Dawn of the Nephilim

22. An unexpected guest part II

At this point Ronan had recuperated from the shock enough to edge in a few words of his own. "Windar, what are you doing here? Armed as if you intend to kill every creature in the swamp and their hatchlings too for good measure." Both Eloï'inda and Windar turned on him, and seemed to be frowning at his interruption. Great. Immediate front building. Windar still seemed to be a little shy about the whole situation as he started to explain. "Uhm, well, you see Ronan. I have made quite a few journeys in my life, and that means that you come across certain things. Lately, I had already felt that there was something amiss with the swamp, though I didn't know what it was. It was when you suddenly developed that weird fever and started talking nonsense about all sorts of fantastic experiences, I figured out that you were probably somehow connected to it. I had to separate you from your family to keep your sometimes strangely detailed fever accounts about the Big War hidden from them. And with you taking the test exactly now of all times, I didn't trust it, and I said to myself: to the dogs with that stupid test. I decided to go check on you, thinking I was prepared for anything. But I had never expected to find a messenger here of all places." He looked at Eloï'inda with awe.

Ronan spread his hands in a disarming gesture. "Alright, alright. I always knew you were sharp Windar, but let's just say I am as glad that you are not my father as I am to see you." He paused for a moment. "But by Ionara Windar, I am glad to see you." A bit warm and fuzzy inside, he looked at his old friend that had come to his aid, even though he had no idea about what it was he would be facing. "Don't mention it" Windar mumbled under his breath. "I'm not sure you'd say that if you knew what you've just gotten into. At least, I guess this means we are going to have to tell you everything. If that is alright with you teacher?" He shot a wary glance in the direction of Eloï'inda, who stared into the distance with a blank expression and didn't move a muscle for one very long moment. Then she gave a slight nod, and Ronan heaved a sigh of relieve. Eloï'inda reignited the fire without even pointing in its direction. The morning chill was fast dissipating, so it wasn't entirely necessary, but it gave them a point of reference. "Come, let us sit" said Eloï'inda. As they seated themselves she remained quiet, and let Ronan do all of the talking. He suspected she was silently checking how well he remembered or understood all that she had told him before. Well enough, she can be certain of that.

Windar already knew about what the graie and the nephilim were, he even knew about the war. It was the connection that Ronan had made he was interested in, and he was astounded when Ronan showed him the blue rose on his chest. Even Eloï'inda raised her eyebrows slightly at being shown the mark. As Ronan told him about the situation of Tiar'Mara, Windar shot a long sympathetic glance in her direction, and Ronan figured that Windar might be able to understand her suffering a lot better than he could. When Ronan got to the point where he told about the situation far to the east of this place, and the ascendant Nephilim, Windar's expression became first alarmed, then thoughtful. Then he interrupted Ronan with a question. "Are they past the Ri'ine river already?" With a glance in her direction Ronan redirected the question to Eloï'inda. Eloï'inda locked eyes with Windar, and much to Ronan's satisfaction he saw that this did not leave the old man coldblooded either. "I know not Wion-dair. The last rapports I received before I left for this mission mentioned that they were advancing quickly. There was also mention of a previously unknown weapon that allowed the Nephilim to spread their influence even faster. But it is of yet unclear what exactly it is."

This was new information to Ronan as well, and he listened intently. Windar seemed to be satisfied with her answer, and he refocused his attention on Ronan. Ronan now explained what he understood about the mission, which was not an awful lot, and finally he told Windar that he had to go with the women due to his connection with Tiar'Mara. He ended with his dilemma of whether or not he could go to see his family again, and how he could warn them. Having finished his tale he felt an immense relief flow through him at having confined a familiar face in his fantastic adventure that was beginning to unfold. The very presence of Windar helped him to have a little more faith that everything would be alright in the end.