You all are just a job ta me.”<\/p>\n
Cat pointed at me saying, “Is that a good start?”<\/p>\n
I looked in the eyes of Triumph.<\/p>\n
“So do your job and get the hell out …” Archer stated. “So … you going to just stand there looking all macho and shit or are you going to get the hell out of here?”<\/p>\n
Triumph spoke, “You know well as I, you wouldn’t just let me walk outta here …”<\/p>\n
Cat grumbled “As if we could stop you.”<\/p>\n
Ghost Archer smiled “Why not? I’m not the cops … and if it saves a single life. I will.”<\/p>\n
I let a question slip from my lips, “Sir Triumph, will you at least tell me what your job is?”<\/p>\n
Archer continued, “So go ahead … hit the trail …”<\/p>\n
Triumph smirked “You goody two shoes don’t get it. It’s about the money. It’s always about the money.”<\/p>\n
Ghost Archer laughed, “Money? So…where is it? Your pet gorilla got it all?”<\/p>\n
Cat stood staring at the gun pointing at the woman on the floor. Archer flexed his hand and the bow disappeared.<\/p>\n
I moved in close till I could feel my own hot breath returning to me. I looked deep into his eyes. I raised my hand to the one that held the gun. Archer looked at me. As I reach for Triumph’s hand, he switched targets, now pointing the gun directly at my forehead “Ah ah ah babe, I wouldn’t if I were you.”<\/p>\n
Still within his eyes I spoke, “I rather you do it to me,”<\/p>\n
Archer smiled, “Or me, Triumph … I have a bigger rep …”<\/p>\n
Still fixed on only Triumph, “Let them go and I will stay with no struggle.”<\/p>\n
Ghost Archer spoke, “I can’t let that happen, Raven …<\/p>\n
“I am a Seeker.” I spoke never leaving the eyes of the gunman.<\/p>\n
Ghost Archer sounded, “And I am a Protector …”<\/p>\n
“And so am I,” I still stayed in the eyes of Triumph, “You say you want money, than why hold the people? They have none.”<\/p>\n
Ghost Archer spoke as if to the air, “I’d give him everything in this building.”<\/p>\n
Drakeon growled.<\/p>\n
“Shut up, Drakeon.” Archer snapped. He scratched his chin.<\/p>\n
A brief flash of light by the vault drew the attention of the others I stayed in his eyes. They saw a woman clad in a brown one-piece leotard, with the left half of her torso covered in a silvery half-circle. Her face was covered by a mask, but her black hair spills out of the costume and down her shoulders.<\/p>\n
Triumph chuckled “Well shee-oot, looks like mah rides here. It’s been fun y’all, toodles.”<\/p>\n
“Later, Triumph,” Archer spoke as if he knew that they would meet again. The lady, Triumph, Brute and one of the ‘hostages’ all disappear in a flash of light.<\/p>\n
Archer reached down to help up the nearest person on the floor. Drakeon moved around untying people.<\/p>\n
“I guess the hostage might have been the one of the other ones in here.” Cat asked, “Can you tell Raven? I guess we still have to act like he was here to do business.”<\/p>\n
“There was 4 and 4 left” I spoke, “By the flame we were able to save the innocent.”<\/p>\n
Archer nodded “Yup …” He agreed. Archer helped up another.<\/p>\n
Valoki came to me, landing on my shoulder. “I will meet you all at the mansion. I have been my normal help of none.” I opened my locket and was gone.<\/p>\n
I entered the sands I had stayed so long with out and stood in the flame. I had not come here in order to keep from running into him. The man of my dreams was in the green and I could not hide from him. The path of fate drove us together. He had said it himself. The burning was cooled and I returned to the Mansion room, clean and refreshed. I looked at the bed in the room. I sat on it and than laid down. I was right much too soft to sleep well in one. I went down the stairs to where I heard the spirit Spock speak. “Sweet Spock can you please take me to my warehouse forest?” The kind spirit took me to my home of the green.<\/p>\n
