there's light at the edge of the darkness
Loren had heard about the Prince from Remi what felt like ages ago, though it had been less than a season. Although it was a vain hope, he’d commented then that maybe his healing magic could help the poor suffering being. Unfortunately, he hadn’t exactly had time to find the creature; he’d been busy with LongNight preparations, and imprisonment, and emotional upheavals, and it wasn’t until today that he found himself with a precious bit of free time.
So, he’d gathered up his staff and his companion, Astra, and descended into the depths. The glow from the luxere’s horns was more than enough to see by, and the tunnels held no fear for the summoner. Indeed, the silence and shadows—though banished as it was by the Astra’s light—were almost comforting, filled as they were with an old familiarity. He had nothing to fear from the darkness outside.
It was the darkness inside of him that terrified him.
Oddly enough he spotted a familiar figure bathed in light up ahead. Frowning, he picked up his pace, Astra trotting beside him. ”Amalia?” He called out softly, not wanting to startle the woman. Although he wasn’t sure if they were friends or not—all their encounters had been surprisingly pleasant, threats to his life aside, but also incredibly awkward—but he knew she was a good person and was glad to see her, if a bit confused. ”What’re you doing down here? And no Jyoti today?” The starwhale was nowhere to be seen.
Astra peered up at the baker’s staff with wide eyes, causing Loren to look more closely at it. When he did, he realized why the light around them seemed so familiar: there were antlers on it, larger than Astra’s though definitely from a luxere. Now that he saw it, he remembered what Amalia had said, about the luxere that had shed its antlers for her. Now he knew where they had ended up.
It took him a little while longer to notice the fluffy and feathered bit of red hidden among the woman’s red scarf. When he did, he smiled at the bird, and held out his finger for it to hop onto, if it wanted. Still, it looked comfy where it was, so he figured it would stay put. ”Whose this cutie?” Loren had always liked animals, more than most people, so he practically beamed at the cardinal.
So, he’d gathered up his staff and his companion, Astra, and descended into the depths. The glow from the luxere’s horns was more than enough to see by, and the tunnels held no fear for the summoner. Indeed, the silence and shadows—though banished as it was by the Astra’s light—were almost comforting, filled as they were with an old familiarity. He had nothing to fear from the darkness outside.
It was the darkness inside of him that terrified him.
Oddly enough he spotted a familiar figure bathed in light up ahead. Frowning, he picked up his pace, Astra trotting beside him. ”Amalia?” He called out softly, not wanting to startle the woman. Although he wasn’t sure if they were friends or not—all their encounters had been surprisingly pleasant, threats to his life aside, but also incredibly awkward—but he knew she was a good person and was glad to see her, if a bit confused. ”What’re you doing down here? And no Jyoti today?” The starwhale was nowhere to be seen.
Astra peered up at the baker’s staff with wide eyes, causing Loren to look more closely at it. When he did, he realized why the light around them seemed so familiar: there were antlers on it, larger than Astra’s though definitely from a luxere. Now that he saw it, he remembered what Amalia had said, about the luxere that had shed its antlers for her. Now he knew where they had ended up.
It took him a little while longer to notice the fluffy and feathered bit of red hidden among the woman’s red scarf. When he did, he smiled at the bird, and held out his finger for it to hop onto, if it wanted. Still, it looked comfy where it was, so he figured it would stay put. ”Whose this cutie?” Loren had always liked animals, more than most people, so he practically beamed at the cardinal.
loren
