Heaven's Nova

As he slowly kissed her, Almeria felt all was right with the world, though she held on to him tightly, trying to be his strength like he had been for her so often. When he let go of her, she released him, not surprised he needed to sit. He had done more in the last hour then in the last five days. As he smiled at her he couldn't help smiling back.

Sitting beside him, his arms wrapped around her tightly, she thought about what needed to be done, her happiness subdued but not extinguished. Almeria wanted very much to throw all those important thoughts away so she could enjoy the closeness with Tra now that he was much more alert. Even if he wasn't tired there was responsibility and she was going to see it through.

Lightly Almeria put her hands through Tra's hair. "In a little bit we will be docking back at base," she said with a small sigh. "Once there, before anyone gets word I'm hoping I'm going to enter the captains meeting, which I'm sure is taking place, if not I will lose some surprise demanding they convien, but that's alright. Then, well then I will be watching them as they watch what I brought back to base. It's theatrics, which is not exactly my strong suit, but they will know that you had died at Namir's hands. What happened after I am not revealing until I see their reactions."

Almeria was actually quite unhappy with this, even her closes alies on the station she wasn't telling, and worse was the thought that perhaps one of them was involved. Moving so she could look Tra in the eyes she spoke her question. "It's most important that your recovery is easy and as quick as Gohdem will allow, so even once I am ready to tell the rest of the truth you do not need to be present." Almeria would allow him to choose if he wanted to deal with the captains and their support staff. If he did not, Almeria then did not need to worry about him, but if he was up to it she wanted him with her when she allowed them to know of the latest miracle.
 
He thought for a long while, leaning into her touch upon his hair. It was important that this go well, and he knew he could not hide his height on the station. Therefore, he would remain here until she called for him, no matter how much he wished to be by her side.

"I will remain here until you beckon. Get them to call a closed door recess. That way, not one of them will see me coming to you when you are ready to reveal the fact that I ... well, survived isn't the correct word, I suppose. But still. I would like to be there for that part. Still, they may have lookouts posted who could identify me, so I shall move as quickly as I can. They may need proof to shake them, after all. And there is no more undeniable proof than my being there.

"But, if you wish me to remain here the entire time, I can accommodate." He chuckled softly, then seemed to sober. "Despite the fact that weapons are not allowed in captain's meetings, I would feel better if you go in knowing you might have to fight. Also, be prepared to land in hot water if you are seen using your comm to get ahold of me. Technically, closed doors means no comms."
 
Almeria kissed Tra, fiercely and quickly. "You are wonderful, and I will keep all in mind. For now my heart rest. I need to make myself presentable somewhat and then, then I have much to do." She kissed him again, softer, and then stood. "Rest, so I can take comfort in knowing that you are well." Almeria then headed into the bathroom.

The docking of the Saint went smoothly. Almeria had Naidin handle communication with the docking crew, incase there was anyone that wasn't expecting Almeria to return. Only waiting long enough for the pressure to normalize on the outside, Almeria purposely marched off the Saint. She was nervous and worried and the combination could have made her jumpy, but with a over powering purpose in what she was about to do, the affect was something more like a miniature thunderstorm passing by nif she had had any notion, she would have been pleased since it played in well to when she demanded entrance in the meeting.

The discussion, if one wanted to call the bickering that was going on, on the table was of course the fall out of the events, as much as anyone one, on the asteroid base. No me was even trying to be civil as far as Almeria could discern as she marched in. "Ladies, Gentlemen, Traitors," she said in greeting as she walked to the head of the table. Her words, her attitude, her very presence got everyone's attention.

"Commander Ostra that's no way to..."

"Sit down and shut up," Almeria said with more authority then any of the captains would have liked to have heard. She was already putting the data chip into the consul on the table, the view screens coming up. "Someone tried very hard to do something very underhanded. Now watch!"

