Martayvia

When Morna returned to Martayvia with the Elder she found Arrkton in an unconscious state.  The Elders had feared moving him, and left him where he collapsed.  They covered him with an emerald velvet blanket, never leaving his side.

"What has happened?" Morna asked.

"We are not sure, everything went as we anticipated, a little longer coming to terms, but when he became one with his magic he lost all consciousness and collapsed to the ground.  We tried everything possible to bring him out of it, but nothing was effective.  It's as if he has left his body, and does not wish to return.  Do you have any thought as to what might be happening?"

"I am not certain.  Regaining his magic has forced him to cope with what  has happened.  He is reliving a lot of pain, the betrayal of  his brother,  his father's death, his own death.  It may be too much to handle all at once."

Morna knelt next to her son.  Taking his hand in hers she softly speaks to him.

"Arkton, can you hear me?  Everything will be all right my son,  I am here.  I do not plan to lose you again."

As tears stream down her face she tries to reach him by entering his mind with hers.  Closing her eyes she sends her mind in search of Arkton.  She finds him sitting by a stream.  A waterfall on the opposite side cascades down, splashing gently into the stream sending ripples to the center.  He looks up at her with tears in his eyes.

"My son, what is the matter?"

"Why did Galiden do it?" he asked bitterly.

"Greed"

"I do not understand."

"Arkton you must come back.  You cannot stay here."

"Why?  What do I have to go back to?  Hatred for my own brother is more then I can bear.  Knowing that my duty calls for avenging my father's death, I fear that part of  me will die in the process.  Does this evil run through my veins as well?  One day will I serve the darkness?"

"Arkton, listen to me.  You have a lot to live for.  It is not time for  you to pass to the other world.  There is something you need to know.  I should have told you this long before now.  I pray you find it in your heart to forgive me.  Iandor was not your birth father.  I had you before he and I entered into a union.  Your blood is not the same as Galiden's.  There is not an evil bone or ounce of tainted blood throughout your body."

Arkton stared at his mother with a puzzled look.  He did not believe this.  Why would she keep this from him?  He shakes his head in denial as tears fall harder.

"Who is my father then?"

"I will explain everything to you when you return to the world of the living.  Please my son, come with me."  She extends her hand, and Arkton accepts it.

Morna opens her eyes and watches as Arkton slowly opens his.  Sitting up he hugs Morna and thanks her for not giving up on him.  They sit quietly in each other's arms until Twigmyte appears with two goblets.  He hands them to Arkton and Morna.

"Thank you Twigmyte, I am in need of such spirits," said Arkton.

"Twigmyte it has been a long time.  How are you old friend?" asked Morna.

"Twigmyte fine.  My Lady, how is she?  You the same, not change a speck in Twigmyte's eyes."

"I am fine, thank you, and you praise me too much."

"Mother, tell me about my father."

Morna smiles as she sips from her goblet.  Knowing that this day would come, she was still not prepared for it, and hoped that Arkton will find it in his heart to understand.

"When I was young, not much younger than you are now, I was sent to live with family in a village in the human world.  That is where I met your father.  We were young and in love, sharing dreams of a life together for all eternity.  Then one day he disappeared after his father's death.  It was not long after that I found out I was with child, his child.  He does not even know you exist.  I never saw him again, but I do know that he still lives.

"If you knew he was still alive why had you not gone to him and told him he had a son?"

"I was unsure if his affections were true.  Why would he leave, abandoning our love with not a single word?  My heart was wounded at the time.  Besides it was not until years after you were born, and I was Iandor's wife that I found out that he was alive.  It seems though that your paths were meant to cross, the two of you seem to have a liking for each other."

This had Arkton's full attention.  His mind raced trying to fathom who it is she was referring to.  Morna waits a few minutes before continuing, giving Arkton the time to think.

"He waits impatiently for you on the other side."  She smiled when she saw the recognition on his face.