It was two weeks after the Dragon was defeated and
Stormpoint – nay, Taeghas! – was liberated. The realm was safe, the people were
free, and against all odds, House Fulcairn was victorious.
The city of Stormpoint was slowly returning to normalcy, but
jubilance was still coursing throughout the city. Impromptu celebrations were
still taking place.
Mara did not feel this exaltation. Though House Fulcairn had
come so far, including herself, her heart still weighed heavy every time she
went into the Astrolabe and Khorien’s old quarters. Though now proclaimed
Archon, and the quarters were technically hers, she couldn’t shake off that
feeling.
She was walking throughout Breeze Hill, full of thoughts.
She could make herself blend in, thanks to her magic and cloak, and for that
she was thankful. A journey throughout Taeghas would do her good, as she had to
plan ahead. Not only would she reconnect the mystical ley lines to Stormpoint,
but she wanted to explore the embryonic ideas she had thought of in the past.
Most importantly, she had to find a reason to fully care again.
The glint of a store front caught her eye. It was a small
corner store, with a small garden that had a lovely view of Lowpoint and
Nesirie’s Gate. The sign, a handcrafted wooden child looking through a
telescope, read “Moon & Stars”. Almost on cue, she spied a small telescope
pointing towards the sky on the balcony above the store.
Walking inside, Mara saw beautiful maps, parchments
depicting constellations, as well as ornate crafted glass to be used in seeing
glass and the like. It was quiet, the only sounds being the wind blowing
through the door and the creak of wood. But this place, it felt safe and
welcoming.
Her eyes scanned through advanced cartography manuals, books
detailing obscure celestial movements, and colorful lenses that when they
caught the sunlight bathed the store in a multitude of colored light. She could
smell light incense, and hear its crackle in the distance.
“Hello my child.” A voice echoed, full of sadness and love.
Turning around, she saw a father figure that by all accounts
should not be there. Saying nothing, they embraced and held each other tightly
as she could feel tears on her silver hair.
