See Prologue for Disclaimers
Epilogue
Dar stared at his friend in something like shock. Actually, very much like shock. "A daughter!?" he repeated incredulously. "Are you sure?"
Tao raised an eyebrow. "Unless the Sorceress encourages young women to call her 'Mother'," he said dryly, "I'm very sure. But what I don't understand is why she would be protecting us -- or you, anyway."
Dar shook his head and almost immediately regretted it. The blast from the chimera had stunned him, but the landing on the ground had given him a knock on the head: at the moment, it felt about ready to split in two. "I don't know," he said. "Maybe she wants something as well and doesn't want the Sorceress getting it first."
Tao shook his head. "No, she seemed . . ."
"What?"
"Well . . . nice."
Dar raised an eyebrow of his own. "Nice?"
"Yes. Nice." Tao shook his head again. "Like she was genuinely concerned -- and irritated."
Dar started to answer, but another voice spoke first. "Having met my mother as you have, can you blame me?"
Both men started and whirled to face the direction the voice had come from. This was much to the detriment of Dar's headache, but the BeastMaster managed to grab and swing his staff protectively anyway. A dark-haired woman who looked to be in her early- or mid-20s regarded them from a few feet away. She was clothed in a simply-cut dress of deep wine-red, the tone of which matched her skin well, and her hair was loose about her shoulders in a tumble of waves and curls. Dar could see the similarity between her and the Sorceress in her bone-structure, the shape and color of her eyes and the sensuous mouth that smiled in amusement. It was that very amusement, however, that seemed so out of place given her obvious bloodkin.
"You're the Sorceress' daughter," Dar said, his tone not quite a question.
"Yes. People call me Eskerr."
"Dark-haired," Tao translated.
The woman nodded. "Not much on originality, but it suits my needs."
"And what do you need of us?" Dar asked.
'Eskerr' shook her head. "Nothing," she told him. "Except perhaps to accept my apology for my mother's behavior."
Tao frowned. "To apologize you needed to change clothes?"
As soon as the words left his mouth he wanted to smack himself, but Eskerr only laughed. "My mother was mortified," she answered, smiling. "So I promised her that next time we met I would wear something more sorceress-like."
Almost against his wishes, Tao felt a smile pull at his lips. Dar's expression reluctantly echoed it. "Why did you help us?" the BeastMaster asked.
Her gaze moved to him and sobered. "Because I was asked to. You have some very powerful people interested in you, BeastMaster. Not the least of whom is Pelagia."
Dar's eyes widened. "Pelagia?!" he repeated.
The sorceress nodded, but Tao looked confused. "Pelagia?"
Eskerr's gaze turned to him. "I believe in Eiron lands she is called Aelara."
Tao stared at her, then at Dar. "The goddess of mothers and healing? Why would she---?"
"She was a guardian to the Sula," Dar said softly, his gaze locking with that of Eskerr.
She nodded slightly. "There are some things even a goddess cannot prevent. She wished me to tell you that had she been able, she would have at least warned your people, but she was forbidden." Eskerr took a step forward and added quietly, "She also wished me to tell you that she still grieves for them, and watches over you as best she is able. Should you have need of her, all you need do is call her name."
Dar tilted his head slightly and asked, "You know Pelagia . . . ?"
Eskerr smiled slightly, that same soft expression that seemed to place her spirit miles away from her mother. "I do. She has been a good friend for many years." She saw Tao's skeptical expression and smiled. "Believe it or not, some people actually like me when we first meet."
Tao blushed. "It's not that we don't like you -- I mean -- Well --!!"
Eskerr laughed, no trace of rancor in the sound. "As I said before, Eiron, having met my mother as you have . . ." She shrugged. "She did not mean you harm, but my mother is . . . well, who she is. I shall try to keep her out of your way."
Dar frowned. "And why should we trust you? You claim to be an ally, but--"
"I claim no such thing," Eskerr interrupted, correcting him. "My allies are my friends, BeastMaster," she said lightly. "And I do not know you well enough yet to claim you as that, or the other."
"Not even well enough to tell us your true name," Tao observed.
Eskerr looked at him, her eyes solemn and far older than her body appeared. "Names have great power, scholar," she said quietly. "Especially in sorcery. As I think you know . . . ?" Tao ducked his head in acknowledgement and apology. Eskerr smiled slightly at him and continued gently. "My true name is reserved for those who have earned my trust, not those whose trust I would wish to receive in turn."
"For everything there is a time," Dar observed.
Eskerr looked at him and their eyes met. There was a long, silent moment as each of them seemed to search for something deep in the other's gaze. Whatever it was, Eskerr, at least, found it. She nodded. "We understand one another," she commented. "I am glad."
As she started to turn away, Tao asked, "And you don't . . . want anything in return?"
Eskerr turned back and frowned at him. "In return for an apology?"
Dar looked at Tao. Tao looked at Dar, then stammered, "Well. . . it's just . . . um. . ."
"Having met your mother as we have," Dar said lightly.
Eskerr smiled and approached them, her eyes going from one to the other until they rested on Tao. "If it makes you feel better, BeastMaster, scholar, I tell you this. When I want something --" She gave Tao a 'once-over' type of look, smiling slightly. "--that I intend to pursue, at any rate, I assure you . . ." She stepped closer, almost toe to toe with the Eiron. Looking right into his eyes, she completed softly, ". . .there will be no doubt about it."
Tao's breath caught at the laughing promise in her eyes, and blushed furiously as she winked at him. Dar looked slightly stunned. Again. She walked past them onto the woodland path and said over her shoulder, "Guard yourself carefully, BeastMaster. I cannot always curb my mother's impulses. Or her actions." Her form shimmered and vanished, but her voice lingered, adding, "And try some Crysellis flower tea for that headache. It has a marvelous effect on concussions."
Dar and Tao looked at one another as the sorceress vanished completely. After a long moment, Dar commented, "Well, one thing's certain."
"What's that?"
"You were right. She does seem nice."
Floating on the breeze, Eskerr's voice laughed, "I heard that."
--Finis--
See Author's Notes Preview Next Story
Authors thrive on feedback! Please show your appreciation!
[email protected]
Main BeastMaster Fanfic Index General Rating BeastMaster Index
Back to Main Library Index Back to Main Fanfiction Index
|
The Adventures of Sinbad ~~~ Andromeda ~~~ Angel ~~~ Babylon5 ~~~ BeastMaster: The Series |
Don't forget to sign our Guestbook!
I can't fix it if I don't know it's broken, so if you see anything wrong, please let me know. Thank you and enjoy your stay!