Purposely Almeria did not have the sound playing. Instead the captains and their mates were seeing four different security camera angles, first in the hall outside the meeting room. Almeria wanted to be sure they all saw the man that lead her there. There were many audible sounds of shock as they all watched as the many in the meeting room turned and they saw Namir facing Almeria. She watched them, watched their reactions. She wanted to know who wasn't surprised. Though they could have been good actors, hiding by reacting. Maybe they didn't even know he would show up personally.

It was hard not to look at the screen, knowing what was playing on the screen, knowing what was to come, and having to watch the event again would have tore at her, but it was nearly as bad trying to watch the reaction of those around her. She could almost see when Tra entered the meeting room from their reactions, and she kept watching, watching those subtle and more obvious signs as horror rippled across the faces of many.

By the time the collective of captains was looking up at Almeria, the video having stopped as Namir escaped, she was shaking. Almeria was filled with such emotion it was hard to keep her thoughts in order, but she had to for this to succeed.

"I would like to keep this closed doors," Almeria said her voice thick with emotion that wasn't shammed. Her request was quickly agreed upon.

One of those doing so was the tricky Captain O'Malley. She had not shown much reaction watching the video, except near the end and that hadn't been exactly shock. Even Captain Martins, who had no love for Tra, seemed taken back by the video screens and now kept looking at the the woman captain when he didn't think no one was looking. Had he been involved with a scene of hers? Just their behavior alone wasn't enough to say anything.

Almeria lightly touched the flower pin on her collar as several of the captains started talking over each other. It was almost a sad state that no one was asking her any questions, but they would shortly. Right now they all needed to get over their shock.

"Before we continue too much longer, I have a question." Almeria did not raise her voice and the others had to stop talking for her to continue. "Who was that Mister Jefferies?" Let them ask who was involved in setting up this meeting.
 
Tra found he couldn't nap. He was tired, but the need to be there for Almeria kept him awake. Despite the pain it caused him, he went through a short workout set. Despite the brevity, he found himself sweating by the end of the attempt. He frowned, quickly changing clothes after rinsing off. By the time he was dressed and his boots laced, Almeria was signalling for him. He almost dropped the comm he had been transferring to his new shirt. It was a swift matter to finish pinning it and hurry off the ship. He made no attempt at disguise. With his height and build, he couldn't pass for another. However, if Almeria was doing as he'd told her...

He noticed when a couple of the crew of the Saint stepped in behind him. He disliked having to slow his steps, but the added security was necessary. The halls were quiet, and he had no doubt that some rumors had already begun to circulate about what had happened. At least, the more public parts. Some had likely spoken to friends on the other station before they'd gotten everything locked down. Tra drew more than one startled stare before he reached the Captains' council chamber. He only hoped that none were reporting what they'd seen to their captains.

Tra did not wait, he did not let himself be stopped by the receptionist or the guards stationed outside, simply staring them down. He did have a right to be there as an E.O., after all. The doors parted and Tra'eve Deleshanda, very much alive, stepped into the council room. He ached from the movement of the exercise routine, from the brisk walk, and the full light bothered his eyes, but he stood there unflinching.
 
Upon mentioning her escort there was some confussion. It seemed that who he was wasn't the issue, but who to trust. That it was Captain Gressay that had brought them new laid suspect with him, but he was quick to point out that he barely knew Jefferies, and he had been passed the information by a crew member that had flown with him before, under O'Malley. She was not pleased at all with her name brought up in the conversation.

Almeria heard the door open, and she had to resist a sigh of relief when she saw the large figure behind it. Instead, she looked at the council of captains to see Martains pale and O'Malley turn red. There were in fact shocked expressions by all, but the old woman was the first to speak. "You lying bitch, he's not dead at all!"

"I never lied. The video shown was not doctored, I just didn't show you everything."

Almeria did not expect what happened next.

