Chapter 79

THE atmosphere in Naveene's Rest was subdued, few Ithesrans venturing out of their homes in the continuing rain. The unceasing, low rumbling of thunder and falling rain provided a dismal background sound to the evening meal. All of Almek's students but Ash sat at the table. The Sevmanen and Forentan laughed at a story Mureln was telling with great animation. The Desanti sat apart as usual, sharing a plate of food, speaking quietly to each other.

All eyes were drawn to Ash as the self-possessed mage joined them, his hands tucked within his sleeves. Even though the others offered him greetings of varying degrees of warmth, his attention was only for Storm. "Githalin Swordanzen Storm il'Thandar, would you honor me with a moment of your time in private?"

Storm and Skyfire traded quizzical looks, Skyfire shrugging before Storm rose to her feet without a word. The two left the main room for a private room. A small table with a crystal lantern glowed with a warm, soft light on several platters of food. He moved to one chair, pulling it out and waiting patiently when she balked. "Please," he requested simply.

Hesitating a moment more, Storm finally acceded to the implied invitation, sitting stiffly. Moving to the seat across from her, Ash took bites from each of the platters before serving them both.

Storm watched him with silent intensity. When he finished, she stared him a little longer. "There was food with the others. And Mureln was telling some story you probably would have enjoyed."

"You did not seem to be enjoying it," he pointed out neutrally. Cheeks coloring, she looked away, falling silent. Ash reached towards her, resting his outstretched hand on the table. The gesture drew her eyes back to him. "I wanted to apologize to you. I reacted poorly when you told me of your plans to leave, and I have been behaving even worse since."

After a moment, Storm shook her head. "I do not fault you. There is no need—"

"Yes, there is a need for an apology, if only for myself." Ash looked chagrined. "I am the Illaini Magus. You are a guest in my land, and I have been negligent in my duties to you. And... I should have been more understanding." He took a deep breath. "When it is time for you to leave, I will not stop you." He added softly, "No matter how much it will pain me to lose you."

Looking sad, Storm started to speak. After a moment, she stopped herself, simply reaching to let him take her hand. Finally... "I accept your apology, Illaini Magus." Tilting her head to one side, she gestured towards the meal in puzzlement, "But why all of this?"

Ash smiled sadly. "Because I wish for you to teach me. About your people. Your culture. Your beliefs. Everything you can in the time we still have together." Feeling grateful for her surprised reaction, he could not help but feel some guilt for his own blindness. "When you leave, Desantiva leaves with you. I do not want to lose it... or you... forever." He extended his hand to her beseechingly. "Githalin Swordanzen Storm il'Thandar. Please honor me and teach me about Desantiva." He squeezed her fingers lightly at her nod of acceptance.