Dear Mother...

[Dakirennis 959]

Dak’ir finds himself in his home once more, his ever lazy companion slumbering on the floor beside him. Dak’ir ran his hand over the beast’s fur as he smoked, preparing himself for another journey. The apprentice smiles to himself as he scratches behind the wolf’s ear, pondering to himself why Eclipse always joined him before his journies. Was it that animals were more in tune with the Spirits and the elements around them? Could the ‘Ker wolf perhaps be guarding Dak’ir’s body? Dak’ir shook his head, turning to his companion with a grin.

“You probably just enjoy the smell of the herb and the hunger it brings, you mutt.”

Eclipse stirred at that comment, a low growl reverberating from his throat. Though he was too lazy to look up at Dak’ir and actually snarl or snap at him. He slapped the wolf on the back and laughed as he blew a smoke ring into the air. Dak’ir settled down, placing his pipe down on the stone and replacing it with a tattered old scarf. He wraps it around his hand as he lays back against Eclipse, beginning his chant. 

“Gakhug kranklob. Khlaarizub hûn...”

The fringes of Dak’ir’s vision blur as he repeats his chant, eyes closing slowly as he slips from the world around him.

 

Spoiler

 

 

Dak’ir awoke at the base of a great jagged mountain, his head craned back to bring the stone titan into his full view. They dwarfed any mountain he’d ever seen in his life. Pushing himself up with his hands, he turns around to gaze upon the great sea of golden grass. Dak’ir could see families of Mali’ker dancing and playing through the tall grass with their children. He smiles wearily before turning his back and marching up the slope. Before long, Dak’ir found himself within the great mountain hall of his people. Today, he was speaking to someone great to his people as well as someone dear to him. Dak’ir bowed his head to those he met as he crossed through the city. He eventually arrived to a great tavern of sorts, big enough to hold a hundred easily. Dak’ir followed the sweet scent in the air through the great hall and before long he found who he sought.

 

Spoiler

Delilah the mother. The ever loving and ever worrying matriarch of the dark elves during Thales and early Athera. She was alone, decorating pastries of some sort. The apprentice merely watched her for a few moments, reminiscing about the simpler times. Though as if his presence was sensed, Delilah’s gaze suddenly turned to Dak’ir.

“I thought I heard that lazy little shuffle! Daki dear, it’s been such a time, so good to see you.” the tubby elf laughed, setting the pastry bag aside as she eased along in her familiar waddle, “Oh look at you, still skin and bones! You really do need to eat more, dear..”

Dak’ir’s lip trembles slightly as he approaches her, wrapping his arms around her picking her up off the ground.

“Blessed be, Della. I’m glad to see you again. Are you not worried? I’m in the land of the dead here after all.”

 

He sets her down carefully, taking a step back and brushes the flour off his robe. Looking around, he spies a chair and pulls it over to take a seat before her.

Chuckling quietly the tubby elf’s head tilted, a hand lifting to bump her glasses higher atop her small nose, “Oh dearie, I’m always worried about every single one of you. None of you ever eat enough! Really it must be so hard for you all right now..” sighing her head shook, reaching out to brush back the taller elf’s hair, licking a thumb as she scrubbed at his cheek. “But, I watch over all of you, always. In your dreams I am there, checking on each and every one of you. I know it’s not your time just yet. But, that doesn’t make me worry less about what could possibly bring you here, Daki dear..”

Dak’ir could hardly contain his smile. Her concern for him and the other dark elves could never be rivaled. It never failed to touch Dak’ir at his core. He wiped his cheek, chuckling like a child.

“Well, the sweets have never been the same, that’s for sure. But my wife keeps me well fed. Oh Della I wish you could meet her. My daughter too. Oh! And we and we even adopted Jayce, he’s Arveldir’s brother now… Spirits. I’ll take them to meet you some day.”

Dak’ir could hardly contain his excitement, nearly standing out of his seat. Delilah was the closest thing he could recall to a mother, his own having died centuries ago.

“I’m sure she’s just cute as a button, dear.” The plump elf chuckled, “I’d love to meet her one of these days, when she’s ready to.” smiling her small hands rose, cupping either side of the ker’s face as she looked him over, soft blue eyes gleaming warmly, “You’ve grown up so much, I’m so proud of what you’ve accomplished.. What you’re going to accomplish.”

His lips purse as he sits down properly, his eyes trailing away. 

 

“I should mention that, I’m no longer our people’s leader. I just lead the faith now. I named Arveldir and Jayce the princes. They’re in charge of our future now… I don’t know if there’s much left for me to accomplish.”

The tubby elf chuckled warmly, drooping ears bobbing as she shook her head, “Oh I already know, dear. But that does not mean they do not all still look up to you.” Gently her hand lifted, patting Daki’s cheek as she smiled, “You will have always been who led them to where they are, and you will always be remembered as such.” Turning slightly she sat atop her own seat, the old wood creaking quietly as her hands set together, “That’s the good thing about stepping down from things, is it not? Now someone else has to step up, and go even further. Because of what you’ve done, they have a foundation to rise much, much higher. And, you get to see it happen, and be there to offer advice if the boys when and if need it. Plus.. you still have a daughter to raise! There is still quite a bit left for you to do, dear.. And parenthood is such a wonderful adventure to partake..”

Dak’ir cracks a smile, placing a hand over her’s against his cheek. Della always knew what to say, her voice gave him a sense of calm like no other. Shaking his head, he rises, wrapping an arm around and hugging Della tightly.

“Dear mother, how I’ve missed you… But I need to return. I’ll try to visit as often as I can. If Jiub doesn’t kidnap me first. I’ll bring Lielle with me next time, okay?”

But the Primarch did not depart right away. As in life, she always captivated his attention and he remained there for a few more hours, basking in the nostalgia. Even his dear friend Lenden joined in and for a time the weary shaman felt more at peace than he had in centuries. Remembering a time before the stress of politics, when worrying about bandits was the most of his troubles. Though in time he pried himself away from the tempting allure of the Ancestral Plane knowing full well it’s dangers in staying too long. He knew he could always return again eventually...
 

[HedgeHug 2049]

Good work my apprentice

[Daisy 9738]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

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