A Summer Reunion

[Terminus Norin]

17th Summer AV 510

Terminus had been working around the consulting house for about a week since the news and he still wasn't sure what to make of it. He had read the announcement of Glav's departing Syliras for Wind Reach and he had heard Leo had gone to join him on the journey. He had not yet talked to Sondra to see what she thought of all this but he had some definite questions that he wanted answers to and Glav unfortunately was gone now. He would have gone with them but Avi had not yet returned and he had to wait her return from Taldera where she said she had gone to get something she needed. It had been about a week now and he was missing her greatly

He was hoping he could convince her to accompany him to Wind Reach for several reasons. One he wanted to ask Glav questions about his departure and how it would affect the unfolding of his plans. Two he had heard of the Wind Eagle Riders and was hoping that they would allow him to be trained in avian riding and fighting techniques so that he could expect to stay seated on Avi when they flew together and could fight from her back if need be. Three he just did not want to be separated from her yet another season or more as Wind Reach was on the other side of the continent from Syliras.

He had been reading a book on Philtering that he had acquired from an old friend so that he could begin to research his fireproofing formula. The book was an ancient text but readable, unfortunately the recipes were too advanced for his level but he could learn anyway. His mind was unusually distracted today, he could not stop thinking of Avi. It was like she was near or drawing near him and it was distracting him greatly. He could see her mischievous face now if she knew what she was doing to him and that distracted him even more. He also thought of being with her like he had been that evening in the wood and that further distracted him. He shook his head to clear it and went back to his book.

He was seeing that the apparatus he possessed would not be of quality enough to begin working on any advanced Philtering and he would need to raise at least another 150 gold Mizas to purchase the more advanced equipment. he also needed more instruction on how to use it and to become more familiar with each piece of the lab he had. One thing he was seeing in the advanced text was that magic could be philtered and any magic including Gnosis would work. He knew that he could Philter some of the fireproofing ability of his mark into what he was making if he possessed the skills. He was so absorbed in the book that he was not aware of anything going on

[Avi]

It had been a long flight.

The distance didn't bother her. The time didn't bother her over much, either. She had made longer treks - Avanthal was further up than the Spires had been, and really, it was no more than a couple days and nights of flying. Neither bothered her. She had been busy, so busy, in Taldera over the last season, traveling back and forth between Syrlias and her home region. But towards the tail end, she had started to come home with no further plans to leave Terminus alone again for a while.

It had been a long time.

It was funny how she now counted Syliras as home. Avanthal had always been what she had considered home until the last Winter. But it wasn't Syliras that it had to do with. she wasn't in love with the city - she never would be. Oh, it was interesting, but it wasn't Avanthal. And funnily enough, she hardly counted Avanthal as home anymore either.

He was waiting.

The location didn't matter any more. All that mattered was where Terminus was now. Syliras was home because Terminus was there. It was really that simple to Avi. As a Kelvic, she was committed to her bondmate - it had taken her so long in terms of her lifespan, to find him, and now that she had, Avi had wanted to spend a lot of time with him. It didn't have to be all her time (she was still quite independent), but she had spent the last season away from him - one thing after another, starting with a quest from her patron goddess, Caiyha, and some crazy spring time weather, some hunting, visiting family. She would have to bring Terminus back out there, to show him Avanthal and her family... the Frostmane Hold. Besides, she had a surprise for him.

The dire Talderian black owl flew over the walls of Syliras, finding the familiar roof of Ziatal Consulting with the perch she had up there. It was like she had never left. She landing on it, settling down, ruffling her feathers and relaxing them before shifting from owl to human, her ruby eyes bright and joyful as she adjusted the straps so that the bag fit her properly as a human. That done, the young Kelvic made her way down from the roof, her bag dangling on her back, the spear bumping against her legs until she grabbed it and ran with it, running down the halls as she looked for him. She didn't bother with clothes - she didn't much care for them, really, even if she did wear them often now, but she was in far too much of a hurry for that. Excitement! Her heart was practically singing as she yanked open a door, letting out a shriek of pleasure at the sight of him. She dropped her spear and flung herself at him with all her considerable force, making an odd, gleeful sound. "Hiiiiiiiiiii!" she trilled as she wrapped herself around him.

