ravencallscrows | Melpomene's Daughter, part 11 (Reply)

Alexei asks the wrong question, Nimuë lashes out

Eamonn, Fergus, and Cathal, the sons of King Ailill walked up together, each bearing a small buckler and a bronze sword. Almost as if on cue, they all dropped to one knee, and Cathal, the eldest of the three spoke in a low voice. “As you've commanded, dear Lady, we are your servants. By the Gods themselves may we but be worthy of the honour which you've bestowed upon us.”

Nimuë motioned to the brothers to get up. “I certainly doubt that there's much of a need for prostration. I'd certainly feel better if you didn't stand on ceremony in this case. Not to question your courage here, but there are some unknown dangers here. I'm not sure what challenges Alexei will face, but I rather expect that Morgaine will put in an appearance. I am at least accustomed to dealing with my sister, and you know her unimpeachable reputation when it comes to men.”

All three of the brothers and Barinthus laughed at this. “Aye, that she does. She's simply the death of them,” the old man chuckled.

“I get the distinct impression that there's something happening here, and I'm feeling distinctly left out of it.”

“You've not really missed much, Alexei. Just noting that I'd not be surprised to see my sister put in an appearance.”

“I couldn't help but notice that it seemed that the brothers, who, if I've followed matters correctly are the sons of a king, prostrated themselves to you. Although these things aren't readily practiced where I come from, if recollection is correct, that's a sign that you're ranked more highly than they are, which begs the question- exactly who are you?”

“That's not important now. There are some questions which are better left unanswered at present, and that is most definitely one of them.”

“So what you're telling me is that you've brought me out of my world, to embark on some sort of mystical, epic adventure; and I don't even need to know the truth about who has sent me on it? Well, you can just count me right out. I'm not going to issue any sort of 'take me back to my world if you can't tell me right now who you are and what we're doing here' ultimatum, but I'm really not happy about not knowing what's happening.”

“I thought when I chose you that I'd chosen well. Now I'm beginning to have some doubts. Instead of the man I thought you were, it seems that I've actually chosen a querulous child. Trust me in this. I am Nimuë, and my role in this world isn't important at the moment. What is important is that you trust me enough to go off with Barinthus. Cathal, Eamonn and Fergus will remain here to watch over things. It's important that above all else that you remember always to be true to your instincts; because it is your instincts which have the ability to save- or destroy- the world. If we are successful on our quests, then I'll be able to tell you who I am, and you'll understand.”

“Well, I still don't care for being kept in the dark about what's happening in the least, but I'm not really in a position to do anything about it, am I? I can't go back even if I wanted to, and after seeing what things are like here, I'm not sure that I'd would, especially if there's the opportunity that I could stay here with you, whoever you are.”

Next week: the nature of the quest.