Soon stepping out through gate found some time back in the Black Mountains, Kailee felt the rainy wind blow through the thick boughs above as Tess stepped out behind her. Overlooking the walled town of Tampere nestled within the foothills of the Tortosa Range, she noted the sparse traffic in the narrow streets.
"Where are we," Tess asked.
"Northwest of the city of Tampere, not far south of Bhatar's home," she informed as they walked downslope through the dark brown trunks and deep green canopy.
"I guess that gate didn't go all the way to his estate."
"No. My father created this gate to visit another group of vampires here that I told him about some time back. I guess he wanted to keep an eye on them once he learned that there were others who entertained normal people without fear of reprisal."
"You think they're still there now?"
"Doubtful, but it's worth a look." She stopped to get a better look through the leaves and scanned until finding the two-story building. It's stone walls were all that remained and her fears were realized. They had been found after all.
"What is it," Tess inquired as she moved closer.
"They're not there." She pointed out the darkened remains within the dark brown rooves.
"Maybe they escaped."
"Hopefully. Too many of my kind have been lost lately," Kailee commented as green eyes scanned around them and over the various shades of green which rolled and soon flattened with distance to the east. Perhaps that was a search for another time, she thought as they continued northeast. Within several hours of teleportation, they soon arrived at the tall gate. Facing them, the bearded brass face biting the large ring opened it's eyes and gazed down to the duo.
"Kailee, he's expecting you," it's deep voice commented as the door creaked open revealing the long dirt road that pointed upwards through the covered forest that threatened to engulf it. She led her friend through the gate and up the hillside as the grey clouds above held their rain in this area.
"You sure this is a good idea," Tess asked nervously. "I realize you met with him the first time but, things have changed quite a bit since then."
"I've never known you to be nervous before. What's wrong?"
"This is the home of a titan," Orange eyes flared. "Demons and they don't fare well in a room together."
"If I die then hand him the letter," Kailee stated dryly as she continued. "He would've seen us at the door instead of letting us in if that was a concern."
"Maybe he hasn't been privy to all your latest changes."
"We'll find out. Stop worrying."
Adgertesse' acquiesced as they soon rounded the mountainside and entered the heavily defended gatehouse and into the long bailey that overlooked the miles of green to the southeast and mountains to the southwest. She loved this view and remembered their previous visit as if it was yesterday. Many other things came back within that flood like the wedding that Bhatar performed. Selyria proudly smiling in her white dress and Gunnar waiting patiently as she walked to him. Smiling, she turned towards the front door as it opened, towering over them as Tess stopped in her tracks at the sight of the castle's resident.
Kailee bowed. "My lord, forgive the intrusion but, we've come with a letter from a friend to you."
"Good to see you again, Kailee. Adgertesse'. Come in, please," his deep voice greeted.
She straightened and began walking towards him then noticed that she was alone in that acceptance. Turning, she grabbed the dark elf's hand and pulled her along.
"I'm fine," Tess stated, cowering behind Kailee as they entered the marble halls and jumped as the door closed, nearly shoving Kailee to the floor.
"Can I get you anything?"
Turning, Kailee looked up to their large host. "No, thank you," she replied and produced the letter and reached up to hand it to the twenty-four foot man who leaned over and accepted it. His large fingers engulfed the folded parchment as he rose and motioned for them into the living room.
"It's good to see you again, young one. I can see many things on your mind. Both of you. I've been informed that you've learned of your future from the elven queen."
"Yes," Kailee nodded as she led Tess into the room furnished with pieces that made them feel like children again. Hopping up onto the thickly padded cushions, Tess planted herself nearly in Kailee's lap, still unable to keep her eyes from the large bearded resident as he sat down in a chair near them. "I'm not totally sold on the idea though."
He nodded, unfolding the letter which she noted enlarged in his hands to appear as if tailored to fit the scale of the reader. "It's your choice to accept it or not. I'm sure she mentioned that as well."
Kailee confirmed his information.
"Why don't you want it? It's clearly why you were placed on this world. Most would jump at the chance to be thought of as a deity, unique that you find it a burden. Although, I shouldn't be surprised. You're a very different kind of person than what your genetics might suggest. No doubt taking after your family moreso than the one's who manipulated you in the womb."
