Long Awaited Words

JP with Cindy and White_Caribou

After the feast when the stars and moon blanketed the world, Shalia entered the room, guards nodding to her in greeting. She spotted Islana seated at the table near some water and cups, and upon seeing the dark haired woman she stood promptly and offered to pour a cup of water.

"Yes, that would be fine." She seated herself across from Islana. She was very tired and could feel a slight buzz fighting set in, cushioned by the large meal and soon water. Who knew what time it was now.

Islana poured the water, and once it was clear to, took her seat. It was actually a relief to see the dark haired woman again, the break had been nice and things had happened that might not have, had Shalia been there but after several hours of nothing to do, it had made the redhead feel a bit antsy.

"May I ask, how was the feast?"

If Islana couldn't go herself maybe Shalia was willing to regale her with a recount of the more interesting parts.

"It was quite pleasant. Lots of goat and wine. There was music and that was marvelous to hear." She looked into the water when recalling the fire-breather as if searching for something.

"An entertainer with burning sticks who really knew how to captivate his audience." She held the cup and took a drink, looking to Islana.
"What about you? How was your evening cooped up in here?"

Listening to Shalia talk about goat, wine and music sounded nice and brought up Islana's own memories but she was doing better at not feeling like falling apart when that happened.

Instead the redhead nodded and commented on the entertainer with the burning sticks.

"That sounds interesting."

As for her own evening, "It wasn't bad. I had an impromptu language lesson."

Islana went about telling Shalia how the younger guard taught her some words and, if asked, the young woman recalled which ones she has been taught.

After recalling that part of the evening, Islana paused for a moment, almost not knowing how to say it. It was still difficult for the redhead to grasp completely.

"He then asked if I was a witch."

Shalia briefly inquired about some of the terms she was taught and was relieved that at least one of the guards was civil toward her. Getting a head start on Odon was never a bad idea.

That comfort was fleeting when she heard what she said last. Her body leaned forward intently and her expression fell. Whatever Islana responded with could dictate how Shalia approached her introduction to Koshnem--how the young woman would fit into the Aghul.

"And what did you say?"

Still, despite her acknowledgement earlier, it was hard to say. Islana took a deep breath.

"It was so strange being asked that, like it wasn't a bad thing."

That wasn't an answer.

"Sorry," Another pause, "I said yes."

The young woman felt like she was holding her breath waiting on Shalia's response. Constantly worried that somehow the wrong thing would be said or done. What she had told the guard was the truth but was it what was supposed to be said?

Shalia shut her eyes for a few seconds.
"Okay," she said in an exhaled breath. That’s all she could manage at the time.

So that was it then. Islana would be a witch to the Odonine. If one guard knew, then others would know and it would spread like wildfire once they returned to the village. Even her orders to keep their mouths shut about it would eventually slip.
Maybe it was for the best--after all if she lied to the War Chieftain about her pet, that would be the first time she broke his trust. If she was up front...yes, it sealed Islana's fate, but it was Shalia's duty to strengthen the banner first. Two witches would do well for that. If she could grow the redhead's power, that is.

In speaking to the guard, Islana seemed to seal it all herself. Shalia was in no mood or mindset to think anymore about what being a witch in Fang meant, because she already knew deep down in her core the kind of harrowing trials that entailed.

Islana had admitted the shadowy truth in her own words, and yet, doubt clouded them still. That's what all children were taught across the sea. Hatred. Embracing being a witch as a Helian was truly no walk in the park, so for her to have confessed it to strangers almost made Shalia proud.

Shalia sought to sink her teeth into doubt whenever she caught its scent, but she did not have the energy to lecture or be aggressive now. Instead, she laid her hand out on the table for the woman to take, and after she did, Shalia gave it a gentle squeeze.

Finally. Their hands had met. Her cold thumb ran across the top of the woman's hand.

"It is not a bad thing, Islana," she replied with a stern, yet compassionate tone. "We are not bad things. We are beautiful and rare creatures in this world gifted with power unimaginable, and the Odonine respect nothing higher than power. Together we can be even more. So please don’t fear what you are.”

When the truth was met with an "okay", Islana didn't know what to say. Apparently, admitting that she was a witch to the guard, had not been a mistake.

Still, it was far removed from what the young woman had experienced her entire life. Part of her was waiting for something to happen, to make that confession suddenly not be alright.

What she found was Shalia's hand reaching out to her, and her own hand gently taking it.

The words, Shalia spoke, hit her ears like a long awaited song. To be told not only there was nothing wrong with her ability but it was a gift and something beautiful almost made Islana want to cry.

Instead a slow nod came along with the realization of a truth that she wished could have been within her grasp long ago.

The only words that Islana could find however were, a soft spoken, and truthful, "Thank you."