Silk Talons: Epilogue

Two months later...



Ginal hiked along the path that cut through the hills on the northern edge of Hyrstmill, enjoying the gentle warmth of the midday sun.  The path widened and ended as it led to a small cemetery, with short rows of graves placed here and there in a small clearing.  The miqo'te approached two particular gravestones on the edge of the lot, one which read "Here lies Mianora Celah" and the other "Here lies Tomageant Celah."

She smiled sadly as she looked upon the graves, "Hi Mama.  Hi Daddy."  She sighed as she leaned against a tree that stood before the graves, "I'm sorry it's been so long.  Time has really gotten away from me lately, there's been so much happening."  The redhead stood a moment, mulling over her thoughts through a short silence.  "So...where to start?"

"Well, I graduated my lancer training.  Master Ywain has formally titled me Lancer Ginal Celah!"  Ginal smiled as she waited for the congratulations that wouldn't be spoken.  "And Daddy, I'm sorry.  I know you didn't want me to see any kind of violence or ugliness in my life, but...I'm really good at this.  They tell me I'm one of the best.  And...and I can really help people, you know?  I've fought off beastmen attacks on our towns, and gotten a poacher syndicate arrested."  Ginal frowned as she looked to her feet.  "I...I'm sorry if you're disappointed with my choices."

After another long pause, she straightened her posture and forced another smile.  "I joined one of the mercenary free companies.  Some group that calls itself Doom.  And, no Mama, I don't know why they call themselves that.  They're mostly good people, I think.  They're good at what they do, and they make good money doing it.  I'm making some good friends there."

She giggled softly, "Oh, you remember Grezel?  Well, these days, he's taken to calling me "Sister" instead of "Celah."  He's really been trying to watch out for me.  I...I even told him, you know?  The whole stupid story.  And the only thing he had to say was that he's glad my life is coming together.  He really cares.  He's a good brother."

A breeze circled around her body and danced with the hair that now fell below her shoulders and the simple braid she wore.  Ginal grinned as she brushed a long bang out of her face.  "As you can see, I grew my hair out, too.  I did it for this girl...she says she likes me with long hair."  The miqo'te smiled and blushed as she looked up to the handful of clouds overhead. 

"That's the biggest thing.  I met someone, and I'm so in love.  Her name is Selah, she's a dragoon from Coerthas."  She paused as her tail swished about happily, "Since the day we met, she's seen through my fronts and facades, right to the heart of me."  Ginal looked back to the gravestones, "She figured it out, too, my secret.  She accepted me for what I am, and who I am.  She's been patient, understanding, kind... Selah's been the best friend I've ever had."  The redhead giggled and her face flushed crimson, "And, you know...she's an amazing lover.  I know you don't think you want to hear that, but rest assured that your little girl's needs are well taken care of."

The redhead shrugged and offered a half frown.  "Don't get me wrong...things haven't been perfect.  There's some things about me she doesn't seem to like, and I guess I have to admit the same about her.  Living together hasn't been easy sometimes, either.  She chastises me a lot if she thinks I'm messy, and sometimes she kind of ignores me to read these books of hers..."  She furrowed her brow as she mulled over her thoughts, "And for some reason I can't seem to hear her say that she loves me enough..."

She exhales and smiles at the gravestones, "But you know, we work.  We really do.  And I don't doubt that she loves me as much as I love her.  There's some problems, but I'm sure they'll work themselves out.  In the meantime..."

Gianl knelt before the graves, smiling sincerely with a dreamy-eyed look, "Daddy, I'm..."  She fumbled with a rose gold ring she wore on her thumb.  "I'm gonna give her the family ring.  I'm gonna ask her to marry me."

The redhead kissed her hand and touched both gravestones, "I love you Mama.  I love you Daddy.  I'll try to come back more often."  Ginal rose and smiled at the graves, and headed back to path toward Hyrstmill.



Into the evening, when all the trainees of the Wailing Barracks had finished their sparring and form training for the day, the sounds of clashing weapons and heavy bootfall echoed through the training hall as two old friends dueled.

"How do things go on the home front, anyway?" Ywain inquired as he lunged forward, jabbing his spear repeatedly in a quick flurry.

Selah spun her lance to deflect some of the attack, with one jab missing her arm by only a half inch.

"Ginal can make me so crazy!" she exclaimed with an explosive sigh.  "For one, she's often so damned messy!"  The dragoon shifted forward in an attempt to hook her lance around Ywain's ankle, which the Guildmaster avoided with a back flip.

Upon landing, Ywain broadly swept his lance at Selah, followed by a quick thrust.  "How bad could it be?"

The hyur woman locked blades with her friend, "She leaves muddy clothing scattered about, half eaten food on the bed, and my books are eternally disorganized!  And this is after I've asked her to clean up after herself!"  The dragoon withdrew with a powerful leap back, then leaped overhead the Master Lancer and fell upon him with great momentum and her weapon forward. 

Ywain spun his lance overhead and caught the incoming attack, causing sparks to fly from the clashing weapons.  "Surely that's the worst of it, though," he replied.

