She looked at him angrily.
“Don’t toy with me.” (Naleeit)
Peter smiled.
“Let me ask you a question Naleeit. When was the last time you rested and let your body recover from the trials that you put it under?” (Peter in physical drakan form)
Naleeit paused while thinking.
It’s been years at least.
“It’s not your warrior body that brings hope, but your spirit. I know Dramix well enough to know that he’ll not regret giving up half his lifespan for this moment. It’s in his blood and taught to him when he’s being raised, but you’ve had doubt and regret in you ever since your lesson to the small elf and before. Even now, more than ever.” (Peter in physical drakan form)
Naleeit looked at Dramix before looking back at Peter.
“I can see into Dramix’s heart again since I’m back. I see in it the knowledge of the pain that you’ve given up. You accepted death as an escape, not as an honor or a rite to do with him.” (Peter in physical drakan form)
Naleeit raised herself up before speaking.
“That’s not….” (Naleeit)
She paused after seeing him looking at her. She could see the pain in his eyes about telling her about it.
“That’s why you fell Naleeit. You fear that you’ll have regrets for being robbed of half your lifespan. It may take you that long to regain your full strength, but then you’ll be at the side of the one you love.
After he’s gone you will remember the sweet memories of him, without regret.
Take a good rest Naleeit, you’ve earned it.” (Peter in physical drakan form)
Peter then faded from her vision, but not from Dramix’s.
He then spoke to Peter without her being able to hear.
“You’re such a good liar. I must start to wonder how many times you’ve done this to me.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter smirked while thinking about what he said.
“More than once, but not as many times as you might think. It’s strange achieving the max potential of power, seeing that you can no longer grow.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix looked at him puzzled.
“I don’t feel like I’m at my limit.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter faded away, as Naleeit rolled him over so he could sit down.
She did so as well before rubbing her legs.
“I was talking about my own.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix put the eye of souls in his hand to look at it. It was now a full amulet of several large gems encased in a gold dragon eye shaped frame. In the center, there was the original spirit stone that he mined himself. He has passed every shaman trial there is.
He pleasingly smiled as he leaned back on the steps.
“You’re in a humored mood all of a sudden.” (Naleeit)
Dramix looked at Naleeit rubbing her legs.
“How does a knight know that they’ve reached the apex of their knighthood?” (Dramix)
Naleeit paused, never really thinking about it.
“I’m not sure. I guess growing old while still abiding by the code.” (Naleeit)
Dramix sighed in relief.
“Since you care for me as you have, I have a fine mate. I know that the burdens I’ve placed on you are heavy. It’s a fine day to rest a little.” (Dramix)
Naleeit paused to look up at the sky.
She remembered that in her youth she would roam the skies.
She hasn’t embraced the view from the clouds in years.
“I have ventured far from my home, and I haven’t seen it in many years. I remember the time that I watched my father in wonder teaching me how to be a tailor. It was a day much like this one when I first touched a needle and start sewing. I’ll go back to my home when I see my own son doing the same.” (Dramix)
Naleeit looked at him before speaking.
“You never said you had a son.” (Naleeit)
Dramix shook his head.
“That’s because we haven’t had him yet.” (Dramix)
Naleeit seemed to blush a little.
“As a warrior, no house would turn him away, but he will also be humble. If you forget to be humble, then you turn into those you hate so much.” (Dramix)
Dramix then sighed deeply.
“Since you were raised as a noble, I guess you don’t understand that as much.” (Dramix)
Naleeit grabbed his hand before speaking.
“I only need the reminders.” (Naleeit)
They both then began sitting there enjoying the view as they rested.
After a few more minutes, Naleeit raised them both up and continued walking up the stairs again. This time, she felt no pain in her legs, and she felt no weariness in her steps.
At the top of the stairs, she found the clerics ready for them.
Naleeit set Dramix down on the table and backed away, then the bishop looked at her.
“Give us a reason why you would turn away our blessing.” (Bishop)
Naleeit took in a deep breath before giving her reason.
“I ran to the offer in fear of living without him. I now have the courage to accept the fact that we won’t die at the same time. Only one of us may be alive after this journey of ours.” (Naleeit)
Naleeit closed her eyes.
“My strength is no longer needed as his is.” (Naleeit)
She then turned away with a smile and sat on the steps.
