Autumn's Beginning, Autumn's Breeze [2]

Ariana
I leaned my head against Riley's shoulder, feeling slightly tired again. "Lets go back to the tower, I'll talk to Davnix and then we can sit outside on the balcony."

I'd probably end up falling asleep against the rail, but that didn't really matter to me. I thought about what was going on up in the tower, Natan Nathaniel and Isabella were probably sleeping, I wasn't sure about the others. But if Davnix was sleeping I'd wake him up.

"Does it take long to be changed?" I asked.

"Only about an hour or two if I'm remembering correctly."

Riley-

Before she could protest, i grabbed Ariana and lifted into the air, bringing us onto the balcony outside our room within seconds. I set her down and smiled.

"Sorry, but walking is painfully slow and tiresome." i said, grinning like a child.

Ariana

I smiled back and gave him a quick kiss, before forcing him to set me down so I could go talk to Davnix.

"Davnix," I whispered into the room noting that nealrly everyone was asleep. "Dav, can I talk to you a minute."

"About what?"

"Becoming an Avian."

That got his attention.

Val--

I sat next to Natan as he slept. Part of me was angry at Max for just shoving our two strongest mages back into sleep, while our other mage was already too damaged to do much good. At the same time, I knew he was right. So instead I turned my attention to Bastien, who was still standing a few feet into the room.

"Out," I ordered, my eyes daring him to move anyway but backward.

"You dragged me all the way here, just to kick me back out after being insulted?" he snapped, obviously angry. I got to my feet, my fangs visible.

"Get out," I hissed, stepping toward him. His eyes held arogence, but he turned and left.

I went and curled myself up next to Natan again. I wonder if he can communicate through his mind in this state I thought, placing one of my hands lightly on his forehead.

Natan? I asked softly.

Riley-

I stepped into the room after Ariana, melding into the shadows in case Davnix was mad...

Davnix-

I still held Velna's hand when Ariana approached me. My eyes opened wide at his words.

"You what?" i asked hoarsely.

"I want to become an avian. It doesn't hurt and only takes a couple of hours. And the only thing that would change about me would be my having wings. That's it." she argued.

I sighed. What did i care? All i wanted was to see my sister happy. Especially after what just happened.

I waved my hand. "Alright, do what you wish. But don't blame me if mom and dad get angry. I had nothing to do with this."

Natan-

A thought - no, a voice - flowed through my mind softly. Images of my past, of my childhood, of my test, flickered through the pressing blackness. And with this voice they came stronger.

Natan? the voice came again. Can you hear me?

I managed a sleepy yes.

Another image burst to life before my closed eyelids. A movie depicting my youth.

A small, dark-haired boy sat at the foot of his bed, his blue eyes wide with fear. His small body shuddered and his head turned nervously side to side. He couldn't have been more than five years old.

Suddenly, another figure entered the room, velvet black robes covering the man's slight form. He came to sit next to the boy on the bed, drawing the child close.

"Shh, there is no need to be frightened of the night." the man crooned softly.

"But, daddy, it was awful!" the boy said quietly, his lower lip trembling slightly. "I dreamed that you and mommy and Isa would all go away and leave me alone! And i didn't know where to go...and all these monsters came..."

A faint trace of smile played upon the man's lips. "It's alright, Natan, we won't ever leave you."

"But what if you do!?"

"We won't. I promise. No matter which path you eventually decide to travel, one of us will be there to guide you down it."

After a moment the child whispered, "...I hope it's you."

Val--

I watched Natan's memory with him, up until the very end.

Natan...when was that? I asked, making sure my voice stayed soft.

I was five, he replied. I used to be so close to my father...

We both fell silent for a moment.

Why don't you like Bastien? I asked once I felt it was safe to continue. I could practically feel Natan tense up, even in thought.

Natan-

I sighed and hesitated, not wanting to tell. She sensed my thoughts.

You don't have to tell me, you know. she said.

I know, and I wont. I find that words are meaningless while pictures, or in this case memories, last so much longer and are much more impactful.

And the memory started.

A young man, no older than 19, stood alone, staring out at the blood-red sunset. His dark hair clung damply to his face and head and his blue eyes glowed a feverish red. His long, supple fingers tapped the windowsill absently.

The door behind the man opened, admitting a red-robed mage. He too could not have been older than 19, though his appearance seemed much younger. He stood quietly until the first man turned and addressed him.

"Yes, Bastian? What do you want?" he asked, a hint of bitterness and anger hiding within his voice.

"I just came to say i am sorry."

