Destiny's Child- The Summoning Begins.

[Aedon Durreah]

Standing on a hillside overlooking the Freehold of Roses Aedon watched as Nemira circled in the skies high above him. He was always fascinated by the great bird’s movements and marveled at the grace with which she descended to the spot which was being called to. Spiraling down slowly, she rode the winds, wings fully spanned, tips upturned until at last she alighted softly on the ground before Aedon. She looked him over, regarding for a moment her lifelong charge before speaking into his mind.

“You ask much this time Aedon, and I am not certain you fully understand what you are about to undertake.”

“I have given much mother, and whatever may come I am now willing to endure if it means release from Ahoun.” Aedon replied, his eyes fixed on the bird.

“The Gathering will detect your presence once you make such a call.” She said slowly.

“This I know, understand fully the chances I take and willingly accept any consequences.”

“Aedon, not all will be paid by you. All magic comes with a price, and sometimes the cost is dear and long reaching.” Nemira said studying Aedon’s face.

“I know mother, but if for only a brief time I can know true freedom, is not any cost worth such?

Cocking her head to the side for a moment, Nemira slowly nodded to him saying.

“So be it Aedon, I will come at your call and it shall be done.”

“Thank you mother.” He replied bowing his head.

Nemira stood for a few moments looking at Aedon in a manner of one trying to commit a face to memory, Then spreading her wings wide, flew off into the east.

 

[Aedon Durreah]

There would be no chance for a redo. Whatever transpired during the summoning would be as it happened. Knowing full well that he was facing the possibility that the act would claim his life, Aedon prepared to meet Skylar and finish what had been begun.

Skylar continued to try to bolster him against the power of Ahoun. The bond formed through the ritual carried out by the woman Skylar called simply Wraith seemed to be holding. But as she sat across from him in the Knights Rest she told him that only she could help him now. Skylar warned Aedon against allowing others to attempt to control his actions. She cautioned that the vampires would try to use a blood bond to subdue his will.

“You are stronger than all of them.” She said as her eyes held his gaze.

He did not feel strong in her presence, he felt small and alone. And as he listened to her words his mind searched for the sense of calm Alira had given him after their encounter at the Balefire. The bond with Izznet was now gone, replaced by a stronger presence. But at the moment, though he could feel her presence, he words of support and encouragement had faded.

He wondered if Skylar could sense this, and used the time to exert her influence over him. Hew words wrung true in his ears. He was tired of being controlled and manipulated. The sword had long held him as a servant to those of powerful purpose. Even in death he found no lasting peace. And each time he arose, Ahoun was waiting to again bond itself to him, slowly draining what life he still possessed. In his desperation to at last be free, Skylar’s words rang true.

She watches as he fiddled with his coffee cup and asked questions on matters which still concerned him. He wondered if when it ended she would release him for the bond she held, or would he simply switch masters and serve Skylar as she wielded Ahoun? She assured him that should he wish it, he would be free him as promised.

As she spoke she said that because of the interference from Alira and Izznet, the bond that would protect him for Ahoun was weaker. Taking out a dagger she drew it forcefully across her arm, and watched as blood seeped through the wound running over her arm and onto the table.

He could feel an intense hunger burning within as he watched the red liquids flow. His body ached with a deep desire to taste what she offered him. Setting his cup on the table, he slid over next to her and took hold of her arm. Pausing once more, his mind searched for words of comfort. As the shadows in the room deepened, he brought her arm to lips, and closing his eyes, slowly licked the blood off her arm.

He could feel a growing sense of power as the hot liquid ran down his throat and seemed to course thought his body. He could sense her satisfaction as he continued to drink from her. Finishing, he slid over again and with his eyes cast down, wiped his lips. He asked when she wished to claim the sword to which she replied as soon as possible. Aedon told her it must be the following night since he would have to call Nemira as well. Nodding approval, Skylar told him that he should go now and rest so he would be strong the next night, and that she must also rest. Standing, she bid him good night and then walked out of the building.

Heading back to the Freehold, Aedon entered Grey Manor and sat in a chair to rest. Beneath him the Balefire burned brightly and he could feel the warmth which emanated throughout the valley. Closing his eyes, he allowed the feeling to surround him, and enter into his body and soul.

With much to do before the hour of the ceremony Aedon pulled his legs up into the large chair in the cozy corner where he and Sage so often sat, and fell quickly into a deep sleep.

 

[Aedon Durreah]

The moon had reached its apex as he made his way towards the clearing near the mountains of Malas. He had chosen this place not only due to the seclusion, but also the nearness to the pass leading to the Freehold of Roses. He knew well that Skylar could not enter the Freehold compound, but managed to convince that the location was optimum for Nemira.

Arriving at the spot he built a small fire and put on a pot for tea. Taking his cup he sat on a fallen log and looked into the gathering night awaiting Skylar’s arrival. She was as always, punctual. He did not hear her approach nor hear her until she stood behind where he sat. Standing, he greeted her and offered some tea, but she seemed in a hurry to get on with things and suggested that he either finish his drink, or pour it out and get on with things.

