Old Legacies And New Values

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A Family Lineage

Weightlessness, a feeling held only by those who fear and those who bless. Today Paidrag stood as the latter. His ring fixed around his finger assured him of that.
Alone, beds of newly grown flowers and fauna passed him by as he strode through. Behind him he left fragments of his calm much larger than the footprints. Then soil turned to stone, Paidrag knew he had returned, glancing passed the bright cobble bridge to the towering forms of turrets, stone, and wood. Once it was called Castle Canum, now it was called Castle MacArdal.
A breeze of wind and the scent of fresh pine, pleasant to Paidrag's nose as he sat at the castle's front steps. Wide green colors of the forest filled his view, a marvel he had not grown tired of since restoring its life three days ago.
A leaf fluttered next to him, nearly cut in half. It saddened Paidrag, picking it up and aiming his ring at it. A moment later, a bright red tulip. It reminded him of his dear friend Melantha, his first real encounter with death. The Seed of Life returned her and made Paidrag realize the whole in his heart was something else.
Until three days ago, he had denied that. His parent's deaths, more death, tempted he return to his past self. But in that moment he realized death's brokenness. To those who seek normalcy, death is unnatural, but Paidrag found his answer. This world was anything but normal, and in fact it was all broken. In a broken world, everything is; death becomes the natural cycle of life to the purer existence beyond.
A wind he didn't recognize left him on guard. At first he glanced, but saw nothing. Nor did he feel anything's unusual presence in the forest. But then behind him, a rather misty voice.
"Your thoughts consume you." Behind Paidrag, an elder figure, clad in armor and drapes of blue with magnificent facial hair like his own. Nearly transparent.
Seeing Paidrag rest his arm at his blade, the voice continued. "Let down your guard Paidrag." Unusually emotionless and Paidrag didn't shift. He wouldn't let go of his concern for any entity whose presence he could not sense.
Slowly the spirit floated, before descending to sit upon the front stairs. A hand patted the space next to him. Once again Paidrag didn't move and the figure responded by gazing at the landscape beyond.
"A truly beautiful place isn't it?" Paidrag's only response was to ask the spirit's name. Paidrag looked into the spirit's eyes, the spirit at the ring.
"I'm its original owner." Brief thought, then Paidrag recognized the face he peered at. A calm apology, and Paidrag's hands fell at his side. Once again the spirit patted the space next to him, this time filled by Paidrag as he sat.
Questions poured forth from Paidrag. Arthur Canum was the name he knew, but not the person. Here was a chance to learn all of what was nearly five-centuries ago. He could command the water that ran through this forest, but it all paled to the torrent of words that came out.
Word after word, and Arthur did nothing but listen intently. Only due to breathlessness did Paidrag stop and a pause ensue. Arthur replied, "Your curiosity is enjoyable," Paidrag gave a brief and hopeful thanks before Arthur continued, "but it is mistaking why I am here now."
Paidrag grew confused, and an arching eyebrow confirmed it to Arthur. "You feel the power you hold in that ring." Paidrag nodded. "You know of the lineage you come from." A nod. "But do you recognize the legacy you are responsibly for leaving?"
Paidrag didn't respond. Truthfully, it dawned on Paidrag, the sea of responsibility he took upon himself the day he declared himself the forest's new owner. The past and the present, but never the future had Paidrag contemplated.
Paidrag wished to know what Arthur intended to advise him on. "That ring," he pointed, "helps one carry out their legacy. But this," placing a finger at his chest, "tells you how you will carry on your legacy."
"A family?" Paidrag inquired.
"A family." Arthur repeated. "My time has run short now. I shall be close, remember that." Paidrag tried to ask further questions, but Arthur's spirit had already left.
What Arthur meant by being close, and how he appeared in the first place spiraled through Paidrag's mind. Questions for another time he decided. Out in the distant trees, a small trio of deer hopped with quick pace. A buck, a doe, and a fawn.
"A family." Paidrag let his words carry out into the wind. With a shake of his head, that thought was buried deep into his mind. Isolation had no place for love.

