What was intended to be a quick stop at the estate in Idapur ended up being a long, emotional exchange. The young woman with the fiery red hair and piercing green eyes approached the city of Nahad now with those eyes still damp. For the first time that she could remember in this life, she was completely alone. Life as a priestess was intentionally solitary, but until this point, she had still always kept Mikil and Gibral close by her side. But as she was packing for the trip to Nahad, her confidants pulled her aside.
"M'lady, our time here has come to an end."
Arella looked surprised. "Yes, lieutenant. We will be departing soon."
Gibral tried this time. "No, priestess. What Mikil means is... he and I are leaving. Going home."
They let this sink in, which it did. "Going back to rejoin your ranks. Your mission is over, then? That's it? What was your mission?
"You," Mikil said, simply.
"Priestess," Gibral continued, "we came here when you returned. I realize that your memories are foggy beyond just a few months ago from this lifetime. But we've been here for nigh twenty years. You were our mission. To raise, train, protect, and teach you from your youth. To bring you to the point that you are now, and then to release you with your final commission."
The woman's face had fallen. "And what might that be?" she whispered, tears beginning to stream down her face.
Mikil straightened up fully. "Go and unite the island, m'lady. There is a darkness coming unlike any this continent has yet seen. Already it threatens to destroy a land across the ocean. After such time, it will set its sights on this one. Its thirst is unquenchable and its hunger, ravenous. The only hope against an island of darkness is one united to stand in light. Bring the people together as one and then throw back this growing darkness once and for all. Restore balance not only to this island but to the world."
The two bowed, then Gibral added, "Our full confidence, loyalty, and faith, remain in you."
With that, the two Aenil turned to walk back inside the house. Arella, blinking through tears, fought the urge to run after them. But she knew full well that they were already gone.
Such a task. What did it all mean? This question was still on her mind as she dabbed at her eyes one final time and rode alone into the city of Nahad and its festival, already beginning to kick off.