I changed to my clothes of the green and cold and left to collect all that I needed to for this night. William followed closely behind me. I made my path to my deliveries and pick-ups. I walked quickly into an apartment building. William leaned in the doorway as I hit the stairs to ascend.<\/p>\n
I heard his voice coming from behind me. “Where the hell?” Archer spoke.<\/p>\n
“Yo! Babes! We have company.” William called out to me. I turned to look at the tall shadow in the darken hall.<\/p>\n
“Hello, William …”<\/p>\n
William shrugged, “Hi there.”<\/p>\n
Archer stepped up to me; his eyes scanning the place we stood “Hi …”<\/p>\n
“Good evening, Cufaen.”<\/p>\n
Ghost Archer spoke, “I just finished that analysis … it’s pretty scary stuff … Deadly … It kills … slowly. I was able to identify nine different poisons.”<\/p>\n
I looked to William speaking in his mind and he came to me and said, “Okay but only this time girl.”<\/p>\n
“I can’t see what all the effects would be.” Archer stopped his report and questioned, “Only this time?” He looked back at me.<\/p>\n
I hugged William passing my package as he continued up the stairs. Archer narrowed his eyes, as he watched William disappear up the winding staircase.<\/p>\n
“Let’s go else where to talk of this. ” I suggested.<\/p>\n
Archer nodded, “Yes, I think so … Spock. Take us to the tower.” We materialized beside each other, high atop a tower, the forest, formal gardens and Manor spread out in all directions. The top of the tower was crenellated with a single opening to the stairs leading down.<\/p>\n
Archer’s face was very serious. “Tell me about those vials now.” He ordered.<\/p>\n
“You are the one studying them.”<\/p>\n
Archer cut me off, “Tell me why you wanted them.”<\/p>\n
“It is lovely up here,” I looked out to gather my words to explain.<\/p>\n
“Yeah … lovely …” his tone told me he was not going to wait for an answer.<\/p>\n
“You hate my people as is.” I started with his question stopping me.<\/p>\n
“Hate your people? I don’t hate them … I don’t know them to hate them …”<\/p>\n
“I don’t know the words to tell you. You said you would destroy the people if you ever went there.” I so wanted him to finish his report, “Nine poisons I understood you say the vials had and it kills slowly. What use it than?”<\/p>\n
“It increases strength and reflexes … increases speed … and it burns out the body and mind.” Archer turned, placing a foot on the lower part of the wall, staring out into the distance.<\/p>\n
“The way of the dark, the ends justifies the means.” I placed my hand on top of his. His coolness against my warmth. He glanced towards me.<\/p>\n
“Not always. The ends do not justify the means.”<\/p>\n
“In the eyes of the light of course not but in the eyes of the dark it does.” I caught my breath; “I am learning.”<\/p>\n
“You and I are very different, Raven, we are from different worlds, different beyond your understanding.” Archer turned taking both my hands.<\/p>\n
“No, I am understanding.”<\/p>\n
Archer gently pushed me back until I step on something soft. “Sit … I want to show you something.”<\/p>\n
I looked down at the furs and sat upon them. I wondered it this was the blessed place of his love Thistle and if so he honored me to the highest. He sat facing me sitting upon the furs. I stroke the pelts with my fingers.<\/p>\n
My sweet Cufaen was with me speaking; “I want you to look into my mind. As deeply as you can. See what I feel … how my mind works. See what I have seen and done and been …”<\/p>\n
“Why do you wish me to invade you?”<\/p>\n
His words so soft to my ears, “See people I have known … places I have been. Because … you need to know so much.” He touched my cheek and I moved into the touch. It felt so good. “And you cannot get life from books. You will see how I see the world.”<\/p>\n
Part of me did not want what might slip from me to him but he was my dream I had to, “I will do it for you. I can not refuse you.” I opened my mind gently into his as I felt his mind freely open unto me. A little of my thoughts slipped and I sealed it off.<\/p>\n
He spoke with in my mind, *Raven, do not hid yourself.*<\/p>\n
