Episode 9

'''Episode 9'''

'''Realization Brought to Light: Athame’'''

Athame’awakes one morning to a crying baby. She’s surrounded by bask of white light, peaceful area of a country like house. She sees she’s no longer pregnant and that her hair is partially shaded green with some strands pink. Her aura eyes are non-existent when she sees her reflection in the mirror and a small smile comes across her face. The crying stops in the distance and replace with faint baby talk and laughter as she enters a room to not only see a baby boy but Patel holding the baby as if it his own. As he hands the baby to her she looks at him and smiles then back to the baby who looks healthy and happy. As she wakes from her dream she hears Patel’s voice echo “I can’t believe he’s ours.” She wakes up on the examination table in Vaqui’s infirmary; she sees her writing notes as she looks through many books quickly.

Vaqui: Sorry if I woke you. I’ve been busy writing criteria, so I thought it best you sleep.

Athame’: Criteria?

Vaqui: I hope you don’t mind but as you slept I took some vitals from you and the baby. Based on these, in comparison to typical stature, I came up with the perfect diet and physical routine but I can’t decipher the exact intensity with this equipment…so you’ll have to come with me to my lab. (saying as she starts to pack up)

Athame’: Lab? Criteria? Wait slow down a second I… explain to me what’s going on… did you find something wrong?

Vaqui: I’m sorry, Whitley did say I moved faster than people should….

Athame: Whitley said? So I take it you KNOW her, know her?

Vaqui: Understatement. I kind of apprenticed under her for decades…learning all forms of science and medicine of both old and new. She taught me most of all I know (saying with a smile) I believe that’s why she sent you here.

Athame’: You say she taught you everything; well to what extent? I mean she didn’t have a lot of…this stuff you have.

Vaqui: (chuckling)The tech? Yes, she focused more so on traditional potions, remedies and elixirs in large variety in her time. Meditations, Energy enhancement…you name it; anything natural.

Athame’: The mystical and metaphysical aspects basically…

Vaqui: Yes. (saying as she writes) I took that and learned more of the biology or…science portion, you know genetics and all so I could be a specialist for people like…you.

Athame’: Atlanteans? Mystic people?

Vaqui: No…for people who find themselves in your…condition. (saying as she gestures to her stomach)

Athame’: Oh… people who become pregnant with dragon babies.

Vaqui: Right (saying as she continues to write) each individual, drake births born to drake females, requires different techniques…treatments… diets…. potions…remedies depending on their physical status but that’s the final weeks of pregnancy, I have gather, you know 2nd and 3rd trimester. But human females… like you in this term are usually bed ridden.

Athame’: That’s what Whitley said…said she gathers it was mental discipline and will in magic that was causing the opposite.

Vaqui: She might be right… (saying as she writes more)

Athame’: Have you had much luck with these kinds of pregnancies?

Vaqui: Unfortunately…. Everything I’ve here is a theory based on decades of research gathered from myself and my predecessor and mentor.

Athame’: So no…

Vaqui: (stops writing to look at her) I promise we will do as much as we are able to help you. The techniques and knowledge for this has been centuries in practice…

Athame’: …

Vaqui: Come on, we need to get to the lab. There I can run more test and observation (saying as she packs up and Athame’ starts to dress)

Athame’: Where is this lab?

Vaqui: That’s difficult to explain normally we would just portal there and arrive in seconds, but due to your condition the temporal interference can send you into labor and we don’t want that just yet.

The two venture outside to a balcony that overlooks the trees of the forest far and wide. Up close it appears to be a beautiful endless night. Vaqui calls out in a familiar language to Athame’ and seconds after a large bird arrives bringing with it small bit of thunder and lightning as it lands. It stands over ten feet tall with grey and white feathers with a golden trim.

Athame’: Is that what I think it is?

Vaqui: A thunderbird? Yes… (saying as she pets the creature)

Athame’: I thought they were extent?

Vaqui: Almost but not quite…there’s a small colony in what used to be America on an island. They are safe for now but until otherwise I and others look after them.

Athame’: Never heard anyone being able to control them at all.

Vaqui: It takes a gentle touch (saying as she continues to stroke the creature’s feathers) you have to also recognize them as equals. I recognize this one as it does me…we have a kind of…unspoken bond. (saying as she mounts the bird)

Athame’: What are you doing?

