BY: WRITTEN (A.M.G)
**NB: The lovely Kanaline is Kanansai's Lorrae OC**
The Jorah Saga
IV
Vorrell could not believe there was a Lorrae standing before her. Kanaline’s presence was overwhelming. A shiver coursed through her body as the air around her momentarily grew cool. Feeling the Lorrae’s eyes keenly observing her, Vorrell quickly rubbed the goose bumps on her arms before straightening her composure.
“Are you cold, Oracle?” Kanaline’s velvety voice washed over her.
“I’m fine.” Vorrell replied shortly. “It’s just the temperature. Every ten seconds or so it grows briefly colder.”
“Hmm,” Vorrell could hear the smirk on Kanaline’s face. “The High Priestess was right. You are observant.” The young Oracle inhaled sharply as the Lorrae moved towards her, wrapping a shawl about her shoulders. “It’s the emotion in the air. As I absorb it in, you might feel a slight temperature change.”
“As you what?” Edrenn harshly retorted.
“Of course,” Kanaline’s voice pitched in annoyance. “No Lorrae would ever absorb an Oracle or Seer’s emotions. You know, rules and all.”
“Rules?” Vorrell could suddenly feel Edrenn looming beside her. “It is a very important condition of a treaty that is over one thousand years old,” Hissed Edrenn. “And one that—“
“I have always adhered to.” Kanaline curtly interrupted the Seeress. “Now, I hate to end this very stimulating conversation, but the High Priestess is waiting. Shall we?”
Still in a state of shock, Vorrell stood still as Kanaline and Edrenn discussed travel arrangements. She slowly let out the breath she a held in as she ran her hands over the soft, delicate shawl Kanaline had wrapped around her. Her fingers instinctively curled around one of the shawls decorative stones. She found it’s smooth, cool surface comforting. As her heartbeat slowed, Vorrell suddenly became aware of a hand gently pressed against the small of her back. “Are you alright, Oracle?”
Vorrell nervously cleared her throat hoping Reagan would not notice her flaming cheeks. “Yes, thank you. This is all a bit intense.”
“Yeah,” Reagan chuckled. “I have a feeling it is only going to get more intense when we actually enter Ereth. I hear the Lorrae’s are master builders and have constructed quite a vast and beautiful city for themselves.”
“Quite,” Kanaline’s commanding voice once again washed over Vorrell, halting her and Reagan’s conversation. “You will all be able to see for yourselves shortly.” A small gasp escaped Vorrell’s lips as Kanaline unexpectedly took her hand and placed a small glass vial in her palm. “And I do mean see. The High Priestess made this elixir especially for you. In hopes that you all will find the journey more tolerable and feel less apprehensive. Please drink.”
“I’m sorry,” Reagan placed a protective hand on Vorrell’s shoulder. “I am not sure if that is wise. Seeress, we don’t know—“
“It is okay, Reagan.” Edrenn’s strong, calming voice filled the air. “Vorrell, please do as Kanaline asks.”
Feeling all eyes on her, and Edrenn’s dominating presence by her side, Vorrell uncorked the vial and brought it to her lips. She took a deep breath, attempting to calm the strange mixture of uneasiness and excitement stirring within her. Would she really be able to see? How is that even possible? Before she had the chance to talk herself out of it, Vorrell downed the contents of the vial in one quick gulp. The liquid was deliciously sweet and tingled as it traveled across her tongue and down her throat.
Vorrell relished in the warming sensation sweeping through her body. Never had she felt anything so splendid. She could feel her heart swelling with happiness as the normal, hazy gray and black blobs she was accustomed to seeing in her head grew lighter, more distinct and colorful. Yes! Purple! Vorrell could see purple. She had seen the color so many times in trances or dreams but it was so much more rich and vivid in reality. The hazy outlines were disappearing and those about her were becoming more distinct and in focus. The brightness she had longed for was finally dispelling the darkness she was born to.
Everything was so bright—and growing brighter. Too bright. Vorrell’s euphoria quickly dissipated and was replaced by pain—an intense, searing pain! Overcome by the intensity of the light and the throbbing pain in her head, Vorrell’s knees buckled. She felt a strong, comforting arm wrap about her waist holding her up and could hear Edrenn and Reagan talking to her but they sounded so far away.
“Oracle?” A voice broke through the chaos around her. “You will be alright. Just breathe.”
“I’m trying,” She stammered breathlessly. “It hurts.”
“I know.” Vorrell found the rich voice to be soothing. She could still hear Edrenn and Reagan’s concerned chatter around her. “If it is any consolation, you are the first Oracle that hasn’t passed out completely.”
