As they walked the path that led from Aerlinnbar to Grey Manor within the Freehold of Roses, Aedon was surprised to find he was not worried at all about the rite they were about to perform. It was not at all akin to what he had recently been through with Skylar to pass Ahoun into her keeping. This was a more simple thing, but with far reaching effects.
Kanaye had been returning to Aegis regularly. It became clear quickly that he had developed an attachment to Hun’ep. The young woman was hesitant at first to allow the kitsune near her. She had after all seen him traveling in the company of Skylar and Penrose. In fact he had been with Moonglow’s governor the night he came to the Bath House in Aegis seeking her.
Penrose claimed that all he wished was to speak to Hun’ep alone, but he and Arkon had no desire to risk her life in such a manner. Hun’ep had fled upstairs with Kanaye close behind her. Surely she must have thought that the fox like creature sought to capture her for the man that filled her with great fear.
When Kanaye came back down, he had a quizzical look on his face, no doubt wondering where Hun’ep vanished to. When Penrose left, Kanaye remained and Aedon asked him to follow to where he had sent the lass. At first Hun’ep recoiled from the kitsune, drawing her dagger and backing under some trees. Bur in time, she was urged to come forward and soon was enjoying running her fingers through the soft fur on Kanaye’s back and head. Aedon ask Kanaye if he would assist in keeping Hun’ep safe, and he eagerly agreed. From that point on, the tow were always together.
But something always seemed to bother Kanaye, and in time it became clear that he feared his connection to Skylar would one day lead the Vadan Myr to discover where Hun’ep hid. Kanaye came to the decision that he desired to break the bond Skylar held with him. This would be no easy task as Skylar had a deep hold on the kitsune soul which manifested itself in the form of a white ball through which green had woven its way.
It was Izznet who came up with a possible solution. The blade Aedon had forged and interlaced with the pure silver from Avalon’s talons. It had been made for a purpose Aedon hoped would never be used. To drive deep into Izznet’s heart and draw the darkness from her soul allowing her final rest. An act that if taken would end forever the lady’s existence, and utterly break Aedon’s heart. But for her, Do Gra was made and would be used. Izznet’s theory was that since it was forged to draw out the darkness from her soul that perhaps it could be used to free Kanaye.
The reasoned that Avalon the Mystic healer could hold the ball and Do Gra into the heat of the forge. The stone hands of the Gargoyle would act as a kiln to protect the orb. Once the blade was heated, it would be inserted into the ball and held there while Avalon recited ancient words. If all worked well, that which held Kanaye to Skylar would be drawn to the blade, and turned to ash. After they explained it all to Kanaye, the kitsune agreed and a time and place was set.
The distance was short and the walk would give Kanaye time to reconsider if he so chose. Arriving at Grey Manor, we entered within and I showed Hun’ep Kanaye and Avalon to the forge room and went back to await James. Hun’ep had come to lend support to her new friend and help calm him if need be. James was coming to assist in any healing that might be needed. I am a good healer, but James has many more years on me, and his assistance is always welcome.
Avalon did not waste much time. She asked for the ball and Kanaye popped a floor tile pulling out the small green and white ball. He seemed hesitant at first to hand it to Avalon, but in time, he walked over, placing it in the Gargoyles huge hand. It was amazing the care with which you cradled the orb in her hands. She knew on a deep level that which she was dealing with, and instinctively protected her charge.
Placing both hands within the forge, Avalon steeled herself against the pain as James Offered healing and calming to bolster she and Kanaye. As the dagger slipped inside the orb, Kanaye gave a yelp and crouched low to the ground. Turning my thoughts to him I sought to calm him while calling Hun’ep to her side. As she knelt next to the kitsune, she cooed to him and eased him through the discomfort.
The dagger within did what it was designed to very well. Slowly the green within the ball began to swirl and snake around as it was drawn into the blade and burned off to a fine ash. Avalon slowly turned the orb in her hand, taking care to keep the ball protected within her stone grasp. As the last of the green was drawn into Do Gra, the mystic slowly withdrew the blade, laying it on the anvil. Then turning the orb so that the puncture was facing downward, allowed the last of the ash, and Skylar’s hold on Kanaye to run down into the core of the forge.
Holding the Ball towards Kanaye she showed him that it was now a solid white except for channels where the green had once been. She cradled it within her hands, offering a kiln like effect that served to protect the orb as it cooled. At that time, it would be returned to Kanaye. Tired, but seeming relieved, Kanaye, Hun’ep and James walked back to Aerlinnbar while I stayed to help Avalon finish up.
When Avalon and joined the others, Kanaye was clearly in need of Rest and Avalon needed healing. Taking her hands between his, James offered a touch as soft as a paw, and as cooling as the snows of the Freehold. Drawing both heat and pain from Avalon, and healing any ill effects of the rite. Avalon then headed home to Rest and I sent Kanaye and Hun’ep to the roof to enjoy the night air. Thanking James again for his aid, I headed out the door and on to a meeting I was now mildly late for.
All things living have a soul which resides at the base of our being. For some it takes the form of a white light, to others it is a deep held faith which sustains them in time of need. For Kanaye, it was a small ball which to many, including myself appeared only to be a kitsune’s plaything. Coming across it under the table or within the fruit bowl in Aerlinnbar most would toss it for the animal to chase, and in doing so risk damage untold without ever understanding what we might be doing wrong.