Vaqui: We have to get to the lab…this is the next and fastest way.

Athame’: But isn’t flying, not just on a giant bird but in general, dangerous for the baby?

Vaqui: Yes…for regular human children which yours is not… so come.

With help Athame’ mounts the birds sitting similar to a bench and wraps her arms around Vaqui for secure.

Vaqui: Don’t worry it’s a smooth ride…the storm follows behind so we are safe…

Athame’: Trusting you (she says cautiously)

Vaqui then commands the bird in the familiar language catching Athame’s ear, again, as they take flight. Meanwhile back in the red leaf Rynth dines with other light and dark Elvin warriors, mystics and mages. Some female, children, elder and male. She sits next to Trysta noticing that the light and dark dine separately but in the same room, Trysta even sits alone.

Trysta: Apologies I usually dine alone. Not use to having one with me as I do so now.

Rynth: I may sit elsewhere if I bring you any discomfort. It’s just you are the only other I have shared time with here.

Trysta: It is okay. (she says with a smile) Please sit. (saying as she gestures and Rynth sits down) Usually most do not sit with lead commanders. Something of an inferiority complex I believe. Usually the drow sit with the drow and light with light and leads with leads.

Rynth: Then why alone? Why are you not sitting and conversing with others of your own rank?

Trysta: Short answer is because of what I am…my gender.

Rynth: Apologies…I do not understand.

Trysta: The male elf is alike the humans. Male elves…they fear status quo of a female being in charge. However, they do respect me. It kind of emasculates them to a degree to see a woman lead.

Rynth: How do you know of this?

Trysta: They talk when they believe ears are not present… so I watch their speech.

Rynth: Please Elaborate.

Trysta: You see that tall slender elf….the one standing? (Rynth nods yes) He is all talk and no bite. A skilled warrior yes, but he boasts his own reputation for pride and acceptance, even though he has a strong fear of flying. Will never catch him on anything capable of aerodynamics. He’s only told a hand full of people at that table. All male…the females he hides it from.

Rynth: I understand, you are able to read their speech through the motion of their mouths from a distance.

Trysta: Yes exactly. Something the humans call…reading lips.

Rynth: All skills are special…even in the smallest or basic of form, attributes and characteristics.

Trysta: (With a curious look) where did you hear that?

Rynth: It is but words I have always known…since my childhood. (saying as she eats and Trysta looks on curiously more)

On the opposite end of the forest, miles away, deep within a buried and ruined building; Vaqui and Athame’ arrive at Vaqui’s lab location. Vaqui speaks to the thunderbird briefly in the language Athame’ knows and it flies off. As it flies it begins to storm and circle the area in the air.

Vaqui: Better get inside. The storm will provide cover for us so don’t worry.

As the two enter dark tunnel opening, Vaqui flips a large power switch that turns on the light revealing an underground subway station that appears to have been caved in by an earth quake. Rubble is everywhere along with a few building beams and automobiles including train cars. Foliage and vines have grown out of the cracks in the area. Combined with a sense of steam punk engineering and magic, Vaqui’s lab resembles something of an ageless but majestic sight to Athame’.

Athame’: This is amazing…how did you do all this?

Vaqui: You pick a lot of skills up when you have a lot of time. I’ve traveled worlds in great abundance before the fall. I may have made my way to Earth’s realm a couple times and learned how to rig engines and such. Have to keep busy you know.

Athame’: But all this…I mean…

Vaqui: Yea… I don’t know like it’s been as if all I’ve seen and done has been calling me to this every time…I can’t explain.

Athame’: Like a mission to protect life?

Vaqui: Yea, I guess you can say that (saying as she turns on more machines that start up after) I know this is going to be a little weird but it is necessary (saying as she pulls electrodes out) little archaic I know…

Athame’: No it’s ok… (saying as she opens her robe and Vaqui starts placing the electrodes on her)

Vaqui: I need to place two on you head… your heart, the baby area and a few more (saying as she does so) step up here on the plate please.

Athame’: What’s this do?

Vaqui: Measures your weight and mystic energy if any…should help generate what we need to do more accurately than at the clinic. (saying as she begins to start typing on old computer keyboards)

Athame’: Do you mind if I ask you something?

Vaqui: I have you seminude currently and have seen more of you in the last few hours than anyone else I’ve met in my existence. I believe we are past pleasantries.

