Storyboards: Alviara (2)

Part 1 & 2

Part 3 - Truth: Home | The moment of truth | Life goes on | Something more than coincidence | Glimpses of the unknown | A stone in the water | Naevin again | Thoughts | Saying goodbye to the past | Reconciliation | Forever

Part 4 - On the move again: On the move again

Home
Alviara stood by the prow of the ship, her favourite place aboard. Over here she could feel the wind in her hair and the spray and splash of the water. She could see endless miles of clear blue water stretching out before her, like a silver mirror reflecting the sky. Off and on, she could see slivers of land in the horizon but the only real ornaments of the sea were the flocks of white gulls, swooping and flying and the schools of blue dolphins, arching out of the water like flying fish, leaving trails of shimmering drops behind them.
She would stand here for hours, communing with the ocean and listening to the wind. Trying to divert her mind from its usual thoughts about the past, she would delve further into the study of her powers. It had been three days since they had been at sea when the Captain Keverallen came up to Alviara and Khuldir while they were talking over breakfast and said that they would be arriving in another hour's time. The pair of them rose and went and stood by the railing, looking out at the coast of Sendar spread before them. Khuldir rubbed Alviara's hand gently.
"When we reach I'll be heading straight to Boktor OK?" Alviara nodded. "I just want you to know you can come to me anytime." He looked her straight in the face. "And your secret's safe with me." He hugged her. "Take care of yourself." She hugged him back, her eyes moistening.
"You too. And Khuldir?" she called when he turned to leave. "Thank you."
Alviara got off at the port of Camaar, waved Khuldir good-bye and headed in the direction of her clan hall. She calmed her heart by taking a deep breath and then walked into the Adventurer's Clan Hall. Familiar sights met her eyes. Wylset, Qethia and Gares were sitting by the fireplace playing a game of cards. Delionia and Rylas were sitting on the purple beanbags, laughing with Aran over something. A few new faces met her eyes but at her entry all looked up to look at her in surprise.
"Alvi?" It was Delionia who whispered. In seconds she was being beamed at and hugged. Alviara's face was practically hurting with the constant smiles she held. The nervousness in her heart had subsided.
She was home.

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The moment of truth
Alviara stared at the pale blue ceiling of her clan room. She adjusted the pillows under her head to make herself more comfortable and then allowed herself a moment to relax. She had just returned from Melcene, after helping Kerowa on her journey to find Qethia. It had been three weeks since she had returned to home to Camaar and she had immediately plunged into her work. This was perhaps the only two minutes of breathing space she had gotten since then. Alviara frowned slightly, fingering Naevin's ring around her neck. She still couldn't bear to take it off. Even after everything, she realized, she still loved him. She closed her eyes, remembering that moment of truth.
Alviara felt the padded back of the photo frame and turned it over. At the back was a letter, which seemed like it had been read many times over. Her curiosity getting the better of her, she pulled the letter off and unfurled it and began to read.

My dear Naevin,
Val Alorn seems colder and lonelier without you. The winter had just begun and I've already begun to feel your absence for you weren't here with me to see the first snowfall. I spend most of the time with Mieyla and she comes over practically everyday to see how the little one and I are doing. He has your eyes, doesn't he? He seems to be growing like a little beanstalk, you'd hardly recognize him when you return.
Speaking of which, Count Kardrak came by last afternoon looking for you. I explained your absence and said that you wouldn't return from Riva for another two weeks. I hope I'm right? I'm sorry for pestering, I know your work is important, but I guess this is the first time you've been away for so long and I don't know what else to do in my time.
Oh, the Count wishes to meet with you as soon as you return. I think it's important and somehow I have a strange feeling about this that I can't shake off.
Mieyla and I took Saemyl to the park yesterday and he made a new friend. A little girl called Jywell, and now she's over all the time and they both run around inside for the snows piling up. It'll be Erastide soon and I hope you'll return for it. I have a little surprise for you if you do.
I'm trying to fill up everything into this little letter but I think I'm failing miserably and now it's just cramped. I hope you do reply soon and do send me news of you returning.
Love always,
Your wife,
Ira

Alviara closed her eyes, shutting out the memory, which still stung her. Wetting her pillow with tears and memories, she fell asleep.