"I didn't know she was involved with the church!" Martins declared and O'Malley turned to him in rage, screaming for him to shut up, but he continued. "She promised this little excursion would finally humiliate the priest and he learn his place. I never wanted... I never wanted you dead." Martins looked at Tra square in the face.
 
If Tra had been any other, perhaps he would have leaped or struck. Weakness or no, these people had put him in a position to die and by all rights, he could exact justice now and know that none in this room would fault him for it. The thought didn't even cross the priest's mind, for sorrow left no room for anger. He closed his eyes for a moment, wobbling weakly, tears prickling the priest's eyes. When he opened them again a moment later, he was more in control, though the sorrow of truth hurt him greatly.

He moved to circle the table, approaching Martins. O'Malley tried to move away, but found herself restrained by two of the other captains. Martins stood as though frozen, and Tra reached out, resting a hand gently upon the man's shoulder.

"What has happened saddens me greatly. It saddens me that my own brothers and sisters, for that is how I see you all, would betray not only myself but our entire cause." He held up his other hand to forestall rebuttal. "I say this now, though. While justice needs to be served, while those who would endanger us shall not be allowed to do so. I forgive you. Both of you. You could never have known the truth of what you put in jeopardy. You could never know the truth of what was nearly lost." He stepped back, moving to Almeria's side again.

"What you do not know is that I did, in fact, die. Namir killed me, just as you saw. It was a horrid death, but a death saving one I love dearly. And thus, it was a good death." He looked down for a moment, drawing a breath and strength to keep speaking. His head lifted, and he spoke. "I live now! I live as I never have, gifted by the knowledge, the truth of Gohdem, revived by the love of my dearest heart--" he smiled at Almeria "-- and truly ready to do what must be done."

"You cannot be serious!" came the cries of one of the E.O.s. "No one can die and come back from the dead."

Tra hesitated but a moment, then. He stripped the shirt he was wearing, turning to reveal his back, where new, paler and pink skin covered the area that had once been covered in lash scars. It was clear where he'd been blasted, for the remaining scars simply stopped at the edge of new skin and flesh.

"It's a trick! Some cosmetic ruse!"

"It is no trick. I promise you this. If you must..." The words did not need to be finished. One by one, the captains approached, resting their hands on his back and muttering until all were assured this was no trick. Surgery could do wonders, but this... any who had even a bit of mystical talent felt the magic, the undeniable holiness that rested, no, that blossomed from the priest. Finally, he pulled his shirt back on, leaving it open and turning to face them.

"If you have any doubts... for years, my hands bore the scars of my exile. I would not allow anyone to even attempt to fix them. So they remained, a mark of my dismissal." He'd not brought this up with Almeria, but he knew now was the proper time. He thrust both hands forward, palms down. The backs were smooth, with no sign of surgery, no sign of scarring, only the normal disruptions of tendons and slight aging. "See this! And know. I am no longer in exile. It is Namir who shall find himself cast down, and it shall be by my hands, these hands that have been redeemed in the light of Gohdem!"

He had no idea how he appeared, standing there with his shirt half off, his hands clean of scars, brown hair framing his face like a mane. But those watching collectively took a step back, not in fear, but awe. It seemed the priest had made a point. It couldn't have hurt that his expression, though hard, wore the distant look of one speaking facts that were true beyond truth.

"Those who are with me, with us, then say so now. For it shall not be I, but Almeria, who leads the charge. The Paragon of Gohdem shall lead the way and the faithful shall follow. The Martyr shall rise and retake the garden! You are in a moment of history, of change, and of chance! Take this chance! For with it, we shall bring the Light and the Darkness back into balance!"
 
Almeria could not help but to smile as she looked up at Tra. While most of the attention was on the priest as he spoke, if anyone bothered to look at her they would have marveled at the difference from when she walked into the room earlier. It was hard to tell she was exhausted and stressed as she looked up onto the priest, the pure joy of standing beside him shone through it all.

