Epilogue: Blest Beyond Mortal Ken

October 25th, 1348

A man stood by a window, the late fall sunlight casting a golden glow over him and the sleeping infant in his arms. The child was wrapped in a white silk blanket, embroidered intricately and subtly with white thread, in patterns designed to attract good fortune. He was wearing a formal blue doublet with touches of grey--the colors of a storm on the sea. He looked down at his daughter with warm brown eyes, sadness and love warring in his gaze. He said, "It's going to break my heart to give her up."

A woman stepped across the room to him with soft tread, the skirt of her dark green gown brushing the floor. Her hip-length, raven-black hair was unbound, with only a platinum circlet around her brow corralling it. She reached out and brushed the side of the infant's face with a long finger. "I know, Galvin. Mine, as well. But we have to give her a chance to grow into whatever she's going to be, and keeping her with us wouldn't allow us to do that. Elata and Sigurd will love her as much as if she were her own. We've had a month with her. It's all we can have. We knew this back in February." She fell silent.

At her mother's voice, the infant opened her eyes, her baby grey-blue already giving way to green, promising in time to have her mother's extraordinary eyes. "Yes, sweet thing, we're talking about you. You're going to be good for the naming today, aren't you?" The baby smiled and closed her eyes, seeming to fall instantly back asleep. Galvin shifted her in his arms a little.

"I'm glad your mother finished the blanket in time for today. It's beautiful work."

"Isn't it? It's really too bad that I never had the knack for it. I could never embroider on white; it would be blood-stained too quickly. I have this awful habit of sticking myself with the needle."

Galvin chuckled, leaned over, and kissed her. "Don't worry, you have other talents that make up for it. Sorcha would be lost faced with a herd to manage, for instance."

"That she would." She slid her arm around Galvin's waist, putting her chin on his shoulder. They stood together, silently, letting the sunlight pour over them.

There was a soft cough at the doorway. Gavião stood there in formal armor, the clothes underneath scarlet and black. He smiled at the pair by the window. "It's time. Everyone's here."

Callas nodded. "All right." Galvin handed her the infant, and she fussed briefly before settling back into sleep. "Let's go."

The room was arranged with a raised dais so everyone could see. At the back of the dais were six chairs; Tamsin, Aiden, Riyor, Arnjolt, Gaius, and Aine occupied them. In the several rows of chairs in the audience were about twenty people; to a person, they were quiet and attentive.

Callas scanned the gathering. Her eyes rested on her stepmother, Endraya beside her; the two had grown to be close friends in the past few months. They had started out with little but her in common, but had managed somehow develop that into a friendship that promised to last for the rest of their lives. Sorcha was almost ready to live on her own again, after a long time spent healing from what the last several millennia had done to her. She had refused to have the memories of her children removed, though Callas had given her the option.

Beside them was Jaenus, not in her usual armor but in a tunic and trousers, both made of a fine, soft material. Automatically, Callas scanned her; ever since Jaenus had come down with an illness she'd had a hard time shaking a few months ago, Callas had been keeping an eye on her health. Everything, today, was fine; more than fine, as a matter of fact. There was something...she blinked. Well, isn't that interesting. Jaenus looked at her sharply, and Callas gave her an apologetic glance. She'd forgotten that Jaenus could feel the touch of all the gods, no matter how lightly. It seemed to be something her close association with Gavião gave her.

Next to her were those she'd grown used to thinking of as Gavião's people: Maxime the white dragon, Gavião's first paladin and cleric, and Sigurd, still officially one of Callas' paladins but who owed part of his allegiance to Gavião. It seemed to be working out well, though there were still some details to be accounted for. Beside Sigurd was Elata, her small hand in his large one. Gavião had grumbled when he'd found out about their relationship, but Callas had told him not to interfere. She'd spent too long maneuvering things so they'd feel all right going public with their relationship to have that spoiled by some silly compunctions about what sworn knights did and did not do with the clerics they were sworn to. I need them, and they will serve better together than apart. They have enough going against them, with the disparity in their lifespans--I can't have them holding the happiness they can find now at one remove because of some silly rules.

