Fanfic:The Light's Last Embrace

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The Light's Last Embrace
Author(s)
  • Saraid Mahara (player)
Character(s)
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Davarin frowned slightly, crinkling his brow as the paperwork continued to pour in - inundating his overwhelmed desk. Not for the first time he wished that he were back home, tending the small children and workers of the village - even the cows and horses. This - this was more than he had anticipated. It had only been a few short years since he had been raised the Head of the Yellow, and already Dav was sickened of the endless paperwork. Yet there were good points as well - his pride had nearly burst at seeing the growing numbers of Aspirants who had joined the Tower and expressed an interest in the Yellow Ajah. Rashenne, Tristan, Chance, Samuel, Litnus - all the others who he had yet to see and meet were his pride and joy. To see just one more room filled in the Yellow Halls made all of that effort seem worthwhile. Yet at times like this, when the endless bureaucracy and tedious paperwork finally mounted and came crashing down onto his desk, he hardily wished that he were just another nameless Yellow - another figure and face in the Halls. Dav stifled a groan as the door opened yet again, a Novice bobbing a quick curtsy as she entered. Her face was nervous and he resisted the urge to snap at her to be quick about her business. "Asha'man Davarin, please, come quick - there's trouble. Tristan has collapsed and Dedicated Chance has been attending him - he believes your knowledge might be needed. "Davarin frowned, quickly getting up from behind the desk and following the petite girl. First Grayce and Chance - now this. Whatever it was, the illness seemed to be spreading quickly in the Tower - especially the Yellow Ajah. The irony of the situation struck him abruptly - the Ajah that was dedicated to the efforts of Healing was now the main victim of this unknown illness that struck with such deadly ferocity and swiftness. He smiled grimly - wondering where Keyeren was. He would probably know a solution to this mess. The M'Hael had been a Yellow for twice as many years as Dav had been - probably more - ever since the founding of the Tower itself. Yet the idle thought escaped his mind as a sudden headache struck him, a distant and constant throb that bit into his mind.

They had come closer these days - these throbs and headaches - and even Saraid had noticed it. Her worry flared up once more in his mind, and Dav did his best to block the feelings from attracting her notice. The girl was farther up the hallway, and he paused to rest and let the wave of pain pass. Yet it didn't. Instead of diminishing as it had normally done, the headache intensified in feeling and pressure, mounting continuously. He felt his body slump against the wall, sliding down of its own volition. Distantly, he heard the girl squawk in startlement and rush back to aid his failing body - yet darkness quickly descended before he could shake off her ministrations.

"Will he be.....can you....is it....?"

"We don't......everything in our......be patient......will pass...."

"Others have.....gotten well.....but......you.....rest....can't take it."

Voices and murmurs passed through his dazed mind, and Dav fought to hear every scrap of the conversation that passed by him. Women and men were lined near the entrance of his room, and he felt the comforting presence of Saraid. Yet even through his pain he could feel an oddity to her presence, a sharpness and brittleness that had never been there before. Dav concentrated tightly, wondering at where this new sensation had come from. Realisation came quickly - remorse and guilt a mere step behind. The dear sweet foolish girl had taken it upon herself to share the pain - in the hope that he would be better if the throbbing were lessened. Even now, when he only wished to drift off into slumber and cool darkness, his lips parted into a warm smile.

Suddenly, a feminine figure turned in the doorway and gave a soft gasp. "He's awake!" He had the dizzying image of flying skirts and cool hands were soon laid on his sweat drenched brow, patting away the hair that had straggled there. Two other women followed, yet stood slightly behind Saraid in respect. He noticed the Yellow shawl that hung around one of the figures and lifted his eyes slowly, recognising the face of the newly raised Sister. Almost invariably, all new Aes Sedai wore their shawls more often than was needed - as if to confirm their newly given status. Dav gazed at her frankly, eyes demanding an explanation. Her infinitesimal shrug of helplessness and matching anger confirmed his worst nightmares - he had been a Healer for far too long not to realise that look. A quick glance at the second woman - his cousin Sirelle, solidified his worst fears. He was dying. That look and shrug - the helpless anger, came only when there was no cure or hope. Dav had often given that look - more times than he wished, and he recognised it for what it was. His fingers tightened involuntarily over Saraid's own, and she stopped her comforting actions to pause and look at him curiously.