"Came a bit late, don't you think? My test is over, with no thanks to you."

"Listen, i had no idea what they were going to do! How was I to know? They tell us novices nothing!"

"But they do not hide it, either." the first man said, his eyes narrowing.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry isn't going to cut it, Bastian! We had a deal. You find out what the mages were planning for my test and i would find out for yours. You did not bring up your half of the bargain."

"Natan, i said i was sorry! There was nothing i could do! They hid it from me!"

The first mage, Natan, rounded on the smaller one with an anger that had been bottled up for many months. "Oh, so that's your excuse? They hid it from you!? Bastian, i agreed to help you only because i thought you could help me. We had a deal. I told you what the mages had planned for you. You told me nothing, nearly costing me much more then it should have. You failed to fulfill your end of the deal. Don't you think that deserves punishment?"

Bastian looked down. "Natan, i am sorry. I truly am."

A blast of magic shot from Natan's fingers, hitting Bastian on the chest. He stumbled back and sent his own small spell back. It was weak and had Natan completely fooled...

Thinking he held the upper hand in this match, Natan carelessly flicked spell after spell at the seemingly defenseless mage. Then, suddenly, a stronger burst of magic hit him and sent him sprawling to his stomach. That was the last thing he remembered before the world went black and his back erupted in pain.

Velna-

Velna felt Davinx tense and she gently squeezed his hands. She didn't want to have to imagene what he was going through. He didn't seem to care, but the tenseness in his arm said different. She didn't blame him for being stressed out, with all that had happened today everyone was stressed out. He seemed to relax though and responded, but Velna didn't hear it. She looked around, someone was watching them. Maybe Max had come in. That was probably it. She looked around for him but didn't spot him anywhere.


**Gah shortness**

Val--

Natan's rememberence of the pain cause Val pain as well. She shuddered, tempted for a moment to move away.

I'm sorry...you can leave if you'd like. Natan said worriedly.

Leave? Why would I do a silly thing like that? Val asked carelessly. No offense love, but you were a little harsh, weren't you? Perhaps he truly couldn't get the information he was supposed to get?

**Eep shortness**

Natan-

He had plenty of oppertunities to find out. i said bitterly, shutting off the onrush of memories. There were plenty there that i didn't want her to see.

My test didn't go quite as was described. i said quietly, swiftly remembering my exhaustion. The story that has been told isn't half of it.

She remained silent as i let small threads of memory from behind the barricade. Bright flashes of light, tortured faces that were too familiar...

I let one memory linger much longer than the others. it was the same one she had seen already, of the young me shivering on the bed. Again, my father entered and sat, but he did not embrace me as before. Instead he sneered.

"Daddy, i had the most horrible nightmare...you and mommy and Isa all left me to the monsters. And you didn't come back..."

Suddenly the black robed man disappeared, as though he never existed. The boy blinked, his eyes widening in shock and fear. He raced out of the room on bare feet, through every room in the small house. He ended up thrusting the front door open and stood in the cold winter air, faced by monsters.

Ariana

I joined Riley again on the balcony, "he wasn't much help," I commented sitting down next to him.

"He said he didn't care" Riley pointed out.

"Yes but I was hoping he'd give me advice on weither or not mom and dad would care." Sighing I leaned against him, "they probably won't."

Riley-

I drew her close, ruffling her hair with my breath.

"As long as you're happy, i don't think they could care."

Val--

I gasped at the image. That was the worst part of memory-sharing...you always felt like you were actually there, it was so real. I clutched Natan's arm, and his innervoice let out the smallest chuckle. He let his mind wrap around mine, like a hug, only without arms.

I didn't mean to frighten you, he said softly.

I know. I wasn't so much frightened for me as for the little version of you anyway, I replied softly. I could feel Natan's exhaustian -- it was partially rubbing off on me. Go back to sleep, my dearest love. I suggested.

Ariana

I shrugged my shoulders, "they might not. But I doubt they know much about what it means to be an Avian. I only know the basics..."

*sorry that's all I got.*

Natan-

I sighed. Technically, i AM asleep. It just doesn't feel like it. So, by all means, stick around if you'd like. I'm still getting my sleep...in a way. I'll show you more memories, if you'd like. Happier ones. i mentally shrugged, smiling slightly.

But, of course, i would not be offended if you wanted to leave. You must be just as exhausted as i am. i murmured.

Riley-

"I don't think they'll object once they find out. I assure you, it's wonderful." i said, smiling. "You feel so free. If anything, they'd be jealous."