Rowan woke up next to a still-sleeping Seres. She didn't recognise the room, but the decor was familiar to her, and Liadra was watching over them.
“How long was I out for?” Rowan asked quietly.
“Long enough that it's starting to get dark again. Seres has been out even longer. We gave her a special tea to help her relax.”
“Was that really necessary?”
“Perhaps. Perhaps not. We don't know the strain her abilities have on her body, and she would have insisted on waiting up for you.”
“Fair point.”
“And it won't be my last. You were reckless, Rowan. Jumping like you did without testing the efficacy of whatever it was that Seres did or her limitations. You almost died. Seres might have as well if she pushed any harder. You're lucky she was able to slow you down at the last second because while I'm confident you would have survived from the rug catch alone, you wouldn't have been able to walk it off.”
Rowan didn't know how to feel about Liadra scolding her. It had been years since she had been so thoroughly told off by someone who actually cared. Amran didn’t count. Not because he didn't care, but rather because he scolded her as a friend or sibling might. Liadra was scolding her like a parent or guardian, and her reasoning was flawless, especially the part about jumping so high.
Unfortunately for Rowan, however, Liadra still wasn't done.
“Of course, instead of walking it off, you chose to run into a forest on your own without even a hint of what you were doing besides saying you may have seen smoke from a campfire. I'm not going to ask how you were able to see smoke, because either it was still fresh, or I'm going to have nightmares about forest fires. Regardless, even with a potential campsite as a target destination, you had no way of knowing you'd be able to intercept them. That's not how search and rescue works.”
“If I waited, they'd be dead,” Rowan interrupted meekly.
“What makes you say that?”
“They were being attacked by a Mandra. I had to kill it before it did any damage.”
Liadra's expression shifted to one of shock and awe. “You killed a Mandra by yourself without injury? Even rangers wouldn't try that.”
“I cut it in two before it could react. It didn't even see me.”
“Since when did you get a greatsword? There's no way Elan Fiir is long enough to bifurcate a Mandra. You know what? I don't want to know. What you did was still reckless.”
Rowan nodded slightly. “I agree that putting my all into jumping like I did was more than a wee bit hasty, but I don't regret running off. I trusted you or Lochlan would rally the rangers if necessary, but nothing would have stopped me from finding my sister. Even if I missed them, I would just use the tracks leading away from their campsite to create a new heading.”
“It's good that you understand. I had a similar conversation with Her Highness last night before she fell asleep. She should have been more careful.”
“I'm sure her reasoning was similar to mine. Neither of us know our limits, and we have a tendency to go above and beyond when the moment strikes. Where's Lochlan, by the way?”
“Watching over your sister and the villagers in the common room.”
“Thank you. Could you keep an eye on Seres for me, please? I need to draw a bath.”
*****
Rowan hugged Tehri when she entered the common room after her bath. Tehri was sitting with her two guardians and the still-unnamed boy. From the look and smell of things, she and the villagers Rowan could see had all also made use of the inn's bathing facilities.
“Gods, I've missed you, Tehri. Thank you for keeping her safe all these years, Sama Bydren, Ser Hana.”
“It's been our pleasure,” Hana replied, though it was clear she was unfamiliar with the titles Rowan had given them. Tehri, however, understood, clear as day. Her eyes sparkled with joy and appreciation. Rowan had recognised the Kaafasts as family in the ways of Ferran.
Tehri started signing. When she stopped, tears were streaming down Hana's face, and Byrden's eyes were glistening. “Do you really mean it?” Hana asked Rowan.
She nodded in response. “Aye. You've welcomed Tehri into your family as if she were your own flesh and blood. I can see it in how you treat her and how comfortable she is in your presence. There is still one amongst your party, however, that I'm less sure about as we've not had the chance to formally introduce ourselves.”
Rowan looked straight at the boy who was sitting with them.
“Hi, I'm Rowan. Tehri's older sister. It's a pleasure to meet you.”
She held out her hand to shake his. He took it.
“I'm Kamran. Tehri's… friend?”
Rowan saw Tehri's rising blush and the knowing sidelong glances both Hana and Byrden gave, having wiped away their tears. Even without those tell-tale signs, Rowan recognised the awkward trepidation in which Kamran defined his relationship to Tehri. It was her time to shine as an older sibling.
