Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2003 22:57:43 -0800 (PST)
From: Corrinne S <quasito_cat@yahoo.com>
Subject: Dark Wishes Installment 38: Part 5 Chapter 11

This is the sequel to `Dark Wishes'.  Remember, it's
copyrighted through Nifty and International Common
Law.

Unspoken Wishes

M.C. Gordon

Part One: Markel

Chapter Eleven

     Tynan and Iashain wanted to return to Aolane as
quickly as possible to work with Hanrad in building
cottages but Narcia had other plans.

     "Efren is not yet well enough to travel that
distance," she told them one morning when Efren and
Markel were still sleeping.  "I spoke with him and he
admitted that his health has always been frail.  I
cannot be sure of the cause.  There is a breathing
sickness that steals breath and might be his problem.
But his heart does not always beat well and that
causes me great concern.  His illness during the
winter may also be to blame.  It could have weakened
him even more."

     Tynan felt a knot form in his stomach as he
listened to her.  "He appears in good health," he
said.

     "Appearances can be deceiving," Narcia said.
"Listen to his heart.  Then listen to Markel's or Lord
Iashain's.  You will hear the difference between a
healthy heart and Efren's.  Much healer knowledge was
lost through time," she sighed.  "Our ancestors might
have been familiar with his condition.  Yashidra must
learn to read, Lord Iashain.  If any of the scrolls in
Aolane hold healer knowledge she might learn the exact
cause of Efren's illness.  He improves daily but I
still do not wish him to travel for at least another
month.  It was fortunate that he fell ill here," she
added.  "Had it happened on your journey here he might
have died.  Before you leave I will teach the two of
you and Markel how to force your breath into his lungs
and massage his chest to make his heart beat as I
did."

     "You can name your price for saving his life,"
Tynan earnestly told her.

     "What can we do if he has another spell like the
last one?" Iashain asked, deeply worried about the
young man.

     "One of the brews I prepared for him is made from
a bitter flower that is usually poisonous.  It works
to steady the heart.  The other is an herb potion that
eases breathing.  Yashidra knows how to prepare both.
Markel is learning to watch for signs and knows which
to give and in what amount.  Once Efren's heart and
lungs function again, the herbs will work.  He must
strengthen his body, but slowly."

     She rose from her chair in Bidwell's cottage and
knelt in front of Tynan.  "The one thing that
endangers him more than anything else, My Lord, is his
fear that you will no longer love him.  He feels that
you will not consider him worthy of your love."

     "I will give Markel discretion where your
medicines are concerned, Narcia," Tynan said.  "And I
will let Efren know that my love for him will not be
determined by his health.  I see now that his days
with me might not be as many as I desire, but he will
know each and every day that that my love for him will
only increase with the passage of time."

 . . .

     The month would have passed slowly for the Qell,
anxious to return to Aolane, had not a steady stream
of travelers passed through the small village to speak
with them.  It seemed that all of western Elanen was
anxious to send their sons and daughters to help
rebuild and repopulate the ancient seat of power.
Herders with sheep, goats, and geese stopped to meet
with their kings.  Farmers with precious packs of seed
corn and grain asked where they should begin to work
the land for the next season of planting.  Men seeking
husbands and women seeking wives sought permission to
join the growing community.  Petitions were already
being brought before them for everything imaginable,
from requests for sons and daughters to be taught to
read and write to redress sought for children whose
parents had abused them.

     "I think being kings will bring our loves endless
days of things both noble and petty," Markel remarked
to Efren as they walked through the now busy village
one afternoon.

     "Last night Tynan did not ... well, you know.  He
only wanted to rest with his head in my lap and have
me rub his temples," Efren replied.  "Then he held me
and spoke of our future in Aolane until I fell
asleep."

     "What does he have in mind for you?" Markel
asked.

     "He left the decision to me," Efren replied.  "He
asked me to remain his lover but said I could choose
any occupation.  I think I would like to study with
Yashidra, learn of healing and herbs when I can read.
What will you do in Aolane?"

     "I am going to work with Iashain in restoring the
archive," Markel said.  "He found that each who passes
here seeking permission to settle in Aolane bears a
different legend of the ancient Qell and the years
after Trelaine left.  I am to write those memories and
try to find the truth of history in those tales and
the knowledge my grandmother passed to me.  He told me
I am a conduit, whatever that might mean."

 . . .

     Narcia's mandated month passed and Efren grew
stronger.  Bidwell had given him one of the Lippiz
stallions, a lively two-year old named Xoro, and he
rode with Markel or Tynan each day to the pool to
swim.  He knew his limits and was careful to not
overly tire himself.

     Markel as well began to blossom under Iashain's
love and Narcia's ample meals.  He would always remain
slender but he added weight to his spare frame;
swimming and riding turned the weight to muscle.

     When Narcia felt Efren's health sufficient, she
released him from her care for the journey to Aolane.
Two of her apprentices, Redel and Mora, were to travel
with them.  They were betrothed and Tynan had agreed
to join them himself when all of the existing
proprieties had been met.  They were to be allowed to
hold hands but nothing more until their cottage was
built and furnished.  Redel was a carpenter and would
be required to make a table and chairs, their bed, and
the rocker for their children.  Mora, a seamstress,
would have to provide their clothing.  Iashain felt
that any two people in love should be allowed to
express themselves more freely but Tynan held fast
that there would be no untoward behavior, exhibiting
that at least one of these Qell retained Miralen's
sometimes prudish thoughts.

     As the travelers approached Aolane they were
stuck with the changes already made.  Fields had been
cleared and plowed under in preparation for the next
planting season.  Barns were erected to house the
war-horse harem and their young.  Streets had been
laid out in accordance with the direction of the
ancient rubble and cottages had been built where happy
homes had existed in Aolane's glorious past.  The
stones which had been the castle had been removed and
the contents of the dungeons stored in several vacant
cottages.  Separate housing had been constructed for
Tynan and Iashain until the castle could be built, for
Hanrad still intended to rebuild the castle.  The
outer walls of the old fortress were almost four foot
in height, and building had begun on the site of the
ancient archive.

     Aolane was rising again, like the Phoenix that
was the herald of the Qell.  And with the great
fortress-city would Elanen rise, and Endril, and all
but one of the old ten kingdoms.  As the first three
of the Qell had nurtured and raised the kingdoms to
glory in the past, these two would do the same for
mankind was no longer blind and innocent and two would
be able to accomplish the task.

To be continued.

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