Penumbral

Chapter 29: Bound Spirits

Tuinn skimmed through every letter that sat on her office table, some she burned, others were stamped and put in a pile, the black feathered Demi-Human sat in front of her and occasionally ruffled her plumage, the Telfan averted her gaze to look at the Harpy loudly biting down on her wings, the Council woman pinched the bridge of her nose and motioned for the corier to leave, she nods and happily skips away.

The Telfan continues her work until a letter on the pile catches her eye, she shakingly reaches for it and confirms the name written on it, "Ebhin Kiuy" her husband, she cautiously opens and reads it, happy words about commemorating Jen's birthday, despite being apart for years the two Telfans still cared deeply for their daughter and that always united them, tears stained the paper and the woman dropped her head onto the table.

She softly cried, her mind raced to think of something to tell her husband in a vain attempt to not cause the frail hearted man to take his own life, Tuinn still had duties to fulfill and people to take care of... "He only had Jen", she grips her arms and rubs them, for several minutes she sat in the corner of her office, crying and shaking, "How could I forget about him?".

-Tuinn Jinin? Are you here?- Rootmor's solemn voice broke the Telfan's despair.

-Rootmor?!- Tuinn quickly rose up and dried her tears on her sleeve -I was_-

-Calm down my friend, I understand... your trip to Huia was a cause of sadness... perhaps there is a way, would you acompany me to Ahomoskir?-

-Rootmor I don't think visiting your home would help me- The Telfan replied in a somber tone.

-Why not we see it first? I am sure you will change your mind-

-Maybe... I suppose I should take a break- Tuinn looked at the ground and sighed sadly.

The Druent beckoned for the Telfan to follow, together they crossed the Scaleborn district towards the western gate, the woman looked at the happy Scaleborn families... she shook her head and marched forward.

Outside of Hylsadrou Tuinn looked down the slope, a sea of greens, whites and browns, trees forming a beautiful circle around a titanic evergreen, Ahomoskir the birther of Druents, the ancient tree planted by Numefacto himself emanated a yellowish green hue, spirits sharing in the tree's glow walked among the lively Druents, a few Human souls could be seen, Ahomoskir embraced all Druents whose Natores had been destroyed and in the last centuries it took upon a mind of its own in embracing any buried soul in Heytral.

The Telfan's eyes locked on a bald figure in the distance, the spirit sat in a circle with other souls and even the living joined in, Tuinn rushed down and maintained her gaze fixed on that one spirit, as she got closer she began crying.

-JEN!-

The spirit looked at the Telfan and ethereal tears fell from her eyes.

-Mom?-

Tuinn tried hugging her daughter but phased right through her.

-I'm sorry mom... I can only interact with the plants and other spirits- Jen explained in a somber tone.

The other spirits looked amongst themselves and quickly left the pair alone.

-My little Jen... are you alright?-

-I'm... It's... It's good here, I learned a lot... but I'm also confined inside the circle... what happened Since I died?-

Tuinn gulped and explained her daughter how Alimur had avenged them.

-Where is he now?- Jen questioned in a worried tone.

Tuinn smiled softly.

Alimur drew the creature Aurora encountered in her trip back to Huia, "Shudaka" Aurora gave it that name proudly, a few minutes pass and the couple is eating on the ship's bow.