Back from the War (for Iris)
Kailin sat in the temple waiting. All he could think about was the metal cage of wires on his left leg from the ankle to mid thigh. He couldn’t move it at all. The cane though brought a smile. It had been Lord Thero’s and Adira had asked him to use it in honor of her father who was also injured in a war with the Narn. Kailin idly twirled the dark red wooden cane in his hands looking at the silver liati head that adorn the top. He didn’t have the patience he usually did after spending almost two weeks in bed.
He sighed again when he saw the woman approaching adorned in the dress of a priestess, nothing but her hands, feet and eyes showing from the sleek violet fabric. Kailin smiled as she offered her hand. He took it and pulled himself to his feet hobbling beside her.
“Your sister has spoken highly of your hearts and I see within them the purity our people once possessed. You are indeed worthy of what she has asked to be bestowed upon you.” Kailin watched the woman gliding effortlessly beside him.
“I am not sure what you mean Matron but I know my sister always speaks well of me.” Kailin followed her into the inner gardens. Slowly she turned to face him lowering the cowl. Her eyes shined like none he’d ever seen. She was a truly beautiful woman but something was amiss, she bore a crest. Kailin stood frozen for a time trying to harness his words.
“Lady Li?”
The goddess smiled brightly. “Yes, your sister has followed my light faithfully since she was a mere child. She was to be rewarded and she asked her gift to be bestowed upon you.”
Kailin wasn’t sure what she meant. He had still to grasp that he spoke to a goddess. “What gift is that My Honorable Lady?”
“She has requested that I take you to Iris since you can not make the journey to Earth and because only a god may find her dwelling. When you are ready all you must do is ask and I will take you to her.” Li waited admiring the flowers which vined around her own image.
“Can I go now My Lady?” Kailin smiled trying to hide the excitement even if he knew she could sense it. He missed Iris and he had resolved that it would be weeks before he was healthy enough to take a transport to see her personally.
“I have but one more question to ask of you Commander.” Her smile had become mischievous.
“What is that my lady?” Kailin was curious as to the deviousness he saw wondering if it was playful or dangerous.
“Would you like to go to her as you are or as one of her own?”
Kailin’s mouth opened and then closed. That explained how she had come to him as a Centauri. Kailin thought about it for a time before speaking. “Can I keep my appearance and senses?”
Li nodded. “You may if you wish.”
Kailin smiled. “She has given such a gift to me and I should like to return that gift to her.”
Li plucked one of the blooms tucking it in the button-hole of his jacket. “Lovers should never be parted as I and my beloved have been. You have my gift use it well for you now cradle the heart of a goddess in your hands. Be gentle and be patient she has much to learn about mortal and about our own.” Li leaned forward and lightly kissed his lips.
Kailin felt an indescribable warmth and the scenery changed. He was standing in a beautiful sunny garden. The surroundings were so beautiful that he had not noticed the changes in his body yet. Instead he looked off toward the house in the distance with a smile and started walking toward it.
He sighed again when he saw the woman approaching adorned in the dress of a priestess, nothing but her hands, feet and eyes showing from the sleek violet fabric. Kailin smiled as she offered her hand. He took it and pulled himself to his feet hobbling beside her.
“Your sister has spoken highly of your hearts and I see within them the purity our people once possessed. You are indeed worthy of what she has asked to be bestowed upon you.” Kailin watched the woman gliding effortlessly beside him.
“I am not sure what you mean Matron but I know my sister always speaks well of me.” Kailin followed her into the inner gardens. Slowly she turned to face him lowering the cowl. Her eyes shined like none he’d ever seen. She was a truly beautiful woman but something was amiss, she bore a crest. Kailin stood frozen for a time trying to harness his words.
“Lady Li?”
The goddess smiled brightly. “Yes, your sister has followed my light faithfully since she was a mere child. She was to be rewarded and she asked her gift to be bestowed upon you.”
Kailin wasn’t sure what she meant. He had still to grasp that he spoke to a goddess. “What gift is that My Honorable Lady?”
“She has requested that I take you to Iris since you can not make the journey to Earth and because only a god may find her dwelling. When you are ready all you must do is ask and I will take you to her.” Li waited admiring the flowers which vined around her own image.
“Can I go now My Lady?” Kailin smiled trying to hide the excitement even if he knew she could sense it. He missed Iris and he had resolved that it would be weeks before he was healthy enough to take a transport to see her personally.
“I have but one more question to ask of you Commander.” Her smile had become mischievous.
“What is that my lady?” Kailin was curious as to the deviousness he saw wondering if it was playful or dangerous.
“Would you like to go to her as you are or as one of her own?”
Kailin’s mouth opened and then closed. That explained how she had come to him as a Centauri. Kailin thought about it for a time before speaking. “Can I keep my appearance and senses?”
Li nodded. “You may if you wish.”
Kailin smiled. “She has given such a gift to me and I should like to return that gift to her.”
Li plucked one of the blooms tucking it in the button-hole of his jacket. “Lovers should never be parted as I and my beloved have been. You have my gift use it well for you now cradle the heart of a goddess in your hands. Be gentle and be patient she has much to learn about mortal and about our own.” Li leaned forward and lightly kissed his lips.
Kailin felt an indescribable warmth and the scenery changed. He was standing in a beautiful sunny garden. The surroundings were so beautiful that he had not noticed the changes in his body yet. Instead he looked off toward the house in the distance with a smile and started walking toward it.