Athame’: Okay… the language… the commands you gave to the thunderbird…what was that? The language that is….where did you learn it?

Vaqui: It’s drak. Pretty ancient language spoken by dragon’s only the drake’s can speak it clearly enough to understand, communicate and teach it need be. Learned it from Whitley…

Athame’: Interesting. You know I was with Brandis for months before…

Vaqui: Brandis was your lover I take it? The father of the child?

Athame’: Yes…

Vaqui: We don’t have to talk about you lover if you don’t wish…

Athame’: No… it’s okay… anyway…he helped me during a rough time in my life. I came out here to this world not knowing what to expect and saw more than what I was ready for. By the time I made it home I found myself in a missing person’s investigation that turned into a murder trial.

Vaqui: Murder?

Athame’: It’s complicated… well Brandis attempted to take my mind off things and teach me Drak. He knew knowledge was my comfort food that eased me.

Vaqui: That was noble and honorable of him (saying as she writes notes and continues to type).

Athame’: One thing he mentioned that I stand out until now was that drake’s are born with a type of slithered-curved tongue. You see I would butcher some words regardless how much he tried to teach me. He said you can teach anyone Drak but unless they are born with this tongue it always sounds off…like they learned it from a book or teacher. Your drak is perfect.

Vaqui stops writing and typing completely and grows silent.

Athame’: You’ve been truthful since I met you. Please do not start lying to me now…you can trust me.

Vaqui stands up, puts her notes down and sits down in front of Athame’ after turning the plate device one she is standing on.

Vaqui: Several decades ago…before the fall. A young Elvin woman came to a medicine woman known to the town locals as a voodoo witch doctor among many other terrible names. But to the mystical world…creatures of light and dark she was renowned as a miracle worker of medicine, potions, elixirs…and difficult pregnancies.

Athame’: Whitley…

Vaqui: (nods in agreement) The woman came to her cause she had fallen completely for a drake warrior…noble and honorable like your lover Brandis…and he had left her with her people to birth the child to which they would not help at all. Begging for a solution in the final months of her pregnancy in pain and so much agony. Whitley did her best to make her comfortable. Fed her, bathed her, and used every drake technique, remedy and charm she knew of. She was confident the woman would live…being she was an elf. The night of the child’s birth, the earth shook and the skies fell. A storm of the century…so powerful…so relentless under the night sky. As the child came in to the world, the sky, the earth let out a concussive force so powerful the wave of raw energy felt as if it stopped time and like a bomb dropped on reality itself. When it settled, a full moon could be seen in the sky as the clouds separated and with it…stars. The woman was in relief… so was Whitley. Whitley gave the child to the woman and she was in bliss to hold her and full of love. It was perfect…that is until the convulsions started. Whitley handed the baby off to a midwife that was helping her and did everything she could to save the elf girl… but it was too late.

Athame’: She passed…

Vaqui (Nodding in agreement with tears in her eyes) Cardiac arrest…her heart gave out. Before she passed she uttered “Vaqui” which in drak means ‘the storm before peace’ her last word was naming me. Knowing I had no family because my mother was exiled from the Elvin people and my father gone, I had no clan I belonged to…so Whitley took me in. Upon my mother’s deathbed Whitley was visited by a thunderbird…same bird that was causing the storm during my birth. While Whitley was holding me it embraced me as it knew me somehow and it was that moment she gave me the clan name Thunderbird. First and only of my name and clan (saying as she wipes tears away) and that bird and I have been together since…

Athame’: Thunderbird… the one outside right now?

Vaqui: They can live for centuries… Since I was born she’s been there at a mere call. Only a pure blood or an elder could bestow a clan name as Whitley did…she raised me as her own after that…trained me… taught me all I know.

Athame’: What about you father?

Vaqui: Whitley managed to track him down with magic when I got older and was curious to meet him. But he was gone as well. Killed by a dragon slayer. I looked into his death when I got a little older and ventured out on my own and it was said among drakes he went mad in his last days. Transformed to his dragon state and never came out only to terrorize people until it killed him.

Athame’: Or he died of a broken heart… which led to his madness…

Vaqui: I don’t know.

Athame’: SO you’re half drake and half-light elf?

Vaqui: Yes…

Athame’: But your mother was an elf… they’re immortal. I don’t understand.

