video | ota

[bird_brain]

[Aubri looks pensive: ear tufts flat against his head, gaze piercing, posture not quite relaxed. He speaks slowly, deliberately softening his accent for the sake of this message.]

Not so very long ago in my world, two great mages fell into war. Ma'ar grew to love power too much. Urtho was the only mage who could even think to stand against him.

[Aubri taps the ground next to the locket. The tap tap tap of his talons is dimly heard until he speaks again.] Ma'ar polluted magic. He poured every evil he possessed into his creations. Our troops were decimated. In the end, Urtho's only defense was to build a weapon as great and terrible as Ma'ar could conceive. I do not know if Urtho knew how great the consequences would be.

I helped deliver that weapon. [Okay, no. Not really, but he was there when Skandranon delivered it. But those are details and he'd rather not get into those... because then he'd have to talk about getting caught and abducted and that's just not fun talk.] It was a terrible price to pay for our lives.

[But he would do it again, if it meant saving the lives of so many people.] The magic corrupted the land and all the creatures in it. We could live there no longer. The storms would have killed us, if the creatures twisted by magic did not first.

[A pause.] Be careful out there, my friends.

Comments

[bythewaves]

[ The smile is sweet and sad and calmly accepting ]

I am sorry. One way or another, I think we are soon parted. If so, then I wish you to know, that you were a dear friend who brought me comfort in my darkest times, and your forgiveness was a blessing unlooked for.

[bird_brain]

I wish it were not so, Maglor. [A sigh and a pause.] You did nothing to me that needed forgiveness. You never have.

[bythewaves]

I wish I could say the same, my friend, but I grow so tired of continuing on without hope, and will welcome a chance to rest.

[ He dips his head in a grateful bow ] It is kind of you to say so, and I thank you for it.

[bird_brain]

It is not simple kindness. It is truth. I want you to understand that. I am not simply being nice when I tell you that you have done nothing that needs forgiven. I truly believe that.

[bythewaves]

[ Shyly ] Perhaps, but it is hard for me to think on things so. For your friendship, for your kindness, I will be forever grateful.

[bird_brain]

As I am yours, my friend.

[bythewaves]

Then let us speak on less sorrowful things, perhaps. Where do you fly, my friend? What news of your own?

[bird_brain]

I have no great tales to tell. I spent much of my time near Caer Glaem, but I have since left to seek the skies.

[bythewaves]

And are the skies here blue and free, or are they as confining as the rest of this place?

[bird_brain]

They seem free, but there is no one to share it with.

[bythewaves]

That must be lonely. Does the Lady Zhaneel still dwell in these lands? Or the Lady Maleficent, perhaps.