For Glory or Gold

Arrival

Torin awoke to a familiar weight at her feet. Her small furry companion laid curled up in a deep slumber. She lifted herself from her position on the soft bed, taking the time to pet her oldest friend. It’d been several months since she arrived in La’Koda. Her days had been full of exploring, hiking and learning, as everyone had something that they insisted she see.

Sestina had grown very fond the new resident to the isles, and over the few months grown very close. She had taken it upon herself to escort the new member to the peaks on many occasions. While she herself did not have the ability to hear the isles, she knew Torin did, and was willing to help her understand her gifting. The two becoming like sisters very quickly.

Kestrin had enjoyed his afternoons of watching Estien teach his young love sword skills, should they ever venture out again. Torin proved to be a quick learner in those few months, picking up basics to much what she was taught very rapidly.

Torin sat on her bed, recalling the teaching from Kestrin the day before. He had labored to teach the girl the unspoken language he and his sister had used often. Her fingers danced before her as she tried to repeat the phrases she had learned. The basics had come to her easily, her fingers twisting as if it was second nature, but putting it together was harder. She inadvertently pulled her bottom lip into her mouth as she tried to recall the motions.

“I will get this!” She looked to the sleeping cat, who gave a big yawn and repositioned itself. Shaking her head, she exited her bed and dressed for the day. Her clothes on the isles had been more revealing then what she was accustomed to before. Here she didn’t have to hide who she was, her runes were accepted and no one asked or shunned her because of them.

Her fingers traced a rune that glimmered on her forearm, she determined she was going to ask about them today. She quickly put on her sandals and stepped from her sleeping chambers. Her room was perched into the great tree, being a large set of tree houses amongst the monument. The bridges that connected one home to the other, made travel easier. The warmth of the sun had already began to lighten the atmosphere, as she gazed about her surroundings. Several walkways off was a wooden ramp that would lead her down from confines of the limbs and branches. To the other direction, were walkways that would take her higher, to the home of the Elder. It is with joy in her steps, that Torin made her way further into the maze of homes, her destination was breakfast with her grandmother.

This amazing elderly woman sat on a small chair outside her home, a cup of tea in one hand and a missive in the other. Her brow furrowed as she read the pages before her.

“I can get used to how quiet it is up here.” Torin took a seat beside the loving matriarch, and set about making herself some tea.

“Estien came looking for you, twice already.” She smiled to her granddaughter, “I told him you were sleeping.” The relationship that was kindled between these two, was unlike any other Torin had. She and her grandmother had become so close, between her lessons with the elements and the nights of talking.

“Is this what it would have been like, if I had grown up here?” Torin took a slow sip from her cup.

“Last night?” She asked with a chuckle.

“No,” Torin laughed, remembering the young girl that convinced to dance with her and her friends. The laughter that was shared when Estien tried to teach the correct dance to her. “This.” She gestured between the two of them.

“Oh,” Her grandmother nodded her head, “yes. This would have happened often, and still will.”

“Grandmother,” Torin looked to the missive, “anything of concern?”

“I’m afraid so.” Sorrow filled her features, “I received word this morning, that The Qorum cannot afford to send a delegate at this time. You will have to go to them for your Prophecy.” She gave a loud sigh. “I had hoped they would have someone here by this morning.”

Torin took a biscuit from the plate before her, “I understand. I can wait until they are able.”

“Torin, my dear.” She brought her hand up to her cheek. “Where did you get your patience?” Torin’s eyes closed in response to the adoration bestowed to her. She took hand back and began to break up bread.

“Did father receive Prophecy?” Torin asked into the silence, taking a piece of bread from her.

“He did.” La’Octa smiled to herself, “That was how he met your mother.” She then beamed to the young butterfly beside her, then looked toward the ground below them. Torin followed her gaze, and there coming across the lawn was Estien. He was clad in relaxed clothes, with a lightweight shirt and brown trousers. His boots were light weight as well, as if he had plans to lounge the day away.

Torin turned to her grandmother, a smirk inching it’s way across her face.

“Go on.” She was told firmly. “Go to him, we’ll talk more later.” La’Octa smiled at her kin, lifting her cheek to receive a kiss from her.

“Thank you, grandmother.” Torin left her seat quickly, skillfully making her way across the bridges and down the ramp to the lawn. Estien met her at the base of the ramp and promptly took her hand in his.

“Come.” He said as he lead her away. “There is something to show you.”

Before she knew it, he was whisking her away through the forest. They had been walking for a sometime, when they came to a small brook. The water raged through it and small fish could be seen as they swam down river. Here is where they stopped, a small clearing beside the water.

“Here,” he said as he turned about, “is where I received my prophecy.” He smiled to the woman who carried his heart.

“So much talk of Prophecy this morning.” Torin retorted, taking a bite from the bread she had squirreled away.

