Emerali: A War Song Tapestry

Chapter 2

"Well, this is it, then," Emerali told Thori, when she had prepared herself. "Time to meet the Stranger. Tell me, Thori, do you know anything about him?"

"Not much. Only his name and that he's an Assassin. I've only seen him around Oriel a few times. He seems to be a very distracted sort of person."

"An Assassin... even an Elyos Assassin isn't always trustworthy," Emerali mused.

"Well, these are dangerous times; no one really is. You have to keep your eyes open and your harp with you," Thori advised.

"True enough. Okay, then, I'm as ready as I ever will be," Emerali said.

"Good luck. I'll give you your privacy; you can talk in the dining room, if you'd like. I can make a trip to the Plaza and do a bit of shopping."

"No, you shouldn't be displaced. I'll go to the garden and wait for him. I don't mind the chill as long as it's not raining. I'd rather not be indoors alone with an unknown Assassin anyway." So saying, Emerali took her harp in hand and headed out to the garden.

Although her stomach flitted nervously, Emerali couldn't help admiring the beauty of the autumnal foliage of her new friend's garden. The house itself was in a sequestered glen and offered the sweet charm of nature.

All around the quaint garden floated turquoise-colored wisps of brilliant light. As Emerali sank onto a bench, her attention was arrested by the wisps' dance. But there was something else, too. The wisps were singing to her. Their song seemed to speak to her soul, though it was difficult to understand their song. Somewhere within the fibers of her being, Emerali sensed that they were trying to tell her something of her past-of her destiny.

Before she realized what she was doing, Emerali began to play her harp to the ethereal melodies that rang in her brain and vibrated in her soul.

"By the Five! Emerali!"

This exclamation was uttered softly, but Emerali started as violently as if a peal of thunder had rent the air. She turned to see a tall, dark-haired Daeva standing several feet away from her. His skin was pale as alabaster, his eyes sparkling black.

He approached Emerali slowly, looking as thunderstruck as she had felt upon hearing him. Emerali stirred to rise, but he gestured for her to remain seated. "Aion be praised," he said almost breathlessly. "I thought you were dead. The Abyss is hell indeed."

Emerali studied him intently, but said nothing.

"You... really don't remember anything, do you?" Deep disappointment furrowed the young Daeva's brow.

Emerali shook her head mutely.

"Forgive me. I promised myself that I'd be less emotional, but seeing you now-after believing you dead for so long-well, it's different. I'm Devaen. May I sit with you?"

"Yes."

Devaen sat beside her, his eyes never leaving her face. Emerali's bright, green eyes, too, were riveted on his face, searching and inquiring.

"I'm sorry; I can't stop staring. This is... awkward. Don't you recognize me at all-anything even vaguely familiar?" asked Devaen hopefully.

"No," Emerali replied.

"Damn it!" Devaen muttered under his breath. "This is my fault for being such a coward!" he said. His eyes flashed with anger.

"What are you talking about?" suspicion weighed heavily on Emerali.

"I'd better start at the beginning." After a brief pause, Devaen continued.

"You and I were good friends, and two of the strongest legionaries of the now-disbanded Iron Wing Legion. We Iron Wings had our hands full with the Asmodians, and we were dealing with trouble in Eltnen. But the Asmodians suddenly became child's play when we heard rumors of Balaur movement.