A season apart, and she had grown up a little more. She looked older, somehow, more womanly. But Kelvics aged quickly. She'd only have so long to enjoy her life with Terminus... so it was all she could do to live her life to the fullest at all times. No regrets. She kissed him, arms wrapping around his neck, cuddling in close, squeezing with her legs. "Missed you," she told him in a husky voice when the kiss finally broke. "I missed you."

[Terminus Norin]

Terminus had been wrapped up in his book trying to pass time and quell his considerable anxiety as he seemed to get more restless and excited as time wore on. The passages were fascinating but still beyond his scope as he was still a novice Philterer.

There were compounds that when applied properly would allow a Philter to take on magical properties, these compounds could be constructed from items found in nature but they required a mixing skill and apparatus that he did not have nor could he use. But the theory was fascinating, he understood how some of the Magical Philters he had seen were made now. He would have to keep practicing and improving his techniques.

He sensed her before he heard herShe's coming!!! and his heart leapt with joy. He tired to concentrate but he felt her like a stream of Syna's rays piercing his heart and filling him with energy.Shes very near!! The pages became blurred as the vision of her swam before his eyes. His leg began to twitch and his foot nervously tap out a beat like that of a beating heart.THUMP THUMP,THUMP THUMP. He placed a hand on his leg to still it and turned a page.

Then he saw her in his mind again, this time he was flying through the skies of Sylira with her. His thoughts intermingled with hers and he could sense her growing excitement at the thought of returning to him. She's alive and well thank Ivak He could feel the freedom of the great Dire Owl as she soared but he could not tell where she was ,just that she was close.

There was another flash of light in his mind like catching Syna directly in the eyes and she was there. He heard the door open and sensed her all at once through the bond it was nearly overwhelming. His own heart sang as he heard her voice and her shriek of pleasure and his took in a sharp intake of breath as she flung herself at him with considerable force, it took all he had to keep them from tumbling over hard. Unfortunately it did not prevent the force from toppling the chair gently to the floor landing him on his back with her on top of him. He laughed as he flung his arms around her, cuddling her to him just as tightly as she would allow him to.She was home, she was in his arms at last!

When she kissed him, he made the moment last until she pulled away on her own. He did not speak for a long moment, but Avi knew everything from their bond, his joy at her return, and how very much he had missed her. He looked at her when their lips separated and he saw that a just a mere season had changed her, she was more womanly,older. It amazed him how fast Kelvics aged. he knew their time together would be short and hoped that times like this where they would be separated by a week or so would be few. He also knew she realized this and would want no regrets and for them to live their lives to the fullest. He felt the weight of the ring in his pouch and smiled.

Welcome home my love. I missed you as well. We have so much to talk about. But first you need to let me sit up I have a surprise for you.

He smiled as he looked into the ruby eyes of the young Vantha woman on top of him. She was his bondmate and she was with him again. He could not be more happy than in this moment. He knew what he wanted from her. He knew that this moment was one he wanted Tanroa to freeze and never let start again. He also knew what he had to ask her and hoped she would understand it's meaning to him, for she was not human and therefore not subject to human thinking on certain subjects.He also knew that she was raised among humans and therefore also had a better grasp of human concepts.

He did however while still underneath her manage to broach one subject.

Avi my love. I know you just got home, but I need to ask if you will take a trip with me, a long trip I'm afraid. He watched the ruby eyes to see if they changed colors to a color he needed to be careful of. However he continued

Something is happening at Wind Reach. I would presume something big by the sound of it, Father Glav has begun a journey to move there and Leo has gone with him for reasons I know not. However if Glav is moving there it could be of great concern to the Triad. I would suspect that's why Leo has gone with him. However I have been not yet able to consult with Sondra about what she thinks. He still did not wish to make her aware of Glav's true role in the Triad as that would be one more thing Rhysol could use against him.