“What?”

“Nothing.” She shrugged off what she had said, “Your prophecy? Right here?” She stood, pointing to the ground.

“More over that way, but yes.” They flirtatiously giggled to each other and he took Torin’s hands in his. “It was here in this field that I first saw her.”

Torin quickly took her hands from him. “Her?”

“Yes,” He said as he walked over toward the area he pointed to a moment ago. “The girl I would love for the rest of my life.” He turned toward Torin and started to walk backwards. She c****d her head at him, unsure of where he was going with this. “This girl with amazingly blue eyes,” he paused and kissed her hands. “This girl that I would beg the air elements to take me to see her in her dreams.”

A blush came to Torin’s cheeks, and a nervous smile danced it’s way across her lips and she giggled.

“I would visit her almost daily for half a year. Every night in our dreams, I would beg the elements to connect us.” Estien drew his arms about her briefly, “Until La’Octa stopped me.” He turned briefly, with her in his arms, releasing her and walked backwards toward the field. “She told me to go and become something worthy of her love. That dreaming of being with her would not make it happen.” He motioned for Torin to follow him.

“Estien,” She tried to interrupt him, following his lead.

“Torin, I saw you every night.” He took her hand in his again. “Every night after that I missed your face. All I could remember were your sapphire eyes, so bright that only a gem could compare to them.”

“Estien, stop.” Torin was blushing profusely.

“I can’t stop, Torin. I have loved you for years and need you to know…”

She stopped him the only way she knew how. She pushed him, hard. He toppled backwards and fell, and without realizing it, he took her with him. Estien grabbed hold of her arm as he started to fall, taking her off balance and down with him. He caught her as she fell atop him and they laid in the grass field near the roaring brook. Silence finally filling the space between them. Torin had never kissed anyone before, not like she wanted to. Her mother always said it was like dancing, the man would lead. So, she brought her lips close to Estien’s ear and whispered gently.

“I love you.”

She pulled her head back, her lips briefly gracing his with their warmth. They both felt the rush of a sensation come over them. That was all it took, that brush of our lips and his hand was on her neck, embracing and leading her in the most elegant dance she have ever been on. The warmth of his breath ran across her cheek as their lips danced. He led her beautifully and she followed him like a synchronized routine. Neither wanted that moment to end, and it may have continued indefinitely had they not been interrupted.

A short distance away, snickering could be heard. A familiar snickering of children. Their kiss ended as Estien rolled her to his side and lifted himself to shoo the kids away. They ran off, giggling loudly. Estien rested on his elbow alongside his beloved, his hand upon her waist.

“I’ve waited so long to kiss you.” He lips curled happily upward as he took in her beauty. “I almost did, when I first met you.” His hand came up and absently brushed her chin.

“I remember,” She smiled, “when you clasped my cloak.” Her hand coming up to meet his.

“Did you really believe that I wasn’t the one?” He asked, kissing her forehead softly.

“For a time.” She replied earnestly. “I had to know for sure it was you from my dreams.”

“What gave it away?” He ran his hand through her brown locks, undoing the braid slowly as he did.

“A few weeks back, you gave a familiar smile. I remember it from when I first saw you in my dreams.” Her hand came up to his cheek, allowing him the chance to lean into her touch. “I knew then, it was you.”

He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers one more time. His sweet kiss serenading her with adoration.

“What did Grandmother say to you?”

“When?” He asked faintly, his attention on her fingers as he moved them delicately amongst his own long digits..

“After your blessing.” She reached up to move a piece of his black hair from his eyes, .

He gave a low chuckle, “Oh, that.”

“Yes, that.” She pushed him firmly in the chest, causing him to fall to his side. His deep laugh becoming infectious as he fell.Torin rolled her eyes and sat up.

Estien sat up quickly, moving his had to her neck and drawing her close to him. Torin rejected him, her head turning away and escaping his grasp.He promptly took to kissing her neck. A new sensation rushed over her, and before she realized it was happening, a low moan escaped her throat. Estien chuckled against her flesh, but it did not deter from kissing her.

“She blessed,” he continued to kiss along her neck to her ear, and she lustfully allowed him to, “our union.”

“Hmm..” She acknowledged what he said, but was so entranced by his touch that she didn’t move. He kissed his way along her jawline to her lips, kissing her softly. “Is that so?” Torin spoke softly, her words barely audible.

“It is.” He grinned as he kissed her chin.

“If I said no?”

He pulled back rapidly, the cool air of their bodies apart abruptly ending the moment. “You’d say no?” Astonishment in clear in his voice.

“You haven’t asked me.” She smiled devilishly to him.

“Torin,” He came in close, she felt his warm breath upon her nose and the cool grass beneath her, “marry me.”

“That’s not a question.” She spoke out, her pulse racing. Her arms twitched as she resisted the urge to wrap them about her handsome love.

