Tamke

She was a tall thin girl, with long legs and arms, and long straight black hair. Her skin was reddish-tan and her eyes were as deep as a starless night. Her name is Tamke, and as far as the world is concerned, she is alone.

Born twin to a male, she had constant companionship. He looked so much like her that people would have sworn they were identical had it not been for the gender disparity. His name was Atam, and he always led the way for his sister.

Tamke had been a shy, soft spoken girl all of her life, since Atam had always been there for her, she had no need to be loud or bossy, and had thus never learned those mannerisms. Tamke dressed in loose-fitting pants drawn tight at the waist with a string, and curve-hugging tops that didn’t interfere with her daily routine. Girls didn’t receive any preferential treatment in the Clan, and Tamke did her fair share of work, including mucking stables and grooming horses. The clan was fortunate enough to own two breeding pairs of the striped deer - delcer - from Lantir-setia, and Tamke exercised one of them every day.

When she was free from her duties, she spent her time with her twin brother. However, he usually attracted quite a crowd since he was so energetic and outgoing. Tamke didn’t mind. She got on well with all the youth of the clan, especially her numerous cousins. When the twins weren’t the center of attention, they would sit together and deram of becoming dragonners - and then flying against the deadly spoor of the rampage plants. Their mounts would breathe fire, and they would be there...

But it was not to be. Shortly before they would have turned 17, Atam was killed in a freak rockfall south of Caer Yslen. Tamke would have to go on without him.

Their shared room was too big, too empty, and too cold without him. Rest times were quiet and empty as none came near while she mourned for him. Then she knew for the first time what it truly meant to be alone.

On the morning of her 17th birthday, the sun rose early, casting it’s brightness all over the clan’s land. It shone through the slats of Tamke’s shutters and danced across the floor. She lay asleep in her bed, and when the sunlight caressed her face, she woke. She knew what the day was, and with out Atam, it was incomplete. Curling into a fetal ball, Tamke wept. No festivities had been planned, since the clan knew it was going to be a very hard day for her to face without him.

She appeared from her bedroom sometime during the morning, wearing the purple shirt Atam had given her the year before. Anyone who made eye contact with her smiled comfortingly, and anyone with empty arms hugged her tight as she passed. She took a citrus fruit from a high-piled bowl and a bottle of water, and ventured outside.

Tamke just walked, with no destination in mind. After a while, she found herself walking towards the hill where they’d spent so many hours daydreaming together. Silent tears began to flow down her cheeks as she mounted the hill.

At the top stood a single tree. She clung to it and wept. “Why?!” she demanded of the clear sky, her voice shrill with strain. “Why did you leave me, Atam?! I can’t stay here alone, I need you!”

When the sobbing had exhausted her, she slid down to the base of the tree and rested. She stayed there for several hours, not willing to go back to face the others.

Tamke had a lineage to be proud of, going all the way back to when Belrin Isle had first been settled by the Gryphonners. But this thought brought her no comfort. Atam was her only sibling. They had been so close, it was as though part of her had died right along with him.

Sometime during the morning, one of the dragons from Caer Yslen came down and settled himself on the slope of the hill behind her. Tamke didn’t look, but his silent presence wasa comfort. After a while, tears came to her eyes again. Everything reminded her of him. “Brother, why did you leave me?” she whispered, and was startled to hear a response.

”He didn’t choose to leave.” the great red dragon said, not opening his eyes.

Tamke was quiet. “But he’s still gone.”

”Yes, but you can not mourn him forever, child.” the dragon replied.

“But I am alone - I cannot be without him.” She cried.

”Yet here you are.” the dragon said, not impressed in the least by Tamke’s depression.

She wasn’t pleased with the dragon’s impertinence either. Swiftly she took off one satin slipper and threw it at him.

Sireth caught it neatly on the top of a horn. ”There’s the spirit, Tamke,” he laughed. ”Walk with me,” he said, tipping his head so her shoe would fall back to her.

As Sireth and Tamke walked, he told her of his many travels since his bond died of a horrendous fever. Once place he found - quite by accident - was like no part of Alksyr he’d seen before or since. As it turned out, it wasn’t even Alskyr, though there were many dragons and caerlizards around. ”It was called ‘Baeris Kshau’s Healing Den’” Sireth said, stopping to gaze at the young woman beside him.

“It sounds lovely, Sireth.” Tamke said, swallowing. ‘I’m sure Atam would have loved it.’ She added to herself.

“Good.” Sireth said. “Tamke, I do believe you would benefit from time away from the isle, to cope with your brother’s loss in a place where every thing wouldn’t remind you of him.”

She sat down on the grass and picked at the bright blue Brekkin. “So you’re saying I should leave Alskyr and go to this Baeris’ place?”

The red dragon crouched down in front of her. “I will take you to the Healing Den only if you truly wish to go.” Sireth said. “It is up to you - you’re in charge. It would be a good place to begin your own healing.”

Tamke sighed. “Sireth, you said that you have eggs hardening at the Caer - why aren’t you there?”

Sireth chuckled. ”You’re avoiding answering my question, but I’ll humor you. Jeth is being very angry today.”

Tamke smiled. Suddenly she remembered that her brother had used that phrasing too, and she just wanted to curl up and cry.

Unfortunately for her, Sireth noticed the moisture creeping into her eyes. ”Na ah ah...” he chided, ”You’ve cried enough. Now is the time to make a decision.”

Tamke looked up at the dragon with 4eyes brimming. “Sireth, it’s too hard! I don’t want to be without Atam!”

The red dragon regarded her with the sort of stare normally reserved for errant younglings. Tamke turned her face away. ”Well?” he asked after a moment’s silence.

“I can’t go on like this Sireth. It’s too hard.”

”Going or staying?” Sireth said, done with being diplomatic.

“Going.” She said, and stood up.

The dragon grinned. “Climb aboard. I’ll fly us back to the House, and you can pack.”

* * *

Though Tamke found the trip disconcerting, she found the Healing Den to be a wonder. The strange sights and sounds kept her distracted from her loss, except for the long nights.

The strange sun burned her skin on the first day, but Baeris herself brought cooling salve to ease the pain. Tamke felt welcome, but the pain of her loss couldn’t be soothed so easily.

Tamke's Life Continues...