Vaqui: Elves must relinquish their immortality to be with one who’s not one of them…my mother gave up all she was for love and her family.

Athame’: So it was just been you and Whitley…for centuries… I’m sorry for your lost.

Vaqui: Thank you…still hurts to talk about at times but I’ve come to peace with it in my 300 plus years (saying as she starts to look at Athame’s vitals curiously)

Athame’: But you …you found your people I mean you’re at red leaf as their healer…

Vaqui: Whitley brought me to them just after the fall. The war between light and dark elf brought a common enemy set to extinguish both races. Fighting about themselves and so few in number I bartered the peace between them that they have now…to survive in the darkness…as their healer. (saying as she intensely grows more curious of Athame’s readings).

Athame’: The fall…are… what? Is everything ok?

Vaqui: It’s fine…just…

Athame’: You don’t seem fine… is everything ok? Your aura just flickered a bit too…

Vaqui: My Aura? You can see aura’s?

Athame’: All of my people can it’s just….

Vaqui: Just what?

Athame’: I haven’t been able to in a while… not in the last few months.

Vaqui stands up and walks away to create a hand sign and look through it.

Athame’: I know that sign. It helps see mystic or magic energy signatures.

Vaqui: Yea I wasn’t getting this energy moments ago. But there’s been a flux in just the last few minutes (putting her hand down) have you been taking any enhancements or potions or anything?

Athame’: No… (saying as she looked away)

Vaqui: We just talked about lies moments ago remember? It would help me; you and the baby…tell me please.

Athame’: I’ve been taking an elixir that Whitley gave me.

Vaqui: Do you have it with you?

Athame’ points at a small satchel on her robe. Vaqui grabs 1 vile and begins to examine it closely growing more curious as she uses a machine to scan the elixir.

Athame’: What are you doing?

Vaqui: Scanning this elixir she gave you. It has an abundance of magical energy coming from it…matches your signature almost...but not as potent.

Athame’: It’s not?

Vaqui: Well not yet… come look (shows her the cracked LCD screen ) This is your energy signature in magic and what I was getting before…this is the elixirs…two different signatures… now here they are together and what I just got off you.

Athame’: I don’t understand.

Vaqui: The energy from the elixir is mixing with your own. Normally something like this would be found in pure demon or even a basilisk or large battery siphon that’s ready to explode but this is powering up to what I’ve only seen as binding magic in my time.

Athame’: Like binding my powers of something?

Vaqui: No more like a force field to absorb and displace energy see that there? How it fluxes steady but lightly with your own heart beat? It’s becoming one with your own energy with each passing minute (turning screen off) enough power to take down or power a city. I’ve never seen anything like this; you said Whitley gave this to you?

Athame’: Yes…for the baby…for me…. Said it would help.

Vaqui: Needed this information before we began might have to tweak a few things. Why were you negating this from me? I told you I needed all of it.

Athame’: Because I did not think it mattered and until now I didn’t know where the magic in the elixir was working…

Vaqui: Where, where did it come from?

Athame’: Whitley told me a story of how she channeled the raw energy of a storm, a celestial even and the concussive force of a new born baby drake into an urn and liquidized it into these elixir vials.

Vaqui: Impossible…. That would mean she… oh.

Athame’: I’m sorry I didn’t think anything of it until you told me.

Vaqui: So that’s why she sent you here….

Athame’: She doesn’t doubt you… she sent me to you for the opposite reason.

Vaqui: She told me once she had found a remedy that could help a woman who is carrying a drake child. I just thought it was bullshit, but why you? Why give the elixir to you?

Athame’: My…the father of my child… is her brother…

Vaqui: So that would make us…

Athame’: Like family.

Vaqui walks over to Athame’ calmly and softly hugs her and she returns the hug. Meanwhile back at the Red leaf Rynth sits waiting in the clinic for Athame’ to return and she’s visited by Trysta.

Trysta: The evening grows darker you should rest soon.

Rynth: Not until Lady Starfire has returned.

Trysta: I give you my word your friend is in well hands. Our healer is the best...come let me show you to your quarters. When she arrives I will wake you.

Rynth: That is quite alright. But gratitude… I will sit here and wait until she arrives. (saying as she sits and begins to meditate to pass the time)

Hours pass and Athame’ does not return. As a day time gaze begins to pass Rynth randomly finds herself attacked. She fights as the assailant attacks with two short swords and hides their face in a scarf. As they fight Rynth is soon able to subdue the assault of the person and remove their scarf to reveal them as Trysta.

