Kelandra & Runopa

Kelandra’s training rooms proved quiet this morning. This did not surprise me in the slightest. In the sixteen years and more since her birth, I have observed this behavior many times over. Though she takes to my instruction of The Art as naturally as she did to her mother’s milk, there exists no therapy that can lift the burden on her mind and heart. I find myself saddened not only that I cannot relieve her obligation, but that I, as her mentor, must serve as a constant reminder of it. So it was that I approached her this morning knowing full well of the discussion (if it may, charitably, be referred to as such) that had taken place the previous evening between her and her parents, the Lord and Lady Denova. The topic of the discussion, as it most often is, fell to the circumstances leading to her selection as the Denovan Avatar, a decision she obviously as of yet has not fully come to terms with. Her objections have a great deal of validity, especially given the fact that she was given, and still retains, absolutely no say in the matter.

Her previous outburst coincided with her thirteenth birthday. It was then that the full measure of her obligations were revealed to her. My only consolation was the fact she was allowed to enjoy her birthday festivities before being told the bad news. Now, having reached her sixteenth birthday, the reality of the limitations of her obligations resurfaced and have, I’m afraid, had a profound impact on her mental well-being. It was therefore not surprising to find here attendants, spotters, sparing partners and instructors, all of them, busying themselves outside the presence of Her Ladyship. She would be in her sanctuary, meditating. She knew I would be along soon, as I am the only one allowed and capable of gaining audience with her uninvited. She would then ask me questions I could not answer, and she would grow angry, ask to be left alone, and in a few days return to her regimen.

Today was different.

I entered quietly and shut the door behind me. She sat in the center of the room in her mediation robe. The House Tailors specially crafted her robe to match her light, reddish-blonde hair. She sat with he hair completely down; it flowed over her shoulders and half-way down her back. This was a well-known signal to her attendants that she would be taking no training today. I waited; she would speak when she was ready.

“Runopa,” she said finally.

“Yes, My Lady?”

A short pause. “Why even bother?”

“My Lady?”

“You never answer my questions anyway.”

I took a deliberate stabilizing breath. “You are now of adult age. I am no longer under any obligation to deny you the answers you seek.”

She lifted her head and turned to face me. Her beauty remains a legend among her people, and I have admitted many times that, had circumstances been different, I would likely have pursued her parents permission to court her affection once she reached adult age. I would wager every Devonan man wept upon seeing her the first time, knowing her obligations prevented her from any inclinations of a romantic relationship. Even then, as she peered at me with suspicious eyes, those deep, clear, emerald green eyes, I had to force my emotions down to maintain my assuring composure.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Ask me a question.”

“Is there a specific reason I’m not allowed to date?”

I had, of course, anticipated her first question. “Yes.”

Her face fell in mix of disbelief and anticipation. She stood up and faced me.

“Why am I not allowed to date?”

I swallowed. “Your ultimate responsibility reaches beyond the Denovan realm.”

I could feel her anger building. I knew what she was thinking. I only hoped she would allow me to explain.

“Are you saying I have been offered in marriage to another House?”

“No. Not exactly.”

Before she could speak, I stepped right and began walking around the room. It is a technique I use to focus my thoughts. Kelandra knows this and will normally allow me to speak uninterrupted when she observes this behavior. Today was no exception.

“What I can tell you now is this: You were not chosen, Kelandra. You were discovered.”

Her expression suggested she had not considered this possibility. “Discovered?”

“Yes. We received a delegation of the Old Ones. They had received indications of a notable birth which lead them to House Denova. After searching the citizenry, they moved on to the nobility. Having no success, they confronted your father rather insistently. It was only then that he reluctantly revealed your existence.”

She closed her eyes. “He was trying to protect me.”

“Yes.”

A tear ran down her cheek. “Oh Daddy.”

It was the fist time in the last three years I had heard her refer to her father in such an affectionate manner.

“There are matters of The Art that are maintained only by the Old Ones. As you may recall, these matters pertain to areas of The Art which are particularly powerful, profound, and far-reaching.”

She opened her eyes. “The Deep Mysteries.”

“Yes. It should not surprise you, then, that your birth is related to one of The Deep Mysteries.”

“I still don’t understand what this has to do with my love life.”

I stopped pacing and turned to face her. “While it is not given to me to understand The Deep Mysteries, what is clear and known is this: Who you become romantically involved with will have a profound impact on the future of The Art.”

Confusion contorted her face. “I don’t understand.”

“Neither do I. That is why they are called The…”

“The Deep Mysteries, I get it.”

I nodded slowly. “Today, I was to begin your instruction in the advanced levels. I see now that other guidance is needed. I offer you this truth for your meditation: Not every problem can be solved with Magic, and Magic is not always the best way to solve a problem.”

I watched as she considered this briefly. “Can I ask you another question?”

“Certainly.”

“Is there any way I could talk to the Old Ones?”

I could not suppress my grin. “I shall send an envoy through the proper channels to formally request and audience for you. In the meantime, continue with your meditations.”

She nodded. I turned to leave.

“Runopa?”

I turned back around. “Yes, My Lady?”

“Would you tell my parents I’d like to see them again tonight? I need to, um, apologize.”

Not wishing to extend her obvious discomfort, I said, “Certainly, My Lady,” turned again, and left.

And that was that. I will not withhold my great satisfaction with her desire to reconcile with her parents, a development that indicates she is maturing. The conversation on the whole had progressed much better than I had feared, and she is now with her parents. The envoy sent to the Ambassador to the Old Ones has already returned with a welcomingly positive response which indicates her request had been anticipated. I know from experience she won’t get all the answers she seeks, but she will receive guidance. At this stage in her life, that is the most valuable asset she could ever acquire.