Behind them there was Matthew, Callas' own first cleric. The last several months had left its mark on him; he no longer looked as young as he had, the indecision of youth fading as he found his feet beneath him. Callas was quite proud of him. She'd taken a chance on him and that chance had turned out to be the correct decision. Which was good, as she had plans for this young man.

Gemma sat beside Dream, who was for once in his human form; this being the divine realm, he wasn't as strictly bound by the rules as he was on the material. His steel hair and eyes glinted in the sunlight, making him look oddly young and old at the same time. Beside him, Callas' younger sister swung her feet, obviously impatient to get the ceremony over with, so the party could begin. Gemma, over the past ten months, had developed something of a fondness for dancing, something she'd never had the chance to do before. She even occasionally persuaded Dream to take on a human form and go with her.

She contemplated her sister and her former familiar who was still connected to her in a way she didn't pretend to understand. Their future was less than clear. She'd thought that Dream perhaps was thinking that he and Gemma might become lovers, when she was old enough; but there was no indication that Gemma thought of anyone in that way, much less Dream. Gemma was still, on occasion, as much of a puzzle as she'd been when Callas had first encountered her. She's going to take her own sweet time about growing up. Thank goodness Dream's patient.

Next to Gemma was Marcus, her Head Druid. Callas smiled to herself. She had taken, during the last few months of her pregnancy, to dropping in on Marcus every week or so and playing chess against him. So far, the goddess and the druid were about even on the games they'd won; he was a little ahead of her at the moment, but that would change once they started playing again. It had given her a chance to get to know Marcus as a person, instead of a force of nature. What she'd learned about him made her glad she'd chosen to trust him. Marcus gave his loyalty only grudgingly, but once it was given, it was given for good.

Seraphim sat next to Metis, his arm around the dragon's delicate-boned human form. Those two were an odd match, but Aine had explained what had happened, at least in part. Two lonely souls, both bound to Dushela, Seraphim thinking that seducing Dushela's daughter might annoy her enough to make her release him...and accidentally falling in love with the young red dragon. Tamsin had evidently been somewhat upset but mostly understanding when Seraphim had told her about Metis and the fact that he loved her still. Three thousand years was a long time, and besides, Callas suspected that something was up between her and Aiden.

Beside them, Tennant stretched out his long legs, his arms crossed, waiting. Tennant was evidently causing quite the stir in the Underdark, since it was unprecedented for a male to rise high in the ranks of the god most called Lloth but some were beginning to call Aiden. He was a prophet, bringing the new word of Aiden to the drow, and he was setting drow society on its head. Probably long overdue, actually.

Teryl sat next to Arnie's parents, who she knew from before the war had ever started, back when Arnie's parents had built him a cabin in the mountains so he could explode thing without hurting anyone. On the other side of her was Pedro, Gavião's father, who seemed to be a little awestruck at finding himself in the divine realms. Callas had taken just a little bit of liberty with him, after looking at where he was on the Wheel; a slight modification to how his body processed alcohol and what possibly seemed like a spontaneous easing of the constant pain in his club foot had added about ten years to his life. She hadn't told Gavião what she'd done, but she had reasoned with herself that Pedro had been robbed by luck of much of his life; making what remained of it more comfortable and less soaked in wine was the least she could do for him. But, if she was honest with herself, she'd mostly done it for Gavião, after seeing the way he looked at his father when he thought she wasn't watching. They needed time, and she wanted to give them as much time as she could. She didn't know if it would be enough, but at least she'd done something.

Armand lounged extravagantly, his gold eyes sweeping the crowd. And beside him, an old man in grey robes--Merlin, who Callas hadn't seen in months. She wondered what he'd been doing with himself. Beside Merlin was a tall, thin man, with pale skin and eyes that were solid black from corner to corner...Tarn? I don't remember inviting him. She shrugged to herself. He'd probably read in Riyor's mind that a party was in the offing and invited himself along.