The rite itself was simple. Just the five of us huddled around a forge hoping we were doing the right thing. But in Avalon I saw this day a gentle giant who for a short time held the soul of another in her hands, returning it to him not only unharmed, but free.
Kanaye had been returning to Aegis regularly. It became clear quickly that he had developed an attachment to Hun’ep. The young woman was hesitant at first to allow the kitsune near her. She had after all seen him traveling in the company of Skylar and Penrose. In fact he had been with Moonglow’s governor the night he came to the Bath House in Aegis seeking her.
Penrose claimed that all he wished was to speak to Hun’ep alone, but he and Arkon had no desire to risk her life in such a manner. Hun’ep had fled upstairs with Kanaye close behind her. Surely she must have thought that the fox like creature sought to capture her for the man that filled her with great fear.
When Kanaye came back down, he had a quizzical look on his face, no doubt wondering where Hun’ep vanished to. When Penrose left, Kanaye remained and Aedon asked him to follow to where he had sent the lass. At first Hun’ep recoiled from the kitsune, drawing her dagger and backing under some trees. Bur in time, she was urged to come forward and soon was enjoying running her fingers through the soft fur on Kanaye’s back and head. Aedon ask Kanaye if he would assist in keeping Hun’ep safe, and he eagerly agreed. From that point on, the tow were always together.
But something always seemed to bother Kanaye, and in time it became clear that he feared his connection to Skylar would one day lead the Vadan Myr to discover where Hun’ep hid. Kanaye came to the decision that he desired to break the bond Skylar held with him. This would be no easy task as Skylar had a deep hold on the kitsune soul which manifested itself in the form of a white ball through which green had woven its way.
It was Izznet who came up with a possible solution. The blade Aedon had forged and interlaced with the pure silver from Avalon’s talons. It had been made for a purpose Aedon hoped would never be used. To drive deep into Izznet’s heart and draw the darkness from her soul allowing her final rest. An act that if taken would end forever the lady’s existence, and utterly break Aedon’s heart. But for her, Do Gra was made and would be used. Izznet’s theory was that since it was forged to draw out the darkness from her soul that perhaps it could be used to free Kanaye.
The reasoned that Avalon the Mystic healer could hold the ball and Do Gra into the heat of the forge. The stone hands of the Gargoyle would act as a kiln to protect the orb. Once the blade was heated, it would be inserted into the ball and held there while Avalon recited ancient words. If all worked well, that which held Kanaye to Skylar would be drawn to the blade, and turned to ash. After they explained it all to Kanaye, the kitsune agreed and a time and place was set.
The distance was short and the walk would give Kanaye time to reconsider if he so chose. Arriving at Grey Manor, we entered within and I showed Hun’ep Kanaye and Avalon to the forge room and went back to await James. Hun’ep had come to lend support to her new friend and help calm him if need be. James was coming to assist in any healing that might be needed. I am a good healer, but James has many more years on me, and his assistance is always welcome.
Avalon did not waste much time. She asked for the ball and Kanaye popped a floor tile pulling out the small green and white ball. He seemed hesitant at first to hand it to Avalon, but in time, he walked over, placing it in the Gargoyles huge hand. It was amazing the care with which you cradled the orb in her hands. She knew on a deep level that which she was dealing with, and instinctively protected her charge.
Placing both hands within the forge, Avalon steeled herself against the pain as James Offered healing and calming to bolster she and Kanaye. As the dagger slipped inside the orb, Kanaye gave a yelp and crouched low to the ground. Turning my thoughts to him I sought to calm him while calling Hun’ep to her side. As she knelt next to the kitsune, she cooed to him and eased him through the discomfort.
The dagger within did what it was designed to very well. Slowly the green within the ball began to swirl and snake around as it was drawn into the blade and burned off to a fine ash. Avalon slowly turned the orb in her hand, taking care to keep the ball protected within her stone grasp. As the last of the green was drawn into Do Gra, the mystic slowly withdrew the blade, laying it on the anvil. Then turning the orb so that the puncture was facing downward, allowed the last of the ash, and Skylar’s hold on Kanaye to run down into the core of the forge.
Holding the Ball towards Kanaye she showed him that it was now a solid white except for channels where the green had once been. She cradled it within her hands, offering a kiln like effect that served to protect the orb as it cooled. At that time, it would be returned to Kanaye. Tired, but seeming relieved, Kanaye, Hun’ep and James walked back to Aerlinnbar while I stayed to help Avalon finish up.
When Avalon and joined the others, Kanaye was clearly in need of Rest and Avalon needed healing. Taking her hands between his, James offered a touch as soft as a paw, and as cooling as the snows of the Freehold. Drawing both heat and pain from Avalon, and healing any ill effects of the rite. Avalon then headed home to Rest and I sent Kanaye and Hun’ep to the roof to enjoy the night air. Thanking James again for his aid, I headed out the door and on to a meeting I was now mildly late for.
All things living have a soul which resides at the base of our being. For some it takes the form of a white light, to others it is a deep held faith which sustains them in time of need. For Kanaye, it was a small ball which to many, including myself appeared only to be a kitsune’s plaything. Coming across it under the table or within the fruit bowl in Aerlinnbar most would toss it for the animal to chase, and in doing so risk damage untold without ever understanding what we might be doing wrong.
The rite itself was simple. Just the five of us huddled around a forge hoping we were doing the right thing. But in Avalon I saw this day a gentle giant who for a short time held the soul of another in her hands, returning it to him not only unharmed, but free.
