Emerali: A War Song Tapestry

Chapter 8

"That's sweet music to my ears, Songweaver."

Emerali was startled to see Thori slipping into the chair beside her, a smile playing over her cheery features. Devaen was on the opposite side, turning a chair around and straddling it.

"How did you find me?" asked Emerali.

"This is your favorite place to relax," Thori replied.

"It always was," Devaen put in.

"Hurray for predictability," Emerali muttered. She heaved a gusty sigh and leaned back in her chair. "I don't mean to do it, you know," she said presently. "I don't mean to charge ahead and leave you behind like I don't care." She looked at Devaen. "I'm a far cry today from my days with the Iron Wings, aren't I?"

"I shouldn't have said that; I'm sorry," Devaen said, softly.

"And I was too harsh. I'm sorry, too," Thori said humbly.

"Thing is, you're both right. I can't help feeling like I'm going to be alone in the end, so I should get used it. Then I just go on ahead because I feel that if I don't hurry and try to survive, I'll fail. I can't help this constant distrust." Emerali poked at her plate moodily.

"It's my fault, mainly," Devaen said, nodding. "I let you down; I abandoned you. I showed all the stalwartness and intrepidity of a barnyard qooqoo. Anyway, how many people actually trust an Assassin? And I'm kinda socially challenged. I mean, I seem to relate better to people standing behind them with a dagger to their back."

Emerali chuckled lightly.

"But Thori hasn't given you a reason to distrust her."

"The damage is done, though," Thori said. "It's subconscious. And it's not just about you, Devaen. That betrayal was monumental, and that war and the events thereof are branded on your soul. That's why you fear reliving it, Emerali. I know it's not personal."

They all fell silent for several minutes. At last Emerali spoke again.

"Somehow I believe I faced Bakren. I associate his very name with immense darkness and doom. I beg of Aion and the great Empyrean Lords to help us find and defeat him, before we face another Cataclysm. But I'm not going to let my fears get the better of me anymore. There's gonna be a change, I promise."

"Well, that's good enough for me," Thori said, brightly. "So, since we're here, let's get something to eat; I'm starved. You haven't touched your food, Em."

Emerali pulled her plate back to her and smiled. In the light of her friends' company and forgiveness, her appetite had suddenly returned. "Order whatever you want; my treat!"

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The following weeks passed quietly enough. Aside from a skirmish here and there with an occasional band of Asmodians, nothing of grave significance occurred. Every Daeva was on his guard, however, eyes sharp and weapons ready.

As things seemed calm, preparations for the Solorius Festival were carried out. All of Elysea was buzzing with excitement despite the moderate alert that was raised. Sanctum was decked out in full holiday color and cheer. Daevas and humans alike flocked to the capital city to enjoy the joyous celebration.

As for Emerali, the day of the Festival itself caught her unprepared. She was, in fact, poring over a sheet of music she had been composing for another battle tune when she heard a rap at her door. Still humming the tune, she answered it.

Thori stood on the step, bearing gift parcels gaping, at her. "You're not ready?!"

"For what?" Emerali gasped suddenly. "Oh, no! The Festival! I've been so busy writing this song, I totally forgot! I'm gonna be late!"