A Final Meeting

The sun beats down oppressively upon the land, banishing any moisture beneath its rays. Whilst the nearby redwood trees grow feebly in a sad and slouching way, the redwoods here grow tall and proud, paragons of their species. Here they stand in a dense crowd, rising and reaching high into the sky in a grand display of power and authority, far from bothered by their lowly position on the edge of the forest. Underneath them ferns and grasses flock to their feet to bask in their honour and pride.

Jeslyn weaves through the tree trunks into the clearing. Her smooth, lithe steps emit little sound as her movements cease and she regards Tristyn with a small, polite smile.

You say in a low, silvery voice, "I do appreciate you making time to see me."

Tristyn says in a muted voice, "It is not like you leave me much option. If I had refused, you would have haunted me daily with your grating voice."

Jeslyn holds her chin high as her slender hands fold before her primly. A simple 'hmph' rings out and a smile touches her lips.

You say in a low, silvery voice, "Stop posturing, Tristyn. Do you really think after all of these years I would believe all of that silly bravado?"

Tristyn scrutinizes you with an arch of her eyebrow. A silent consideration crosses her expression and she presses her lips together, "Sorry."

Jeslyn crosses the threshold between them and reaches forward, drawing one of Tristyn's intricate braids in her hand. Wrapping it around her palm, she nuzzles her cheek against Tristyn and places a sisterly kiss.

You say in a low, silvery voice, "I've missed you, but it took me time to consider our last meeting. I figure you have heard by now the results of my considerations."

Jeslyn motions to the quarterstave leaning casually on a tree.

Tristyn wrinkles her nose at your actions and carefully untangles her braid from your hand before stepping backwards.

Tristyn says in a muted voice, "Let me understand this. You invited me here to brag? What do you expect me to say? Congratulations, princess, you found your new throne?"

Tristyn frowns, grey eyes showing no hint of good humor, and her hands grip into fists on either side.

You say in a low, silvery voice, "If that is what you think. No. That is not my intent."

Tristyn growls in a muted voice, "For some unknown reason, you seem to enjoy capturing the attentions of others. Does it kill you that I could give two shits about your decision, Princess?"

Tristyn says to you in a muted voice, "And while you have been placing yourself on that damned pedestal, I've been waiting for years for you to find your sense. It’s unfortunate I find you still as petty as ever."

Jeslyn shifts slightly, but remains grounded in her relaxed composure. Her arms fold over her chest and she simply sighs.

You say in a low, silvery voice, "Fortunately for you, I’ve grown used to all of that hot air."

You say in a low, silvery voice, "Can we have a simple conversation without you turning into your father? Remember those days? Or do you want to simply forget that /I/ saved you from a life where you were ignored."

Tristyn frowns deeply at you.

You say in a low, silvery voice, "Because I certainly remember those days and I would be happy to wave my hand and let you return to your desolate state."

Tristyn’s gaze lingers on you as a more neutral front is forced into play over her features.

Tristyn says testily to you in a muted voice, "You have my ear."

You smile and say in a low, silvery voice, "Wonderful!"

Jeslyn clears her throat and paces her general vicinity.

You say in a low, silvery voice, "I indeed admit that I left my bond to devotion and I am neither apologetic nor ashamed of it. Do you know why?"

You say in a low, silvery voice, "Because it slowly ate away at my soul. There was no former piece of me I could recognize after the resentment set in. There was no light or fire in my heart when desolation struck and I was but a wandering priestess for years."

Jeslyn ceases her pacing and turns to look at Tristyn. Her face becomes a wall of emotion and her voice begins to crack.

You say in a low silvery voice, "Many different people, of different beliefs, spoke to me, kidnapped me, offered to show me their rituals… and I began to question why I was suffering alone for no purpose."

Tristyn ponders the situation.

You say in a low, silvery voice, "It then hit me as I was meditating in this very forest that surrounds me."

You say in a low, silvery voice, "It was because I had an emotional bond to my former mentor. It was tying me to a faith I could no longer feel."

Tristyn raises a questioning eyebrow and the line of her lips tightens.

Tristyn asks in a muted voice, "Why are you telling me this?"

You say in a low, silvery voice, "It is because I desire to be honest with you. You of all people deserve to know the truth of why I left."

Tristyn remains still, her expression somber, and she lowers her grey eyes to look at the floor.

Tristyn says in a muted voice, "You disappoint me, Jeslyn."

Tristyn says in a muted voice, "But why should I be surprised? I've only been served with disappointment and loss my entire life. What is but one more?"

You say in a low, silvery voice, "Tristyn... please."

Tristyn holds up her hand, halting any further words as she says resolutely, "No. You've spoken long enough. I don't wish to hear anymore honeyed words you've got to say."

Tristyn says in a muted voice, "I have a few words to say to you before you trot back off to your glorified martyrdom; because after this, we are done."

Jeslyn’s face falls and she grips her hands firmly together. She simply nods her head in dejected approval.

Tristyn says in a muted voice, "When I was younger, I tried so hard in my work, because I believed in the picture of perfect servitude you painted."

Tristyn says in a muted voice, "And when I saw you slipping, I tried to be a voice of uprightness with you, because it seems like everyone in your little circle just lets you do what you wish."

Tristyn's expression darkens further and a hint of vehemence breaches her grey eyes.

Tristyn says in a muted voice, "But now, I have realized that I've wasted precious energy believing you could change. All I desire to see now is your blood spread from one end of this forest to another."

Jeslyn pales and stares at Tristyn with grief. Tears well up in her eyes and trickle down her face as she says, "Tristyn... I’m doing this for you. Believe me; this decision was not easy to come by."

Tristyn grows impatient and whispers sharply, "No. You are doing this for yourself. And guess what? You get your infamy. You'll be remembered, at least by me, as the priestess who could not stand being anything but the prima donna in the spotlight. Your tale is one of ego and desire for recognition, run rampant with misguided martyrdom."

You blink incredulously at Tristyn.

Tristyn says to you in a muted voice, "Unfortunately, for you, your blood is not even worth sullying my mace. I will not give you that kind of peace."

Jeslyn exhales despondently, but says nothing further. She just simply stands there in disbelief.

Tristyn says to you in a muted voice, "Goodbye, Wretch."

Tristyn leaves east.