Selah landed on her toes and twirled her weapon at her side and over her head, "Not entirely.  She becomes jealous of nothing, constantly."  She spins herself around and lunges her spear forward.  

The Guildmaster deftly sidestepped and caught the shaft of her lance.  He pulled forward hard enough to force Selah to step up to scant inches from his face, "You mean to tell me that the girl who's never been allowed to be herself and has developed tragic insecurities is prone to jealousy?"

Selah scowled as she pulled free and shifted away, "I'm aware of that, and I know things like this take time to heal, but sometimes it's ridiculous!"  She moved back toward her friend and swept the blunt end of her weapon at his feet, and watched him plant his lance in the ground to block it.  "If I have so much as a ten second interaction with another woman, she gets this jealous glare or this pissy posture."

The Guildmaster brought his weapon up and crouched in a ready stance, "Sounds like it's more trouble than it's worth. Maybe the next the next one will work out better."

The hyur woman rested on her lance with a raised eyebrow, "Next one?  We're not done, yet.  Yes, we've got some issues to work through, but I know we'll make it."

Ywain stood straight and looked to the woman questioningly.  "You sound very sure of that."

Selah nodded as a contented smile formed on her face, " She's the only one I've ever been in love with, and... it's not always easy, but it's most certainly worth the effort.  When we're together, I feel...complete.  I never even realized how much was missing from my life."

The dragoon looked to her friend, "I may wish she'd mature more quickly, but I know I'm not perfect either.  I'm sure there are things I do that she can't stand, but...I know neither of us would trade what we have for anything."

Ywain smiled, "I'll pick out my best suit and meet you at the Temple of the Twelve."

A contemplative frown formed on Selah's face, "Ywain...

The older man rested his weapon against the wall and looked to the dragoon with an inquisitive expression, "What's that hesitant manner about?"

The auburn haired woman hung her head slightly, "Let's not focus on that subject."

"You're afraid," the Guildmaster stated as he examined her posture.  "After all these years, all the things you've overcome, you're still stuck on your fears of what happened in Coerthas?"

"Who are you to judge me?" Selah snapped at the Guildmaster.

With a speed Selah had forgotten the older man was capable of, he retrieved his weapon, twirled it overhead and had the blade end an inch from her face.  "I train lancers, but you sound more like a whimpering thaumaturge who flees from danger.  Or maybe you're an insecure gladiator who hides beneath that unneeded armor?"

Selah stood dumbstruck, for the words cut deep.  She could find no retort or argument to save herself with, and simply stood there in acknowledgement of her shame.  Ywain watched her for a long moment, then lowered his weapon and approached.

"Don't misunderstand me," he said sternly.  "I'm not saying I expect to see you wed by tomorrow.  What I'm saying is, it's time to let go."

The guildmaster set his hands on Selah's shoulders and locked his gaze with hers.  "Ginal isn't the one who tried to break you.  You can can quite plainly see that all she wants is to show you how much she loves you and cares about you.  Furthermore, some marriages are quite happy, and you're a fool to leave that possibility so closed off."

The dragoon stood silent as she searched through her heart, knowing that the Guildmaster's words were as true now as they always were.  She felt ashamed to have been carrying the fears and insecurities of years gone by, when the future ahead of her held the promise of true peace and happiness.  Selah knew Ywain was right.  It was time to let go of the past and hold onto Ginal with both hands.

"We're Lancers, Selah," Ywain continued.  "We face fear and uncertainty with composure and resolve.  I taught you better than this."

Selah looked into her old mentor's eyes and nodded.



Night had long since fallen on the village of Mist.  The sea breeze danced with Ginal's yukata as the shore bound waters lapped at her bare feet.  She held her eyes closed as took in the whispers of the waves and the smell of the waters.  The lancer had learned to love it here, despite the lack of trees, and found herself wondering if someday, when they were ready to leave their free company's modest manor, she and Selah may choose a plot of land on this same beachfront piece of paradise.

Ginal slowly inhaled again to take in the salty scent, and grinned to herself as her lover's lavender scent announced her arrival.  Selah wrapped her arms around the smaller woman and kissed her ears, eliciting a happy purr from the redhead as she wrapped her tail around the dragoon's leg.

"Just in case you may have forgotten," Selah began, "I love you, my beautiful Kitten, with all my heart."

The miqo'te leaned back against the hyur and shook her head, "I haven't forgotten."  She looked up and smiled happily at Selah, "And I love you, my Lady, with all my heart."



Thadthadius Castle stood atop the cliff that overlooked the beach of the Mist, opening and closing his leatherbound tome absently as he watched the two lovers intently.  He growled angrily as he bared his canines with a sharp whip of his tail.

"I see the truth of you, Selah Phocina..." he angrily whispered.  "Your lies and seduction will not be forgiven."

He slammed the tome in his hand shut and dramatically threw his long green coat open to clip the book to his belt.

"Don't worry, Gin.  I'll save you from this witch."