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Life goes on
Alviara knocked lightly on the dark wooden door before her and waited. A familiar voice called out, "Come in, come in." Alviara pushed the door open and smiled sympathetically at Wylset's tired figure as he pored over some pages on his desk. "Ah, Alvi. Have a seat." He motioned her into a green cushioned chair before him. Alviara nodded and sat down, adjusting a pile of files on the table so that she could see Wylset clearly.
"A lot of work?" she asked.
He nodded wearily. "I was wondering how you felt about going back into the world again?"
Alviara was slightly surprised, she thought Wylset wanted to talk to her about training a few more sorceresses, not about sending her somewhere for work. Noticing her expression, Wylset said quickly, "I just thought that it had been three weeks since you were back from Melcene, and four since you returned from Riva, so...," He looked at her anxiously. "I have some work in Val Alorn with needs to be completed and I can't go there now because I'm piled high with work here because of all the new recruits, so I thought I'd ask you since I know you're good at this work. And plus, you have a way with Chereks." He smiled.
Alviara grinned back and then said after a moment of hesitation, "OK, I'll go." Wylset beamed and nodded, and then handed her a bunch of papers and explained what it was that she had to do. She listened attentively and then nodded and bid goodbye, telling him that she would set sail on the next ship tomorrow morning. She rose and then walked out of his study and closed the door behind her.
She paused for a moment and then leaned against the door, the only thought in her mind was Maybe life does go on.

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Something more than coincidence
Alviara curtsied a final time before King Anheg and then turned to leave, holding the bunch of papers she had brought with now signed and sealed by the King of Cherek before her very eyes. She had never met the King before but his jovial nature was famous and his pleasant smile displayed this fact when she met him. She had had to wait three days after arriving at Val Alorn before the court gave her a chance to meet the King. It was good perhaps that she had had the three days of rest, for her nerves had not been the same after the chilling trip into the Cherek Bore.
Smiling, for the meeting had gone off smoothly, she stepped out into the cold atmosphere and shivered slightly. She was used to the damp chilly weather for it had been the same in Riva but somehow Cherek's climate was more foggy and sullen, perhaps enhanced by the large burly looking men with surly expressions on their faces at being pulled out of their warm beds so early in the morning and being denied the drink of ale, that they so badly wanted, by their wives. Now that her work was done, Alviara was free to return to Camaar whenever she wanted but her usual curiosity had overcome her, and she had decided to stay and explore the city for another day and perhaps buy a few things to take home for her friends. She still had to get Kerowa something for performing so excellently in her tests and Delionia as usual would expect something every time Alviara returned. But she decided to catch a bite to eat first.
"Excuse me?" She stopped a young lady carrying a basket full of oranges.
"Yes?" She looked up at her.
"Can you tell me where I can get something good to eat?" Alviara enquired. The woman nodded and pointed straight down the road.
"Mieyla's has the best porridge, you might want to try that. It's straight down the road and on the left."
Alviara nodded, and thanking her she set off on her way. Soon enough, she was standing before a bustling little eatery, with little swivelling stools and a long counter. She slid onto one and a plump, happy woman, Mielya she assumed, came to take her order.
"A bowl of porridge and honey," she said clearly.
The woman nodded and went off into the kitchen. She came out a few minutes later with the bowl and set it on the table and Alviara dug in.
A little girl came running into the shop, her blond tresses flowing behind her. She came, with her face beaming in a smile and hugged onto the large apron Mielya had wrapped around herself.
"Jywell!" Mielya half chided and half laughed. Alviara looked up sharply. The name Mielya might have been a coincidence but hearing both names together must be more than just that.
Mielya lifted the girl into her arms and whispered something in her ear. The girl laughed and then clambered down and ran away. Alviara spooned away the last of her porridge and placed some money on the counter and left. Outside, she searched the crowd for the little girl and began to follow her.

