Talibah - The Egyptian
Chapter 5 - Page 1
Leave Taking

It had been a beautiful night with the clear sky filled to bursting with starlight in the near absence of the moon. The insects were far calmer in the autumn airs, though not totally stilled and the occasional hoot of an owl broke that stillness like some lonely echo from the trees. For a little while Taliesin walked casually with Jenna outside the stone walls that encircled Gwydion's Greathouse, Taliesin carrying a small taper in the darkness as he wanted this to be a quiet and private walk. The walls stood silent and high above them as they followed along a little path next to the fitted stones, the lights of the buildings within obscured by the walls from their eyes. Little was said between them and then only in whisper as Taliesin also seemed to indicate that he really didn't want them to attract any attention to themselves, even from the woods. Jenna could feel a certain amount of energy shifting around them as they finally walked away from the walls and any human habitat, away from the route towards the villages and over into the trees of the woods. As they moved more deeply into the trees, Jenna began to wonder what this might truly be about and though Taliesin would not give any indication of what it was, she trusted him so implicitly that she kept up a calm front though she still could feel a certain amount of small tremors inside despite anything she told herself.

Finally they came to a little alcove and Taliesin stopped. The night was so dark that Jenna could hardly see anything beyond the small light of the taper they had with them. “I would blindfold you, but I'm not sure there's much point.” Remarked Taliesin, “I am already here, so some of the meaning is already known... but, I would ask that you close your eyes, my love and let me lead you into the sacred space.”

Her heart skipped, then began to beat quickly, “Maerdynn?”

“Shh... calm down, love... Close your eyes and let the magick sing to you.” With that she did as he asked and he gently took her hand after he could feel her calming once more. “Just let me lead you.” As they slowly walked on just a little more, the clumsiness of the situation tempted Jenna to open her eyes. Yet she realized that in some ways, this too, was a test, so she did not for in no way did she wish to disappoint her spouse. When they finally stopped walking and she was aware that others had come to join them as a wonderful musical hum filled the airs, she knew for certain what was happening and great tears filled her eyes and joy swelled her heart as her face became traced with the salty-sweet moisture.

As the humming continued, she could feel them all get closer and closer to her until they were nearly hugging her with their bodies as well as the sound filling to the brim with their energies until she felt as if she might burst apart. For several moments afterwards as the energy worked itself within her, connecting her with all the others about her, she stood silently as the others gently began to move away from her, letting the power hum through her, rushing through her, becoming one with her. After several moments in this silence, Taliesin finally stepped up to her to hug and kiss her gently, letting her know it was now all right to open her eyes once more. “Oh, my goodness!” She exclaimed, hugging Taliesin back so tightly he almost winced. Soft, delighted chuckles ran through the group around them, making her draw away from him laughing a little as well.

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