He continued,On a lighter note, going to Wind Reach has a purpose concerning us both. The Riders, they could teach me how to ride you and be in combat on you while remaining on your back...if they will permit me to train. I have heard they are a strange lot there. But if you will come with me we shall see. He smiled and waited her response to him.

[Avi]

Avi pressed herself against him, almost flattening herself against his chest as she hung on, not at all minding as he held her tight. She'd missed him. She'd missed him a lot. She had gotten used to the hugging and being held, and really and truly, she didn't mind it, not from Terminus. Anyone else might have gotten slapped and pinched or even scratched or bitten, but Terminus was excused. He was her bondmate, after all, and that changed everything. The first time they had met, she'd almost taken some of his fingers off for touching her. It had been a lesson that had been quickly learned in that Avi invited the touches. She was a bird, and she wasn't a cuddly songbird, either, but a bird of prey that meant business. Still, things had changed since the Fire Festival of Winter. Had it really only been not even two seasons? It seemed like so long ago.

She let him sit up eventually, and actually helped him to do so as she sat straddling his lap, her long hair with its highlights sweeping around her like a blanket as she draped her arms around neck, her eyes locking onto his as they went from ruby to amber, and she squeezed with her legs. Her unblinking, unwavering eyes were focused on him, and she listened without interrupting her bondmate with words or kisses. She could tell he was very serious - there was something in the inflection there, something in the bond that meant that right now was not the time for her to act like a babbling toddler at him. Her eyes stayed a solid amber as her curiosity was caught, and little slits of ruby began to impede on them as she relaxed.

"That's not very far," Avi cuddled down on him when he was finished. "We could get to Wind Reach in a few days, truly told. My home is wherever you are... Syliras, Wind Reach... it makes no difference to me." She snuggled down on him. "When did Glav leave?" She grinned at the mention of learning how to fight and fly while staying on her back. "Well, I was thinking about that too, all season... And I had an idea, of sorts." She unlatched her arms from around his neck to allow her to shrug her backpack off, reaching into it to pull out what looked at first like a bunch of leather straps... and turned out to be a pair of harnesses, one of which seemed to have handles on it, and possibly stirrups. "Ta-daaah."

[Terminus Norin]

Terminus felt his heart leap as she snuggled in closer to him, he placed his arms around her in the way he had learned she found pleasing and non threatening. He felt their bond renew as she pressed close to him it was always a thrill when he felt his mind entwine with hers and his heart,although they always were in his mind.

He knew that her behavior had changed a bit regarding touch. He always would remember his first lesson in touching her as it almost cost him his fingers. She had calmed regarding his touch and had even taught him what she found pleasurable and safe. He had grown too in that he stuck to the kinds of touch and frequency that she was comfortable with.

He smiled as he could tell through the bond that she was focusing on him ,knowing that he was conveying seriousness. When he had finished he heard her say that Wind Reach was not far for her to fly. he knew that she also knew he would have to rest more frequently than she would and probably would not be able to do night flights.

He listened as she began to speak to him about having thought about how to keep him seated during flight. He watched as she brought out what appeared to be a bunch of leather straps that were in actuality harnesses and one had handles on it. He knew this would help tremendously.

I think this would be perfect my love. You have solved the issue of my staying seated in flight, I think we should try and see if the Riders will train us so we can fight together. I also have a surprise for you

He reached into the small pouch he had had at his side for the past week, and withdrew the small gold band inside, He took her left hand in his and slipped the band on the left ring finger. His eyes smiled softly as he looked into her amber eyes noting the slight specks of ruby

Aviquilat of Frostmane Hold, will you marry me? Will you be my only mate? I only want you now that I have found you and its very important that I do some kind of ritual to formalize our mating.