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Glimpses of the unknown
Alviara stood a few feet away, behind an old, greying building, and watched as Jywell ran into a little brick house covered with large hanging creepers. The entire courtyard was filled with little children, running, laughing and playing. Tiny toddlers bundled up in their woolens played with a yellow ball in the corner, while a group of little girls dressed up their dolls in another. Jywell had run into a door in the front and now emerged with a young woman who was carrying her in her arms.
"Can I help you?" Alviara practically jumped out of her skin when she heard the voice but composing herself she turned towards the voice. A woman was standing on the other side of the wall she was standing by, looking at her curiously. "You're interested in the orphanage?"
Alviara blinked. "The orphanage?"
"Yes..." She wafted her hand towards the brick house. "Mielya's sister runs the place. Took in all the children after the fire."
"The-the fire?"
"Yes. Took place about eight months back. The house down the street caught ablaze somehow and took everyone in it. It spread over to all the neighbouring houses and unfortunately, the parents of some of these poor souls lost theirs lives saving them." The woman sighed. "Mielya was devastated. She lost her own girl of twelve in the fire, and along with that her best friend."
Something began to nag at the back of Alviara's mind. "So she wanted to start the orphanage to commemorate them," the woman continued. "But since she had to run the diner, her sister takes
care of the children. Well, anyway, how come you're so interested in the orphanage?" The woman looked at Alviara.
"My friend, she used to live here..." Alviara lied, easily.
"Really?" The woman looked interested. "What was her name?"
Alviara hesitated a second before answering. "Ira."
The woman's smile froze slightly. "I think its better you go talk to Mielya or her sister, girl." She said quickly. "They can tell you about...about her."
Alviara opened her mouth to ask but the woman turned away and disappeared into her grey house. Alviara frowned and then paused to think for a moment. Muttering something to herself, she then walked forward and into the gate of the orphanage.

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A stone in the water
Alviara stared over the side of the bridge, and looked into the clear water below. Her reflection stared back at her, alien green written over her forehead. In frustration, Alviara reached over for a pebble and threw it in. Her reflection shattered into tiny shards as the ripples flowed through it. Alviara sighed, her mind in a state of utter confusion. Breathing deeply, she recalled her past conversation and tried to draw some sense from it.

"Can I help you?" Mielya's sister looked up at Alviara when she walked in. Alviara smiled at her confidently and nodded. "I was actually wishing to talk to your sister, Mielya?" The blond woman looked at her curiously, her pale hair the colour of molten sunshine. "She's out working right now, is there any message I can take for her?" She replied. Alviara feigned disappointment and then sighed. "You see," she began, "I was actually wanting to talk to her about a woman who used to live here? Her name was Ira."

Recognition flashed in the woman's eyes. She lifted a strand of her honey blonde hair and began curling it slowly about her finger. "Well come in then. Ira used to be a dear friend of Mielya's and I'm sure she would attend to anyone who knew her." Alviara frowned genuinely now. "Used to?"
The woman's eyes widened slightly. "I think it's better you come inside and I explain." She led Alviara into a large sunlit room and settled her into a chair. "My name is Ralyia by the way."

Alviara looked around curiously. The room was scattered with little toys and balls and colouring books. Every inch of it showed signs of a child's presence having been there. "The children are out playing now so there's a little peace and quiet." Raylia smiled and then seated herself. "Oh dear...now where do I begin?" Raylia sighed and muttered to herself.

"Well there was a fire about eight months ago. No one knows how it began or who started it but it began blazing one summer night and..." Raylia cleared her throat as if it were difficult for her to go on.

Alviara narrowed her eyes. Can my suspicions be true? she thought. "Ira...Ira used to be Mielya's best friend. She lived next-door...she and Mielya used to take care of her son, Saemyl, together." Raylia started again. "The night of the fire, Ira was alone at home with her son." Raylia sighed again. Alviara could see that tears were glistening in Raylia's eyes. "They say the fire began there, in Ira's house. No one knows how..for..no one lived to tell." Raylia dabbed her eyes with a corner of her dress.

