And I Shall Follow

···•••·•••·•••·•••···

“Wait.”

Rali pulled up on her ifnan as soon as she heard Iriya’s command. The musician had turned to look back at the hold, taking in the view for the last time. Although she knew that she’d be back someday, something inside her said that it might be decades before she saw her adopted home again. After a few minutes, she returned to Rali’s side and they continued down the path.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Rali asked as they descended the hill that would block all further views of the hold.

Dawn nodded eagerly. “Of course I am, Rali. We did spend all winter planning this excursion.” It was true; once they’d figured out their connected histories, it was only natural for Dawn and Rali to venture to Na’alha to see Laio, and to later go to Tragith to see Xander. Dawn was excited to see her old friends again, to see how they’d changed—and how they’d stayed the same. The fact that she got to spend many weeks alone with Rali was just another incentive.

Chadai had tried his best to give the newly-formed couple ample space and distance, but winters in the hold tended to force people into close proximity. His well-meaning actions hadn’t been bothersome, though. No, it had been Bai who had served up the majority of their frustrations.

The musician genuinely hated Dawn, almost as much as he lusted after Rali. No matter how hard they, or any of their friends, tried, he never quite understood that the mathematician had chosen Dawn over him. Actually, he never realized that Rali hadn’t ever been interested in him in the first place. All winter he tried to woo her away from Dawn, using every trick he could think of. While the pair had gotten a good laugh or two out of his efforts, in general he was simply an annoyance, knocking on the door when they were in bed together, interrupting private conversations, and declaring his intentions to court Rali in public. That last act had been the cause of much commotion in the hold, since it was common knowledge that Rali and Iriya were in a serious relationship. After the initial shock and commotion had died down, Bai found himself to be the center of many jokes and jabs. The humiliation from that did manage to quiet him some, though.

“You’re going to love Na’alha,” Rali promised. “We’ve got rivers and gardens and—“

“Yimkia to die for, even though I hate the stuff, and weavers, and music and everything a dalhari could ever possibly want,” Dawn finished for her with a grin. “The only thing Na’alha has going for it, Rali, is Spike. If he’d settled down in Shath Urs, I’d be listening to you sing its praises.”

Rali shrugged and blushed. “Shath Urs is reknowned for its restorative waters, impressive mountain vistas, interesting ecology and untamed wilderness. In fact, my mother went there once and declared that if it wasn’t inhabited by maith, it would be a paradise.”

Dawn shook her head in amusement. “I see. Perhaps we should tack a visit to Shath Urs onto our trip, right after we go to Tragith.”

“I don’t think that would be a very good idea,” Rali replied with a shudder. “I dislike maith.”

“Does anyone like maith?” Dawn inquired.

“I don’t think so. Tkth-vaali put up with them and gupwurs sell to them. In fact, I’m pretty sure they don’t like themselves very much. They start a lot of wars in their own regions.”

“Sounds like fun,” Dawn murmured sarcastically.

···•••·•••·•••·•••···

“So, tell me again about whatever it is Spike does?” Dawn asked as she guided her ifnan up a twisting mountain path. They were well into the Desa Ysdra Mais, first ascending then descending winding roads through deep passes. Rali had assured her that they were less than a week from Na’alha, but to Dawn it seemed as though they would be stuck in the mountains forever.

Rali smiled. She’d told Iriya about Laio’s work, life and home several times since they’d left Tereva’diel. “Laio is a dyemaster. He makes the colorant for his guild’s fibers—ifnan, prhang, and plant fibers.”

“I just can’t see Spike enjoying making dye,” Dawn replied, shaking her head. “And he’s been doing this for a hundred years?”

“Yes, actually a bit longer than that. And he’s happy living in Na’alha, which he prefers to La’iv,” Rali added. “Although I’m not sure if that’s because Del lives in Na’alha, or because he just prefers it.”

“Are they going to have any more kids?” Dawn inquired, hoping the question wasn’t personal.

“I’m not sure. It’s still fairly early for them to have another—I’m not that old, you know. Mother is still adjusting to having a sibling herself—Gaha and Waei had Baura about a hundred twenty years ago, so they’re all still rather satisfied with the amount of youth around.”

“Baura—isn’t he the one who went to Scal Ysdra?”