"Saraid and Rashenne, please leave. I must speak to Sirelle."

His fiancee threw him a hurt look, but obeyed reluctantly, guided by Rashenne. The Yellow Sister gave him one last worried look before closing the door firmly behind her, leaving the of them alone. Dav motioned with one small finger at the carafe set near his bed, eyes pleading for water. The Grey nodded and hurried over, filling a small cup with water and holding his head up as he drank thirstily from the vessel. The blessedly cool liquid went down his throat, easing the uncomfortable pain. Sirelle turned and set aside the cup, gazing at him with worried eyes.

"You know."

His flat statement, spoken without inflection, caused the woman to flinch back. Sirelle opened her mouth as if in protest, yet quickly snapped it shut. The pause was long before she again spoke, this time without looking at him. "Yes, I know. Oh Dav! You can't go - Rashenne and Key could be wrong - why, others have lived through this - and Nevelyn and Ambrese are doing their best to see that everything is being used to discover the cure for the illness. Saraid needs you - I need you - we all do. You can't go now." Her grey-green eyes, so much lighter than his own dark ones, filled with tears which she dashed away angrily. "You can't go - I won't let you. And I know Saraid won't either."

Dav smiled softly at her, feeling oddly comforted at the sudden outburst. His cousin had been far too serious - too controlled for her own good. He had been worried about her - wishing that she had gone and flirted like the other girls had, or at least talked to the men of the Tower. Yet she had devoted all of her time and energy into her studies, completely ignoring the other aspects of life at the Tower. Dav had rarely seen her break her temper - even under the most trying circumstances. He had begun to fear that she no longer knew how to feel any emotions, how to feel the simple day to day thoughts and feelings that everyone experienced. Yet her outburst comforted him, and he smiled again.

Her swimming grey-green eyes met his, the hopelessly angry look tempered with grief. Her dark head bowed, the long locks held back by pins freed by the motion, cascading over her shoulders. He patted her knee awkwardly, offering her what comfort he could. "You know," he croaked, "you're far too intelligent not to know the truth of the matter - and far too sensible to discount the advice of both Key and Rashenne. I'd rather not start seeing you the fool and acting as if this were another cold - when we both know it isn't." She nodded - still without looking at him.

"Why won't you look at me Sirelle?"

She turned to him, looking up before admitting in a small whisper, "You're the only family I have left. If you leave - who will I turn to? Oh, I know, I have friends - but that's all they'll ever be - friends. Who can I go to when I need a shoulder? I'll have no one - like Saraid. If I look at you - and see your ravaged face - then I can't believe you'll live. You're right - I'm far too sensible." Her small laugh was brittle - and she turned her face away again.

His heart ached for her, yet he teased her lightly, "If you had just shown the boys a little more attention, you wouldn't be in this mess. If you just went and found yourself a Warder or a nice Asha'man, then you'd have a shoulder to cry on."

She threw him a hurt and indignant look, and he immediately expressed his remorse and contrition. Sirelle looked slightly mollified, yet the deep sadness and truth of her statement weighed on him.

"Sirelle, I have a favor to ask of you. Will you do it?"

She looked up, frowning at his somber tone before nodding. "Anything."

"Look after Saraid. I've been far too interested in my work to have paid her the attention she needs, the attention she deserves. I want you to look after her - to make sure she gets her rest and keeps her energy." He stopped, fighting down a wheezing cough that tickled the back of his throat. "I've heard that she is considering of bonding Ik usero - your Grey. I want you to - above all else, see that she does. Will you do that for me?"

His cousin nodded, the tears trickling slowly down her cheeks. "Good, now, would you please send Saraid back in?" She slowly got up and leaned down, pressing a quick kiss on his cheek before hurrying out of the room. A moment later, Saraid entered, her skirts fairly flying as she rushed over to his bedside. "Dav, how do you feel? Do you need anything? Would you like a...."

Dav nestled back in his pillows, feeling peaceful now that he had extracted the promise from Sirelle. He smiled as he felt Saraid's hands and fingers smoothe back his hair, the gesture oddly maternal and comforting. Suddenly, he felt a twinge of guilt at leaving her - the only other person he had loved with all of his heart. My Saraid. My poor Saraid. You deserved better. The thought floated across his mind as the darkness descended again, his breathing slowing and finally stilling - the last breath hovering silently over the bowed heads of the two women he had loved.