Alviara felt the truth come crashing down on her. Naevin...she thought. Naevin didn't lie to her then? He wasn't married anymore after all? But his poor wife...and his son... Alviara she clutched the opal ring around her neck, as if trying to draw some strength to hear the entire story. Raylia noticed the shock on Alviara's face and reached over to pat her gently. "The fire burnt away half the houses down the street. The number that died..." She sniffed. "We who remained were dwindled. Mielya herself lost her daughter in it. That's why she decided to open up this orphanage. To take care of the children who'd lost their parents like she who had lost her child." She smiled sadly. Alviara leaned back on the chair, trying to let it all sink in. her belief for the past few months, the betrayal she had thought she had undergone, everything was in disarray. She couldn't make sense of anything anymore. Alviara looked up suddenly. "What about her husband? Ira's husband. What happened to him?" She demanded.

"Naevin?" Ralyia said softly. "He was shattered when he heard the news. Cursed himself, never forgave himself for going away and leaving them alone. It was the first time he had you see." Her eyes looked lost for a moment. She blinked and then continued. "They were married just three years...and he had been away at work in Sendar, sent by the King himself. He came back immediately when he heard the news. His face...Belar!...he was crushed when he saw this piteous sight." Alviara looked troubled.
"What did he do then?"
"To tell you the truth, I don't know. He was here for a month, mourning, but at the end he came over to say good bye." Raylia continued. "Said he was going to some place that he was sure he could find happiness again. I sincerely hope he did." Raylia's eyes glistened again. "He was a good man, that one."
Alviara tugged at the ring harder, her eyes clouded. Alviara sighed finally. "Well thank you for your time. It has been a pleasure to meet you. If it hadn't been for you, I would have still been in the dark about all this." Alviara rose from her chair, smiled at Raylia and walked out, dazed.
Alviara shook her head as she broke away from her thoughts. The truth was too complicated. Another stone went sailing into the water, creating tiny waves. Her mind was like that water, calm and still a moment ago until someone threw in a stone of truth. Her head still brimming with questions, Alviara rose and walked away from the bridge.

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Naevin again
A heavy mist had settled over the docks of Val Alorn, synonymous with Alviara's descending mood. Although usually, Alviara had something to do with it when the weather reflected her disposition, but this time it was just a coincidence. She felt too weak and unenthusiastic to try and affect the climate. Covering her dark head with the hood of her pale cloak, she drew her arms around herself, trying to keep herself warm.
It had been hours since she had met Raylia, and after that all she had done was wander around in the streets, aimlessly. She hadn't wanted to go back to the inn, for she couldn't bear to sit down alone in an empty room, for that would force her to think about what she had just heard, to think about the truth. She decided to take a walk by the docks, for it was always by the sea that she felt comfort. Grey and lashing, the water at the moment looked spewed with rage. The rocky coast of Cherek was being clawed by the furious waves of the stormy sea.
Alviara seated herself down by the pier, inhaling the cold and salty air. The rocks felt cold and hard against her feet, sending shivers down her spine. She could hear someone's idle footsteps behind her, a soft humming of a familiar tune. She frowned as she began to concentrate on the song, she had heard it somewhere before. The song began to fade as the person walked away, but a last whisper of his voice reached her ears, "Where are you, Alvi?" Alviara started, her heart thudding harder against her chest. She turned quickly, catching the shadow of a green cloak disappearing around the corner of the dirty street.
The tune, the voice, the cloak...things began to click in Alviara's mind. Awed, she arose, an incredulous expression on her face. It was more than just chance that they were both here. Was he looking for her? How did he know she was here? Thoughts began to race in her mind. Narrowing her emerald eyes, she started walking hastily, and decided to follow Naevin.