I spoke in his *as you wish my love.* I opened my self unto his mind and the floodgate of pain of the burning struck him and caused him to gasp. I pulled quickly from him as he shook in the new pain. He squeezed my hands. I was filled in terror at the look across his face. “I hurt you!”<\/p>\n
Cufaen looked into my eyes, his filled with tears. “No. I have hurt you.”<\/p>\n
“I should have tried to refuse you.” I tried to pull from him.<\/p>\n
He help my hands and closed his eyes “Come back …”<\/p>\n
“Forgive me.” I begged.<\/p>\n
Cufaen whispers “Come back …” I slowly entered again with my mind, trying not to allow the full wash of it out. Cufean spoke in my mind *do not hide … Let it out …* I opened it a little more trying to release my mind slower. I scanned the surface of his again as I allowed only the surface of mine.<\/p>\n
The mind compare began. He offered a sweet memory of the love his has for Thistle. It is warm and gentle, but hurt so deeply I felt as if my heart would burst. It remind me of the lost of Josho to compare. He changed the thought showing me the beauty of the forest, of walking hand and hand, of making love … showed me his sisters, his mother, his father … his City on the edge of eternity. I had my forest of fire but a void with love, void of family, at least in the way he saw it. I showed him the happiness of the people. The belonging one unto the other as little sisters and brothers. We were one but each was one unto themselves. He showed me the Road. That barren wasteland he traveled though the dimensions on, the wreckage of school buses, all numbered 21. My mind sprung in recognition of the road I had traveled to be here. The move shifted as he showed me a time long ago, when he lived in the forests and fought with good friends against tyranny. Archer showed me war, war he saw with a beautiful young girl that nursed him back to himself and then became a life long friend … Ghost showed me a time of great castles, men in armor, fighting on horseback, and dying by the scores … of a great man that led the realm and how they had quarrel … on the pain felt at the loss of that friendship. My mind sealed, as I had nothing to show him. Ghost Archer showed me religion, some wonderful but most evil and corrupt. In his mind, I remembered the words of warning of Lebleg Never involve myself in the religious. He showed me how people are manipulated by the powerful, how those that serve are kept in the dark and unknowing of a better way of life. Archer showed me powerful men that use others for their own gain. The new rules Lebleg added of what was dark, spilled into his mind.<\/p>\n
I pulled my mind back a step. My brain swirled and my veins burned but I did not leave him. Ghost Archer showed me Arda, his mother world, ruled by elves, where everyone has value and each has freedom to pursue happiness in their life, how the great of this world do not wield a velvet fist but truly share all with everyone. I saw elves, dancing in the moonlight, happy, free and loving. My heart lighten to see those like my own. Ghost Archer showed me that all in his heart for others. That they have the right to be free, to love, to be happy, to have families, children. He showed me a man with a strange little moustache and the hate he generated, of those that condemned and killed because one did not agree with all that was preached by those in power. My mind slipped and I saw the dagger again in my hand and the feel of the skin giving way to my thrust. I tried to pull out of the mind but he now had a hold on mine.<\/p>\n
Archer’s mind played on, the few he has killed … and the sorrow he felt because of it. He held me close and played a dream of children and a love to spend a lifetime with. He showed me hope. I looked at the green eyes and of him in the mind eyes and of the black lock boy bounding to me with the same green eyes but something is in the corner of my own minds eye. I tore away from the link.<\/p>\n
