Distant Grief

The Goddess and the Godslayer – cy 4822 Arr 2^nd

Valadain Raikos sits on the edge of the grand bed that his brother has provided for him in the guest chambers of the imperial palace of Gran Breton. He dreams, yet his eyes are open, the words from a great distance invade him, words from a woman far away.

Willowstar speaks:

            “Do not judge the Flower of the Elves so harshly, Valadain, and do not judge my flight from your grasp either. Remember I have lost one son already and I am not about to lose another…regardless of your perceptions of the situation. I bid the queen Illyanth to stop you entering the forest and that she did…despite your misgivings about her you will find the young queen a most interesting opponent. She seeks a man worthy of her…a man able to defeat her in combat, for none that have faced her have stood a chance. She looks to you not as an enemy…more like a challenge.

            “Finally I am out of your range and will not return until after the birth. Turn your attention elsewhere but listen to my words, for they are the most important you will hear for many years. If I am truthful I fear you…a man that can slay Malkar is a man to be reckoned with. Power beyond compare, he once said to me…he was always arrogant in the beginning…and ever did his lustful eye track my every move.

            “That he raped me was not a surprise…that he left me to live afterwards was. But then again your former master was always one step ahead of the game, his deviousness was easily a match for Muziel, his manipulation could have taught Loramas a thing or two.

            “So why do I speak to you? Not to taunt, oh no, for the reputation of Godslayer is a label you will find difficult to shake. What you have done is set a precedence, shown the universe that there is greater power than gods. That may or may not be the case but you will hear my words nevertheless.

            “The dark shadow that communicated with you from my womb is just one aspect of what grows within me…for Malkar played one last trick when he impregnated me. You see, Valadain, there is a glowing light to match the darkness within…a silent power that slumbers, quietly, blissfully unaware of the peril it faces. If you had reached me then you would surely have slain the darkness within…and in doing so killed the twin sister at the same time!

            “For all the boy’s malice there is goodness within the girl. My instincts as a mother will not let any harm come to either – that is not the elven way. Deep within there is a desire to raise these two godlings, to give them the start that they deserve. Or perhaps you would like to drown the boy and spare the girl? Is that the counsel of the Godslayer?

            “I would be interested in your response, Valadain Raikos, but that will have to wait until you bring me Muziel’s head…for until he is gone I will not leave my sanctuary…whatever bitterness I felt before is slowly evaporating with every hour these children grow inside me. Never before have such feelings assaulted me, never before have such passions for life grown within…not even Aliandir had the grip that these two have upon me.

            “Like it or not they will live…long enough so that I can give them the abilities to stand on their own two feet – long enough so that they can look you in the eye and face the man that slew their father.

            “Queen Illyanth will be a the funeral of Sarrik Ramadius II and she has indicated a willingness to seek you out…she is the only other living creature to be aware of the twins existence. Take care, Godslayer, for she goes to Gran Breton under the protection of the Elven Sisterhood…should she come to any harm then I will hold you – and your brother – personally responsible…”