Jevik Bane

Jevik Bane

Forgotten

A lone dreamer stumbles from the wreckage of House Dreamers of Light. He is bent with age and pain. Dreamsoul lays clotted on his face. He wears the emblem of Dreamers of Light, and above his head circles the marking of a Teacher. His gray robes tattered and covered with the essence of dreamers and nightmares, catches on a jagged, broken step. He catches himself before he falls, protecting the bundle he holds close to his chest. At the entrance of Dreamers of Light, the essence of his friends, family, and enemies lay everywhere causing him to step carefully as he makes his way to the portal and Illaspe Keep. The sounds of diminishing battles fade behind him. He enters the portal; hope strains his heart. Please let them live, please, he thinks desperately as he enters the Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary stands quiet. His fear rises. He takes the bundle, wrapped in an old faded robe, and gently places it on the floor in the corner. The child will be safe here, he tells himself as he leaves Sanctuary. There was still a chance they survived. He takes a moment to meditate, trying to regain a little strength. He rushes from the sanctuary to the portal, damning his age, damning his actions, damning his dishonor. He knew the fighting here was worse than in the house. No single dreamer stood. True shock arises in him as he sees the total loss of lives and the destruction. He does not move only searches with his eyes. There, by the portal leading to the trail, he sees them. His son Andre, his son's wife Li 'Erra, his only family. Both, Knights of Dreamers of Light, both, embracing as they lay dead. He falls to his knees. Tears spring from his eyes. A low mournful moan escapes his throat.

I did not mean this to happen, he cries to himself pounding his fist on his knees. I did not mean it.

He does not know how long he knelt there over the bodies of his beloved children. He hears the wail of an AgoKnight approaching. He knows what he must do. He jumps to his feet. Turns, and dashes to the Sanctuary where he left his grandson, Iman protected from harm

Upon entering the sanctuary, fear grabs his heart for Iman is not there in the corner. He spins around searching, preparing his most powerful art, his most offensive weapon, and sees his infant grandson in the arms of a young initiate of the house. He can not recall her name. She stands with the infant in her arms.

"Teacher!" She runs into his arms seeking comfort as tears flow down her face. "They are all dead," she sobs against his chest while Iman fondles a necklace she wears.

He places his hands on the young woman's shoulder, Ally Cordare, he remembers her name, and pushes her away to arm's length. "There is no time for that now, he says. "UnderLight has fallen." He tries to hide the dishonor he knows to be present in his voice. "And mares approach the house."

Before she could respond, He casts Deafen and Paralyze on the young initiate. He takes the child from her arms and sits down on the edge of the fountain.

He looks lovingly at his grandchild. "My dear Iman, my only family and heir," he pauses. "I know you do not understand what I say, but I must tell someone of my dishonor…. Know this, there were others."

He tastes the bile of dishonor in his mouth. "Not only I from our house, but others from another. Believe me. I thought it was for the best," he lies to himself knowing he truly sought power. "I did not know this would happen. We did not know the City would fall because of us. We sought to help the city."

He hears the AgoKnight's wail. It is much closer. He releases the art he cast on the young woman and places Iman again in her arms. She stands staring at him confused. He pauses casting Locate. None survive.

"Child," he addresses the initiate. "You know of who I am and my family."

The initiate nods, fear, and confusion battle for control of her face.

"Know this initiate of House Dreamers of Light, UnderLight has fallen. None I know of survive. You and the child will not survive much longer if you remain here." The initiate's eyes grow big.

"Where, where shall we flee Teacher," she pleads.

"Flee! Don't you understand? There is nowhere to flee too! UnderLight is destroyed!"

The Initiate begins to cry again.

"Initiate, I know of a place you will be safe," hope shows in her eyes as he speaks. "But know this. You will never enter the dream again."

She nods.

"And, I charge you with guarding my grandson."

"You are more powerful than I teacher to guard, I am only orbit 3 Teacher, she begs. "I will stay with you and help you guard him."

He stands looking at the young woman, remembering all the young women he has known in his life.

"As an Initiate, you will do as I say! Now be quiet! Accept your charge." He goes into a deep meditative trance, calling upon all his knowledge, all his power, for it will take all to sever the woman and his grandson from the dream. But first, he must create the bond.

"Know this, from this time forward, he says in a deep controlled voice, my family name will be known as Bane. For the bane, I have brought to our city, to my house, to my family. I and all that comes before me will be forgotten."

The powers of art emanate from his body. "When Dreamers of Light is once again established in the dream, the oldest born of the Bane Family will enter and redeem the dishonor I have brought to the House and my family. Ally Cordare, Initiate of House Dreamers of Light, I charge you with the guarding and raising of my grandson. From this point forward you will forget my name."

Art springs from his fingers enfolding the young woman and child. "Ally Cordare, you will only remember what has happened here today."

He can feel the art within building to the point of collapse. With his last breath, and last use of art. He severs the link, driving the young woman, with a last thought of Jartan, and her charge from the dream; never to return until House Dreamers of Light is reestablished.

The End