“Her friend, you say?” she asked, her all-knowing mirth veiled with an innocent smile.
“Yes, ma'am!” His response was immediate, and it was punctuated by the straightness of his posture. Rowan could feel his hand getting clammy as she stopped shaking it.
“Well, thank you for taking care of my sister. I'm sure she has an intimate appreciation of your companionship.”
Tehri's blush deepened, and Hana practically spat out her drink. Rowan smiled again and removed a small notebook and pencil from a belt pouch. She started writing something down as she said one last thing to the boy.
“Of course, if you hurt her, you'll answer to me.”
Where Tehri had been turning redder, he was getting paler. Even so, he seemed to steel himself.
“You have my word that she will never cry as a result of my actions!”
Rina's voice echoed Rowan's sentiment in the depths of her soul.
“Well, that was unexpected.”
At the same time, Rowan felt a hand bonking her across the head.
“Stop teasing your sister and her boyfriend, Rowan.”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Seres was there, and she had issued the final blow. Tehri was done. Kamran's declaration had pushed her to the edge, but Seres said the one word that had been alluded to countless times but never once outright said or even signed. Were Tehri a different young woman that Rowan had met recently, she'd probably have fainted then and there. Instead, she was an even deeper red than Rowan's crimson locks.
“Someone get Tehri some water before she starts steaming,” Rowan called out. Kamran jumped to his feet immediately, and Rowan turned to look at Seres. “You could have gotten away with saying nothing. I was already done.”
This time it was Seres’ turn to blush. “I… uhm…”
Kamren returned with the water and handed it to Tehri. When he sat down, Rowan initiated a second round of introductions.
“This is Seres, the second princess. You don't need to worry about formalities. Seres, this is my little sister, Tehri, her friend, Kamran, and her guardians, Byrden and Hana.”
Seres curtsied instinctively. “It's a pleasure to meet you all. Rowan's right. You don't need to be overly formal with me. I don't like drawing too much attention to my title when it's not necessary.”
“They were going to find out eventually,” Rowan interjected, trying to justify her reasoning for introducing Seres the way she did. “Your eyes and name are kind of a big giveaway, and you already declared yourself at the port authority.”
“True, but I thought you might have waited. It's still a pleasure meeting you all.”
“The pleasure is ours,” Byrden replied.
“It really is,” Hana added. “Say, Byrden, with the three of them next to each other like that, don't you think the resemblance is uncanny?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Tehri and Rowan are clearly sisters, but Rowan and Seres look like they could be half-sisters at the very least.”
“Now that you mention it, we knew Tehri was part-Ferran, but she doesn't have any of the outwardly apparent features. With Rowan, it's more apparent, and Seres is clearly full-Ferran. It's almost as if Tehri is the sisterly representation of Rowan’s human side, and Seres is the same for her Ferran side.”
“You're not the first people to think we could be sisters,” Rowan and Seres both laughed, “but you are the first people to think of it like that.”
“We are the first people to see the three of you in the same room, to be fair.”
“True. Will you be able to keep them entertained, Seres? I need to go get something.”
“Sure thing.”
“I'll be right back. But first…” Rowan paused to kiss Tehri’s forehead and give her the note she had written. “I need you to read this.”
“Kamran seems nice; I’m happy for you. Tell him I’m sorry for his loss. I won’t ask what happened in Aran Village with the storm. You can tell me when you’re ready, and I’ll do the same if you want me to. I really do love you, Tehri. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I was blind, but I promise to make everything right.
Love, Rowan.
Don’t mind Seres. She means well. There’s also some truth to Hana’s observations. Seres and I did the Rite of Familial Resonance before we left Midiris. I hope you don’t mind. My love for you is no less because of it, and I’m sure she will cherish you as a sister just as Hana and Byrden cherish you as a daughter.
Love double, Rowan.
And because twice is not even close to enough, I give you all the sisterly hugs and kisses I have been unable to give you.
Love triple, Rowan.”
Rowan watched Tehri’s eyes dart across the page. Then she left without so much as a whisper. She had a promise to keep.