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A Family Long Passed

Days cycled by and Paidrag spent much of his time cleaning his new abode. A cleaning that involved dismantling many deadly -- and still active -- traps. The forest bliss, its presence pure in his eyes, Paidrag made sure his home rested in that same purity.
When the day finally came when Paidrag stood marveling at the castle, fully cleaned and safe to live within, everything was good in his eyes. But a small ping gave him a headache, a presence in his land that was all but satire... and a presence he recognized all too well. He could feel it moving, moving in his direction.
At any moment, Paidrag knew he could have manipulated the magic of the forest to crush Blain, but he held against it, refusing to abuse his authority and curious as to her reasons for venturing out alone. Instead, he prepared a small meal and waited along the front castle grounds until he saw her figure appear from around the trees.
In that moment, the silent wisps of the wind blew over them as Blain continued closer and closer before she came to his side. Without a word Paidrag held out the small platter of fruits.
"Meat would be better, but then again you make do don't you?" Blain's only response as she scooped several and launched them all at once into her mouth.
Paidrag knew all about Blain and the kind of person she was. The fact he could sense her presence, yet not her emotions or intent left him on edge, wishing to cut to the chase so he could chase her out of his land sooner.
Paidrag opened his mouth, cut off by Blain who spoke up, mouth half-full of chewed fruit. "Rumors have been spreading y'know." A swallow. "Based off what I see, they sound pretty accurate to me."
"More accurate than you may believe I'm sure." Paidrag grabbed a couple berries, eating each one at a time.
"Hm, Paidrag MacArdal, ruler of the Bramble Thicket."
"Forest."
"Whatever." Blain seemed unaffected by that jab, to Paidrag's disappointment. "You knew I was coming didn't you?"
Paidrag nodded. "Speak your words Blain, they may be the last you ever say to me."
"Very well." Blain snatched the plate of fruit from Paidrag, causing a few fruit to tumble off. "You've obtained a powerful reputation Paidrag, one I'm sure this kingdom will notice particularly well."
Eyebrows rose from Paidrag, he figured out Blain's intention. "I've come with a request Paidrag, let our clan and your authority align together."
"No." Swiftly and confidently. Blain shifted her weight to her other leg.
"I figured you'd say that. Please Paidrag, hear me out. Our clan is a family, you were part of it once." There was that word again. Family. Paidrag's thoughts shot back briefly to his encounter with Arthur Canum. True, he was part of the clan in the past, but that was long ago, and this was a responsibility for Paidrag to bear, and no other.
"I was. Once." Paidrag looked into Blain's eyes and pointed the opposite direction she came. "You've been given your answer. Now leave."
A light scoff, then a chuckle before Blain turned around, began to walk, then stopped. "So be it." The footsteps continued and Paidrag didn't move a muscle until he felt that ping in his head completely vanish. Blain was out of the forest... and out of his head.

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A Family Bond

Paidrag felt the squish of his feet against the morning dew that coated the ground. A small shower of rain fell atop him, atop the whole forest; to Paidrag the plants had grown thirsty and the ring helped satisfy that.
He walked, bushes and other large plants parting to provide a path. He walked but not back to his castle. The past week's ordeals had left Paidrag to mull over his thoughts consistently, something that utterly distracted him at every moment which, quite frankly, frustrated him greatly.
He wished to find advice, an answer... something. It was only little over an hour ago that Paidrag had remembered who may be the perfect person to discuss, a friend who still inhabited this forest in peace and isolation like himself.
He could have stepped through one tree and been to his destination in an instant, but that would insult the beauty of the forest, which was glorified simply by one's presence. And so he walked.
A little longer then he came into an open clearing, surrounded by many trees. The grass here looked extremely smooth, a vibrant green mixed in with the flower beds of many colors. Against the rain shower, Paidrag heard a small stream off in the distance trickling through.
Here he was in a grove, the grove. But Paidrag looked around, not a single body other than himself. It was strange, he could still feel the man's presence in the forest, yet he couldn't pin point it. A question Paidrag would love to have answered, yet a question for another time.
Just then, "Hello Paidrag." A voice from above, Paidrag squinted his eyes against the rain drops, looking up to see Virel descending to the ground next to him. His white wings were shiny from the rain, still covered in twigs and leaves -- Paidrag wondered how Virel was still able to fly.
Paidrag returned the greeting with a warm smile. Meanwhile, Virel pressed his hair with his hands as water seeped out. "We haven't seen each other since that time last week you know?"
Paidrag agreed. If only Virel knew the anxiety that came with knowing -- and feeling -- the presence of every living thing in the forest, of the weight he felt with his new position. Paidrag almost began blurting out the many restless nights he'd had thus far; it had taken Paidrag a lot of thought to even leave his castle for this occassion. But he buried it all for now.
Paidrag knew why he was here.
"Do you have a moment Virel?" Virel's expression softened. His stare told Paidrag that he had all the time in the world. "What do you think of when you hear the word 'family'?"
A couple blinks were Virel's initial response. "What brought this on?" He folded his wings in, walking closer to him. "You've become the most powerful person in this forest, one of the most powerful in Ravenna. Why is 'family' on your mind?"
"Let's just say it's been a recurring thing." Paidrag sighed, trying to hint at Virel to go along with it. His change in posture confirmed to Paidrag that Virel would.
"Well... heck where do I start? Why ask me this?" A couple seconds passed then it hit Virel. "Oh right, can't leave the forest."
Virel began to pace back and forth slowly, as if these were thoughts he also hadn't truly mulled over either. The pacing stopped. "Well, I suppose when I think of family my first reaction is my blood family long ago... but I really think of our friends from a year ago." With a wave of Virel's hands, colorful shapes resembling that of their old friends took shape from the grass.
Melantha, David, and Frederick all stood motionless, simple visages, yet good friends. Paidrag immediately replied. "Really? You saw how we acted to each other right?"
Slowly the visages dispersed. "Sure, we had our ups and downs, but what families don't? Every one of them goes through their own problems, disagreements, and heartbreak."
When Paidrag didn't respond Virel continued. "If you ask me what I think, I believe they are essential." Another visage popped up, monstrous, canine. Graak. "When we fought Graak, it took us all together to stop him. No one should ever tackle something alone."
Paidrag's eyes flashed, widening for but an instant. He had never thought of it like that before. He had grown so fixated on isolation that he'd neglected to even think of the benefits, let alone his past experiences.
Maybe a family wasn't such a bad idea. Suddenly thoughts began racing through Paidrag's head. Where would he start? How could someone possibly look at him in that way? Who could?
He noticed Virel staring at him who then said, "You had an epiphany, didn't you?"
"Indeed I did. Thank you for your words Virel." Just then, several pings in Paidrag's head sent sharp pains. Multiple people moving through the forest, towards the Kado Cliffs. "Unfortunately Virel our time has been cut short, I have business."
"You say business, I say tales for another time."
Paidrag laughed, then walked to a nearby tree, gave one single wave goodbye to Virel and stepped through it.