[Avi]

Avi was pleased with his reaction, and beamed brightly at him. It had very, very much been worth it... and if he was surprised with this, then she could only imagine what he would think of the rest of it. He'd just have to put it on her... but they weren't massively complicated contraptions, either of them, but they might take a try or two to figure out. She had tested them as best as she could, having got her family to measure her the last time she had been in Avanthal, and made sure that the leather was as good as she was going to get it. They would have to see how it well it served them on the trip to Wind Reach. If it didn't last, or better ones were to be had there, then Avi would get them better ones. She simply couldn't take a chance on Terminus's safety while he was riding her. She knew her leatherworking wasn't fabulous, but she was working at it, really and truly. Sturdy, functional things she had an idea about. Hopefully this would be sturdy enough. She could try at low altitudes and see how it held, preferably somewhere where he could land in something like water. That, hopefully, would be enough. “We’ll leave whenever you want to go,” she promised him as brushed her lips ever so lightly against his.

She tilted her head at him when he produced the pouch, and her eyes practically popped out of her head, she was so surprised at the ring. But it was shiny, and quite frankly, Avi really did like shinies. She was beyond tickled with the gift, because her eyes flashed from amber to gold to orange to ruby, colours Terminus had begun to understand meant curiosity to delight as she worked her way through these emotions. For once, possibly the first time since Terminus had met her (and it might well be the last), Avi was utterly speechless. Her mouth opened and closed, and her pupils shrunk in her ruby eyes, only to regain their normal size, and after she turned her head this way and that, she flung her arms around his neck again, squeezing his sides with her knees, and held on as she gave him yet another passionate kiss. Clearly, Avi wasn’t familiar with the ritual of saying “I do” before the big kiss, because when she finally broke the kiss to let them both get some air, she whispered hoarsely. “Yes. I will.” She hung onto him, thrilled to the core.

Terminus had said before he only had one mate, and he was looking to find the right one. They had proven beyond compatible – she could push him around, and he, in turn, knew when to assert himself and make her back up. “Only yours. And only mine,” she promised him, kissing his lips again before starting towards his neck, only to stop, and stare at the unfurling, burning mark that was flourishing on his neck, and the warm feeling that she was feeling on the left side of her neck. Engraved in brightly-burning copper on her burnt almond skin on her neck was a Chevas mark, an outstretched wing with feathers composed of fire. “Is that…?”

[Terminus Norin]

Terminus smiled as he thought about testing the harness right away and he knew Avi was wanting him to suggest it, flying with her was one of the great joys of his life, he loved being in her domain with her and the thrill of flying was something he knew he'd never lose, not with her as his guide to it. He said with a grin that she knew was his pleased grin
I think we should try it out as soon as you have rested from your trip.We should head for Wind Reach as soon as we rest and prepare, that way we can stop in Avanthal and see your family

He looked at her eyes as they changed colors indicating her curiosity to her pleasure at the ring. He returned her kiss with a passion that matched hers since the order of things did not matter it was that they were done that mattered to him. He looked into her eyes when she said she would marry him and said.
[b]Aviquilat of Frostmane Hold, I Terminus Norin take you to be my mate forever and always, only yours I will be and consider you only mine always and forever to walk with you and fly with you through all that life has for us.

He listened to her response which was a vow for her and then he felt it on the left side of his neck just behind his ear, a burning sensation. He noticed that Avi was staring at it an d he saw one forming on her neck in the same spot. The mark unfurled like a burning wing of a bird...in fact that was what it was , a burnished and bright copper mark of a burning birds wing. He smiled as she asked the question and he respondedYes my love ,my mate Chevas has blessed us with one of her marks. She picked one that represents us well I think.

With that he kissed her passionately and lifted her into his arms to carry her to their room to seal the vows they had made, over and over again till they fell into a contented sleep.