Revelation

[ski_king3 0]

Rose kneels before the altar in the chapel, gazing up at it. She holds her hands up, clasping them together as if in prayer, yet she remains silent as she yet again rethinks what she'd done the past few days. She sighs, closing her eyes as she slips into her own mind once more. As her mind drifts over her memories, rosy wisps of light dance around her limbs.

 

---

 

Rose's mind travels back to her most recent visit to the clinic in Salvus. She stood there, instructing her three pupils, David Nasser, Kaila Bedevere and Sarah Archdiamond. Each with different reasons behind their desire to help others, yet all driven to do so. David because of the needs of the people of Savoie, Kaila because of the torment and pain she'd faced during her life, and Sarah due to the uselessness she feels when others are hurt around her. Though the fact David had to take his leave was unfortunate, the feeling of pride welling within her at the successes of Sarah and Kaila in their first lesson seemed eternal. The fact that she could heal others from their pains was satisfying in itself, but it hardly compared to the feeling teaching her three pupils did. With this thought in mind, she smiled as her memory began to drift once more, this time to a different memory a few days later.

 

---

 

Her mind now travels to her visit to the island which had held the White Rose's laboratory. With the island having been left in Bran's name, and with Bran's illness gone, it was finally time they explore it. When they arrived, it was clear some others had been there. Arthal's body lay alone against a wall, a note Rose had sent to him flat on the floor. Much of what the Rose had built was modified, and a mysterious creature within the depths of a cave had disappeared. Nonetheless, it was secluded, a place they could call their own, and more importantly, a place they could stay. It was no Auvergne, no. In fact, it was no Ard Kerrack. But it was their own, and in their solitude Rose found solace once more in her husband's arms. It was reminiscent of her times with him on Kalos and in the Keep, and the times they'd spent exploring or training. She was at home when she was with Bran, she realized. It was as simple as that. And it was with this remembrance of peaceful simplicity that the light shimmering around her began to flutter, growing in intensity. Yet of course, once more her mind drifts to a new thought. A new revelation.

 

---

 

Rose's mind now drifts to a memory of her sitting in her manor, writing another copy of her book on basic Auvergnian translations. She sighed, the copy halfway completed, dropping the quill to the desk. Leaning back in her chair, she sighed, wondering why life as a Duchess had grown so dull. It was true, many of her friends had left upon the ships, yet she also remembered finding far more enjoyment when she first ventured upon her ploy for politics. She hadn't done so out of lust for power or greed, but instead to help her family, to establish a foundation for their futures. Yet it seemed all she'd done was alienate them. Her siblings and father were all gone, aside from Marcel, who'd taken residence in the manor once more, and Chrestienne who popped by occasionally. Balian and Dagmer had left on the ships with the others. Vivian kept to her books, and was likely on another lengthy expedition to the Abresi bookstore. Adelfi was likely adventuring as she always did, and Brandon was off someplace, presumably with Rosalie. Rose, her youngest child, was fortunately upstairs resting, but aside from her namesake, Rose Valois I sat in an empty manor. She shook her head, tossing the half-written book aside angrily. She managed to knock several inkwells off the shelf, dotting the walls, floor and ceiling in black specks. Cursing quietly, her memory began to fade into another one. As her memory passed on to another, her fists clenched tightly, the light moving about her body shaking violently.

 

---

 

Now Rose's mind traveled to her sitting in the study of her manor once more. This time, however, she sat down not to write in books, but instead on parchment. She wrote letters, several different ones. With the joy of teaching her students, and of her time with Bran, yet also the failure of her political achievement all present in her thoughts, she began to write her first letter, this one to the King. It read:

 

"Dear King William Horen,

 

It is on this day that I regret to inform you I shall be abdicating my title of the Duchess of Auvergne, Countess of Cantal and Viscountess of Aurillac to my brother, Marcel Valois, and revoking any claim I once held to the land. I cannot express my appreciation towards the grant of land and titles you've given to me and my family, yet due to my own reasons, I must abdicate to my brother. At this time, he is better suited for the position, and I cannot resume the position due to personal reasons. That being said, I would like to maintain my seat on the Privy Council for the time being, until I can establish a bit more order among the Magistrate. I would also like to advise you to meet my brother, as I can see the two of you becoming steadfast friends. If you were to offer him Lord Therving's former seat of Lord Grand Chamberlain, he would take it, and rival old Throdo in his skill and intelligence. Overall, he'd be more than a fit candidate for the position. Likewise, he seeks a wife. I believe Nero Horen had a daughter around marrying age, yet I am unaware of her marital status. It is merely an idea, of course. I hope you will not hold my actions against myself or my family, as I do truly wish the best to the Kingdom. I wish you the best, my liege. Creator Save the King!