“Will you,” he kissed her jaw softly.

“Torin! Estien!” Kestrin yelled out from across the field.

Torin groaned loudly and fell to the grass. Estien followed suit and they laid still in the field.

“If we stay still do you think he’d leave?” Estien whispered, from his position staring at the cloudless sky.

“I doubt it,” She snarked, “he’s persistent.”

“I hear you guys!” He yelled from across the field. “Torin, your grandmother is asking for you.”

“I’ll be right there!” She yelled out. “Please go away!”

“Estien!” Kestrin yelled out, “Keep her honest!” The sound of his laughter could be heard clearly throughout the field. Torin pulled Estien’s hand down to prevent him from giving away their position.

“Don’t feed the beast.” She joked with him.

“Oh!” Estien groaned and rolled onto his elbow beside her, hovering hungrily over her. “Woman, you will be my end.”

“And what a glorious end it will be.” She smiled to him.

“Please,” he spoke slowly and softly, “will you join me in union?”

Her eyes scanned his face, his dark chocolate orbs were hungry for her. His lips curled in the corners as he waited eagerly for her to respond.

She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth, causing him to come down and gently pepper kisses to the edges of her mouth. She smiled at his kisses and genltly exhaled her answer. “Yes.”

“Yes?” He smiled, as she nodded to him. His lips crashed against hers as they smiled into the awkward kiss.

“So,” Torin looked up to Estien as he stood from their spot in the meadow, “should I ask Grandmother to unite us?”

“Union isn’t like that.” He gave a shy laugh, accompanied with a nervous laugh, “It’s between us” he drew her close as she rose from the grass, “and the elements.”

“So?” She turned her head, suspiciously eying him over..

“So,” he kissed her chin. “we ask the elements to bless our union, and then…” he delicately kissed her cheek, “we unite.” He chuckled anxiously.

Torin’s face blushed bright red at what he was saying. “That’s it?!” She questioned, as if there should have been more to it.

“We do things differently on the isles.” He smiled like a teenage boy. “We save ourselves for our unions.” His hands brushed her cheek.

“C’mon.” She took his hand and led him away, “Grandmother is waiting.”

“Wait!” He tried to stop, but she pressed on, “Torin, you saved yourself, right?!” She laughed as she ran off, keeping up the fast pace. As he started to catch up to her, she quickened her pace and made for the Great Tree.

He was still in hot pursuit when they arrived to the collection of tree houses. A small crowd had come around, and they fought to stifle their love bird giggles. Torin grasped Estien’s hand firmly as she set her eyes on her Grandmother. Seated in the tree beside the older woman was a gentleman, his face was grave. It was a face Torin knew very well. Letting of of Estien’s hand, she ran to him.

“Papa!” Her voice carried ahead of her as she moved skillfully across the bridges. His face turning as she ran to him. His brown eyes were weary as he pulled her tight in his arms. “Where is mama? Lars?” She asked pulling from him. His eyes swelled with tears, as The Elder approached beside them.

“Best we take this inside.” She brought her hands beside them and ushered the duo into the nearby quarters. She sat Torin and her father down on the long chair and asked for someone to bring tea in.

“Papa,” Torin spoke up impatiently. “Where are they?”

“Dear one,” Her grandmother began as she closed the door, “they were attacked, on the way to the barge.”

“What?” Torin’s eyes scanned the faces of the her family before her. ”But they’re ok, right?” Looking quickly between the isle matriarch and her father. “Mama is ok, isn’t she?”

“Torin,” Fenrick stood and placed a hand firmly on the shoulder of his daughter, “they are both gone.”

Panic slowly crept across her beautiful features. Her blue eyes had gone wide and she could remain in that room. She needed the one she trusted, the one that would always protect her. Rushing from the doorway onto the catwalk, she scanned the lawn below for his face. Still not seeing him, she rushed to the ramp and began to call out for him.

“Estien!” Her voice rang out as onlookers approached her. Their voice were concerned, but not for her.

“Is everything alright miss?”

“Are they ok?”

“Is La’Octa well?”

The bombardment of questions set her heart racing more. Her body starting to tremble as the world about her started to spin.

“Estien!” She screamed out, panic rising quickly.

“I’m here.” He pushed his way through the group. Reaching the base of the ramp, he quickly embraced his fragile love. The feeling of her sobs causing his arms to protectively come about her. He lifted her gently into his arms and carried her back up the ramp, she brought her arms about his neck. Torin’s shoulders trembled as she released the tears that had danced with her eyes. A young girl opened the door to her room, allowing them access. Torin’s father was already in there with her grandmother. They spoke calmly to each other, as Torin’s tears continued to soak her fiance’s shirt.

“I’m sorry, sir.” Estien spoke calmly to Fenrick, his face reflecting the apology of intrusion.

