"But it's different from you and Garen," Mericlou said. "At least you can visit anytime you want. I may never see you again."

"We have the means by which you can see them again if you so choose," the elf lord assured her. "The realm we inhabit is different from this one, but not unreachable, as we are here now. Rest assured, daughter, that we will teach you how to return, should you so desire. It is only we who choose not to."

Skori and Sedriil then came forward, and each embraced Mericlou.

"We love you sister," Skori said, now with tears of joy rather than pain from her presumed loss. Though an endoskeleton was all that remained of his damaged hand, the servos that assisted his musculature still worked, and he managed to touch her tenderly on the chin. "You have a something that I was denied long ago, and I envy you. Go and be with him."

"And we wish you well," Sedriil added. "I have another premonition, you know?

"And what would that be?" Mericlou said, now trying to contain the tears of her own.

"I think that after what Aldrec showed us all, things may be a bit different for us in the world."

"I for one, hope so," Garen said, and came forward to give Mericlou a hug and kiss. "My father was a man of great vision, and I hope that others of that vision will act well on what your Aldrec showed them. And because of that, we'll always think about you … sister."

"I admit that I was jealous of you, Meri," Alaema said, at long last mustering the courage to speak, "but in all reality, I'll admit that I actually admired you on the inside. I always have, ever since the day you brought me home."

"Remember what I once told you about thinking outside the brothel?" Mericlou said, seeing Alaema beginning to cry. She removed a handkerchief from her hip satchel and wiped the tears away. "I didn't mean it to hurt you; I swear."

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"I know," Alaema said with a nod. "And I swear to you that I will do just that. I will make more of my life than just what I was made to do. I know of the risks just as well as you and my brothers, but I can no longer stand being a slave to this damned programming. As soon as we get settled in here, I'll go to Gheed and get myself re-programmed. I want things to be different, and … though I've never told you this before … I want a love like you have … I truly do."




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