Kailee's interest piqued at that comment. "What are you referring to, my lord? I hadn't heard that part."
"Some learn the base fields of magic which you know as Channeling, Essence and Mentalism. Others delve deeper and some find their way to the Arcane which hasn't been totally lost to the world. Few still find the avenues to the foundation of magic which we know as Primal and these become nearly pure energy with this new knowledge. Still, I think it's better not to delve that deeply personally," he mentioned as he gazed to the letter. As he read, Kailee tried to imagine a school where someone could touch the base, raw power of the universe and found it hard to grasp that concept. She had seen a lot in her twenty-two years but, nothing like that.
Soon, he smiled and refolded the letter. "I'm sorry about your friends lost in the Valga," Bhatar stated, rising and moved to the intricately carved chest and opened it. "It's not easy to lose friends or loved ones," he began as he produced glasses and a bottle of wine. "Everyone that has walked and breathed has experienced that unfortunately. It's a part of life for most." She felt her heart melt again, remembering the faces of her mothers, Duke William and the eighteen girls they rescued from Gorredik, wishing to have those moments back. Suddenly, he was near them and handed both a glass of wine. "This should help take the pain away," he smiled then turned and reclaimed his chair. "For at least a little while." Raising his glass to them, they drank and she felt the smooth alcohol cool her throat and disappear into her stomach as Tess also hesitantly drank, eyeing Kailee for any effects.
"You'll stay with me tonight? I have plenty of room."
"Love to, sir. Thank you for your hospitality again," Kailee nodded as she felt her fears and worry slowly ebb away. Although comforting, she wasn't sure she was ready to give up on all grasp of her humanity and allowed the first sip to digest before taking another. "You mentioned that this individual or group were involved in my birth?"
He nodded and set the goblet on the table beside his chair, also covered with trinkets and tall, thick candle atop a silver holder. "When you visited the first time I noticed their touch within you. What they did has developed with each near-death experience you have because at those times is when you're closer in tune with your spirit and thus with the Kailee that they've waited for. You have it within you to not only be immortal with the introduction of such from Duke William when he attacked your mother the night you were born, but also to know the intricacies of the Arcane which you've touched on in the cave. Your potential goes far beyond what you've known so far and I'm sure will be introduced to in the future. I can't say how or when, of course. I'm sure that is also up to you. I believe your whole life has been touched by those the world knows as gods in one way or another. Of the one I don't have to remind you but, the others also in the form of your friends. They've all played a large part in shaping your life and I believe you theirs." He motioned with his eyes to Tess. "She was meant to kill you yet you've turned her into one of your closest friends and allies. I'm sure that's not what He wanted when he sent her."
Kailee smiled as she glanced to her friend.
"There will be others who feel the calling and are drawn to your side."
"I can't keep leading people into danger which seems to be at every corner. Most have died because of me and I can't keep doing this to them."
He smiled. "We all make our own choices. Your friends back in Carbost would die for one another, why do you shun their devotion to you? Would you not do the same for them?"
"Of course. But, it seems that someone keeps protecting me from that end. I just wish they'd leave me alone."
"This won't end until He's replaced or killed outright. No big loss either. The borders have been troubled for some three years now and I've heard that the world is experiencing this war. It's not because of you that he's done this. It's out of his own greed that he needs to die and free us from his tyranny. There are many that could do it but, I suspect that it was you that was meant to."
"If this being was so powerful, why don't they do it? Rid us all of this problem." Her anger was welling and she could feel her body temperature rise.
"Perhaps they will. Who knows."
"You can see everything else," Tess began. "You can't see their future?"
Kailee glanced to her friend, placing her hand on her friend's in warning.
"No, I can't. Like I said before, I can see into the Arcane and the other three schools but not the Primal. If I could, I wouldn't be here any more and this home would be the residence of one of my brothers, perish the thought."
Tess ripped her hand away and Kailee noticed the burn in the dark elf's shirt. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, are you alright."
Nursing the wrist, she nodded. "I'll be fine. It's okay."
Placing her folded hands into her own lap, Kailee felt more separated now than ever. She was becoming a danger in more ways than one.