“It’s ok.” His raspy voice showed signs of the tears he had shed, barely heard over her sobbing. Torin clung desperately to her love. “She needs you.” Fenrick’s hand briefly touching his daughter’s shoulder.

Estien’s arms shrugged softly and Torin’s headed shifted in his arms. Estien had climbed the stairs to the sleeping area and set carefully upon the bed..

“Torin, you have to let go of me.” He whispered to his weeping treasure.

She shook her head slowly, “please don’t go.” She spoke out in between sobs.

He brought his head closer to her. “I’m not, but you have to let go of my neck.”

His attempts to reassure had been successful, as her arms slowly released his torso. Her eyes were swollen and red from all the tears she had already shed. Estien handed her a handkerchief from his pocket, as he noticed the fluids all over her face. While Torin wiped her face, Estien laid on the bed beside her. She laid into him, her head nestled neatly into his shoulder as his arms came about her firmly.

For several days Torin laid there, in silence. Estien, being greatly concerned, would try to strike a conversation. Torin’s responses were only head motions. Shaking and nodding, as though her voice had gone from her. Attempts to get her eat were unsuccessful, as she continued to refuse to leave her bed.

Torin laid in her silence, as she was busy in communication with the elements. She wanted answers that only they could give her now. Estien had grown weary of her current condition and feared the worst, as he noticed her body thinner then before her father arrived. He began to miss the sound of her voice.

It was midnight on the fifth day, Torin rose from her bed. She paused for a moment, looking to the sleeping form of her love beside her. She smiled briefly as she stood and moved to the adjoined sitting area. Lowering herself to sit on the floor in the middle amidst the chairs, she reached out to the elements once more.

“Dear child, do you know who you are?” The elements responded to her, as she felt for them.

“I am the granddaughter of La’Octa.” Torin replied, “Daughter to La’Fenro.”

“Yes, but who are you?” The deep voice of the earth spoke out to her.

“I,” Torin paused, “I don’t know.” He brow furrowed as she tried to define herself.

“Let us show you who you are, then if you wish, they will show you what happened.”

Torin cautiously agreed with them. In a moment her spirit was whisked away into the wind. She felt fairies dancing about her, and could feel the warmth of the sun about her shoulders. She felt the heat of an argument and the cool air after a kiss.

“Why do you show me this?” She asked out to them, perplexed by she saw.

“Do you not see yourself?” A set of melodic voices rang back.

Torin examined what they were showing her again. Watching as the torrents of winds crashed against the waves creating luscious hurricanes. The force winds that put out the strongest fire, or fed it into an inferno. She felt admiration for what they were showing. The love of the storm overwhelmed her and the calm of the breeze that came after.

“I am the wind?” She asked out.

“No child.” They chided softly. “You are the torrent.”

“La’Torin?” she whispered to herself, as her name started to make sense.

“La’Torin!” So many voices joined in unison, rejoicing over her.

“You know, he harnesses the wind?” The familiar voice of the earthen element spoke out.

“Who does?” Torin sat there, allowing her eyes to wonder as she saw visions of Estien.

“This is why your union had been foretold among the elements.”

Torin smiled, a peace filling her heart. “Will you still show me?”

“Is this truly what you desire?” The voices responded reluctantly.

“It is, I truly wish to know.” While peace was there, she still had a desire to understand what happened to her family.

Torin felt the reluctance of the elements as they whisked her away to another continent. Her eyes were set on a band of fierce creatures. Their noses were turned upward and their skin tinted a ghastly shade. They stood about a fire and snorting and growling to each other.

“Who are they?” Torin tried to calm the churning in her empty stomach, as she watched the creatures.

“They are not from here.” They replied, “They are from the Rift.” The word Rift echoed out from them, as though it was a dreaded word.

“Is that a bad?” She looked about the camp fire at the strange creatures.

“It is,” they replied again, “the Rift is killing us.” “It’s killing us” echoed more of the voices.

“What can I do?” She cried out, feeling the pain of the elements for the first time.

“Walk in your prophecy.” They replied in unison.

“I’ll have to go to the Qorum, to receive my prophecy.” Torin began to process what she said, setting her heart to the task at hand. A response of voices filled Torin’s ears, it was slow at first, they spoke no more above a whisper. But it came to a head and she heard them as clear as anyone.

“From this moment forth…” the words began, “ you shall be our La’Torin, The Whirling Tempest.”

The elements rejoiced about her and then left.

Torin, sat on the floor, her head swirling from what she had encountered. Looking about the room, she began to steady herself with the familiar sounds. She’d encountered the elements before, but nothing like she had this time. She slowly rose, on unsteady legs, and made her way to bed. Curling up beside Estien, his arm coming about her, she felt one light breeze usher through the room. On the edges of the current she could still hear them, La’Torin.