Rynth: What Treachery is this?!

Trysta: I mean you no harm I just had to test an assumption!

Rynth: And an attack was all you could fathom instead of words?!

Trysta: You never truly know someone unless you fight them…

Rynth lets go of Trysta and looks at her curiously

Rynth: Where have you heard those words before?

Trysta: I use to utter them to a protégé’ I had…come with me.

Rynth follows Trysta through the Ref Leaf. They soon arrive at an empty hall.

Trysta: Place you hand on there (saying as she points to a smoothed surface like trunk of a tree) trust me….

Rynth does as she ask and a negative space open next to the trunk reveals itself.

Trysta: Come with me please… (saying ash she hold Rynth’s hand)

The two enter and the trunk closes behind them. Magical lights soon luminate the room glowing like floating orbs.

Rynth: Where have you brought me?

Trysta: The royal portrait hall…only accessible by those of royal bloodline.

Rynth looks on curious.

Rynth: I am uncertain of what you mean… please elaborate.

Trysta: As I’ve told you… the red leaf has been here for a long time. Was founded by our great king Ragos and his wife Kira. Always used as a sanctuary for elves, the red leaf has flourished to see the rise and fall of each family member and line. From King Ragos and his wife through their children and their children’s children. Until the last… (Showing the last family portrait).

Rynth looks on shocked

Rnyth: Who…who are they?

Trysta: This is Queen Sari and Her husband King Panning…with their daughter Princess Quinn.

Rynth: What…what is this trickery now that you have pulled?

Trysta: No tricks. Only the truth…trust your heart….you’ve known or felt some sort of connection to the red leaf since you got here…

Rynth: But…

Trysta: Your lineage…you skill, wisdom… all come from your parents. The elves have been in need of someone to lead them now. To unite the kingdoms… and now you have come.

Rynth: This is a lie! Foolishness!

Trysta: Not a lie. I was there. I trained King Panning and Queen Sari as children. I was off realm in a war when I heard of your birth Princess and did not return home until after.

Rynth: After what…What?! Tell me!

Trysta: Long ago…war with the light Elvin enemies were growing too great. Orc…goblins.. giants…drows… all of it was coming to pass at once and too fast. So a barter of peace was made with the Queen of the Fae and King of Elves. A joint marriage of their children, Sari and Panning. Panning was an elf boy in line to rule the throne after his father even though the boy was the bastard offspring the king created with the dark Elvin queen after one night of lust. Anyway, the marriage barter was reached and agreed that upon conception of an offspring, Panning and Sari, that war between the light, dark and fairy kingdoms would cease on all front, joining them together against any common enemies from then forward. But it wasn’t enough. Even with a three way treaty enemies still reign in large number.

Rynth: What enemies?

Trysta: As I mentioned there were many but at the head of the Dark Alliance was the Darko Clan…strong adversaries skilled in dark magic keeping the war going for ages regardless of the peace brought between the three races. An ambassador of unknown origin I am told met with all sides and a new treaty was made. But at a price. The Darkos would cease war to control the lands and leave the realm in exchange for the tri-bred offspring of Panning and Sari first born daughter…Princess Quinn. It broke their hearts to give away their only child. So much both abandoned their people. Panning ran away with a light elf woman to another realm and Sari…she left her people soon after. Inevitably… war broke between the lands again….even with the Darko’s gone. A war that lasted centuries until the fall. We bartered a new peace among the dark and light elves with the help of our healer and now with you princess… we can unite the other kingdoms and take back our land from the creatures that inhabit it.

Rynth: This is absurd (saying with small tears in her eyes) completely absurd! Lies! The Darko clan would never…

Trysta: Steal a little girl for their own ambitions? They’ve been doing it for century’s princess! It’s why we were at war for so long!

Rynth: No! Stop! I won’t’ listen! Speak no more!

Trysta: Princess stop!

Rynth: I’m not your princess! (saying as she attacks Trysta who’s cut on the arm after dodging part of an attack Rynth calms down) I’m…I’m sorry.

Saying as she moves herself through the shadows out of Trysta sight. Trysta is left in the empty round room wondering if what she did was right as the lights in the room dim out around her.