Cufaen’s eyes snapped open, “Raven? What was it?”<\/p>\n
“Nothing,” I shook as my mind raced with all that now flooded it.<\/p>\n
He took my chin in his hand and pulled my head up till our eyes did meet and I was lost even thorough the tears I could not hold back. “Tell me about it …”he softly requested, “I have seen the steel eyes…”<\/p>\n
Yes the eyes that haunt me. The cold steel eyes that appeared in my dreams right before the dark would come on me. I shivered and spoke, “They will be my death as you are my life.” He kissed the corner of my eyes, tasting the tears. “I am doomed.” He shook his head. “The living art has doomed me.” I ran my hand along my skin.<\/p>\n
“You cannot tell me? Or will not?” He asked.<\/p>\n
“I can refuse you nothing but I fear.”<\/p>\n
He looked into my eyes, “What do you fear?<\/p>\n
“Hurting you.” I paused, “you rejecting me.”<\/p>\n
“I do not think that will happen.” he grinned. “No matter how hard I try to see my life without you.” He pulled the chain around his neck and reveals the staff and stone. “This tells me differently.” Archer dropped the chain, the two bouncing lightly against his chest. “Then I should embrace my Fate?”<\/p>\n
“Would you?” I was sure I heard wrong.<\/p>\n
Cufaen smiled slightly, “I don’t think I have a choice.”<\/p>\n
“But all have a choice.” I corrected. “It just hurts more when you have to return later.”<\/p>\n
He shook his head. “My heart will betray me. Someday soon. I will awaken to you and be overwhelmed.” I smiled at the thought of it. To awake with him and bask in the embrace of his arms.<\/p>\n
“Now … questions.”<\/p>\n
“Please kiss me first. To loosen my lips with yours<\/p>\n
He leaned closer; the heat seeming to burn us as we touched lips. The joy in the touch brought pleasure as I moved my hand through his hair. At first his lips were gently and slowly they pressed harder, his mouth parting slowly. I respond in kind, enjoying the pleasure as my veins burned. I open my mind to his and let him feel the pleasure of his touch pulling back the pain of the burning.<\/p>\n
I let her my touch his letting him know the fullness of the pleasure. He pulled me into his arm holding me tightly.<\/p>\n
I let my mind show him the feeling I called love and spoke the words to his ears, “I do so love thee.”<\/p>\n
He nodded slowly with a small smile, “And I am Fated to love you.” I pulled my mind back and rested in his arms.<\/p>\n
“Ask of me what you will, I will tell you all the dark you desire to hear. No land is perfect.” I melted into his arms.<\/p>\n
Cufaen nodded and held me cradled in his arms. “Tell me of the drugs….”<\/p>\n
“Which ones?”<\/p>\n
“All.”<\/p>\n
” Of old or of now”<\/p>\n
“Both.”<\/p>\n
I began, “The dark ones made potions and you obeyed. They had many different ones for many different things.”<\/p>\n
“You obeyed?”<\/p>\n
“Yes, I did as I was told.”<\/p>\n
“What did they tell you to do?”<\/p>\n
He changed the subject. Why did he want me to relive that I tried to bury but I could not refuse him, “Many things. I danced for them. I sang for them. I killed for them. I was there greatest prize for they had the one mark for greatness and when my season came I would be their princess.”<\/p>\n
He hugged me and requested more. “How?”<\/p>\n
“I was a servant\/slave. I was just a young. I did many things.”<\/p>\n
“How long were you a slave?”<\/p>\n
“In the under you know no cycles even of rest and work. They worked you beyond rest and took you before you rested. My skin shows no scars but life in the under was not good. Upon my season I would be taken and seeded, bear one for them and I would be given to the stone.”<\/p>\n
He ran a hand down the smooth skin of my arm. “Given to the stone? What is that?”<\/p>\n
“They told me some but not enough to know. I gave the boy to the stone to make room for me.”<\/p>\n
“Killed?”<\/p>\n
