Time After Time

(11 Fashanos 5115, The Landing)

She reached for the font. Her hand hesitated; she knew what was there – it was always there. Frozen in the grip of a fear she could name, but not explain, she stared into the water for a very long time. She did not want to see that dream again, not tonight.

And that was a sin, she realized. She broke into tears all over again and fled the shrine, feeling unworthy. But there was no place to go that was safe with the despair that was overtaking her. There was no song tonight, she threw her crashing soul against the strength of her harp.

Only questions without answers.

She thought she had seen all the possibilities, and faced them. But never foresaw this.

Only questions without answers. She should have asked some of those questions herself instead of just standing there like a rolton caught in torchlight tonight, staring in disbelief.  Even “What? What do you mean?” would have been a good start.

In town, the normal noises of the Square broke through her confused thoughts. She tried to follow it all … but could not muster the concentration or the will, and finally put one foot in front of the other and made her way back to the shrine, because she knew it was the only safe place now.

Even if she could not face the dream.

 

She reached for the font. Her hand hesitated; she knew what was there – it was always there. Frozen in the grip of a fear she could name, but not explain, she stared into the water for a very long time.

She pulled her hand back, and began to pray for everything she was worth this time. A half an hour turned into an hour. Still, she prayed.

Sometime during the deep of the night while she still knelt at the altar, the Lord of Dreams stole upon her. She never saw Him, and as His hand lowered to close her eyes in sleep, she immediately slumped over, falling into His waiting arms. He gently lowered her to the ground and held her hand for a while, just watching her sleep. He leaned close over her sleeping form and whispered into her ear, and in the amount of time it takes to blink, He was no longer there.

 

Author: GSBardess

A young bardess named Luxelle is currently learning her trade and hoping to one day make a name for her songs in GemStone IV. Follow along with her adventures in life and song.

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