Chapter CLXXXIV: Phantoms ~Lady North

Sighing, Lady North ascended the stairs into the Observation Room. Finally, her evening rounds had been completed. Five reports on the fallen Towers, two on the dragon egg excavation, which were disappointing, since all the eggs found so far were stillborn, and another three on the upkeep of the East Tower. She glanced up into the landing, still a few more steps away, hoping Aa’ron had some good news. She also hoped that he had a pot of his special tea going. Sweet goddess, she could use some of that right now. She pushed herself onward, driven by the thought of that tea, and took another handful of skirt in both hands, taking the steps two at a time. Finally, she reached the top of the marble staircase and released the fabric, not noticing that it hovered for a moment before floating back to its previous position around her ankles.

“Ah, good evening, Lady,” a voice called from behind her.

Smiling, the woman turned around, and locked gazes with a pair of deep blue eyes.

A pair of blue eyes gazing deep into her own, his mouth moving in words she could no longer hear. A blue robe, and a staff…such a beautiful thing…it glowed. The blue ball of glass glowed a light blue, sending a warmth deep into her heart. He took a step towards her, looking around, as if in fright. She tried to call his name…a name she could not remember…Something so familiar about him…so close to her own. She tried to reach out a hand to comfort him…only to find…

“Lady?” another voice spoke.

The woman blinked several times, trying to discern the two images.

“Y…yes…I’m sorry…” she replied, vaguely noticing the weakness in her own voice. A gentle hand guided her to a soft chair, into which she sank gratefully.

“Phantoms, again?” he asked.

Rather than trust her voice, Lady North nodded and sighed, squeezing her eyes shut, only to face the image once more. Something warm was pressed into both hands, making sure she could hold it steady on her own.

“Drink that, Lady, please,” the voice bade her.

Slowly, she raised it to her lips, drinking down the hot liquid. The taste seeped into her mind, returning her to awareness.

“Wonderful, as always Aa’ron, thank you,” Lady North told him, her voice holding steady and strong.

He let forth a sigh and stepped back, bowing slightly, his red hair falling slightly into his eyes.

“My pleasure, Lady,” he replied, smiling slightly.

The woman relaxed into her chair, plush with lavender, and smelling just as good.

“Please, tell me you have good news?” she asked, closing her eyes as she finished off her cup of tea. “It’s been a long day…nothing but depressing reports…do you have something good?”

“Actually, Lady, I do,” Aa’ron answered, grinning wider and straightening as he poured for her another cup of his tea. “The Lines have remained steady, and seem to have accepted your new position quite well. As always, there are minor disagreements, but nothing as major as a blizzard in Egypt.”

Da’ana laughed, remembering that moment when her Sisters decided to do something fun for a change: combining their powers in major places, just to see what it would do. She sighed, thinking those wonderful times were surely over. The woman took another sip of the tea, grateful for its unending soothing effects.

“Any messages while I was taking my rounds?”

“Yes, though I need to check again,” he replied, setting down the pot to walk over to a side panel that ran the large, semi-transparent flat map of the world. It allowed for her to get a good look at the Elder Priest who helped run her winds. He had been one of the very few she allowed to stay after the previous Children had turned on her. Mainly, because he was one of the few who spoke up in her defence, and remained an ally through everything. The fact that he knew more about the physical panels then she did was a bonus too, since it saved her time of trying to learn it, and teach it to another.

Though she could never seem to overlook the glow in his eyes she always seemed to catch, just as she met his gaze, and before he turned his away. His eyes were a deep blue, like that of her phantom guy, but were different in the fact that there was also an inner ring of gold surrounding his pupil. Every time she looked, there was something there. An inner-glow, something that she could never comprehend. The way he smiled at her always made her feel special, always made her smile back, no matter how miserable of a mood she was in. It always felt nice to have someone she could go to…and someone that didn’t have a partitioned mind. And he wasn’t that bad to look upon either. There was something…interesting about his long red hair, tied back by the special quadruple-knotted single strand of white ribbon of his station, and service to her.

He smiled at her, giving her that private look that was always meant just for her. The way he laughed when she tried to teach him…something…and the way he always tried to best the insults given by…some kind of companion that wasn’t Kyara’nya…A deep longing imbedded itself into her heart, wrenching at her very existence when she saw those deep eyes welling with tears…tears?…of pain?…no! Why?

“Lady?” his voice interrupted her thoughts again.

Forcefully she shook her head, looking up into those eyes with a smile.

“Yes, Aa’ron, I’m listening.”

“There was a message from Laria, left by…Sir Sachiel. Either him, or one of the others are going to stop by for a visit.” He paused, and only continued when she had pressed him to. “They want to talk to you…they have a job for you to do...”

“Oh, is that all?” she replied. “Alright, send him one back saying I’ll be expecting him, or one of the others, sometime soon.” She chuckled as she added, “And also that Kyara’nya misses him.”