The Dark Crystal-Along the Silver Sea

Chapter Twelve- An Old Friend Drops By

UrIon was teaching Naia a few days later some moves with the Bow that he had made her, seeing she had shown some interest in one, he wasn't UrVa and didn't pretend to be but UrVa the Archer had been his friend and his teacher in one, which was why he knew how to use one.
Naia said, " you remind me of UrVa in some ways".
UrIon chuckled " I'm flattered you think so...I'm nowhere near as good as he and I don't pretend to be....Archery it is his calling....to me, it is more of a useful skill and hobby to have...I'm actually a Cartographer! With a knack for shaping Wood and Stone So, does that bow suit you little one?"
Naia nodded " it does".
UrIon nodded "I made sure that it was balanced for you properly, as I said I have a knack for Woodshaping...Wood and stone have always spoken to me, even though that is not my calling, Cartography is".
"A what?" Naia asked.
"A Cartographer...I make maps" sad UrIon " well that was what I was originally, but I'm not sure what I am now, more of a Carpenter or Wood shaper I think. UrHom, he took me under his wing and taught me everything he knew before he passed.".
"But aren't you immortal?" Naia asked " you and the Skeksis Lords...I mean, you are what you are".
"No, not Immortal, not anymore," said UrIon "just long-lived".
"Many think you're Eternal." Said Naia.
"The Skeksis, they like to believe that they are, but they're not," he said and picking up an arrow fitted it into his bow which was almost identical to UrVa's in design, designed and suited to his four-armed shape and fired it at the target, it was quickly followed by another and then another.
Naia said, "that is pretty amazing, though!"
He chuckled "I'm not UrVa, but don't try to follow me. My bow was built for me, yours has been built and designed for you".
Naia nodded as UrIon got behind her and said: "adjust your stance to suit you...that is one of the first things UrVa taught me".
Naia nodded " like this Master UrIon".
"Yes," said UrIon " now try to feel....become your bow and your arrow...don't think...Feel!!"
Naia said, " how?"
"Like you have felt everything else Naia," he said.
Naia said, "I can heal....".
"And so much more!" said UrIon, he smiled at her then, she found his eyes a little strange but she liked them, the other Mystics she had met their eyes had been dark, but his, were bright visible green.
"You're not like the other Mystics and nor is Master UrAzshar," she said.
"No we're not it seems..." said UrIon remembering their painting and Aughra's words that it was their fate to save their kin.
"It is like talking to another Gelfling around you two," she said " even your two...Skeksis".
SkekTael and SkekDurn won't harm you" said UrIon " we have always been more like brothers we four even if Tael and I don't always get along maybe we even are".
Naia said, " Gurjin is my twin; it is why the Skeksis wanted us both".
UrIon nodded "the bond between twins is strong.. but twins are not one soul in two bodies....not like we are, you are two souls in two bodies, you share things, but you are not one soul".
Naia nodded "yes".
"Now try and feel," said UrIon, as he lined up another shot and fired and then another in quick succession.

Naia nodded and did so and went to fire when another arrow whizzed over their heads and hit the target, dead centre, making them both pause.
"It is good to see that you have not forgotten what I taught you UrIon," said a familiar voice with a similar accent to Ions and Az's.
UrIon spun around in surprise and delight as another arrow flew over their head meeting its mark in the target.
"UrVa!!!" said Ion delighted as a familiar Mystic came up, Naia smiled as she recognised her friend.
UrVa looked UrIon up and down and asked: "have you gotten bigger?"
"Err, yes, but I was always muscular," said UrIon "it was Az who was the small one!"
UrVa nodded "you're definitely all grown up now then UrIon!" he said as they clasped hands.
"It is so good to see you!" UrIon said " but how did you find us? Not even the Skeksis can find us here...it's why we settled here! The Leviathan has a similar effect to the UrRu Valley; it is a blind spot".
UrVa nodded " the rocks and Thra told me" he nodded at Naia " hello little Healer,"
"It seems we are indebted to Naia for finding you!" said UrIon "but seriously! Getting stuck in of all things a Cradle Tree!" UrIon chuckled" sorry UrVa I know this is bad of me, but I just find it sort of funny!"
UrVa sighed "I was trying to Heal it!" he said, " seems I couldn't...but go on laugh all you want".
UrIon stopped and sighed and then said " we aren't Gelfling UrVa! Their closer to Thra than any of us are! Save maybe Aughra!" he paused " but seriously we were afraid that maybe SkekMal had you captive somewhere".
UrVa said " SkekMal?"
"Yes....your Counterpart," said UrIon.
"I know..." said UrVa " but no he couldn't do that".
"Apparently he's changed and maybe gone a bit mad," UrIon said.
UrVa nodded "I know...." He sighed " my destiny it seems is to face him; eventually it seems and only I can, but in a way that is how it has always been".
UrIon said, " but.....".
"Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without sacrifice UrIon...I believe I taught you that long ago" UrVa said, "and if I must sacrifice myself for Thra eventually I will do so...as it is with us all".
UrIon said "I wish it weren't so. Your one of my best friends! My mentor no less! You took me under your wing and taught me so much! Your one of the few of us who didn't find Az and I a distraction!!!".
UrVa put a hand on UrIon's shoulder 'you were too young UrIon, you and Az!, you should not have been there...but it is very likely it will be the two of you who will see the end of all this. You both can change the Fate of us, you always have been, you are the two Wildcards, the two Innocents, and it is you two that can help...that is a gift you both have and a burden....I have seen your symbol; it blazes brighter than any of ours, you both do, you and Az's, you two have always been brothers in everything but blood! Fate is not yet finished with either of you ....and your two Others".
UrIon said, " but I'm not YOU!!"
"You don't have to be," he said.
UrIon said 'it just seems well....wrong! You are of the Twice Nine! Az and I aren't! it is us who should be sacrificed, not you!"
"And that is exactly why it is you!" said UrVa "you two will see where the Dream ends!"
Naia watching the conversation between the two Mystics had to admit she was having trouble following what they were discussing, but she was happy to see UrVa again.
UrVa continued " dark times are coming, UrIon, and the Gelfling will need you and Az, and your two Others".
UrIon said " so we've been told....Aughra told us that it is our destiny not to save the Gelfling, but to save our Kin! But we have to help the Gelfling to do so....which is what we would probably do anyway it was why I was practising".
UrVa nodded "I was sent to tell you that...but it seems you have already been told".
"When the Mother of Thra, summons you in the middle of the night, you do not ignore her!" said UrIon with a chuckle.
"No, you don't," said UrVa, he looked out to sea and then added, " this is a beautiful place that you and Az found. It is a shame I can't join you here".
UrIon said, " we have lived apart more or less for many years, much like you have, and this is where we found ourselves".
UrVa nodded ", and it seems Fate has found you both again my young friends. You are it seems marked by Fate...you and Az. You always have been, it is not your destiny to heal the world, but you are two who will help ensure that it does get healed. "
UrIon said, "I don't understand".
"You will," said UrVa.
Naia said, "hello UrVa".
UrVa smiled at her then "hello my little friend; it is good to see you again. It was indeed Fate it seems that you washed up on these shores".
"I made her a Bow," said UrIon.
UrVa nodded "I indeed see that...you always had a knack and a feel for wood my young friend even if it was not originally your calling, may I examine it Naia?"
UrIon nodded, and Naia handed it to UrVa who looked it over "nice work!"
UrIon shrugged "UrHom...he taught me well".
"He did indeed" he turned to Naia "remember what I taught and told you Naia?"
"Master UrIon told me the same thing," she said.