“That’s him—he moved to Ke’reo Der several years ago. Most Saydhe enter into religious service—if they aren’t smithies like Del,” Rali explained. “But I’ve told you all of this before.”

“I want to hear it again. Did your parents mind when you chose a different path?”

“It would have been difficult for them to, since Laio is a weaver, which is a profession more common among the Mirh than the Saydhe,” Rali responded. “Actually, I think that Del and Laio were pleased with my choice. They like having diversity in their household. After all, they did host Xander and his family for many years.”

“True. It’s hard for me to imagine Xander as you’ve described him,” Dawn commented. “Although I’m sure he’s changed a lot since I last saw him.” The fact that he wasn’t human anymore was just the start of those changes.

“Ah, you’ll see him soon enough. We can either stay the year in Na’alha and leave for Tragith next spring, or venture south this year without staying in Na’alha for very long.” Rali said. She hoped that Iriya decided to stay overwinter in Na’alha, since that meant that she could see her parents for three seasons. However, it was up to the musician, not her.

Dawn thought about that for several minutes. She wanted to see Xander very badly, but she also wished to visit with Spike, particularly if he was as…different as Rali claimed that he was. Perhaps this was a decision she should spend some time considering.

···•••·•••·•••·•••···

“Wow. That’s Na’alha?” Dawn asked as she stared down at the hold below her. They were at the peak of a ridge to the north of the city, and since the day was quite clear it was easy to see the place, even from a distance.

“That it is,” Rali murmured, restraining herself from urging her ifnan to a full gallop. Na’alha was home, and where she wanted to be. The mathematician was so happy to be back that she didn’t even bother getting annoyed that she missed the place so much. “Shall we? It may look close enough to touch, but we won’t reach it until nearly dark.”

“Oh! Ok, sorry,” Dawn apologized as she followed Rali down the ridge. In all honesty, she was in a hurry, too. Although this trip was much more pleasant than the first one she’d taken in this world, due in large part to the presence of the ifnan, Dawn still disliked traveling. True, she enjoyed seeing new places and adventuring in general, but there was much to be said for a stack of feather mattresses and soft blankets. Yes, ifnan were faster and less tiring than walking, but they were still uncomfortable and they smelled, well, like livestock. “Tell me again—“

Rali groaned. “About what?” She’d told Iriya about everything she could think of—twice. What else could they possibly cover?

“Will Laio and Del expect me to sleep in guest quarters?” Dawn asked mischievously. She was only doing what she was doing to get a rise out of Rali, just to pass the time.

It took Rali a moment to answer, since what Iriya had said wasn’t what she’d been expecting. “Well…” Where had she come up with that? “Um…I don’t think they have much say in regards to that,” Rali replied carefully.

“Oh, ok…It’s just that…well…you did tell me that Spike was given his own quarters when he and Del arrived in La’iv, and that Del ran off and left him there for a long time,” Dawn said seriously. “You aren’t planning on stranding me in Na’alha, are you? I mean, I’m sure it’s great and all, but from the way you’ve described it, everyone eats way too much yimkia.”

Rali snarled, smiling as she did so. “What does my father say? Smart ass?” She said, in the trade tongue, with a thick accent. “No, I’m not going to leave you in Na’alha, and no, you don’t have to eat yimkia. Although,” She murmured aloud, “If word gets to Laio that you don’t like the stuff, you may find it on your plate every day.”

“He wouldn’t!” Dawn exclaimed. Surely Spike wasn’t that cruel. “After all, he hasn’t seen me for, what...two hundred years?”

Rali shrugged. “He does have a sense of humor—although I think he got a lot of it from Xander’s kids. They’re masters, you know.”

“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me,” Dawn said to herself. She could just see children raised by Xander, always playing practical jokes on everyone around them.

Rali noticed that their pace had slowed to a crawl, so she urged her ifnan on, hoping that Iriya would follow. She didn’t relish staying out all night, even for a nostalgic reverie.

···•••·•••·•••·•••···

“Rali!” Dawn called as she brought her ifnan up next to Rali’s. “I thought you said you sent a letter to your parents, telling them we were coming.” The guards at the hold gate looked a bit too surprised for her comfort.

“I did?” The mathematician said innocently. “Really? When?”

Dawn narrowed her eyes. “Twice during the winter. Remember? We decided that it would be a good idea to not surprise them by arriving unannounced.”

Rali looked off to the right and grinned. “I guess I forgot then. Sorry!”

