| "I want to believe you." Moree said softly, seeing the desperation in Perliah's eyes. She knew something of this man's mission was important, but she hardly doubted he was really sent by a Holder named Sirien to track down a long lost daughter, who happened to be Moree. Apperanlty Perliah was sent to go over this with the daughter's mother, Hanoreel, to make sure Sirien could have the child back. But in Hanoreel's absence, and with the knowledge Moree could make her own decisions, Perliah had merely told Moree of Sirien's request instead. But Moree still didn't believe it. There were several holes in Perliah's arguement. First off, why go through all the trouble of sneaking around? Surely just making a drum announcment would be simpler; especially for a Holder, who had access to the drums. Everyone in the area knew Moree, and would be able to help. Secondly, why did Sirien want to find his missing daughter anyway? Fatherly love could only be stretched so far as an excuse, after that it just got ridiculous. The man (if Perliah was to be believed at all) had four other children, two of which were female, so why go through the trouble of getting a third daughter? Moree had heard of this Star Find Hold, where Sirien ruled, and she knew how prestigious it was for a minor Holding. Sirien wouldn't need another girl to help him make alliances, anyone from his Hold would do. Not like Moree would allow herself to be married off anyway; she'd rather spend out her days as an apprentice than get married off at a man's will. Surely this Perliah had sensed that in her as well? He seemed smart enough to realize that that telling Moree all of this wouldn't do any real good. But Perliah seemed very anxious now that he'd spilled his heart to Moree, and despite her better sense, Moree found herself wanting to believe what Perliah had to tell her. How many girls like her got second chances at life? How many apprentices had the opportunity to break away from their lowly positions? How many times did one get to see how the other half lived? And how much did Moree want to believe there was a family waiting for her, waiting to love her? Moree had learned to deal without parental love, it wasn't a requirement for her to be cared for by her family; but the prospect of a father and siblings appealed to her senses. Siblings to fight with, a father to spoil her. Moree had never been spoiled, and Sirien seemed to fit that paternal mold. Maybe what Perliah had said was true...maybe.... "Lady?" Perliah questioned, seeming eager to get a response from her. Moree had been silent for several moments, and it worried the man. He was afraid she'd call the guards or something, have him interrogated. He knew his quest was honest enough, but the thought of his intentions being on stage, to to speak, terrified him. Moree saw him start to sweat. "Alright, here's how we'll handle this." Moree said firmly, forcing herself to be trusting for once and believe what Perliah was saying was true. "I won't tell Hanoreel of any of this, it will only upset her. She still pines for her lost love, whom, for the moment, I will assume is Sirien." "Good..." Perliah said, nodding his head enthusiastically. Moree could have slapped him. "Also," She paused, thinking, "you will supply some sort of proof that a man named Sirien is looking for a girl named Moree. In fact, forget what I just said, about not telling my mother. Hanoreel is the proof. I'm assuming she'd know you? If you're Sirien's long time second as you claim? Good." Moree's mind was working frantically for a solution that would save her mother the pain, and save herself some dignity. "But Lady," "And third, stop calling me Lady. I've never appropriated the title, and refuse to do so before I find out about this Sirien." "Yes Lad....Ma'am. I understand." And Perliah leaned back into his chair, content with the plan so far. He relaxed himself for a longer wait, and noted Moree doing the same thing. She was smart, this girl, and ready. Sirien would like that in her; his other two daughters, while sweet, were stupid and willing creatures. Even the boys had a touch of that in them, and with Sirien being so open minded, he may just name Moree as Lady Heir. Wouldn't that cause a scandal? Perliah licked his lips nervously at the thought. Who wanted a scandal at a time like this? And when would Hanoreel get here? She was the only person who could get everything going, and end this nervous tension. Fortunately the wait for Hanoreel wasn't long, and within an hour the figure of the stupidly drunk woman came crashing through the door. Moree's face reflected that this was a common occurence, and the girl lifted her chin to deal with her mother on a more equal level. The child didn't even give Hanoreel enough time to register anything, as soon as the woman stumbled into the living quarters, and recognized the stranger sitting there with her daughter, Moree stood up and all but demanded of her mother, "Who's my father Hanoreel? Don't lie to me this time, or avoid the question, I can tell you're sober enough to think half-way decently, and know you can't evade this any longer. Tell me now, and tell me the truth." But Hanoreel ignored her daughter, and instead turned to face Perliah. "You!" The woman seethed, her once pretty face now haggard with the stress of a troubled life. "What did you tell her? She wan'int supposed to know!" And Hanoreel leaned forward, trying to keep balanced. Moree closed her eyes at Hanoreel's state of being. Any woman who did this to herself for pity didn't deserve respect, but Moree respected Hanoreel, and felt ashamed for doing so. "Proof enough Lady?" Perliah said, trying to stare steadily at Moree. Moree shrugged, and turned towards her mother. "Mother? Why did you keep this from me? Surely if you didn't love me, it did no harm to let someone else do so. Did it? Why keep me from Sirien, who supposidly wants me to come "home"? Answer me Mother, this time you will." Moree's voice took a frightening coolness that stopped Hanoreel from argueing with the girl. How could she, when Moree frightened her so? "Listen'." Hanoreel began, trying to hide her drunkness. "I never kep' love from you. I always cared for you, and your well bein'! I loved you Moree, and wanted you with me. Your father abadoned us chil', and he could never love you like I do!" And Hanoreel began to cry. Moree felt her respect for her mother seeping out of her, and answered her mother the only way the sad woman deserved. "No Mother, you are selfish. You knew he wanted me, and kept me to yourself. I don't know how you could mask that as anything else-don't you know me well enough to see that I could realize this? No, probably not. You didn't even know I tried out for the Harper Hall! All you know about me is that I love dragons!" Moree stopped, her mind reeling. She didn't hear Hanoreel began to wail harder, or Perliah coughing nervously. She didn't hear Lor growling from the bed, disturbed that her mistress was in so much turmoil. Moree didn't even hear herself breathing. Only one thought stuck in her mind. I love dragons. I love dragons. She'd never said, or thought that even, before. She'd always felt the dragons, but never in her wildest dreams imagined she'd loved them so. It was then that the room started to spin, and Moree swore she heard voices calling to her. Come to us Moree! Come to our power. We need you girl, need your power. To us Moree, to us! Ignore the rest, they don't matter. "Moree!" Perliah cried, frightened now of the girl's silence, and whirling eyes. Moree heard him, and shook the voices from her head. Who needed her? Who wanted her "power"? The dragons? Surely they wouldn't talk to her so brashly, surely not.... But then again, Moree almost remembered seeing dark shapes in the sky, calling to her so long ago. And she'd always felt the dragons, always known they were there. Was that their doing? Did they want her to notice them, so she'd go to them? But why would they want her? Moree went over a quick checklist of all her attributes that a dragon would find appealing. Strength of mind, feminism, empathy, none of them were very strong. None of them stood out. So why her? Plus, Sirien did want her, of that she was almost sure. Shouldn't she accept what future she could get? Was it asking to much to believe the dragons wanted her? Moree turned to Perliah, and as she spoke to him, her mind uttered one word: Yes. continue..... |