Gavião led Callas and Gaius to the from of the dais. He addressed the audience. "Friends, loved ones, we have gathered here today for a special occasion--the naming of the child of Galvin Dubois and Callas de Navarre. You have all been called to witness the first rite of passage of this child, gathered here to affirm that, in this world, she will never be alone, while the last of us still live."

He turned to Callas. "Callas, what have you chosen to name the child?"

She replied, "My daughter's first name is Arune, which in Draconic means "Light Everlasting". Her name is in honor of a dear friend who we lost far too soon, a being of great wisdom who sacrificed himself to show us the way through the shadows, who was a light for us in our darkest hour." She glanced at Maxime, whose white eyes were full of tears. Then she handed the infant to Galvin, who spoke next.

"My daughter's second name is Lisel, in honor of my sister, taken from us by the plague before she had a chance to truly live. May you carry the name in health and wisdom, daughter." He then handed Arune to Gavião.

The infant woke, but didn't start fussing. Instead, she gazed up at Gavião's face with those blue-green eyes, seeming almost to be looking thoughtful. Gavião said, "And this child's family name is Dubois de Navarre. Who gives blessings to this child, Arune Lisel Dubois de Navarre?"

Riyor, behind them, stood and said, "I give her the gift of luck in travel." He crossed the dais and laid his hand on the baby's forehead, murmuring, "May every road be open to you and may there be rest wherever you seek it."

The next blessing was from Tamsin, who said, "Arune, may your magic, whatever it may turn out to be, be as natural to you as your breathing, and as easily controlled."

From Aiden, who too crossed the dais and laid his dark hand on the child's head, "Child, you will always be welcome in the Underdark, among my people." He traced a simple design with his finger on her forehead, which glowed briefly and then disappeared. Arune chortled and grabbed for him with her chubby hands, gripping his finger tight. Aiden chuckled softly and freed himself, going back to his seat.

From Arnjolt, "May the work of your hands give you courage and joy, and may your heart never falter in your purpose, whatever it may be."

From Gaius, "Arune, I give you this gift--the ability to see the spirits of the air, and speak with them freely."

Galvin said, "And my naming-gift, Arune, is that water will never harm you, and you may sail without fear of the storm."

Callas nodded. "And my gift, daughter, is kinship with all creatures, whether large or small. Horse or lion, mouse or fox, all will love you and wish to please you."

Gavião said, "And my gift, daughter of my heart's daughter, is simply this: that you have the wisdom of both your parents, and be able to us it to become whoever you already are, to tread a path that none of us know where it might lead." He looked out at the audience. "Who stands up for this child, who will make her welcome in her travels? Who among us will shelter her when she needs it, advise her when she requests, love her faithfully as you love her parents?"

Maxime, the white-gowned woman, stood. "Arune Navarre will always be welcome among the Clan of Claw, the white dragons of Northern Europe, and we will vouch for her to the rest of the race of white dragons."

Armand stood next. "Arune Navarre will always find shelter among the Clan of the Noonday Sun, the gold dragons of the Mediterranean. And when she is old enough, I will teach her how to dance the flamenco." As he said this, his solid gold eyes rested briefly not on the infant in Gavião's arms, but on Callas. She looked back, a message passing between them that only took an instant to convey.

Next, Gemma and Dream stood, Gemma looking so much like her sister except for her green dragon eyes, Dream's steel hair and eyes glowing in the autumn sun that was streaming through the window. They stood close, not quite touching. Gemma spoke. "Should Arune have inherited the gift of dreaming, my sister, I and Dream will be her guides, teach her in the ways of the dream realm, show her the things we know that are beyond imagining."

Seraphim and Metis, gowned in claret velvet, stood. "Should she make her way to Egypt, she will be welcome in the Temple there, and we will shelter her and teach her anything she wishes to know."

The woman next to him said, "And I will teach her what I know that I learned from my mother; with luck, she will use the knowledge only in gentle ways, not to destroy as my mother did."

Jaenus stood, her lupine features making her look just slightly feral. "Arune Navarre will be welcome among my people, wherever she may travel. The society of the were is more widespread than anyone knows, and we know many secret ways to and from places that nobody else does."

