Diplomatic Immunity--Preface: Vasha's Discovery

[Bront]

"Just anything in general. I remember you said you loved him, and I know that's no small claim for you. I'd love to hear about it."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Well, when the two of us were younger, we were best friends. Well, us two and Gralas. It was just the three of us, and we spent so much time together, talking about the future of Arris, and all sorts of other things."

 

[Bront]

"So, you heard about the jewels as a child? What was father like as a child?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Well, we didn't know that the jewels could be found, but when we were younger, we snuck into the forbidden section of the Great Library and read some of the texts I found you--that's why I picked them out so quickly--so we knew the stories, though we didn't know if they were real."

"Marrik as a child? Well, he was impetuous and kind, and also very handsome and charismatic. He was idealistic through and through."

 

[Bront]

Vasha smiles "So, what happened? Gralas and Marrik went off, why didn't you go with them?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"We differed in focus, the three of us, Marrik became obsessed with restoring Arris's water, Gralas began to spend more and more time with the Mojiin in attempting to attune with what little plant-life we have left, and I stayed here, assuming as I do that the true key to ensuring Arris's future lies not with the Mojiin, the caretakers of the past, but with the Valsians, the people of Arris's future...I was sad when Marrik left me, but we still kept in touch though, the three of us, for a long time."

 

[Bront]

"And now, you're the only one left." Vasha sighs.

"I used to call Gralas Uncle, I guess that would make you my Aunt." She smiles

 

[Rystil Arden]

"I guess you could...wait, Gralas is gone too?"

 

[Bront]

"Yes, he was killed by a lady Dragonlord who called him her love. Or at least I think he was. He had just told me how she had tortured him till he gave up the location of my Father, and the guilt made him nearly mad. He thought my mother and I were dead too. I forgave him, and that seemed to help, but then the Dragonlord attacked, killing children, or at least making it seem like it, and he told us to flee."

"I thought I mentioned it, but it probably got lost in the shuffle of the entire story. It's been rough returning here."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Oh dear, I hadn't realised she had killed him...How terrible. I guess I am the only one left..."