“Maybe I should ask for guest quarters,” Dawn muttered. She didn’t really mean it, but she also wanted Rali to know that she didn’t like the stunt. While no one would mind too much them showing up by surprise, politeness dictated that they send notification.

Rali recoiled from the comment. “If you so choose, it can be arranged,” She said coldly.

“I was joking, Rali. It’s just…”

“I want to surprise them, and it’s hard to surprise those two, after all they’ve seen and done,” Rali explained. “They need a little excitement, and this was the perfect opportunity.”

The pair’s conversation continued in a like manner right up until they arrived at the Disiaron house. Their mounts were stabled quickly and Rali took Dawn by the hand, leading her through the hallways to the main hall. With any luck, either Del or Laio would be there…and perhaps even Gaha or Waei.

“Rali?” Gaha whispered when she saw the pale dalhari crossing the hall. Her voice caught the attention of both Del and Waei, who were near one of the fireplaces. They had finished a house meeting a few minutes before and had lingered, talking amongst themselves.

“Gaha!” Rali called out, rushing to greet her grandmother. The elder embraced her warmly, noting how close the timid, though brightly colored, stranger stayed to her grandchild.

“This is a surprise,” Gaha said, handing Rali over to Waei. “And who is this?’

“Iriya,” Rali replied from her grandfather’s embrace. “Iriya, this is Gaha, Waei and my mother, Del.”

“Greetings,” Del said softly to Iriya. “You are Dyasa, from Tereva’diel?”

“Yes,” Dawn answered cautiously.

“Ah. Thank you, then, for returning Rali in good health,” Gaha said with a smile. “You just missed your father, Rali. He left for the dyeshop as soon as the meeting ended.”

“When will he return?” Rali asked her mother. She really wanted to be present when Laio saw Iriya.

“Probably not until morning,” Del replied. “He is quite busy with several orders.”

“Ah,” Rali murmured. “Perhaps we should get settled then.”

“May we prepare a guest room for Iriya?” Waei offered, looking intently at the newly arrived youths.

Rali shook her head. “That won’t be necessary.” Dawn’s eyes widened a bit, but she remained silent, not knowing exactly what to say to this family.

Gaha, Waei and Del shared a glance. “Perhaps, then, you would care for a meal?”

“Of course,” Rali replied, grinning evilly. “Do you have any yimkia?” Dawn couldn’t keep herself from scowling at Rali for the comment.

“You dislike yimkia?” Del asked, watching Iriya’s face.

“I simply prefer it less than Rali does, and she refuses to let the subject alone,” Dawn explained.

“Then we shall not have it for our meal,” Waei proclaimed. “But we should dine now. I sense that there is much to discuss.”

“You can say that again,” Dawn said under her breath as she followed the elders out of the main hall.

···•••·•••·•••·•••···

“Incredible,” Gaha murmured as Dawn wrapped up her story. They were lounging around the fireplace in the elders’ quarters, polishing off a bowl of fresh e’infal. “What are the chances that…”

Waei simply shrugged. “Why wonder about it? I doubt that worrying about why our family encounters such rare strangers will change the situation, now or in the future.”

“True, but…it seems so improbable,” Gaha continued. “Not that it matters in the least. Laio will be overjoyed to see you, Iriya. He still speaks fondly of you, and the others of your world, even after all these years.”

Dawn nodded. She hoped he was happy to see her—it would be very…difficult if he wasn’t. Regardless, she didn’t have to wait long to find out—a knock on the door heralded the arrival of an unexpected visitor.

“Rali?” Gaha asked, even as the musician got up from the floor.

“Father!” Rali yelled as Spike stepped into the room. “You’re supposed to be working.”

Spike found himself holding an armful of excited, squealing daughter. “And you’re in Tereva’diel,” He murmured, wondering why in the hell his daughter was at Waei and Gaha’s place.

Rali pulled back after a moment. “I came home to visit.”

“You were only gone a year,” Spike replied. “Although, of course, I am more than delighted to see you.” He hoped nothing was wrong, although Rali certainly seemed to be fine, if a bit nervous. “Is something…”

“Rali has brought a companion home,” Del informed her mate. “A Dyasa, from Tereva’diel.”

Spike swiveled around to look at Dawn. “Ah. Welcome.”

“Long time, no see, Spike.”

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