Endraya stood next, the tiny woman's presence far larger than her form. "I will gladly welcome Arune, child of the daughter of my heart, into my home any time she chooses to come. I will teach her the lore she needs to know, and tell her stories of how naughty both her father and mother were when they were children, lest she forget that she's is not only the daughter of a goddess and a god, but of two mortals, both of whom have strengths and failings." She smiled at Galvin and Callas as she said this, and sat back down.

Tennant said, "If she comes to the Underdark, I and my fellow clerics will be her guides and protectors."

Matthew stood next. "By the love I bear my Lady, I am sworn to protect this child through the strength of my arms. I have been assigned to her protection, and protect her I will, as long as there is breath in my body." His face was shining with dedication as he said this, fulfilling a request that his goddess, formerly his Headmistress, had asked of him.

And Marcus stood, and said, "The forests will welcome her, to the best of my ability to cause them to do so. And, if she desires, I will teach her in the ways of the land and all that grows in it and on it."

Gavião said, "Is there anyone else?" The room was silent. "Then, friends, have we all heard and witnessed these gifts and these promises given here today?"

The room rumbled with the response, "Heard and witnessed!"

Callas stepped forward and took Arune from Gavião. "There is one more thing that must be witnessed before the day is out. Elata Hall and Sigurd Torson, will you please come forward?" Elata and Sigurd stood and came forward, Elata looking so small and delicate next to the Viking knight, her tiny hand in his large one. They came onto the dais, next to Galvin and Callas.

Callas said, "Arune was sparked when Galvin and I were still mortals--I the child of a goddess, and both of us were living artifacts--but mortals nonetheless. Though most of the time I carried her under my heart I was a goddess, she is a mortal, and may always be so." She took a breath. "Keeping her here with us in the divine realm, though it is the fondest wish of my heart, cannot be. Among us, she will never have the chance to grow into her own, come into her own power, learn who she is. My mother knew this when she gave me to my mortal father and stepmother, and I have learned her lesson well. And so, Elata Hall and Sigurd Torson, Galvin and I ask you, in front of these witnesses: will you take Arune and raise her as you would your own child, protect her and love her and then set her free when it is time, in the manner of all parents?"

Elata looked up at Callas, her dark blue eyes meeting Callas' green eyes, sparkling with tears that she was willing herself not to shed. "We are honored by your trust, Callas. We will take Arune Lisel Dubois de Navarre, and we will do the best job of raising her that we can. She will be raised in the Temple ways, and whether or not she chooses to join the Order, she will always be welcome among us."

Callas closed her eyes, seeming to summon strength from within herself. "Galvin and I thank you, and we are honored by your willingness to take this on. We will go with you to the material plane tonight, then." She glanced at Gavião. "Heard and witnessed?"

He replied, "Heard and witnessed, Callas de Navarre."

The response from the gathering was louder this time, echoing in the large room. "Heard and witnessed!"

Still holding the infant, Callas addressed the gathering. "Thank you, good gentles, for being here today. Your presence means much to us. Please, join us outside. The entirety of my realm is open to you this night."

The gathering spilled out to the meadow outside the chapel; Callas' realm had been rearranged subtly for the occasion. Outside, there was a large meadow of close-clipped grass, tables spread with food, a bonfire laid ready to be lit later. The gathering spread out in the meadow. Arune was passed from person to person, cooed over and made much of, and someone suggested music.

Galvin and Gavião each took up a fiddle, Riyor produces a pair of pipes, and Metis found somewhere a drum. They looked at each other and asked, "So what shall we play?"

Endraya said, "Play Seinn O! I'll sing, if you know the tune." As the rest struck up the opening chords, Endraya's rich soprano rolled out of her effortlessly.

Thig am fìdhleir a-nochd
Gheibh na h-ìonagan port
Thig am fìdhleir a-nochd
A-nochd thig am fìdhleir

Seinn o churadail o
Seinn, seinn churadail o
Seinn o churadail o
Seinn churadail oro!

