From the Ashes

Chapter 47 ~ A Tale of Sacrifice

    Morana sat in the quietness of her room following her training sessions for the day. She had practiced her weaponry skills with Arlon before Rehema taught her a few more magical tricks. Lonan had taught her about Noxbane as Rehema had asked, but neither of them had spoken about what happened the day before.

    Morana had asked for some time to think it over and Lonan was taking great care to give her space. It was almost impossible to wrap her mind around. Her whole life, she'd just assumed that both of her parents were dead, but now her father was here. Alive. Had been alive this whole time.

    The more she pondered it all, the more questions she had. Why was he here? Why had he given her up? What happened to her mother? Why had she been passed from family to family her entire life? Had he known where she was this whole time? Why hadn't he told her before? Why let her discover the truth now?

    She longed for someone to express her thoughts and feelings to. Neeri or Tarion. But neither of them were options and she didn't feel like discussing it with Rehema. The female had to have known. There was no way she didn't. As for Arlon, Morana had no idea if he knew about the true relation between herself and Lonan.

    At last, she had no choice but to seek out the only person who could give her answers. Lonan had left her instructions on how to get to his home before he left. "So you know where to find me whenever you're ready to talk," he'd said.

    She wound her way through the village, glancing at the notes he'd written. All of the markers were easily identified and she reached the house in less than fifteen minutes. Morana gazed up at the humble structure, similar in design to Rehema's home. Where had he lived with her mother before she was born? Surely they hadn't lived here the whole time.

    But if they had, perhaps she'd find some traces of her mother still here. Morana drew a steadying breath and knocked on the door. It opened immediately. He had seen her coming, she guessed. Lonan nudged the door open wider and Morana entered.

    "I didn't expect you to come so soon," he said, gesturing to a few cozy chairs in the open room she'd stepped into. Morana claimed one, still gazing about the house. It looked very...male.

    The furnishings were all cozy, but simple. The wooden floor was devoid of any rugs. Shelves of books and assorted trinkets decorated the walls, along with a few weapon racks. The weapons all appeared freshly sharpened and polished, but a thin layer of dust coated most of the shelves.

    Morana brought her gaze back to Lonan as he tied his hair back in a low ponytail and folded his arms over his chest, waiting for her to speak. "I need you to answer my questions," she began softly. "All of them. As truthfully as you can."

    "Of course."

    She drew a steadying breath and his throat bobbed. Morana allowed her features to relax, hoping to ease some of the tension in the room. No doubt he was as confused and apprehensive about this as she was. She could be patient with him as long as he gave her the answers she needed.

    Morana clasped her hands in her lap and focused on them. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

    "Rehema asked me not to. She said that the path before you was one you needed to take alone, and she knew that if I revealed myself to you, I would have left with you. She didn't want me coming in the way of whatever needed to happen."

    "Why tell me now?"

    "Because you need someone to support you now more than ever. You need to know that you aren't alone and you never truly were." Lonan sat down across from her and tilted his head down, catching her gaze. "May I start at the beginning? I think it will all make a little more sense if I do. You can interrupt and ask questions at any time."