I nodded and explained, “Not in the sense as here. My flame removed and added to the stone instead of the trees.” I opened my locket. “Cufean meet Josho.” I spoke unto the flaming leaf, “Josho this is him.” I watched the leaf dance for me. “Nick took him from my forest and gave him back to me.” Cufean looked deep into the flame. I took it from the locket and placed it in his hand. He drew it closer and peered in it. “It is my parent flame. It is what you call a life force. Put back into a shell and he would live again. Put back in the trees and he can serve the people.”<\/p>\n
“What humans call a soul.” Cufean looked into my eyes. “A shell? As in body?”<\/p>\n
“Yes, there is a ritual we had once. But the elders decided it was dark.”<\/p>\n
“Does the Flame of Josho ever die?”<\/p>\n
“Never” I took a breath, “Most of my people decide to join the flame. Few die.”<\/p>\n
“Then your are immortal as am I.” He smiled brightly as find a great treasure, “We call it Passing to Aman.”<\/p>\n
“The dark kill the protectors. If they die above ground they go to the trees. If you die out of the rim you are lost. If under you go to the stone.” I thought for a moment, “I do not feel immortal.”<\/p>\n
“We sail on great white ships out of the Havens to Aman, beyond the edge of the world.”<\/p>\n
I offered the locket for the flame. Carefully Cufean placed him in and I closed it. “Nothing is greater than to enter the flame. Only the Elders are allowed to go to the heart of the flame. They are the only one pure enough to with stand the greatness of it. But that is of my land. Not of the drugs. I do not know if the other Seekers had the same duties or if I was chosen for the task alone. Lebleg took me aside before I was sent out.”<\/p>\n
“What did he tell you?” his interest peeked.<\/p>\n
“He wanted me to gather the potions of the world I traveled and bring them back to him in order for us to counter the potions of the dark.”<\/p>\n
“He made no explanation as to what you should look for?” His eyes narrowed in thought.<\/p>\n
I sighed lightly, “Every potion must be brought back with effects listed and how to make them if I can find out. But I am not to tell a soul of this. Not even Valoki knows,” I paused knowing I did dark by speak but he was my dream, “Only you.”<\/p>\n
“What drugs have you found?”<\/p>\n
“Many.” I was pleased in my trade.<\/p>\n
“Such as?<\/p>\n
“I was trading tonight for the recipe for heroine.” I stated off handedly. His sigh was heavy “Cocaine, crack, dillies, weed, methanol…” I continued my list. He held up his hand for me to stop. “Did I say something wrong?”<\/p>\n
“What about amoxicillin and penicillin? Medicines? Drugs that heal?”<\/p>\n
“I have not seen them,” I thought for a moment, “The people do not trade them. So the vial was to add to my collection to be sent back when I send over my mates.”<\/p>\n
“Let me pick the potions.” He requested.<\/p>\n
“Do you think I am unable?” I felt as though a child; “I am fully trained.”<\/p>\n
He smiled slowly, “I have much experience with the drugs of this world and the herbs, the planets. Your training does not prepare you for this world.”<\/p>\n
I burned in his arms and never wanted to leave them. “I was approved. I had all that the last Seeker, to come this way, his books and logs and tales.”<\/p>\n
“When was that, this Seeker?”<\/p>\n
“I do not know how many of your cycles.<\/p>\n
“Of yours then …”<\/p>\n
“The forest has no cycles. Things are not numbered and seldom counted.”<\/p>\n
“Was it within your life?”<\/p>\n
“Yes, But I was a new child.”<\/p>\n
Ghost Archer looked at me closely, speculating. “When did Josho rescue you?”<\/p>\n
I took my finger to the air as I tried to give my land cycles and count time. “I need only one sleep for two of your days which meant your year is this many sleeps and there was hummmm. It would have been 1 and 1\/2 of your years if time were measured in the same way I think. Give or take a few months and things I did not count.”<\/p>\n
“How many sleeps old would you think you are?”<\/p>\n