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Thoughts
Thoughts began to race speedily in Alviara's mind.
Naevin was here.
In Val Alorn.
Happiness burst forth from within her.
He was here to see her, to find her.
Her pale blue cloak fanned behind her as she hurried forward to catch up with him. Her footsteps came to a grinding halt when a sudden thought crossed her mind.
Ira...Ira used to live here. Naevin...was he here to see her?
She shook her head furtively.
No, no. Ira was dead. Then what was he doing here? How did he know she was here? He couldn't have contacted anyone she knew for he didn't know their names, forget their faces.
Alviara look up the disappearing green shadow before her. It was him. She was sure of it. It was the same dusty blond hair, the hair she felt like running her hands through. The same lanky tall structure, the way he towered over her. The same brisk gait of walking, making him seem like a loping wolf. A pang of longing beat through her as flashes of their first kiss came back to her. Alviara sighed. The pain was too terrible, it made her feel empty inside when she was without him.
Alviara tugged at her cloak, in her hurry she had hardly noticed the freeze of the surrounding mist that was darkening the Cherek streets. Loneliness had descended everywhere, perhaps all the Cherek men were off getting themselves nice and drunk on this cold night, or warm and asleep at home with their wives. Alviara shivered once more, more from the consequences she was facing than because of the weather. Her mind was in disarray as to what to do. Silently, she pulled her cloak tightly around her and hid herself in the shadows, and decided to follow Naevin to wherever he led her.

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Saying goodbye to the past
Silent tears streamed down from his eyes, glistening in the pale moonlight. Alviara felt her heart lurch in her chest as a tide of sympathy and sorrow rose towards Naevin in her mind. "Ira," he whispered softly, running his fingers slowly over the moss-covered gravestone. He laid down a bunch of daisies he had picked on the way and then kneeled down before her grave.
It had been half an hour since Alviara had been following him and he had finally led her here. Hiding behind a clump of old yew trees in the corner, she watched him silently, wondering in the depths of her heart if he still loved his dead wife. Alviara couldn't help but feel disgust at herself for continuing to think only about herself and whether he still loved her, and irritably brushed a branch of leaves out from the front of her face and tried to concentrate on watching him.
"It's almost a year now..." he murmured softly. Then sighing, he clasped his hands and shut his eyes, as if trying to think of words to say what he wanted to. "Remember how we first met?" He began. "It was that winter night by the lake when it started snowing for the first time. I can never forget how you looked at that moment. Your red hair and the white snowflakes, you seemed like dew covered rose." He shook his head thoughtfully, and then looked up again. "It's been a long time since then. A long time in which...you are no longer here with me." He whispered heartbrokenly. He cleared his throat after a minute, as if trying to lighten the air, and then continued. "I went back to Riva after...after it all. I've been living with my father for the past months. It feels quite good to be back there actually, I've renewed my friendship with people I used to know...and...and there's Alviara."
Alviara stiffened, her grip around a supporting branch became tighter.
"You should meet her, Ira, you would like her if you did. She's stubborn and rude and has the most acidic tongue, but just a smile from her and you're on your knees." Naevin smiled, wanly. "She's brought something into my life again. Something I thought
I'd lost forever." He looked at the gravestone mournfully again.
"I hope you don't think I will ever forget you. You and Saemyl will always be mine, my guiding stars. But I guess...and you never did want me to stop loving. Love is too precious to be limited, isn't that what you used to say?" He smiled again and then quietly wiped his wet face and rose.
He placed a flower by the small grave beside Ira's, a sad look etched in his eyes and then started walking away. As he walked past the yew trees, he stopped and then turned and looked directly at Alviara.
"Think you want to come out now?" He said with an insolent smile.

