The Tangled Threads

A'lar stood before the table within his inner sanctum lost in thought as he considered the item before him.
 
 
"Been here a while now." A voice would break through the silence, pulling him from his rumination. He'd glance up to see Bliss standing in the doorway before returning his gaze downward.
 
"Did I make the right choice for the Raven?"
 
The diminutive elf would step quietly into the room, moving to stand across the table from him. "Not like you to doubt."
 
"Not like me to make so many mistakes, either." He'd reply evenly, frowning as he considered the item on the table. "Garr was the first to join us when we returned to the city. Only you and Katerina have been with me longer."
 
"You didn't kill him."
 
"Perhaps not. But, it was my choice to change the Raven's path. To change each of yours. Did I choose correctly, or have I lost the Threads?" No answer came from Bliss this time as she watched him evenly, waiting. Mintues would pass in quiet before A'lar sighed deeply.
 
"Do you remember when we first met?" His eyes coming back up to meet hers. She'd nod to his question.
 
"You saved me."
 
"Did I?" He'd counter.
 
"I was a Discordance. Your mentor said you should end me."
 
"She did." He'd agree. "Your Path was a dark one. The Tapestry surrounding you, frayed. But, I saw a Thread. I told you that changing one's Path comes with a price. Asked if you were willing to pay it and -"
 
"And I said, yes." She would finish, cutting him off.
 
A'lar would smile softly at that. "And you said: yes." He'd let out an amused sigh and reach down to lift the item from the table, struggling silently with the weight. Bliss would watch him as he carried it over to the wall at one end of the room and hang it from hooks. He'd step back to regard it carefully as Bliss came to stand next to him.
 
"We all have our price to pay." A'lar would muse as the two of them stood looking upon the elobarate axe that Garr had once carried into battle and fell into a comfortable silence.