I gave up there was no way to figure that. “Only the tree of Merlock understands that, he knows and counts the passage of time for us. As child who counts? My little Josho know not his age or of the rest he takes and his rest is almost his life I am mature but the others of my line are still young or nearing mature.”<\/p>\n
“And if you mean able to bear a child as a measure of mature… then many girls of this world are mature by your standards and now by ours”<\/p>\n
I had interrupted him, he did not understand, “The trees test to see if you are ready to advance to the next level. It is when we travel the 5 trees each tree must pass us, if we have discomfort than we are not ready.”<\/p>\n
“I know it is not yet time of my rest but I would like to lay with you again even if only to be held.”<\/p>\n
” I would like that.” He stood slowly, offering his hand. I took his hand. He pulled me to my feet. “Spock … bed.” I smiled I could feel the burning on my skin. We moved in the spirit of Spock to Cufean’s bedroom. A huge oak four poster bed with Hunter green quilted stood in wait.<\/p>\n
“May I remove my clothes?” I thought of the taboo, “or do you rather me not.”<\/p>\n
He kicked off his boots; “You must be comfortable.” My eyes could not leave him as he removed his and tossed them away. I laid mine in a neat pile dropping my locket, talisman and radio on top.<\/p>\n
Cufaen climbed into the bed and under the sheet and I joined him. He lay on his side facing me. I took his hand and kissed the back of it. He pulled me closer. Sleep fell over us.<\/p>\n
My eyes were opened to the pain aching in me. Cufean moved in his sleep his body cool against my soaking wet body. I kissed his sleeping lips and slipped from his bed. My legs would not hold my weight but my locket was only a hand stretch from me. I grabbed my clothing and dragged the pile to me, opening the locket quickly. I turned to see Him sitting in bed and watching me disappear.<\/p>\n
I lay in the sands and let the coolness of the flame ease my pain I held tightly to the locket. In my hurry I had left all else in his room. I waited till I felt better and bathed in the sands several times over. I returned to the mansion and spoke unto the spirit Spock. “Please Spock if you would be so kind. Bring me my things from Cufaen’s home or take me back.<\/p>\n
The Spirit lifted me and I stood before a very refreshed Cufean. He sat in a chair in the Library, the aroma of fresh baked bread filling the room. A table is set for two, with orange juice, milk and tea. A hot loaf of bread steams in a basket, strawberry and boysenberry jam in pots.<\/p>\n
He stood, his robe straighten itself as he came to me, “I guess I am torturing you.” I looked into his eyes and was lost. My skin was still cooled from the flame but I felt the furnace inside me ignite. He smelled of vanilla and almonds, having just finished a bath. His hair was still damp from water.<\/p>\n
I thought of words he had said, “I just need more … cold showers.” And than I added, “the flame does wonders.” I lifted my hand and stroked his wet hair<\/p>\n
“Perhaps we need to spend less time together.”<\/p>\n
“Or more.” I suggested. “How can your feelings grow if you are not near?”<\/p>\n
His hand started to slip around me but stopped, “I want your touch.” I placed it upon my bare hip. He watched me as if entranced, his hand cool upon my skin. “Cufean I do know what I want … and I am waiting. Just like you asked but the burning is still strong when you are not with me. You just don’t see it.” I pulled myself close to him in a tender embrace.<\/p>\n
“I want you very much, here, now … but I want to love you, not give you only a heart that is dead.”<\/p>\n
I smiled, “You heart is not dead. It is a lovely heart and beats true. I will never be her and she will always be with you and I don’t mind.”<\/p>\n
“But I am betraying Sable, though we spoke no words of love.”<\/p>\n
I thought I understood, again he was rejection me even after the words he had said, “I can not.”
