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"You are alive. Open your eyes," the Skysybil instructed me.
"Does this get less confusing as the years pass?" I groaned. My head hurt with all of these memories. My memories, I suppose.
Abrianna smiled, "No. It gets more confusing. You have but one life prior. The headache will pass in time. Sit here a while longer," she said, offering me a drink.
"I've done a lot of fighting," I said, "Mostly with this… white, scraggly-haired male drow. But then not?Still white hair, but slightly less scraggly."
"Ah, yes. Leylas. Back when we knew her as Kryn. Her hair was a mess. As you remember, we were still in the Underdark," Abrianna said, smiling.
"Yes, but…" I paused, then rubbed my chin, "I had a beard. It was well-groomed. I remember that was of high pride to me. And your hair was never as scraggly."
Abrianna laughed, "Oh yes, I recall your damned beard. When—"
I cut her off, "Leylas as Kryn tried to cut it in my sleep and I nearly killed him. I remember very clearly." I said, still rubbing my chin. The memories were falling into place now.
Then, clear and sharp, I remember the feel of her lips on mine as I passed on.
"OH!"
"What?" Abrianna asked.
"Were we dating? We kissed as I… died."
Abrianna shot her hands in the air, "Yes!" she shouted, "yes, yes, yes!"
"So we were then? I should go—"
"Hang on, hang on. Let me explain," Abrianna said, cutting me off, "You two were flirting around each other for near a hundred years but I do not believe anything official happened, much to my dismay."
"Oh. You were just cheering," I said, nodding. More memories flooded into me, of us discussing this topic and me… avoiding it, "Right, right. I kept saying there was no time."
Abrianna nodded, "Oh yes. You quite pissed me off. But for now, she is aware you are here and I am keeping her off."
I looked down, my memories settling to their place, "This body… will take time to get used to. I spent 400 years without… chest accessories," I said, patting my chest, "But I would still like to be Quana. I enjoy the name."
"Should you have a desire to change things, that can be done," Abrianna offered.
I shook my head, "No. I think I will enjoy the difference while it lasts. No surprise children here."
Abrianna laughed, "Well then. Do you feel ready, Dusk Captain?"
"I feel squishy. But yes, my mind is settled."
"Good. Let us un-squishify you. Training awaits!" Abrianna said, before turning and leading me out of the room.
It absolutely sucked. I felt like a wet noodle the entire time. Did I really wield a sword of such monstrosity? Abrianna was not letting up. It seemed she was getting back at me for something. Probably dying, but who could blame me? Regardless, she beat on me until I was all different shades of blue. But at least I was beginning to relearn how to move in this new form. It was more youthful than previously—fitting, as I was now only 25 years old physically. My knees did not hurt as much nor did my shoulders.
"Once I get my strength back, it's over for you, Abrianna," I goaded, "My joints feel wonderful. No more pre-calamity dust and grime!"
"Ah yes, the Underdark grime you always blamed for losing," Abrianna said smugly, "and not just that you aren't as good as me."
As I went to answer, and hand rested on my shoulder. "Captain," a familiar voice asked, "Are you mentally there? Or must we wait longer?"
Abrianna rolled her eyes.
"Roshan," I replied, turning around, "I am of sound mind, yes, just floppy body."
Roshan nodded, "Then your mind is needed. Body strength and conditioning will take time," he said, "Please, come with me. We need your expertise on the Vermaloc."
I waved at Abrianna and gave her a smug smile before following Roshan into the Bastion, returning to my duties. It was as dry and monotonous as I remembered, but at least I wasn't adding to my collection of bruises. Finally, though, at the end of the day, the woman I was waiting for asked for me.
"My Queen," I said, bowing.
Her office had become more formal since I last saw it. A long, solid mahogany table surrounded with chairs and many alcoves inlaid in the walls, some already full of books. Papers were scattered across the table. Maps lined the wall of the double door I entered through.
"Qua… na?" Leylas asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, I am keeping that name. I enjoy it," I replied.
Leylas nodded, "Leave us," she ordered to the others in the room.
Once they left, she opened her lips as if to say something, then closed and pursed them, exhaling from her nose. "I do not know how to approach this topic," she said, "I find it awkward now that you are so young in body."
"A hundred or so years younger than yours now, yes. But I am still the same Quana in mind," I replied, stepping closer.
Resting an elbow on her desk she pressed her knuckles to her lips, thinking hard. She set her quill down and brought her other hand up, moving to rest her chin on both hands, now clasped, and looked up at me. A pause followed, our eyes remaining locked.
"Nothing… serious… had started between us. We can keep it minimally physical until this body finishes development," I said.
Leylas smiled, a soft, loving smile. "I'll miss that little triangle you called a beard," she said.
"You tried to cut it off," I teased, "Said it was harboring fleas."
She chuckled softly, "That I did," she said, looking back at me.
Still, we had words unspoken. I walked around the table and knelt. She turned so we were facing each other. I took her hands in mine and gently kissed them, looking up at her, waiting for her next move.
Leylas's smile greeted me, "Will you allow me to love you in this life?" she asked softly.
"For as long as you'll have me," I replied, "Be it just this life or beyond into eternity."
Leylas pulled me into her, the softest of hugs. No more, not yet. But in this life, we had each other.