Queen of Song and Souls

Not all battles can be won. Not all lives can be saved. And no matter how we wish it, not all songs end in joy.

You think because you face situations not of your making that you exercise no choice? That you are helpless? To the contrary, child. Your whole life has been full of choices. Hiding from a hard truth is a choice. Surrender - even to the inevitable - is a choice. Even in death there is a choice. You may have no control over the time or manner of your death, but you can choose how you face it.

<> I love you... I want you... I need you. The words chanted in her head with the beat of her pulse, repeating over and over. His voice - or was it hers? - grew more insistent with each utterance. <> Come to me. Give yourself to me.

The gods listen, Rain. Put a thought out there often enough, and they'll think it's what you want.

Two lovers, two hearts, one soul. Only joined can they be truly complete. Only joined can they survive the darkness.

Mama always used to say it's better to choke on a bitter truth than savor a honeycake lie.

..."His sigh spoke of fear and regret mingled with grim acceptance. 'Teach her,' he said. 'Teach her to fight. Teach her to defend herself, and teach her to kill. The five of you must be her chatoks in the Dance of Knives. Teach her as you have taught no other. Give her everything. Hold nothing back.' 'Rain...' Bel murmured, his eyes troubled. Rain waved off his unspoken objection. ' She is a Tairen Soul, and we Tairen Souls were born for war. I may not like this path the gods have set before her, but Farsight is right. I must do everything in my power to ensure she is prepared to walk it'...

Shei'tani... wilt thou swim with thy beloved in a river of dreams?

Pain is life. Pain is life. Pain is life.

Every Fey warrior and shei'dalin born in the Fading Lands learns very early in life that, like it or not - fair or not - there will be many days when they must decide between a bad choice and a worse one. Today is such a day.

Death offers us hope, at least. Not for this life, but for another.

What in the Haven's name just happened?" Dazed and still trembling from the overload to her senses, Ellysetta floated in Rain's arms, her limp body draped across his, incapable of autonomous movement. She could barely think straight, let alone summon the strength to actually move. Rain's chest rippled as he dragged in a shuddering breath. "I don't know." His voice came out hoarse, raspy. He swallowed, then tilted his chin against his chest to glance at her. A grin twitched at the corners of his mouth. "But I hope it happens again.