 

Signed,

Rose Valois"

 

Rose then wrote a short missive to send to the greater nobility, as well as to her brother, explaining the establishment of her brother as the new Duke and Head of House Valois. This, of course, was not particularly notable. However, the additional letter she attached to the message sent to Silus Illius Horen was of interest, and so it read:

 

"Dear Silus Illius Horen,

 

I write to you today not to share spiteful words, nor do I write to apologize for my actions. I merely wish to explain what I've done. I did not seek power out of greed or spite or hate or anger, no. I merely sought to right a wrong, and help my family in the process. Perhaps you hate me, or think me vile and twisted, yet I do not hate you. I pity you, yes, for you are lonely and cold, with little kindness to show to others. You do not feel the grace of the Creator's light each day as I do, nor do you have a spouse or children to comfort you. For this, I do not blame you for your hatred, your cold demeanor, and your blindness to those who act only for greed. I merely hope one day you will realize I do not hate you, and I do not act in greed. I give up my title willingly so I may pursue my true passion, to spread the Creator's light throughout all of Anthos. You will likely not believe me, yet it is the truth.

 

Signed,

Rose Valois"

 

After sending off the letters, she sat there awhile, dwelling over all the letters she'd written. After a while, she decided she must write one more batch of letters, these ones to be sent to her children. And so they read:

 

"To My Children,

 

I write to you today know that some of you are close, and others far. Some have traveled to distant lands beyond imagination, and some of you live merely a flight of steps below me. Yet I feel that none of us see each other as much as we ought to. I wish to bring each of you together once more. Perhaps it is not possible, but I simply ask each of you to consider your happiness. Would you feel better alone, separated from your family, or close beside your parents and siblings. I believe that we would each be served best together, and in truth, your father and I miss each of you greatly. We wish to see you again, to be a family once more. This is all we ask.

 

Signed,

Your Mother, Rose"

 

And so she sent off the last of the letters. She sat there for a time, considering everything she'd written, what was important, what was not. She stared at the wall solemnly, sitting there for what felt like an eternity. Finally, she stood up, preparing to go to her room to meditate. And as such, the memory faded from her mind, replaced by none, and with it, light.

 

---

 

And so she sat in the chapel in silence once more. Darkness had fallen outside, only allowing the feint light of the moon, half-hidden by clouds, breach through the windows to illuminate the side of the Church. After what was truly hours alone in the piercing darkness, her mind truly went blank. No thoughts, no images, just darkness. And yet, through this blackness, the light was found.

 

There was no trigger, no event which caused the sudden change. But suddenly, a thought came to her mind, and she began to pray. It was unlike any other prayer she'd made, seeming natural and intense, powerful and pure. Though it was short, by the time the last of a few lines had finished echoing through the empty chamber, her eyes, her palms, most of her body were masked in her light. Yet now, it was no longer the rosy light befitting her name that came forth. No, for the first time ever, the light was unmistakably pure. It showed her goals, her plans, her desires, all within its color. And perhaps most importantly of all, at least to her, it allowed her to finally feel worthy of the teacher she'd learned from many years ago. For now, her holy light was gold.

[cruzazul 2815]

Marcel sits calmly at his desk, surrounded by his many scrolls and crystals, his bright emerald eyes gazing over the arithmetical contents. Soon he hears a slight knock on the door, his sister enters, seeming much more relieved than normal. Looking up from his work Marcel offers her a seat across from his desk, cupping his hands he looks curiously to his sister. Showing the same rudiment smile he offers his hand to her. Holding her hand out he begins to stroke it carefully, speaking in a light, lackadaisical tone.

 

"I assume everything went well dear?" 

 

"Oui, everything has been taken care of brother." She states, showing a relieved smile.

 

"Well I guess I have work to do."

 

Marcel rises from his desk, storing his scrolls back in the drawers before removing a small quill. He quickly begins to scribble down a few words, sending a parcel off with a bird.

[5678 260]

Dvari cries in a corner in the barracks, bottle of ale close at hand.

[Moot 1719]

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