Gemma grabbed Dream's hand and began to dance, and soon many of the rest joined in. The musicians, after a time, traded places with the dancers, and as twilight came in the realm of life and death, the stars came out and the fire was lit. Long into the night did music and laughter ring out. Callas found herself being passed from partner to partner, dancing a reel with Gavião and a gavotte with Armand. She did a turn with Dream, laughing as they found themselves moving in perfect synchronicity. And every few dances, she always came back to Galvin, who this night wasn't even bothered by her dancing with Armand.

After dancing to a lively rendition of the Sugarfoot Congress, Gavião was in search of something to wet his throat when he saw Callas sitting crossed-legged near the fire, staring into the flames, a lock of hair wound tight around her fingers. He retrieved a tankard of ale, and lowered himself to the ground beside her, staring into the flame.

Callas glanced over at him, scooted a bit closer, and with a sigh leaned against Gavião. He put one arm around her and took a pull on his tankard. Callas' voice was low and contemplative. "Odd how many things change...and how others stay the same."

They watched Gemma, Galvin, Jaenus, and Riyor dancing, the others either playing or sitting out the dance, talking to each other. From where she sat, Callas could see Tamsin fiddling her heart out. I'm not certain she'd even seen a fiddle before tonight. That's what being the goddess of music will get you, I suppose. She said, "So, Gavião. When were you going to tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"That Jaenus is pregnant."

"Ah. That." He paused. "Isn't that a bit nosy of you, lass?"

She rolled her eyes. "One of my spheres is fertility. Get a pregnant woman within a hundred yards, I know exactly when she's due and the condition of both mother and child." She chuckled. "Or in Jaenus' case, children."

Gavião had been in the middle of taking a drink when she said that. After he finished choking and sputtering, he asked, "Are you serious?"

"Twin boys, to be exact. Fraternal, not identical. Congratulations. Are you going to answer the question?"

He coughed. "We were going to announce it soon. There are a few details yet to be worked out."

"Like when you're going to hold the wedding? Don't look at me like that. I know Jaenus, and I know she'd demand you make an honest woman of her. I, ah, expect that she wasn't anticipating getting pregnant quite so quickly."

Gavião shook his head ruefully. "Ah, no." He paused again. "You know, this is a very strange conversation to be having with you."

She tilted her head and looked at him sidelong. "I think I finally grew up, Gavião. I have a few rough edges, still, but I think your work is done." She looked down at her hands, watching the firelight playing over her scarred knuckles. "Did I turn out anything like you thought I would?"

"I never thought much about how you were going to turn out. You were always yourself, to me. Still, lass, I'm proud of you. You've done well." He could feel her glow of pleasure at his words. "So, what's next for you?"

"We're taking Arune to Madrid tonight." There was a deep sorrow in her voice. "And on the morrow, Galvin goes to sea. I'm staying behind, for the moment. We both have work to do, and we've both been putting things off while I was pregnant with Arune and then for the month after she was born. It was a good time, but everything ends."

Gavião asked, in a careful voice, "Are you ever going to marry the lad, Callas?"

She glanced at him. "We've...talked about it. At length. And we keep coming around to the fact that we probably shouldn't make any vows we're going to have to break one day. When you're with a mortal, like you and Jaenus, that's one thing. But twenty thousand years is a very long time, and I am the goddess of fertility, among other things. We'll enjoy what we have, and see where it goes. He'll sail, and I'll walk the earth, and I'll join him every few days on the ArcAngel. Things will work themselves out." She stared into the fire, and Gavião silently tightened his arm around her.

Endraya sank down beside them, and handed a bundle of sleeping baby over to Callas. "She's an exceptionally good baby, isn't she?"

Callas laughed. "She takes after her father. I was difficult from the cradle, I fear." She looked down at her child, brushing a dark brown curl away from Arune's forehead. "I'm not certain what she'll be when she gets older. She is a mortal, but she was also present when we became gods. That much power will have left its mark on her. I only wish I could know what it was."

Endraya shook her head, the silver threads in her dark hair glinting. "She'll let us know in time, I'm sure. For the moment, she is what she is--simply an ordinary child."

Gavião chuckled. "Who has nine gods, three dragons, too many clerics to count, and much of the werecreature population of Europe watching out for her."

