37 Settling In

Alistair leaned heavily on the arm of his chair, his chin in his hand. "What makes you question your desire to return? Surely you would prefer to return to the lands you are from."

Elloreah nodded and glanced to John, suddenly unsure of revealing her nature that she had kept hidden from her own people for so long. John caught her look and nodded reassuringly.

Elloreah took a deep breath and proceeded. "I think there may be a chance that Aleric sent me here for my own protection. Perhaps word of my..." she paused, considering her wording carefully, "my mixed blood was revealed. Only Aleric and my father knew. For you see, as John hinted, I'm not fully Ethereal. Half of my bloodline is of the wild fae. I am in, part, a dryad."

She bowed her head. It felt wrong to make this confession before a man of power like Alistair. Speaking to Mingan, and even John about it had not been so anxiety producing. They were her only allies in this world. She had grown used to them, felt their intentions, and even trusted them.

"I sensed your unstable power when I reached out to you. There is no need to be ashamed. I have trained folk such as yourself to control their abilities. Fate has worked in your favor."

Elloreah nodded, and stared down at her hands. "Thank you sir," she murmured, unsure of what else might need to be said, if anything at all.

"You are quite welcome. I look forward to working with you."

"And what of the other Luminary? Will they also have a say in her fate?" Mingan asked, a disapproving rumble in his voice. "You offer to train her, but then what?"

"I take it you have an interest in her, eh, pup?" Alistair responded, coolly.

Mingan visibly bristled at the comment. "Sarah promised her a home at Zephyr. She'll be better off in the forest, not this," he wave dismissively to imply Alistair's ranch, "artificial oasis."

"There is still much to be decided," said Alistair. "But for the time being, she will stay here where she can be observed, for the sake of our world as well as her own well being. The length of her stay in my residence will be decided once I evaluate her for myself and seek out the council of Luminaries for further advice on this situation."

The two men eyed each other, and Mingan crossed his arms over his chest. "I will stay, then, until that time. Should there be more than John and I were able to sense, I intend to be among the first to hear of it."

Alistair chuckled. "Then stay, by all means. It is best, after all. Sitala seems to think the fate of this girl and your own are intertwined."

A short silence followed the statement. Elloreah glanced at Mingan, her heart picking up in pace. The idea that they were part of something bigger, something more, and that she was tied to him stirred a rush of emotions.

Mingan glared at Sitala, irritation rolling off him. "Intertwined? And you failed to mention this to me?" he growled. "I am not one of your game pieces."

"Would you have gone if I'd told you I wished for you to retrieve Elloreah?" Sitala asked, her voice soft. Elloreah could read hurt in her aura, but she hid it well.

He only shook his head. "I'm going to smoke," he said in lue of an answer, though the dismissive statement was answer enough. He turned to Elloreah. "I must return to Zephyr in late autumn to help John with the cattle. Until then, against my better judgment, I am at your service."

Elloreah nodded, unsure how to respond. "Thank you," she said.

He clasped her shoulder lightly and nodded at John. "Let me know before you leave," he said before making his way out the door.

Silence followed Mingan's exit and she could feel three pairs of eyes upon her. Eventually, John cleared his throat. "Wasn't there something else you wished to ask?"

"Oh," Elloreah stammered. "There was?"

John chuckled, "Aye, Sarah's suggestion?"

"Ah, yes. Sarah had mentioned there is a Seer that might be able to help me…" She hesitated. "I'm sorry. John, perhaps you can explain better?"

"When Elloreah spoke to Sarah about her concerns for her home world, Sarah had an ingenious idea. Thought that perhaps Lokni could look across worlds to Elloreah's home and give her a way to know that her loved ones are safe." John looked to Elloreah and she nodded.

"Part of me still wishes to return home," she said softly, "but I realize if they have learned of my heritage, it would not be wise."

Alistair nodded and considered for a long moment. "Regardless of the events surrounding your arrival here, return is not possible. The gates are closed on both sides for a reason. As one of the Tutelar, there is no way I could risk sending you back, even if I were able."

Elloreah nodded, her eyes still on her hands, which were now clutching the edge of the fabric of her shirt as she sat stiffly upright, knuckles white. "I would like to know Aleric's intentions. If the gates are of such concern, it would benefit you as well to learn if he might try to open the gate again. He's been successful once before..."

"I will summon Lokni when he is finished with his current duties. We will see what we are able," Alistair said. "If there is a possibility of a second gate breach, I agree that it is best that we are aware of it."

Elloreah nodded, knowing it was the best answer she was likely to receive. Alistair would help to train her. Mingan would be near, a welcome security blanket, and Lokni would soon come and provide answers.

The future looked hopeful, but there was still a sickening twisting in her gut. Perhaps it was the way that Sitala looked on, face impassive, careful not to show her approval or lack of.

"Well, with that taken care of, for the most part, John, what was it that you wished to discuss?" Alistair turned to the other man and Elloreah felt that it was plain she'd been dismissed.

She stood and made her way to the doorway where Mingan had disappeared moments earlier.

"Do you need me?" Sitala spoke up, and Elloreah half turned in the doorway. "I'd like to get Elloreah situated with a room, if my advice is not needed."

"No, my dear. I'll call you should we need to consult you," said Alistair, turning his attention back to John.

Sitala stood and went to where John sat. The kelpie stood and gave her a hug, and Elloreah caught their exchange. "Congratulations John," Sitala said softly.

John pulled back, a beaming smile. "Ah, so you saw that… Would you happen to know what it'll be?"

Sitala nodded, and glanced to Alistair for approval. "There's no harm," the Luminary reassured her.

"A boy," Sitala said, her voice brimming with joy. It was the most emotion Elloreah had heard from the dark, lithe woman. "A healthy little boy. No complications with a sibling soon to follow."

John raised a brow at that. "Oh?"

Sitala nodded. "If you so choose. Sarah is meant to be a mother."

Elloreah leaned against the door, smiling at the thought. Children were so rare in her home world, the thought of one, and more to come, warmed her heart. With another hug, Sitala left John to speak with Alistair and came to Elloreah's side.

"I am so happy for John," Sitala said.

"What of the children?" Elloreah asked softly. "What happens when mortal and mythic bloods mix?"

"John is old. The magics he will pass on will be subtle. His children will be all but human. While he is still powerful in his own right, in the land he calls his own, the magic in his veins grows faint."

"Oh," Elloreah answered.

Sitala squeezed Elloreah's hand as she paused before a door in the hall. "Not to worry. I do believe he will see his children grown, and grandchildren."

She reached for the knob. "I think you will like this room," she said when she pushed the door open. It was wide and open with dark, hardwood floors and a large window that opened up to the backyard and the old oak she'd enjoyed.

"Oh," Elloreah said again, this time in awe. "It's lovely..." she said, going to the window to lean out. When she did so, she found Mingan just around the corner on the porch, cigarette in hand. She waved at him.

He didn't smile in return, only raised a brow and lifted his hand. Elloreah laughed despite herself and leaned back in.

"This house really is beautiful," she said, turning to Sitala. "I assume there are others who live here?" She closed her eyes. "I sense at least three others."

Sitala nodded. "Alistair has one other guest. There is also a cook, housekeepers, other assistants, as well as ranch hands, and my dear friend, Liwanu. Not all live here. Several come and go, but you may see them on occasion. Alistair will often invite their families. This is a meeting place of sorts, and not only for the Tutelar. It is meant to be welcoming for all those who need or desire sanctuary."

Elloreah nodded, her mood lightening at that. Though she wasn't overly fond of the landscape, dry as it was, it seemed more welcoming with each passing moment.