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Reconciliation
Alviara blinked. He knew she was here?
Naevin continued to smile. "I am a ranger after all." He said, answering the unspoken question in her mind. Embarrassed that she had been caught following him, Alviara turned a distinct shade of pink and stepped out from the shelter of the trees.
"Why did you go on like you didn't know I was here?" She demanded of him, narrowing her eyes. Naevin didn't answer, his eyes seemed lost as he looked directly at her. Alviara waved a hand in front of his gaze, trying to break his reverie. Naevin smiled again, but this time, there was a sad quality to it. "Why did you leave?" He asked softly. Alviara started. She felt as if she had lost her voice, she couldn't bring herself to speak. Naevin squinted at her, studying her. "You read the letter, didn't you." He scrutinized her carefully. She nodded slowly. "And you thought that I was a liar and a cheat who had a wife and child somewhere else but was playing around with you at the same time?"
She nodded again, feeling a bit sheepish now.
"And so you felt hurt and betrayed, and stormed away from Riva vowing never to set sight on me again."
"Don't make it sound like I was overreacting!" Alviara said indignantly. "What was I supposed to do?"
"Talk to me, maybe? You should have asked me! Confronted me! Anything! Not left your home and run away."
"I was too upset to think! And I didn't run away...it was time I left."
"Don't make excuses, Alviara." Naevin said hotly.
"Make excuses. Make excuses!" She was shrieking now. "You're the one with the secret family in another country! You kept that from me. Didn't I have a right to know? Maybe if you had told me this wouldn't have happened at all." She was getting worked up now. "If you had been honest with me in the beginning, I wouldn't have had any reason to doubt you, I wouldn't have had any reason to run-," but she couldn't complete what she was saying for Naevin had reached over and begun to kiss her.

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Forever
Alviara rolled her arrow shaped pendant deftly between her palms, feeling the cool smoothness of the stone and silver. It was with this that her life had begun. Her real life, the one with adventure and exhilaration, the one she had longed for as a child when she had dreamed of becoming great and famous. Alviara laughed now at the irony, for she wished her quiet life as a shepherd's daughter back. She wanted her obscure existence to return, to fade away into oblivion, to live simply and uncomplicatedly.
It wasn't as if she was not happy. In fact, her life suited her. But she just wished that everything had been a lot smoother, a lot less difficult. The pain she had endured when she had found out about Ira and Saemyl had incapacitated her and filled her with remorse but to find out in the end that the love she had thought she had lost was not entirely out of reach, but in fact was quite close in grasp made all the hurt seem worthless.
The night Naevin had kissed her again after saying good bye to Ira's grave for the final time, both of them had slipped into a wordless silence, just sitting close and listening to the other breathe. It was as if the months of being apart were being restored in those moments. She had just sat there and watched him, memorizing his every move and expression, taking pleasure from such a simple activity. Her clouded thoughts of the nights before, as to whether he really loved her or still harboured affection for his first wife became clear as daylight and she could see that she was the only one.
After that night, her life's puzzle seemed complete. All the chinks were in place, making her feel happy and contented. Naevin and she and had decided that they were going to begin again, learn about each other all over again, get to know each other deeper and wipe away their past like designs on water. She had accepted that his life in Cherek was something that world be treasured by him forever but she also knew that he was ready to move on. Smiling again, her hands flitted to the opal ring around her neck and rubbed against it. Her love was finally with her...forever.

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On the move again
Alviara woke up with a start. Her entire body was shivering with sweat. She slowly breathed deeply and tried to calm herself and cast a worried glance to see if she had woken Naevin who was sleeping beside her. Slowly slipping out of bed, she pulled on a warm robe and settled herself into the couch by the fireplace reflecting on what she had just seen in her dream.
"Alvi?"
Alviara looked up to see a disheveled Naevin sitting up on the bed, his sandy hair a mess that made a her fingers itch to straighten. "What's wrong?"
He rose and slumped himself into the couch opposite her, peering at her through half-asleep half-curious eyes. "Delionia," Alviara began. "She came to me in my dream." Naevin frowned and then remembered Delionia's dreamwalking abilities and then nodded. "Is something wrong?" He replied.
"Sha-Dar Gares is sending her on a mission and she wishes me to accompany her for she thinks it might be of some significance. Also, she thinks I've been cooped up inside Val Alorn with you too long." Alviara grinned weakly.
Naevin laughed. "I think she's right. You're missing out on all the adventure you actually want to have. What are you so hesitant about?" Alviara paused, not answering his question. "If you're feeling guilty about leaving me for a while then don't. Trust me, I've had enough of you for the past six months to last me a lifetime." He grinned cheekily and ducked as she flung a cushion at him. "But seriously, go ahead, I have work to wind up in Riva too and then when you return we can announce our engagement to our families together."
Alviara scrutinized him carefully and then smiled and nodded. "Well, I'd better get packing then, it's a long way to Muros."

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