While delighted to be able to see him, to listen to him, Almeria was still very much aware of the realities they were facing, and when Tra issued his challenge to the men and women in the room, she turned and looked at them. She wasn't just looking at their faces, but looking for something else, something deeper, and as they gave voice to their exceptince, for how could they not after such an encounter and speech, she did not find any wanting.

"Until we can better take care of the issue, let us them in solitary confinement?" Almeria would not turn to look at the two rogue captains, their actions had ripped out her heart and she wanted to be able for a while to put her emotions to the side as much as she could. "Also have food and drink brought in here, we are going to be at this for a while."

Almeria sat and motioned everyone else left in the room to sit as well. Partly to get people to settle after the shock Tra produced, but also to be sure Tra himself was sitting. "If later anyone wants more details, there are members of my crew that showed up after Namir escaped along with the bases personel, though their concerns were more on their security breach. I doubt questioning my people will be nessisary if you finish watching the security video, but I have no desire to being present when it's playing."

Taking a deep breath she then brought up the next topic. "We can no longer wait for a chance to get at Namir, as much as I wish we could avoid needless fighting, it is time to make our stake. Our first step is taking back our people, the ones that Namir has hidden away that know too much but he has been reluctant to outright kill. We have the resources and intelligence to do this. Let's use both to figure out how."
 
By the time the meeting ended several hours later, Tra could barely hold his back straight as they made their way back to their quarters. They found themselves delayed even more by the security detachment assigned to make certain their suite was safe. The moment they were alone, Tra collapsed on the couch, half groaning half sighing. Chuckling, he moved enough to grab a candy and unwrap it, sucking on the sweet for a moment before pulling Almeria close. They remained close like that until Tra could no longer keep his eyes open.

The next week was hectic. Investigations were conducted, new background checks run, and a handful of the disloyal, mostly from O'Malley's crew, were moved to confinement. Tra managed to get a message to his smuggler friend, who was happy enough to meet up on a base willing to buy his goods. After they exchanged information, mostly on security and locations of the prisoners on D'lidja, the two parted ways. The Saint, along with the Coral and the Wolf's Feet, were readied to depart. It had been ruled that Tyler of the Coral would lead the small group, raiding the facility while strike teams from the Wolf's Feet and the Saint would break off for missions of their own. The Wolf's Feet had a rather infamous hacker aboard and their strike team's mission was to get all the info they could find while the larger team from the Coral caused a ruckus and the Saint's team freed prisoners.

The night before, Tra sat in deep prayer. He had been given the all clear to leave base that very morning, something they weren't sure would happen. He was still weak, but would be mostly recovered by the time they reached the objective in a week and a half. Still, he was tense. His thoughts strayed to Kari. What if she wasn't the same? So long imprisoned could change a person. What if she wasn't the sister he knew anymore? Still, he had to help her and the others.
 
Almeria had the impression that most, if not all the captains had watched the video, but all had seemed to not share it yet. Their attitude toward her, as well as Tra, was much different then it had been before, and while a part of her missed the simpleness of what she was before, Almeria knew that this was the best way, the only way, to get things done. So much still needed to be done still.

Without words, Almeria wrapped an arm around the priest's shoulder. It was unusual, for she had never intruded upon his prayers before. There had been an unspoken understanding in regards to prayer and meditation, but Almeria saw more then she consciously realized and she had turned away from lightly dusting off the holy branch, even if it hadn't needed it, and gone to him.

"Talk to me. Share your worries and concerns so that I can help you carry your burden." Almeria looked at him with sleepy eyes, having gone too long once more in trying to attend to everything.
 
He sighed, leaning against her and pressing his lips to her hair. Normally, he could take comfort in her presence, but tonight, nothing seemed to ease the ache. He found words a rare commodity that night, and took time seeking the right ones.