Setting the cup on the ground, Aedon stood and passing where Skylar stood turned to the mountain side and closed his eyes for a moment. As he opened them, he could see Nemira as she made her way down the air currents to where Aedon waited. She did not land, but hovered before him awaiting the time.

For a moment Skylar seemed to lose her patience and urged Aedon to get the bird to work. A quick glance from the large swallow tailed kite was all it took to convince the Vadan myr to show some respect. Nemira did not well tolerate insolence. Not from Aedon and certainly not from a creature she felt would carry the blame for what happened here tonight. Turning her gaze back to Aedon Nemira cocked her head and asked if he was ready. Aedon spoke no words, but simply nodded once.

Lifting to a greater height, Nemira pointed her wings towards the ground. The quiet of the Malas night was broken only by a light humming sound which emanated from the ground as a gold moongate formed beneath Nemira. Standing still before the gate, Aedon heard Nemira speak into his mind.

*Call to her my son.”

Hesitating for a moment, Aedon allowed his thoughts to turn to Jan and Kylee so many worlds away. He could hear their laughter in the drawing room outside his office as they played a game of hide and seek. He could picture their faces and feel their nearness to him. He thought of Izznet waiting back at Shadowmoore and hoped that should he not see her again, that she would find happiness and purpose and come to know her strength. She was a lady worthy of a great house, and someday he knew she would have it.

Looking deep into the gate Aedon concentrated on Ahoun allowing the bond forged in the early years to become stronger. He could feel a momentary rush of pain as the many long years of taking the lives of others came to rest once again on his heart. And felt the battle lust building within him rapidly, only to be replaced by a calming touch which allowed his focus to return. As he stood preparing for the final focus, he could hear what sounded like a lullaby hummed softly in the distance. With a final surge of thought, Ahoun appeared hovering within the golden moongate.

It was there again before his eyes, the cause of so much pain and heartache- the thing which had long held him captive, a prisoner of his own blood lust. His eyes focused on the prize before him as his hand reached to claim his destiny. His hands strained to reach the hilt as his mind and heart worked to stay clear of the blasted thing.

Around him, he could hear the hum of the gate and feel the breeze kicked up by Nemira. He was aware of someone moving in closer to him. He recalled times in the past, camped in a foreign land and having the enemy attempt to sneak up on him. Instinct kicked in and he reached quickly to grab Ahoun.

A sudden pain racked his body as he was hit by a pain spike spell thrown by Skylar. Rushing closer, her body slammed into him, knocking him three feet back. He landed hard, and looked on as Skylar grasp the hilt of Ahoun, and the moongate and Nemira both vanished.

Ahoun wasted no time in claiming her new host. Spider like tendrils worked their way up Skylar’s arm, reaching toward heart and mind. With precision the blade wove itself into the fabric of her being, marking her as holder of the soul reaver.

From the ground Aedon smiled as he could feel freedom for the first time in centuries. The pain which had struggled to take him gave way before a surge of healing encouragement as Aedon used the gift Alira had given him. his body healed, he laid his head onto the soft grass and fell into a deep sleep.

 

[Aedon Durreah]

He awoke to the sweet smell of morning dew upon the grass. Memories of the night before seemed as malevolent shadows in his mind which fled before the sound of a lullaby hummed soft and low. Standing, he made his way to the passage way which led to the Freehold of Roses. Along the way, he took pleasure in the sound of birds chirping high in the treetops, and the gentle feel of the breeze upon his face.

The walk all in all was a pleasant thing. He had always enjoyed strolling through the glade of Aegis at most any time of the year. But this morning, the mountains and paths of Malas greeted him in a glorious splendor which moved him to view the waking day with new awe and wonder.

Arriving at Grey Manor, he fixed himself a cup of tea, and headed to the cozy chair in the corner. Slipping his shoes off, he drew his feet onto the chair beneath him and slowly sipped from his cup. The fire burning within the hearth seemed to dance and sway before his eyes and he struggled suddenly to hold his eyes open. Assuming he was still tired, he sat his cup aside, laid his head against the back of the chair, and fell into a deep slumber.

The winds outside the building grew and howled kicking up leaves and trigs mixed with a powder of white snow. A small whirlwind formed before the steps of the manor as Nemira alit and stood before the door. Diminishing in size, the kite entered within, and sought out the spot where Aedon rested. There was a sorrow about her as Nemira regarded the sleeping man before her. Flying to land on his shoulder, she leaned in and whispered into the sleeping mans ear.

“My son, thy path has been chosen. What is now to be is this time not at the machinations of others, but by thy own hand. Ahoun has a new master now, and what will now be for you will be as you make it. You are now as you were before thy hands did touch the hilt of Figol’s sword, and thy life shall continue on as would that of any normal man.

Look for me no more until the time I must come to carry thee to thy long rest. But remember in times of quiet the love and pride I carry for thee. What was lost must be relearned, for truly, thou art given more to books than blades. Find happiness in this world, and hold on to a sense of thy self. For in mine eyes thou are great beyond measure. Fare thee well my son.”

Flying form Aedon’s shoulder, Nemira landed first on the floor before the doorway. And then taking one last look at the one she had long cared for, opened the door, and took flight into the western skies.