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A Family Blooming

The immediate sensation of striding through a tree was foreign to Paidrag yet it felt very natural at the same time. Whatever the case, Paidrag stepped out into a completely different location swinging. His left arm hooked around, connecting with the collar of a Narrow clansman's leather shirt who let out a surprised yelp.
Around Paidrag, seven other pings, one coming from a large wooden crate. Hands all over dove for sword hilts and crossbow triggers. This wasn't the first time Paidrag had caught thugs of the clan skulking in and out of the forest. Each time Paidrag was confident to get his message across to Blain. The Narrow Clan wasn't welcome here anymore. Never was.
He heard a voice from the one he held by the collar, just off the ground. "You're that Paidrag fella' aren't ya?"
Paidrag didn't bother with a response. But the presence in the crate had him very curious. A tougher voice rang out, "I hear a lot of rumors about you old man. You send a lot of our friends back with bruises, not very nice you know."
Another thug. "Perhaps we should return the favor." Paidrag didn't move even as he heard the shinks of several blades drawn. In his peripheral, two others knocked lead bolts into their crossbows.
"It's funny really." Paidrag chimed.
"Yeah? Tell us why," many of them grinned, "it'll tell us how badly we mangle you up."
A sigh. A glance here and there. Paidrag set the man down, glancing down at his ring. "You always say the same things." Immediately Paidrag willed the forest around him to life. Vines that before dangled unseen sprung out from the treetop canopies, snagging and whipping themselves around the clansmens' weapons.
Branches creaked and bent, lunging and smacking towards every man. Some were caught and restrained instantly, others fought with all their might, cutting and beating back nature's wrath.
To Paidrag it was another solemn reminder, how disorganized the Narrow Clan really was, especially up north. Within moments, they all had been knocked out, motionless on the ground or wrapped in very awkward positions by vines; only one remained standing. With a flash of fear in his eyes, Paidrag made no move as the man fled, disappearing into the dense forest.
Paidrag took his first step since that happened, moving up to the crate. It's wood had very tiny holes and no symbols of any kind across it. But with a brush of his hands, he could tell it was sealed tight. Still a ping inside, something alive.
Willing the branches around him, they squeezed and pierced into the seams before a loud pop sounded. The lid went flying while Paidrag didn't hesitate to look within. He couldn't believe what he saw.
A female nearly his size, crowded and crouched inside. Her clothes were tattered, the skin that showed slightly pale. What was most peculiar were the several vines and flowers which seemed to sprout from the back of her neck.
Two thoughts: who is this woman? and what kind of flower is that? The former was obviously more pressing in this moment.
She gazed up at him, fear still evident in her. Wrinkles under her eyes suggested she was older than most, likely close to Paidrag's age. A hand outstretched to her. "Are you okay miss?"
A moment seemed to pass, she stared at Paidrag's arm, studying it, as if it were a spring trap set to go off upon touching it. But then she looked back at him, fear gone, replaced with hope. "Yes. Thank you." She took his hand. It was very warm, very smooth compared to Paidrag's calluses.
When the sun reflected off her face, her flowers shone a bright violet, illuminating her entire person. A very beautiful sight that Paidrag was caught marveling. Based off the woman's tone, she had noticed. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions." She looked around her. "As do I."
He steadied himself, regaining composure. "Let us start with names. Paidrag."
"Edith." Her gaze never returned to Paidrag, only the forest around her. "It's beautiful, what is this place?"
"Do you enjoy stories?"
Their eyes met once more. "Of course."
Paidrag was about to inquire they return to his home and sit down to fresh fruits, but realized it would only throw her off. "Then, if you don't mind, we may sit and I tell you all about it. In exchange for my own questions of course."
Paidrag noticed Edith's bare feet press and curl against the soil, affirmation she enjoyed the feeling of this place. She nodded, flashing a smile that denoted a true joy Paidrag rarely ever felt. Edith. What a nice name. The two sat.