"I fear. I fear that she will be different, changed. That I will not be able to help her. I fear that she has been through such agonies that I cannot comprehend. In the end, will she even want to come back with us? Kari is a strong and wonderful sister, but..." He shook his head, rising and walking into the bedroom. "I'm tired, and aching again. It drags my thoughts down. I need to sleep." He climbed into bed, immediately curling up on his side. The next day would be there all too soon.
 
Almeria found herself irritated with how Tra seemed unwilling to do much more then say a few words, fleeing to their bedroom. She stayed where she was, brooding for a moment, then she started to shake her head. She was perhaps reacting more then she should. Almeria was well aware that Tra was uncomfortable sharing his emotions when he was conflicted. Not that understanding made her happy, but it made her look beyond how his actions made her feel.

Getting up she went into the kitchen and poured a large glass of water before going into the bedroom, putting the glass on the bedside before climbing atop the covers and going over to Tra. Almeria put an arm over him and leaned her head on his shoulder. "If you can not talk, them listen, and know I speak the truth my love. Kari has changed. Change is natural, and with such events that has befallen her if she hadn't seemed to change I will be much more worried. What changed her is not because of you. You can not hold onto this guilt. Kari has never been far from your thoughts and even when you could do nothing actively to try to help her, you have endevored to ensure that the universe is a slightly better place, as she wished it would be. Your sister who loved you so would not want you to cling to such sorrow that is not yours to own. She would want you to live, and if Kari now is enough like Kari then she will continue to feel so."

Almeria sighed and moved away. "Rest my heart. I'll be up a few hours yet."
 
Despite the words of assurance, Tra felt guilt seep through his veins. He could have kept trying to reach her. His mind went to every idle moment and silly simple pleasure. He should have been searching. But for a time, it had felt so right just to exist with Almeria, as though that was what should have been happening. Never mind the fact that he hadn't even had the information to reach her until now. Never mind the further fact that he was doing good for the galaxy. No. In his mind, he'd betrayed her.

He waited til Almeria had left the room, then sprung out of the bed, tossing the sheets aside. He needed to do something... Anything. The blankets were tossed to the floor, followed by the mattress. The next thing to go were the dresser drawer contents. He tossed clothes aside, tipping the hamper and throwing boots. Somehow, the glass of water was overturned, dropping to the floor with a thud and a splash. Still, this only made him feel less in control than he had felt before. The weight of helplessness crashed down on him and bore him to his knees, causing tears to run down his face.

"What do I do now? Tell me!" He shouted, gasping for air. He'd died and not been so upset at the thought of what he'd allowed his sister to endure. Died. He'd died, and it had been with a purpose. For without the death, he could not know what he must. He shuddered, leaning against the closet door. Then there could, perhaps, be purpose in the timing, in the fact that his sister had endured such things. It wasn't good, it wasn't happy, but it was sometimes what must happen, and he only hoped, as he calmed, that she would be the person she needed to be when they freed her.
 
It was with still some unease that Almeria wandered back into the living room, with every intention of some last minute work. She wanted to be sure before they left base that things were taken care of. It was possible that Almeria had given herself the lion's share of work for the preflight analysis for this mission, but she felt she owed it to everyone to do so.

Still when she sat down she did not pick up her hand computer, but instead looked at the branch, hoping to calm down and relax. Absently her hand went to her chest, and she sadly sighed when she felt nothing but her rising breath under her shirt. Not that she was given time to consider her own habits as she heard something from the bedroom. Blinking she looked at the room, then heard more noises. Slowly she rose, perplexed as to what was going on. Then silence.

When Tra yelled out his confussion, Almeria's heart sank for a moment. That he was suffering within himself so badly made her want to rush to him, but she resisted, instead walking back to the room calmly. Calmness was truly the prudent course as she opened the door and saw their room in complete disarray. With careful steps she picked her way over to where Tra leaned against the closet door. When Almeria looked at him, she smiled, not out of pity or the sometimes delirious adoration she sometimes showed, but with a calm, all encompassing love, and with that smile she held out her hand to him.
 