“Kanaline?” Suddenly the pain vanished and Vorrell found a pair of striking, opalescent, amethyst eyes gazing at her intently. The image Vorrell had built of Lorrae’s in her mind utterly failed in comparison to the real being standing before her. To say Kanaline was beautiful would be a gross understatement. Her pristine, stark white skin was almost blinding in the sunlight. Her ivory hair was plied artistically on top of her head and elegantly decorated with shiny, ebony beads and light purple flowers. The rich shade of purple Vorrell had first seen was the Lorrae’s bodice and billowy skirt. Jorans were known for their sheer, colorful fabrics, and somewhat scant styles, but never had Vorrell seen someone with so much skin exposed. Her neck, shoulders, stomach and legs had been painstakingly painted with black ivy wines and deep, plum colored roses. All complimented by the sheer panels of lavender fabric draping of her shoulders and around her waist.
“Are you ready to go?” Kanaline stared at her, completely devoid of any emotion. Vorrell found it a little unnerving, but was rather pleased by the straight forward way the Lorrae addressed her. It was refreshing to have someone speak to her that wasn’t in a total state of awe or reverence. For the first time in her life, Vorrell felt normal. Unfortunately, the feeling did not last. As she righted herself, Vorrell causally ran her hand over her blindfold feeling the scar tissue beneath. Her mind had somehow temporarily been given the gift of sight, but she was still blind by her birthright.
“Yes,” Vorrell replied breathlessly. “I just need—“
“Oracle, are you alright?” Reagan’s strong hand gently grabbed her shoulder.
Vorrell turned to assure him she was perfectly fine, but the bright, emerald eyes gazing at her so intently silenced her completely. Vorrell had spent countless hours imagining how Reagan looked. But the image she had created in her mind was nothing compared to the man standing before her. Reagan’s body was lean and muscular. Compared to the other guards, he was smaller in stature which appealed to Vorrell. She had the suspicion if they were to embrace his chin would rest perfectly on top of her head. His skin was lightly tanned and surprisingly unscathed due to his profession. But what caught Vorrell’s attention the most was his unruly burnt, auburn hair that brushed against his shoulders in soft curls.
As his concerned stare bore in to her, a breeze blew several stray curls over his eyes. Without thinking, Vorrell reached up and tucked the loose locks behind his ear. Reagan crinkled his forehead in confusion, “Oracle?”
He gently took hold of Vorrell’s wrist and began to move her hand away from his face. Then suddenly stopped. His eyes lit up as the confusion was replaced by bewilderment. “Can you see me?”
“Yes!” Vorrell laughed as a rare smiled graced her face. “Reagan, I can.”
The blush that brightened his complexion made Vorrell’s checks burn as well. “I can’t believe it,” he replied happily. “Oracle, I—“
“Am wasting my time.” Kanaline’s smooth voice broke their happy reverie. “We are expected and will be leaving now.”
Heeding the Lorrae’s command, Reagan suddenly let go of Vorrell’s wrist. As it came back to rest at her side, the happiness that had filled her moments before dissipated and she suddenly felt heavy. Like she was slowing sinking in to the earth. “As you wish,” Vorrell retorted coolly, annoyed that the connection she and Reagan briefly shared was shattered so abruptly.
The first few steps she took towards the Lorrae were unnerving and tentative. Vorrell heightened all her senses to assist her with gauging depth and distance. Just four steps in and she was striding confidently toward the party waiting for her as if she had vision her whole life. For the first time in her life Vorrell was glad of Edrenn’s intense teaching methods and constant nightly visits in her mind preparing her for the day when she could finally see.
“You will be Jorah’s Seeress one day.” Edrenn’s teachings echoed in her head as she glided forward. “Once you do have your eyes and the ability to see, it will not do any good for you to bumble about knocking things over and running in to people. Seers are expected to be graceful in all things, even the things they have never done before.”
Edrenn’s smile beamed proudly as Vorrell stood before her and the Lorrae. “I am ready,” the Oracle nodded at her teacher and Reagan as she wrapped the shawl Kanaline had given her tight about her shoulders. “Are we going directly to the High Priestess?”
“Some of us.” Kanaline replied curtly.
“I don’t understand,” The moment Edrenn tried to move towards Vorrell, Kanaline reached out and clasped her wrist. “What are you doing?” Edrenn’s fiery glare had no effect on the Lorrae. “Let me go!”
Kanaline reached out, pulling Reagan towards her before he had a chance to pull his sword. Horrified, Vorrell watched a wave of light burst from Kanaline’s hand and snake around his body. “What are you doing to him?”
“Restraining him. He’ll be fine. Adam is waiting for you.”
Everything around her suddenly exploded. People began shouting and swords were being drawn from the sheaths. Reagan stared at her helplessly, “Please run. Just run.”
“Vorrell,” Edrenn’s voice rose over the chaos. “Take off the shawl!”
The soldiers running towards Kanaline didn’t faze her at all. She calmly looked at Vorrell, “Just say Adam.” Then suddenly she disappeared taking Edrenn and Reagan with her.
“Wait!” Vorrell looked around frantically. “Who is Adam?”
The moment the name escaped her lips, the air was knocked out of her lungs as a hazy, darkness slowly consumed her. The ground beneath her feet seemed to crumple away and Vorrell plummeted into the abyss. |
