The small room lay in a blanket of darkness broken only by a small shaft of moonlight which passed through the narrow window. Sitting on a chair in the corner Aedon gave thought to the many things which seemed to be going on around him. Within his chest, his heart pounded out a steady beat, and he struggled to master the sense of apprehension which crept into his mind.
He had spent the greater part of a week trying to bring some sense of home to the drafty stone structure which once again occupied the glade. He found no love within such walls, only solidity and a measure of protection.
Standing, he moved towards the tub at the opposite side of the room and began to fill it with warmed water. He watched the ripples form and swirl in an outward pattern with each earthenware pitcher of liquid he added. It had a mildly hypnotic effect on him, and he became unaware how long he stood watching.
Setting the pitcher aside, he removed his clothing, and lowered himself into the bath. His body quivered slightly as the water, which he had warmed thoroughly, rushed across his skin, feeling more than a bit cool to the touch. It was not an unpleasant feeling.
In his mind, it felt perhaps like what fire may feel when being quelled by a bucket of cool water. Closing his eyes, he laid his head against the back of the tub and allowed his thoughts to wander.
In many ways, the castle within Aegis was much like him. To the outside it seemed sullen and unfeeling – a rock on which waters break and yet seem to leave no mark. But, even as the building’s stone was being worn away by the passage of time and stormy weather, so too his façade was beginning to show far too many cracks. He had always found it easier to let others believe what they would of him. He found some comfort living on the outer fringes of society. After all, there is safety to be found living a life unheralded. Recent months had become harder on him; and, after many nights alone with his meals, he found himself once again longing for the close friendships he once enjoyed.
His dinners in Skara had continued as a nightly ritual. He often tried to convince himself that he did this to honor his memories of Beleg and Ahmaya. But, night after night, sitting in the corner of the tavern with his bowl of soup, did little to keep fresh in his mind the feelings of the nights shared, only the mechanics of the actions. And, though he hated to admit it, a part of him sighed with relief when Izznet called him over to sit with her.
He had been seeing much of the lady recently. She either showed up suddenly in Aegis; or, on a couple of occasions, he had come upon her speaking to others. At these times he always felt as though he were intruding, and would greet them pleasantly and then leave as quickly as he could. But when he found the lady standing near the pond in Aegis that night something changed.
They spoke mostly in small talk at first, the simple pleasantries one might exchange with a stranger or someone you might know simply in passing. He listened as she spoke of being able to see the ripples on the water of the pond. He appreciated her saying this as he believed far too many folks missed the most simple of wonders in their daily lives. The rising of the sun, the steady march of clouds across the sky, or ripples on water as the breeze gently kissed the surface.
Their talk in time turned to the balefire which till burned to the back of Aegis. A flame carried here long ago, from the fire which burned beneath Bedlam when Queen Silvara sat on her throne. It had been placed by Duchess Selora in caverns existing deep beneath the glade when she first came to Aegis.
The thought was to make Aegis her freehold, and Aedon had been bound to her as a personal dreamer. He could recall many long nights when she moved softly through his mind watching or sometimes manipulating his dreams in an effort to enhance the glamour which was an after effect of the dreams. But Aegis, or perhaps He, proved unsuitable to her needs, and the Freehold was moved just past the borders of Aegis, into what was once Everthorne. And thus, the Freehold of Dragon’s Icefall was born. And though the bond with the Duchess was broken, Aedon still felt a strong connection to the flame. When the Duchess returned to the dreaming, Aedon could feel the flame crying out to its firebrand. Knowing that a balefire cannot thrive left alone – and, fearing that it would utterly perish, Aedon spoke to James who then took up tending the flame.
As they spoke, Izznet seemed interested and he had offered to take her to the back and show her the spot where the balefire erupted into the world above.
As they approached the area, Aedon cold feel the warmth rushing to welcome him. Dismounting his horse, he walked closer to the font and held his hands out in front of him. He could feel waves of energy caress his body and enjoyed the dancing shards of light that raced up his arms and soon enveloped him. Within this light he felt welcome and wanted. And as a moth caught up in his euphoria, it was hard for him to turn his gaze from the flame and look over to where Izznet stood.
A change had come over her as well. It was clear to him that even though the nearness to the font caused her some measure of discomfort that some part of her felt a sudden rush as though one that has long been shut off from light and life were suddenly awakened. She stood silent for a moment on the edge of fleeing, away from or into the flame. She softly spoke of another spot and the word frostflame. But as he listened, the mount she sat upon vanished into the ground and He knew he had to get her away from the fire.
Moving closer to her he voiced his concern. Looking to him, Izznet asked simply, “Do you trust me?” He responded that he did, and she took out her book and opened a red gate. Without thought, without fear, Aedon stepped through.
He found himself standing on what appeared to be an altar or, perhaps, an abattoir. Leaning closer, she whispered that he should say a certain word. On doing so he was transported into a small room. In the upper section of a room there was a small dais upon which was a red throne. Rubble was strewn across the room, and all was covered with a thick layer of dust.
Standing there, he became keenly aware of voices calling out in agony. Flashes of death and destruction pulled at his thoughts, as his stomach lurched violently from an overpowering odor of brimstone. He could feel a steady drawing effect in his soul.
He became more than a bit uneasy-and started to feel sense of dread he had not known in some time. The mask he had long ago erected to cover his visage and shield him from the cold light of day began to crumble. He knew that if he did not get out of that room soon he would be revealed in a way he did not wish others to see. He looked to Izznet and she seemed to understand.
Opening another gate, she led him through and returned them to the coolness of the Aegis night. They said their farewells and Aedon made his way to the private area of the castle.
Opening his eyes, Aedon reached to the side of the tub and picked up a silver ewer standing close at hand. Lifting it high, he poured the now cold liquid over his head and moaned softly as it ran over his shoulders and down his chest and back. Years of scars long healed and hidden reveled in the cool touch of the liquid.
Pushing his wet hair out of his eyes, with both hands, he stood up and dried himself with a towel. He did not bother with clothing; there was no one about to see the marks he concealed behind the mask of a fool. Walking into his room he slipped between the cool sheets. Sleep for a change came fast; and, though his dreams were filled with wild visions and flights of fancy, he did not stir even once but slept till the first light of day.
Beleg would not approve of many of his actions and his company of lat; but his old friend was not here with him now, and was not enduring this exile he had chosen to impose upon himself.
His old friends were not around as he faced an ever changing world, and looked for ways that he could fit in – or, at the very least, survive.