Tra looked up at Almeria. Exhausted, he took her hand. His face was moist from tears, but he had finally stopped crying. He hoped she didn't notice the dampness of his cheeks. Slowly, he stood and silently started to fix the room. It took a moment before he spoke.

"She was always so wise. Even when we were children, it seemed she found the truth so easily while I tried to grasp it with all my might. She seemed to always know she wanted to be a priestess, that it was her destiny. She was daring, too. I remember her learning to dive while I was still barely splashing in the shallow end of the pool." By now, the room was orderly once more, and Tra sat on the edge of the bed.

"When I was four, I remember how badly I wanted to prove to her that I was as daring and strong as she was. She had just dived into the pool, and I wanted more than anything to be right there when she came up. So I leaped into the water and swam to where she was just surfacing, but when I stopped, I realized my feet couldn't touch the bottom and panicked. I went under." He looked down at his hands, then closed his eyes, still speaking.

"I remember the sense of panic. I remember feeling the water enter my lungs. I know, logically, that she came for me right away, dove to get me. And yet it seemed to take so very long. I was thoroughly terrified by the time she reached me. But somehow, something told me what to do. I didn't understand, at first. It was as though a voice whispered to me to be calm, to let myself be protected, to trust. She pulled me from the water. It was only that evening, when my parents found out, that I told them all about the voice. They dismissed it as panic. Kari was the only one who believed me, spoke to me about it being a voice from the good deities.

"She has always been there for me and listened to me. I could not be there for her when Namir took her. I could not save her." His hands lifted, twisting and turning the necklace. "I would gladly give my life to do so, but my life is not mine. It hasn't been since that day in the pool, if it even was before then. My life is Gohdem's to guide. I know this. Even if I sometimes feel I am walking without a map, I know that I shall find my way." He sighed.

"Her favorite holy text was the Book of the Seers. Prophecies, many that have come to pass. She, however, always seemed to love the ones that were yet unproven. She had two favorite verses. 'And though they be many in number, they shall move as one.' They think they have discovered what that one refers to. The other was 'And Gohdem shall show him who is open hearted the world unseen and shall give she who wields change the gift of life. And she shall be named among the holy. And he shall speak the words that need heard. She will come to him in the rays of the stars and know him. And from her will the prophet receive life, and together will they make it bloom.' She said it always inspired her."
 
Almeria picked up a few pieces, but mostly stayed silent, waiting for Tra to speak. Once he did, she gave him all her attention. Tra's admiration for his sister seemed to be boundless, and Almeria could understand why, from everything the priest had ever said about his sister she sounded like a remarkable woman.

Sitting on the bed, Almeria placed a hand on Tra's knee has he recounted his tale, centering himself by remembering the past. She was glad that now that he vented his frustration he was no longer to on edge. She had no notion what she would have done if he could not find some sort of peace.

"I have to admit I've never given myself the chance to become familiar with the prophesies. They were a bit beyond my grasp as a child, and then after.... well I had a lot of reading to do besides." Almeria shrugged off the unhappy nostalgia. "What is it they believe the first one refers to?"
 
He chuckled, drawing her close to him and stroking her hair, obviously feeling more himself. His fingers lingered for a moment as he let himself relax.

"They say that the first one related to a planetary alignment in the Carasious system some three hundred years ago. The full prophecy was lost, so no one really knows what happened then, but it must have been important. Of course, several important things occurred that day. It is unclear to which the prophecy would have referred." He took a deep breath. "I was never one to study the prophecies, either, until I joined the church. They required it, of course. Though my sister loved them, I only knew the ones she quoted. They made me... uncomfortable."
 
Almeria found herself curious about what he was talking about. There was something tempting about a mystery. Mysteries were interesting, but prophecies were worrisome. What if there were a message you did not get.

