Warm sunlight showered the Gardens. Winter should have been strong this time of year, yet no trace of cold weather clung to the breeze that passed. Somewhere in the distance a robin chirped. Answering cries that were lighter and more excited than the first informed of a nearby nest.
Even the animals feel the wrongness of the season, Val thought somewhat sadly.
No one came down the cobbled paths that led deeper into the maze of topiary plants and fruit trees before giving way to the well maintained orchard beyond. The fragrance made for the sort of bliss only enjoyable in solitude.
A slow breath removed attention from the distractions that so often kept him from reaching the distant plane of serenity that was the Void. Only times of battle or training encouraged him to seek out the Oneness, but this was not enough. Nature agreed with his choice as a gentle hush crept into the world beyond Valadin. The grass was.a welcome carpet beneath him, the air sweet in its aroma as it carried all the scents of spring. Closing his eyes to let the atmosphere nourish him, Val also felt the closeness of Saidin to his thoughts.
Focusing on the One Power residing within him, he sampled the texture, his mind probing without seizing the unending river of fury and life, with the aid of the Void.
So long had the knowledge of being a male channeller kept him craven and unsure of himself. As his thoughts drifted further there was a point where he noted the amount of personal growth undergone since becoming a Dedicated. Of course it was in no small part to the lives that had become intertwined with his. A sundry of faces played through his mind, each person holding a different significance. The threads that connected them all glowed bright as the line of individual histories, hurts, dreams, strengths, and weaknesses bound them in the Pattern's weaving.
Stiffness in the legs brought Val back to himself and he became aware of the fact that some hours had passed since he'd set down, cross-legged by the side of the pathway. Though he had no lectures or studies to mind he'd never been the sort to lay about doing nothing. Usually the Warder Yards sated the need to do something, but today the exhilaration and the violence held no appeal for Valadin.
Above the sun beamed, unnaturally bolstered by the Shadow's touch on the world. Thumbing away crust from the heel of his boot, Val played with thoughts of what would come after the final fight if lived. Of course Nykk would be there. For wherever or whatever became of him, the promises they made to one another with both body and spirit made it impossible to separate.
The finality and unwavering nature of the love that burned for the Blue Sister was intimidating to consider, but here in the embrace shade of nature he let the passion swallow completely.
As numerous as the stars Valadin's thoughts blinked into existence, burned brightly and beautifully before burning away, the ashes giving rise to something new. When the sun hung at its highest the voices of others intruded on the sacred communion with his inner self and Val disappointedly took this as a sign that it was time to find some purpose. Pulling on the heavy coat which marked him for all to see there was a sense of melancholy as the strong suspicion that another such day would not come for a long time.
Things would change. Valadin knew this, but felt nearly overcome with how minor he was compared to the vast movements of the world...of fate. For all his thoughts and dreams even his tale would fade away like a dream daze on a summer day.
Even the animals feel the wrongness of the season, Val thought somewhat sadly.
No one came down the cobbled paths that led deeper into the maze of topiary plants and fruit trees before giving way to the well maintained orchard beyond. The fragrance made for the sort of bliss only enjoyable in solitude.
A slow breath removed attention from the distractions that so often kept him from reaching the distant plane of serenity that was the Void. Only times of battle or training encouraged him to seek out the Oneness, but this was not enough. Nature agreed with his choice as a gentle hush crept into the world beyond Valadin. The grass was.a welcome carpet beneath him, the air sweet in its aroma as it carried all the scents of spring. Closing his eyes to let the atmosphere nourish him, Val also felt the closeness of Saidin to his thoughts.
Focusing on the One Power residing within him, he sampled the texture, his mind probing without seizing the unending river of fury and life, with the aid of the Void.
So long had the knowledge of being a male channeller kept him craven and unsure of himself. As his thoughts drifted further there was a point where he noted the amount of personal growth undergone since becoming a Dedicated. Of course it was in no small part to the lives that had become intertwined with his. A sundry of faces played through his mind, each person holding a different significance. The threads that connected them all glowed bright as the line of individual histories, hurts, dreams, strengths, and weaknesses bound them in the Pattern's weaving.
Stiffness in the legs brought Val back to himself and he became aware of the fact that some hours had passed since he'd set down, cross-legged by the side of the pathway. Though he had no lectures or studies to mind he'd never been the sort to lay about doing nothing. Usually the Warder Yards sated the need to do something, but today the exhilaration and the violence held no appeal for Valadin.
Above the sun beamed, unnaturally bolstered by the Shadow's touch on the world. Thumbing away crust from the heel of his boot, Val played with thoughts of what would come after the final fight if lived. Of course Nykk would be there. For wherever or whatever became of him, the promises they made to one another with both body and spirit made it impossible to separate.
The finality and unwavering nature of the love that burned for the Blue Sister was intimidating to consider, but here in the embrace shade of nature he let the passion swallow completely.
As numerous as the stars Valadin's thoughts blinked into existence, burned brightly and beautifully before burning away, the ashes giving rise to something new. When the sun hung at its highest the voices of others intruded on the sacred communion with his inner self and Val disappointedly took this as a sign that it was time to find some purpose. Pulling on the heavy coat which marked him for all to see there was a sense of melancholy as the strong suspicion that another such day would not come for a long time.
Things would change. Valadin knew this, but felt nearly overcome with how minor he was compared to the vast movements of the world...of fate. For all his thoughts and dreams even his tale would fade away like a dream daze on a summer day.
