Avandor's Gift
The Presence

“Evander,” her voice was a long-lost caress that roused me from the stupor of sleep.

“Tet,” I answered. I opened my eyes and there she was standing before me. Her hair was of metallic silver, matching her no longer green eyes. It was her. Here with me. Her incandescent presence cast a soft glow in the cabin.

“Evander, what are you doing here?” she asked. “I shouldn’t be able to feel you this close. What have you done?”

“I have done nothing, except come after you.”

“You are in Envladane then?” A look which I thought could only be horror crossed her features.

“No, not yet, but I am close.”

There was some relief there on her face. “That means you can turn back.”

“Why would I want to do that?”

“I’ve told you that you aren’t safe coming here.”

“And I don’t care about my safety; I need to get you back.”

Her features softened slightly and I saw the hint of a smile on her lips but disappeared just as quickly as it had come. She turned her head looking back suddenly looking worried. “He is coming I don’t have much time, but you need to turn back.”

“No, “I said defiantly. “Who is coming?”

“This is no time to be honourable,” she chastised me. I smiled as I didn’t know that I would miss that castigating tone.

“This has nothing to do with honour and everything to do with love.” That caught her off guard and the soft look returned. “I love you and I am not turning back until I have you beside me again.”

“Evander, you left Gé Addar unguarded.” she slipped into her castigating tone again.

“Sonis is there.” I said.

“He won’t be enough. Evander listen to me, turn back.” she pleaded.

“No.”

“He is almost here and I have to secure Gé Addar since you insist on being stubborn.” she sighed resigned with sadness.

“Tet,” I said as she started to disappear. I got up out of the cot and stood in front of her. Her form was all light and air, but I placed my hand along her cheek. I couldn’t feel her but she seemed to feel me as she seemed to press her cheek into my hand. “I am coming.” I said letting her feel the weight of my promise in my words.

“I know, although I wish you would listen to me.” her face was still sad and pleading.

“I am coming.” I said.

I was offered a small smile his time which again melted into the sadness of her eyes of molten silver and ash. “Just be careful. He is very dangerous and powerful.”

“Who is?”

“The wielder, I am not sure who or what he is—but he is.” she said looking uncertain. “He wants you here for something. He never tells me his plans fully but I know that they aren’t good.” she turned looking over her shoulder again. “I have to go.” she said. She brushed her finger along the planes of my face. I closed my eyes hoping to savour her touch, but I still felt nothing. When I opened my eyes her presence was gone.

My heart contracted at the sudden emptiness of the room. She was alive I reminded myself. I was right she was alive and she spoke to me. With that hope I clawed myself out of the depression that was threatening to immobilize me.

She kept on mentioning a he—the wielder. What did she mean about me playing into his plans?

There was only one way to replace out and it involved me not turning back.

I walked over to the cot chasing away the rest of the darkness with thoughts of her presence that had filled the room.