Almeria blinked and looked at Tra, hesitating but a moment. "Uneasy by most or all of them you studied, or by the ones your sister knew and were fond of?" He had said it himself, his path was bound where Gohdem hoped. It was not her meeting with Tra and changed his destiny, but just finally set it in motion. Ameria admittedly did not know her deities desire, except by some wild instinct. Tra however had had visions, and then very recently got to speak more directly still. Almeria rubbed at her eyes with one arm, feeling them tighten and moisten. "Could it be possible that..." She didn't want to say it though, fear, irrational, seized at her throat even as her stomach turned.
 
He frowned. His shoulders were bunching and it looked as though he might refuse to answer. Finally, he spoke.

"All prophecies. They bother me. They taste like touching a conduit. It is like reading an old fashioned book and seeing the words on the page behind the one you are reading. They fit there, but they don't. It is like the prophecies inhabit the same space and weigh on it from behind." He shook his head, his hair falling forward and hiding his face until he pushed it back. "Though the latter one my sister spoke always bothered me a bit more. A few were like that, to be honest. They stab with electricity. It is disconcerting. I found myself dreading classes on trying to determine what the prophets spoke. In my youngest days as an acolyte, I sometimes wondered why Gohdem would make others suffer with such things. I didn't realize my reaction wasn't exactly normal until I remembered that my sister seemed to love prophecy. She was the one who excelled at the theory of prophecy, loved it like she might adore a pet." He pulled her closer still, holding to Almeria. "I, on the other hand, felt like I was constantly fighting for self control and not to go running out of the room whenever we took lessons on such things."
 
"He's been trying to talk to you for such a long time," she said sadly, though much of that was not for Tra, but a regret, even jealousy. "Who better to collect the distorted visions that might affect your trials then the person you were always closest to? It would not surprise me if we looked at the prophecies your sister quotes most, many wil pertain to you."

Standing up, Almeria rubbed at her temples, the looking at Tra once more she tried to smile. If she was right, it would be useful, so very useful and they needed all the divine wisdom they could gather. It was just she felt unnessisary. It was Tra that things were centering around, and she wondered how long she would be allowed in that orbit, before flung away by events and chance.

Almeria's fear was for the most part created by exhaustion. All the small doubts she had that normally she would laugh at herself about had not been given time to examine, instead she had been pushing them away, allowing them to fester as she worked. She wanted the best for everyone, she just doubted it for herself. "Once we have her back, perhaps we should see what she thnks of those prophecies she so adores before she is told of some of your recent events so as not to contaminate the process?" Eferyone deserved a bright future.
 
He tensed more, looking up at her. Something was wrong, and he wasn't sure what. Sighing, he tried to tug her back to his side, gently. "I doubt a single one pertains to me that doesn't pertain to you. If there are any about us at all. I..." He wished he could discern what was wrong with her. She seemed upset. "Are you worried that I won't love you anymore if my sister returns? Nothing in this universe could take me from your side. I love you. I remain fully convinced that you are the only reason I returned to life. Almeria... I'd never leave you, ever. You do know that, yes?"

He looked up at her, blue eyes sorry and sorrowful, and for a moment, it was as though someone else looked through him. "Almeria, I love you. Don't forget that. Ever since we met on the Flare...." The Flare. Rays of the stars. "Almeria... somehow... I think the prophesy my sister quoted so often was about you, after all. She who shall be named among the holy. Almeria..." He took her hands. "It must mean something important. I can only imagine... Well, honestly, theory of prophecies is not my strong point. But I do think it concerns you in some way." He tugged her onto his lap. "But what others say about you matters not. I love you. Not because you are some great and wondrous person, whoever you might be in the future. The future that concerns me is ours. Together. I want to marry you. To travel. To find safety in love and maybe even have a family someday. Even if we just get a few pets. Almeria, I'd follow wherever you lead. I trust you, I trust Gohdem, and I know that I am to be with you. But more than that, I want to be with you. You are the one great love of my life."
 
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