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[CatLyxen]

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*Cat sits no the bank of the water. She sits close to the stone tower she used to share with her friends Anub and Chandra. As she walks into the water, she talks to her pet, Dino*
"Comon Dino, you like the water. I know this is bigger than the hottub at the Garden but it's nice. *tugs on Dino as he walks slowly into the water to stand beside her*
" See, it's not so bad. " * she starts to splash water on Dino and wash him*
"This is nice out here all alone. We need to talk." *Dino looks at her with innocent eyes* " I know , you canna talk . I'll do that part , you just listen. * Dino snorts*
" It's been along time since we lived in Jhelom. I miss those days." *she rubs water on Dinos head* " But the past is gone Dino. We belong to the Traveling Minstrels now. I like bein at the Garden and all the laughter and songs. We have such a good time and Poet lets you play in the hottub."
*Dino snorts* " Is it the hottub you are snorting happily about or that I said Poet?" * Dino snorts and Cat giggles. She looks around to make sure they are alone*
"You know Dino, Poet likes us. He made me the tavern boss. Yanno he wouldna have done that if he dinna like me. Me and Poet have been talkin alot and spendin time together workin on stuff for the Garden. We talked about stuff that happened a long time ago , its so funny that we see things now that we dinna see back then. We have been friends for a long time. * she stares off across the water until Dino pushes his head under her hand and snorts at her*
" I know...I thought I could just be his friend and not think about before but...I canna...when I see him at the Garden and he sits close to me..I get this funny feelin and its hard to breathe. I try to act normal ...
I canna tell my heart to not love him, it wont listen. " *sighs and hugs Dino* "I'm afraid. I'm afraid if he sees how I feel he will not wanna be my friend anymore. He likes the lasses yanno. " * she grins*
"I could leave and stay away from him until these feelins go away."
*Dino snorts* " I know....they wont go away"
*she looks at Dino and puts her arms around his neck* "what do I do?"

*Cat and Dino sit on the bank of the water on Jhelom Island watching the sun set.* *Cat stands and tugs on Dino* Comon , time to go to the Garden and to see Poet"
*Dino snorts and walks happily beside Cat*

[Silent Poet]

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Poet had been very troubled of late. He felt there was something he needed to do about so many different things, but dinna know where to start.

Whenever he is the most troubled he finds himself standing on the roof of the lighthouse. The smell of the sea air and the sounds of the waves crashing below are very soothing. He also likes to taunt the wyverns that are often just outside the door.

He decided he needed to write a letter.

My dearest Heather,

For so many years since our last embrace and final kiss my life has been ever changing. With aching fondness I still remember thy final words to me. Ye asked me to carry on with my poetry and song and to never give up. Then ye and Padruig died there in my arms in our burning house.

Tai had the foresight to drag me screaming from the flames and smote me soundly telling me that I had made a promise.

The years since have been a blur. I am no sure ye would want to know all the things I have done to try to rid my heart of this empty ache I have had since I lost ye and our bairn.

I have studied and traveled far and wide and for far too long I have walked a path of shadows. I thought that perhaps therein I might find a way to bring thee and Padruig back.

Och, my bonnie Heather, I have been a fool.

As you know, a dear friend of mine passed on from this realm and left me a tavern. I know ye are smiling down 'pon me thinking about me owning a tavern. I can hear thy words right now if I listen, and the answer to that question is aye, we do keep the keys to the ale cellar hidden from Tai.

Something happened recently. I have been trying to decide how to tell thee. The same lass who bequeathed her tavern to me also bore me a daughter. Her name is Anya, and she has hair the colour mine used to be before I walked in the shadows. She doesna replace thee or Padruig in my heart, but I dinna think anyone can ever do that.

A recent battle with a demon stripped me of my ways of shadow. I think this to be a good thing. It has forced me to think long and hard on many things.

For too many years my heart has been an empty vessel. Sure and I loved me friends, but there was nothing left to find a place to truly care for anyone beyond friendship.

But, as I said, I have been thinking.

There is this lass that with whom I have been spending a great deal of time. Her name is Cat Lyxen. I have talked to ye about her before. Our friendship has been troubled a few times, but I think it had a lot to do with me being unable to overcome the burden of guilt.

So many times, it has been easier to play the simple fool. That way none get too close.

I recently made her Tavern Boss so that I might stand back and enjoy just being the owner. She is a wonderful lass. She makes me laugh and smile.

But most importantly, she has awakened a part of me that I thought long dead.

So, my bonnie Heather, I gave the silver flask you bought me on the day of the birth of our son to a family in need of some magical luck.

Tis time to put my past behind me and get on with the business of living. I dinna know if there is any chance in the world that Cat will ever be more than just my most endearing friend. I will never know unless I open my heart up again.

This is my final letter to thee, I think. I have always loved thee and our life together no matter how brief it may have seemed compared to the years I have lived without thee.

But, when I think of Cat there are these words that seem to swell up out of my soul and heart...

"Oh rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum
with the words "I love you" rolling off my tongue
No never will I roam for I know my place is home..."

I must find out if there is any hope for my heart to be restored. I think ye would approve.

Your loving husband,
Hugh

Poet then reaches into his pouch and pulls out a bit of lacy cloth that appears to be part of a wedding gown. He slowly unfolds it only to reveal a wedding band and a dried thistle. He kisses each, and with misty eyes, he empties a bottle of ale and places the letter and the cloth bundle inside the bottle.

He walks to the edge of the roof and throws it as hard as he can into the salty brine.
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"When he spoke, what tender words he used! So softly, that like flakes of feathered snow, They melted as they fell." - John Dryden

[CatLyxen]

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Cat pushes the flower towards Dino's nose. Dino shook his head and reached out and ate it. Cat gasped then laughed.
"You silly , I was usin that flower . See watch " She picks another flower and pulls a petal off at a time saying " he loves me, he loves me not"

Dino watches her pull the petals and when she says he " he loves me" Dino reaches out gently and eats the flower. Cat rolls on the grass laughing and then stands up and hugs Dino.
She holds her arm up and says " See , Poet gave me this bracelet. Its not just to find me whan I get lost either! It says he loves me. " She giggles and hugs Dino again.

Dino pushes her legs with his head . She pets him and laughs, " Oki OKi we will go to the Garden and you can get in the hottub. And we have to get everythin ready for the Tavern night tonight. It will be so much fun! "

She pets Dino on the head as they walk towards the Garden.