Enkou/Arrival
Return to Lossefion/Prose
Upon arriving back in Lookshy after an arduous trip home, Max is greeted by a most unexpected welcoming party...
The battle-worn form of the Reachfar sails into the harbour at Lookshy. At the helm is the weary figure of Maximillian Madorosu, replendent in his recently acquired Lapis Breastplate and Bracers, glinting in the morning sun. From the deck, the voice of Koshiko is heard as she rattles off orders to the crew to adjust the rigging and make other preparations to moor at the docks, as the trusty vessel slides into its berth.
As the final line is tied off and secured a familiar voice rings out, calling the helmsman's name.
"Max... Max!"
There's a sense of urgency in the voice and, for all his tiredness after a long and adruous voyage, it is invigorating, like a splash of cold, fresh water. Max is instantly alert to the sound of his brother's voice.
"Ryujin, what are you doing here?"
"We've had lookouts watching for you for almost a week now. You've got to come quickly."
His brother is never usually this nice to him so Max instinctively knows that there is something seriously wrong.
"But how did you know... never mind... what's happened?"
"It's mother..."
Max suddenly hits the deck, running like a man possessed, so fast that even his own brother is startled by the speed with which he moves. Shouting briefly to Koshiko that he has to leave, he rushes down the gangplank to meet Ryujin.
"Take me to her... now!"
The carriage journey is filled with an awkward silence between the two estranged siblings. Due to the time Max spent studying in Great Forks and Ryujin's assignments with the Legion, the two have hardly spoken since they were teenagers. The only words either of them utter are to chastise the driver for going too slowly, but the home of Peleps Madorosu is not too far from the harbour and the journey is short.
Before the carriage has even stopped, Max is out of the door and running inside the house. It has been many months since he last graced these halls with his presence, but he knows the way and soon arrives outside the door to his parents' bedroom, where he pauses briefly. Taking a few deep breaths and running a hand through his hair in a vague effort to make himself look presentable, he gently knocks on the door.
The voice from the other side of the door is deep, rumbling and full of that familiar naval swagger. Underneath it all, however, Max can tell his father's voice is tired, cracked and weary.
"Enter."
Peleps Madorosu turns to greet his son, as Max slowly and quietly opens the door.
"Max... thank Mercury! We were beginning...."
"Mother!", Max gasps, interrupting his Father for perhaps the first time in his life. He looks over to her frail form as she is tended to with almost loving care by his old mentor.
Master Derlimner turns to his former student.
"She is very weak, but has been asking for you for many days now."
Max only nods in reply as the old healer moves closer to Max and whispers to him in a horrifyingly familiar tone, "I think the only reason she hasn't gone yet is because she was waiting for you. You need to prepare yourself for the..."
"No!", Max wails as he pushes his former mentor out of his way, almost bowling the wizened, old man over onto the floor, only to find his path blocked by his stern-faced father.
Without a word passing between them, the son backs down.
Pulling himself together, the healer continues.
"I taught you everything I know. You can't save her. All you can do is say goodbye."
The student turns sharply, a fire burning in his eyes that almost makes the older man wither on the spot.
"But you didn't teach me everything that I know!", he hisses through clenched teeth, before turning back to his father and, with a remarkable change in attitude and tone, he continues.
"Father... please... even if it's the last thing you ever do for me... I can save her."
And with that, Peleps Madorosu merely closes his eyes, bows his head and steps to one side. He cannot dare to hope that his son is right and, more significantly, that he is wrong.
As Max approaches his mother and lays his hands upon her, one on her heart, the other on her forehead, Madeleine stirs from her slumber.
"Maxy?"
"Be still mother..."
"Oh Maxy! I wanted to say goodbye... I wanted..."
"I know... but don't... everything is going to be alright."
And with that, his hands begin to glow, dull at first, but gradually spreading a golden hue over the sickly form of his mother. By the time it has completely enveloped her, it is so bright in its intensity that it forces eveyone watching to turn away before it suddenly fades, leaving the old woman sleeping soundly and breathing regularly, like nothing had ever been wrong.
Exhausted by his efforts, Max steps backwards, away from the bed, and turns to his father who is staring at the suddenly healthy figure of his wife. Slowly, Peleps Madorosu turns to his son, speechless in his amazement.
As they meet each other's gaze, the golden, glowing symbol of a half sun burns on Max's forehead and tears stream down his face.
"Father..."
Max's head sags and he raises a hand, covering his forehead, but the golden hue of his caste symbol shines through as brightly as it did before.
"...this is not how I wanted to tell you."
