"Now you ask too much. They are not yours to see. You can only decide your own fate, theirs... are but a consequence. It won't be unfair, but all things effect all things, it is unforeseen what may happen.
After a moment, she sat crosslegged on the floor, thinking.
She still wasn't sure the demon would give her what she wanted. What if she did ask for it? What would happen? She would have her father back. She might find out why he was killed. She would have...her empire. She would know where she was going. Guidance. He would be there, holding her hand.
Would she still have her friends? There was a moment of cold realization when she thought of another question; would she care? She'd have everything she wanted. How would her own little corner of the world effect them? Grayell would still be who he is, regardless of her. He wouldn't have any part in an empire, but she wouldn't force it on him. Tallia...may still come to her. At this rate, at least, she would have the resources to help her. Give her an education, let her out of her shell. Kerag? He may come seeking glory or greatness...or blood. She could give it to him. She remembered the deal she'd made with Celephai. That would still hold up. Alec may be useful for his knowledge alone.
She steepled her fingers, staring at the wall. Would she change? Her person was shaped by her father's death and the events that came after. She doubted she would. That wouldn't make sense. But he would be there. That feeling overwrote everything else in that instant. She closed her eyes, her breath hitching once. He would be there. No guessing, no wondering, no begging, no pleading. He'd be there. She could take the mantle off his shoulders, become the leader he didn't want to be...as long as he was there to shoulder her burdens.
Without opening her eyes, she spoke.
I wish he was alive. I wish he'd never been killed....and I wish I had the empire you spoke of.
Nothing smiled wide and his eyes grow larger, full of a evil delight. He swings hard and the rock breaks now and her world... changes. She stands in the dark with him, a light cast upon them. He produces a pocket watch with a flick of his wrist and studies it for a second.
"This will take a moment. You will feel an undoing... here."
He taps her chest, her shirt beneath her plate changes from the one Grayell gifted her to something else. The items she purchased in Wistvale vanish, scars made in battle in the guard fade to nothingness. He smiles and leans on his pick now.
"Yes, it is working. But we have some time. You are undone to them, having never followed your path, many people are effected. With Williamsburg being so large, it too has effected the world around it. But... I am sure you are wanting to know.
What has happened to your friends. Do you have any? Did you ever? We have the time, perhaps I'll answer you now. Who would you like to see first hm?"
Nothing looks almost surprised. He waved a hand, imagery joins his words showing Joran.
"Oh yes, the all seeing. Very interesting that. Well as you can imagine, you simply never met. He is as he ever was, a bumbling abomination in a lost world. He ponders the nature of humanity and emotion but given the lack of a muse, he remains perplexed. Lost. It is his nature, not a loss really.
His hand showed another window, more imagery played with his words.
"Ah, the drunk with aspirations of honor. As you see, he formed a council and a guard. Unfortunately, the strain of running so much weighed heavily on him. He fell apart somewhat... and in another regard remained somewhat less... bumbling. Less women in his life. He didn't take the wolf back.
Perhaps that is why he failed. The vampire took his life. It was not his intent of course, but Grayell simply refused to back down. You weren't there to intervene and he was simply outclassed. It cost him dearly. Zaedus buried him in the wilds, as he would have wanted. Now he knows peace at least.
"Kerag found Wistvale, but found it something of a mess. He never had his encounter with you that night and therefore never joined the guard. He lives for battle and with the guard in shambles, he is quite the reckless sort. He spends his nights in the tavern and generally getting into a scuffle. He has not found his son and it weighs on him, his drinking is getting to be a bit much. Nothing he can't handle at his age I am sure.
Tallia is gone. Taken by a werewolf on the outskirts of town the poor thing. Her remains have not as yet been found, perhaps they never shall."
"Celephai moved on after Grayell's demise. She no longer had a reason to stay in Wistvale, he no longer visited the cave he made her home. She has much to learn, is wandering as always. A recluse, but as was intended.
Alec lives in Williamsburg. There was no library for him in Wistvale, little reason to stay. He made no money and moved onto your glorious city and works in the library here. He knows you not but your father has met him and questions his.... moral integrity.
Serenity remains in Wistvale. She works for the council as she was intended, but finds it hard. She is somewhat repressed, having never left the town. Grayell's passing made her job harder of course, whether it meant otherwise is kept to her alone. She misses her family and feels remorse for her husband. She will strive to make the town a better place, but without a guard it is becoming harder each day. It would be best if she simply left. Her office will draw the ire of someone sooner or later, it could end poorly. Or perhaps not. The town is largely lawless though and in all honesty, she works the seat of council alone.
"You will see him yourself of course. But... we have some time. Let us look.
Ah... there we are. He is a magnificent man, perhaps a little older than you remember. He loves you dearly, is oh so very proud of you... but he worries as you might see. The lines upon his face speak of his turmoil.
He wants what is best for the people but tires of deciding what is best. You have largely taken that role, you're quite passionate about it. Williamsburg is growing every day and yet... your father is not so excited. He is a great leader, and example amongst men; but does not want this. Not with his whole heart.
Should it seem strange that he misses when you were both alone? The chains and the misery, that is a terrible past that he feels so remorseful for, but there were moments in the dark, long silent moments where to him; his whole world was you. He misses that, just you and him and nothing else mattering. That is the love of a father.
You take on a lot but he wants one thing for you. He wants you to find happiness for yourself. You certainly shall and I will be so kind as to say you will live a fulfilling life amidst the people you rule... but that is the troubles of a father. He wants what is best. You will never know this, he only offers you kind words and smiles of course.
But more to the point... you will remember none of this. You will know nothing of these people. Oblivious to the world you have changed.
You have very little time left Margrett, if there is anything else you would know, now is the time to ask."
Her hand reached out, to the window-like surface of the vision, her hand passing through the strong but troubled face of her father. She remembered being in the dark. By day she worked. At night...things happened. But in the dark, in their cell, she would hold him tight. He would wrap his arms around her. Just them. Safe. No matter what happened. He would stroke her hair and hum a lullaby. Tell her to be strong. Tomorrow would be different, better. Be strong, Margrett. People need you. I need you. You'll be free one day, and people will rely on you. I'll rely on you. Shh...shh. Stop your tears. They're weak. They're afraid of you. Of how strong you are. You have to be strong.
We have to show them. Show them we're better. Show them we're stronger.
Her hand shook. Tears came, but she let them. Every single fiber of her being wanted to be that little girl again. He took care of her. She didn't have to worry. He was there, and the world was right. She would give anything, even her freedom, to be with him again. He was strong, so that she didn't have to be.
But that would be easy. That would be weak. He would want her to be strong. Stronger than that. This wish was...taking the easy road. She wouldn't own it. It would have been given to her, at the expense of the people who relied on her, looked up to her. Even though she wouldn't remember it, she couldn't face him again. Not like that.
You'll be free one day. People will rely on you. I'll rely on you.
Her hand felt the warmness of him, his smile, his strength...and she lowered it. She would have this. She would have this vision. And it would be hers. She would own it and put her soul into it. She would bring her order and her father's law to the world. She would build it, hell or high water. Magic be damned. The slavers be damned. She would break her back and shoulder her cross and take on everything she could, because that's what he did. That was the example he made. He was strong, so that she could learn the value of strength one day.
Her voice was cold, even, measured.
Change it back. I wish something else.
Last Edit: Oct 3, 2011 20:20:35 GMT -5 by Margrett