The bond we share

5. the way things are

"Aiden?"

I know I felt him just now, the feeling was so strong. I'm positive I heard him call my name. I push the pain away, forcing back the fire. Aiden is with me. I know he is. I can do this. Slowly, I push myself back onto my feet. Tom is still rubbing my back.

"That's it! Think of Aiden. You can do this Bree!" he says, cheering me on, pushing me not to give up.

The fire shows Leandra kneeling at an altar chanting with a room full of others. The sound echoes around the temple. I can see the clean white walls, and the polished floors reflect the faces of those on their knees.

Mitace walks into the temple and stands at the back. He stop's himself from going any further. Mitace just stands and watches the others chant on the polished floor.

After a few moments, another man walks in. Noticing Mitace at the entrance, he inclines his head and gives his hand a wave for him to go first. Shaking out of his thoughts, Mitace moves to a spot on the floor and slowly bows his head to the floor as the man follows beside him.

Mitace rests his forehead to the cool floor. He's not chanting but seems to be in deep thought. Others have finished and left. It's only when Leandra comes up to him that he snaps out of his thoughts.

"You were not chanting, are you feeling alright?" she asks him.

"Yes...um ...no I guess I'm not feeling myself today."

"That is strange as we don't get sick. I wonder what the problem could be."

Mitace looks around and notices Leandra and he are the only ones left in the temple now.

"I don't feel sick, I feel...I don't know how to explain it... I... I don't want to chant the same chant we chant every day. I don't want to do the same things we have done for thousands of years. I don't know why I feel this way, but I do know I feel better when I am with you." Mitace confesses.

"Wisdom and balance, there is no birth, no death, no sickness, no love or hate, envy or malice, we are balance, and that is what the lands need from us, Mitace. If you are having these.... feelings, we must tell the wise ones right away. I don't think this is a good thing."

"Please Leandra. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I feel much better. Just forget what I said, okay?"

She looks at him for a moment. "Very well, but promise me, if you feel like that again you will speak to the wise ones." She looks at him with large pleading eyes.

Mitace gives her his best show-stopping smile. "Of course, I will." he replies.

She smiles in return, pleased with his answer. Mitace gets up and leaves the temple.

Mitace's smile falls the moment he is away from Leandra. His blue robes move around his ankles as he walks to the viewing room. The room is empty and the pool is still reflecting the island below. Mitace sits at the water's edge, watching the underlings below.

Instead of chanting in the temple, he returns to the viewing pool every day. Mitace becomes so engrossed, one day he doesn't notice Leandra sit beside him.

"So, this is where you have been of late." she says, making Mitace jump. Her eyes go wide at his reaction. "What is with you lately?"

"I'm sorry, I really was not paying attention. You startled me that's all." Not thinking, Mitace places his hand over Leandra's as he speaks. Leandra sucks in a deep breath. Mitace notices what he has done but seems to decide not to show any care.

Leandra stays frozen for a few moments, deciding what to say and do. Just as it seems she is going to say something, Mitace speaks. He is still holding onto her hand. He looks down into the viewing pond.