They laughed, and the quieted as Tamsin produced a harp and struck a few meditative rills. She said, "It has been a lovely time, gentlefolk, but I, at least, need to be getting along. And so I give you all one last gift. This is something I learned in my youth. It is sung only rarely, and it has probably been lost to time by now. But none ever forget it who have heard it once."

She began to play a tune that none of them recognized, a song in a minor key. She sang in her own tongue, her clear voice not loud but arresting nonetheless.

The goddess of music turned her power to the song. None of them understood a word except Seraphim, who stood still as a statue, tears running down his face, but all understood the melancholy contained within it. It was a song of farewell, of leave-taking. By the time she'd finished, there was not an eye in the meadow that was not blurred with tears.

Tamsin stood, and gave a small bow. Then she looked at Seraphim, standing next to Metis, and said, quietly, "Goodbye." Then turned and walked from the meadow, fading into the darkness.

A shadow detached itself from the group--Aiden. He followed her, swallowed swiftly by the dark beyond the meadow.

And one by one, the rest took their leave.

******

Late that night, Callas, Galvin, Elata, Sigurd, and Matthew arrived at the Temple in Madrid. Galvin was holding Arune in his arms, the infant wide awake and looking around at her surroundings.

They were in the large chapel, the silent space seeming to swallow their voices. Galvin said, "I know it's necessary, but it's hard."

Sigurd nodded. "We will love her, Galvin. And, please, come by and see her often. We'd like her to grow up knowing her parents, as much as she can."

"Trust me, we will." Callas smiled at the tall Viking. "Take care of her, Sigurd. And thank you, both of you. I can't think of anyone else who I'd trust to take our daughter." She turned to Galvin, leaned over, and kissed Arune on the forehead. Her voice trembled as she said, "Be good, daughter. Be strong, and wise. Remember how dearly you are loved."

Galvin shifted Arune in his arms, holding her close one last time. He closed his eyes and said, "Be well, Arune." For a long moment, he held her silently, and then opened his eyes. He held his infant daughter out to Sigurd, who took her from him gravely. Sigurd kissed Arune gently and then passed her down to Elata, who cradled her in her arms.

Callas turned and laid a hand on Matthew's forearm, looking up at the tall young man, so serious in his armor. "Thank you for accepting this post, Matthew. Be warned that if she takes after me, she'll chafe at being protected. If you need advice in dealing with her, I'm sure Gavião has much he could give you."

Matthew shook his head. "I'm sure I'll learn, Lady. It is an honor, to serve so."

She chuckled. "Remember that when she's thirteen." She stepped close to the knight and kissed him on the cheek. "Sweet winds and open roads, Matthew. I'll see you soon."

Callas turned to Galvin and took his hand, both of their eyes sparkling with tears. And then, as one, they took a step back and disappeared, fading from sight as if they had never been present at all.

And in the divine realms that night, there was the sound of two voices weeping; one a ragged alto, one a strong tenor.

After a moment, after the two gods had gone, Sigurd put his hand on Elata's shoulder. He said, in a voice that betrayed his own unshed tears, "Let's go, Elata." She nodded, not trusting her own voice, and together they turned and walked out of the chapel, towards their chambers.

When all was silent and the candles were burning low, a figure came to Arune's cradle, a tall man with a craggy face and long gray hair, eyes blank white and wise. He leaned over the cradle, looking down at the child within. She was awake, and cooed at him, reaching for him with both hands.

The man smiled. "I thought you might recognize me. They named you after me, did they, Arune? It does an old man's heart good, to know he was so loved." He reached out an insubstantial hand and brushed the infant's cheek. "I, too, will be watching you. I expect unusual things from you, goddaughter, who will play with dragons and dream wraiths, who will live among knights and werecreatures, who will travel the Underdark without fear. Unusual things indeed."

Aru straightened, drawing his hand away from the child. "Live long, Arune. I will be watching." He stepped back, fading into the darkness soundlessly.

Outside, against the full moon and the glittering stars, a nearly-transparent white dragon rode the winds, winging his way once more towards home.

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