"Ties Undone - Part IV"

[Laehval tTemarr 0]

Tendrils of smoke wafted from the incense burning on the small brazier, filling the room with a smoky-sweet scent. The room, once a typical temporary living arrangement that anyone within the capital could rent, had been transformed into a miniature temple. The furnishings had been cleared away to the edges and draped in silks of red and orange, two of the most identifiable aspects of Fire. The floor was carpeted in yellows and deep umber. A single table, no taller than knee-height, had been situated at the center of the room, draped in red silk, and decorated with gleaming gold adornments. The naked flames burning at all four corners of the room made the room feel like the inferno it had been decorated to portray.

 

Wearing only a light robe that fell to her knees, Laehval knelt before the short table and added a few more grains of the pungent herb to the golden brazier. The coals flared as it consumed the incense and burned brightly for a moment. With a steady hand, she held a thick quadrangular candle of orange wax over the flames until it lit and then sat it before her on the stand. It burned with flames of orange and red and deep purple, unwavering in the still air. A small piece of cord was engulfed in the fire as she held it over the candle, turning in her fingers as it burned until it threatened to burn her hand as well. She dropped it into a golden bowl and waited for it to extinguish before dipping her fingers inside. With the black soot, she drew a line down her forehead and nose and then swiped a line across her bared chest. Head bowed with the heat of the fire upon her cheeks, she prayed silently to the Elements and asked for their wisdom and guidance.

 

After a few moments, she turned her attention to the other object on the table, lifting it with purpose with her left hand. The flames glinted off the polished gold surface, reflecting back on her olive skin. Laehval stared at the blade as she pressed it to the flesh of her arm, biting down on her lower lip as she cut a shallow gash on her right arm. Green blood began to flow, dark verdant spilling down the white robe she wore.

 

"For Jalen," she whispered. Setting the blade against her skin once more, she cut a second slash parallel to the first. Another line of blood joined the first. "For Lilet."

 

Staring down at the knife now green with her own blood, she took the hilt in both her hands. She wanted to cry, but she was beyond tears now. All she could feel was the coldness and despair that she'd brought upon herself, in the life of her own choosing. Though her family rejected her, she had taken the path as her own and held to it despite the signs that she should turn away. She formed an icy wall about herself and set herself apart to keep her from the pain of loss and betrayal, allowing herself to feel nothing. Nothing except the brief interlude she'd had with Lerak, but that had been a mistake. She had known it the moment it happened. And there was no going back. Not now. She had cut ties with everyone, said her farewells to her family, and would not be returning to the Talon. She had almost wished tr'Vatrix had killed her in his office. It would have made things so much easier.

 

Turning the blade inward, she pressed it against her skin and paused, closing her eyes again. "For honor," she whispered.

 

Then she plunged the golden knife into her stomach and, with a gasp, twisted it.

[Lerak trPexil 0]

So when's part V... oh, nevermind. Nice nice.

[KhreRiovtRex 0]

Then she plunged the golden knife into her stomach and, with a gasp, twisted it.

 

Elements Laeh, that was one powerful log. I just have to say WOW.

 

This will most likely mess t'Rexan up even more.

 

Again, Wow.

 

t'Rexan

[Lerak trPexil 0]

This will most likely mess t'Rexan up even more.

 

tr'Pexil will not be too happy either. I need to measure for drapes and new furniture for the Chief Engineer's office...

Edited November 4, 2010 by Lerak trPexil

[KhreRiovtRex 0]

Then she plunged the golden knife into her stomach and, with a gasp, twisted it.

 

You'd best not yy'a woman, tr'Vatrix just gave you to me as an engagement present.