*****
Rowan breathed deeply. She was standing in her bedroom. It was exactly how she had left it, albeit coated in dust. The bed was half made, and the curtains were drawn. Her desk was laden with books and a half-written note that was completely illegible. A drawer from her dresser was protruding slightly where its neighbours were flush.
Each detail was a memory, but they weren’t the memories she was looking for. She approached the foot of her bed, where she found the chest that held some of her most treasured possessions. Out of all of them, however, there was only one she needed. The lute lay there, wrapped in silk and untouched by time. She lifted it gently, being careful to leave the silk undisturbed. It wasn’t time to reveal it. Not yet.
*****
A crowd was forming in the common room of The Crimson Drakiir when Rowan returned with her silk-covered lute. Word was spreading that she was awake, and people wanted to see her. She managed to slip inside without being seen. A perk of being small.
She made her way quietly to the stage that had been constructed in one of the better-lit corners of the common room. She took a stool from one of the tables.
“Time to get their attention,” Rowan whispered to herself.
There was the thud of wood on wood as Rowan positioned the stool in the middle of the stage. All eyes were on her as she sat down and revealed her lute. She plucked a few strings to test the tuning. It was almost perfect, even after all these years; she only needed to make a few adjustments. Then she was ready. The crowd was already whispering. Rowan looked at each and every one of them.
“Good evening, everyone. Some of you are only here for the catering and the booze, but many of you are here because you heard a whisper dancing through town like kindling. In the days before our greatest tragedy, my mother sat on this stage as I do now. On the night of the eclipse, I was made to watch as the raiders killed her. They spirited me away along with so many others. They took our freedom. They took your heart.
“This is not the Næmyris I was raised in. It has faded, and I wish I could restore the colour that was lost, but such feats are beyond me. We are all changed. I am not the same Rowan I was five years ago, either. The same is true for those I left behind. I wasnae able to save them. Not yet.
“When the time comes, however, I will help them find their way home, just as I have. But first, I must help Næmyris find her spirit again. With all of you here, I know it will be possible. Will you help me?”
Rowan gave everyone a moment to take in what she had said. Then she winked at Tehri and Seres.
“I am Rowan’efrii Alyris Naliir, daughter of the Heartborne Songstress, Hlii’hæra, and I have returned home. I cannae restore what has been lost. It would be wrong of me to try. Why am I here, then? I’m here to give you something that only I can give. I’m here to remind you of tomorrow. I’m here to give you Hope.”
Rowan started singing.
♫We have seen sorrow beyond our greatest fears.
We have known pain beyond our boundless tears.
A memory I see.
Regret.
My bleeding heart.
These feelings I won’t deny.
A memory I see.
Family.
The threads that bind.
These feelings I won’t deny.
A memory I see.
Love.
A crimson melody.
These feelings I won’t deny.
We have seen sorrow beyond our greatest fears.
We have known pain beyond our boundless tears.
To the river of memories, I will dance.
For yesterday and tomorrow, I will sing.
We have known joy beyond our wildest dreams.
We have seen beauty beyond our heartfelt desires.
Will you dance with me?
Will you sing with me?
Will you remember my promise for tomorrow?
To the river of memories, I will dance.
For yesterday and tomorrow, I will sing.♫
She was composing the song on the fly. She didn’t even know if it was any good. It didn’t matter. The song was not meant to be one of her mother’s ballads. Instead, it was there to serve as a vessel for her compassion and the hope she had for Næmyris. Through the song, she took on the pain and suffering of everyone in the room. What she couldn’t hold herself, she shared with those that could. They were already looking happier. Even if the weight of their suffering was the same, they were stronger together.
With each verse, Rowan grew brighter. She was a beacon of hope, and the light she radiated started healing everyone’s aches and pains. She couldn’t undo anything major, but it was enough for people to notice.
She didn’t help everyone, equally. Some people didn’t need it, and others were generally less receptive to the emotions in question. Out of everyone, however, there was one who was the focus of Rowan’s efforts. In her eyes, the Spirit of Næmyris was family, and she had found hers again.
When Rowan struck the final chord, it was to a profound, emotional silence. There was no cacophony of applause. Only tears and smiles. Rowan had reminded them that they weren’t alone. That there was a tomorrow.
In that moment of silence, however, a single quiet, almost inaudible word was uttered.
"Rowan."
For the first time in five years, Tehri spoke.