laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Quietly, the soft wind blew through the opened double doors, billowing the opaque, white curtains which drifted low over sandstone vainly covered by a large bear rug to the deep blue, velvet curtains tied to each corner of the four post bed as Kailee's fiery hair lightened the interior as she slept. The faint whisper on that wind awoke the occupant to a presence as her solid, golden eyes opened. She could feel something uniquely familiar yet, new in the air as she turned to lay on her back and concentrated. Something or someone had been awakened. She allowed her mind to drift and follow the source of the presence and soon found herself gliding over high peaks and deep valleys to soon watch the ground below flatten to a moonlit carpet on her venture southwest. Soderham's void introduced itself then fell away to the north and east as she continued on to a vibrant, blue light whose power reached into the heavens. A birth in the garden of Rimnicu gave it an exuberant celebration of life that even the sylvan garden had never had before and Kailee found herself crying for joy. With the loss of concentration, she immediately found herself back home in Warwick.

She wiped her cheeks and sniffed. Trying to go back to sleep was pointless she told herself, and got up. Walking to the armoire, she opened it and grabbed her robe and pulled it on, then recovered her veil which she tied and teleported to Adgertesse's room.

Spinning with a start, the dark elf's blade gleamed darkly in the fiery light now introduced by Kailee's hair. "What are you doing," she inquired sleepily, then lowered her sword.

"Sorry, Tess," the intruder walked over and sat on the side of the thick mattress. "Something wonderful has happened."

"You got married?"

"No. Someone's been born in Rimnicu," she recounted, ignoring the sarcasm. "It was the most beautiful thing I've ever felt in my life."

Sitting up, her friend resheathed her sword, hanging from the nearby post, then turned to her. "Who was born? What are you talking about?"

"I don't know who she is but, even the garden itself was rejoicing. You should've felt it, it was amazing," her perpetual smile threatened to push the veil over her eyes.

Tess nodded, "Hmm. That's nice. If you can't sleep, why don't you lay here and try to relax."

"Thanks but, I can't. Not now." Kailee rose and backed a step as she eyed her friend. "Sorry to wake you, I just had to tell someone."

"You nervous about them leaving for the first time," Tess inquired, referring to the trio of grandchildren who had decided to embark on their own journey.

Kailee remembered last night during the celebration dedicated to Elminoir as well as the annual visit of her remaining friends, the unspoken decision of Annaleah, Katsandra and Danaca to leave Warwick on their own. "A little, of course but, that doesn't have anything to do with this." She leaned over and hugged the white haired elf, "I love you, Tess." She backed, "Sorry for waking you, again."

"No, that's okay. It's what we're here for," she shrugged. "It's still late, why don't you try and lay back down for a while."

"I'm fine. See you at breakfast."

"Alright."

* * *

Daylight spilled over the distant mountain top to the east as Kailee walked through the tall grass and up the hillside towards the gathering trio. Their horses ready, the granddaughters of Selyria, Allaster and Lita strapped extra packs onto their saddles as the beautifully bred steeds waited patiently. The trio of brunettes eyed her as she approached and turned to greet their 'aunt'.

"Good morning, ladies," she greeted. "Got everything?"

"Think so," Annaleah nodded. Excited adrenaline pumped through all three, especially the druid, Katsandra whose grandparents, Allaster and Lina still lay in their bed with pneumonia. Kailee eyed each in turn, then moved to hug the teenager who grinned.

"You take care of one another. The world out there isn't going to be as cordial to descendents of heroes," she began and moved to Danaca who resembled her grandmother, Lita; more in personality than looks. "Some may even take advantage of your youth and inexperience." The more she talked, the more reluctant she became of allowing them to leave Warwick. She turned to Katsandra, "Your grandparents are going to be fine so, don't worry, okay," she reassured with a hug.

"I know. Just hate seeing them sick."

"Me too but, they're strong and have great care. They'll be back in Carbost in no time." She backed towards Selyria, her elven husband as well as their offspring and grandson, Faer, as they watched the trio mount then turn and ride southward. As she watched them shrink towards the main cluster of stone buildings, she imagined how everyone's parents and family felt seeing Allaster, Avion, Tia and others leave home for the first time. Most of the Chosen's offspring settled into mundane lives and had families now, wishing to enjoy repopulating those towns devastated by the war and watched their children grow up. Little did they know that some of their offspring didn't wish to follow in those footsteps.