\nI felt a pain of sadness in me. “I know she was here first and by all rights I am in the way of the dark. I can not help my spirit or my burning.” I was ready to leave him now. I had made my burning known and still he was rejecting me.<\/p>\n
“She has not spoken to me since I came to you when Josho was ill and I cannot help, or deny my attraction to you.”<\/p>\n
“I wish I had study lesson 143 more.”<\/p>\n
He was taken a back, “143? What lesson is that?”<\/p>\n
“Than I would have been seeded the first night, instead of still waiting.” I heard his question, “It just one of the many lessons on getting and pleasing a mate. I could do many things that I do not, to get you to ease my burning.” I stroked his hair lost again in his eyes; “I love you to much to do them.” I buried my face into his chest wishing that this was not going to be the last embrace, I would ever hold him in, and feeling as though I knew this was the last.<\/p>\n
“Women do not need lessons to get a mate, little elf…You are merely the most wondrous thing the male species knows…and that is all you need.” His words did not comfort me.<\/p>\n
My voice shook a bit “In my land we do… But I am not enough for you.” I paused, “If Sable is the one you want I will go away and not trouble you not. I would rather burn for all times than cause you grief.”<\/p>\n
Cufean held me tighter than, “I enjoy being with Sable, at least I did until you came into my life…. We had a wonderful time together, she and I…”<\/p>\n
I tried to make his farewell easy for him, “I can not hold you. You will do as you do. I can only hope for but the easing of my being to get even a moment of your time…”<\/p>\n
He shook his head and silenced me, “But I do not love her. I could, give time…but now I think that time is passed.”<\/p>\n
“I don’t understand.” I felt lost, “I do understand I will do what ever you wish. I will stay, I will go, I will burn till the end days.”<\/p>\n
“Something else…has closed that window of chance….a dainty girl with green eyes and black hair down to below her cute little butt.”<\/p>\n
It was not a good bye. It was just a wait some more I could live with that. I had to. He was my dream and I knew one day it would come to fullness as in the words of the great ones. I felt his bare chest it was cool. “Your skin is so cool.”<\/p>\n
He smiled, “In contrast to the heat in you…”<\/p>\n
“You are of the green and I am of the flame.” I gave a weak smile. “And the seed would be of both.”<\/p>\n
“Raven…. Say child…. baby….”<\/p>\n
“I wonder if he would be hot or cool.” I remarked.<\/p>\n
“Say son…or daughter.”<\/p>\n
I looked up to him, “Than I would make it to real.”<\/p>\n
“What is wrong with that?” Cufaen slide his hand down the small of my back.<\/p>\n
I moved to his touch and whispered, “Make it real.”<\/p>\n
“Would you want to become ‘seeded’ on our first time?”<\/p>\n
I wrapped both my arms enlacing my finger around him and melting into his chest to hear the increased beating of it. “If the flame wishes, it will be for my people. A high honor is it to seed at the first mating.”<\/p>\n
“Honor?”<\/p>\n
I nodded as I moved my fingertips across his back making him chill to my heat. I placed my warm lips to his beating heart. He closed his eyes at the touch. I made my pledge, “Than I will love you through space and time. From green, to cold, from light to dark I am eternal yours.”<\/p>\n
“You cast your spell on me even now.” I smiled at his words. “Your body calls to me … It promises wonders and delight.”<\/p>\n
“I burn only for you, my love” I kissed again on his sweet lips. His lips meet mine with passion overtaking.<\/p>\n
Cufean whispered “Is this the fire you feel all the time …”<\/p>\n
“Yes” and whispered back, “It will burn hotter. It is hard not to obey it.”<\/p>\n
Cufaen pulled away, his breath short; a flame of passion blazing in his eyes which matched the one in mine. My heart pounded in fear as he stood there. My body started to shake and I tried to pull the burning back into myself.<\/p>\n
“I don’t know if I can disappoint you yet again,” he said still standing there.<\/p>\n
A single tear slipped from my eye. I brushed it away and tried to say cheerfully as I could. “How can you disappoint me?” I swallowed hard on the words; “Do you wish me to wait more?”<\/p>\n
He stood very close to me, his hands cupping my face. He lowered down to my lips this time his own passion flaring. Like a child he scooped me off of my feet. I took hold of his neck and laid another kiss upon his lips. He took me to his room and he showed me pleasure that words could never speak.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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