Atlantic Roleplay Community Boards

[Tai Kwan Leap]

---

[posted for Rufus]
Rufus watched the blackened petal fall to the sandstone windowsill. The beautiful rose had been withering for some time. Trapped in its glass cage; its roots dipped in pure water, hoping to extend its essence. But Rufus stood back and watched, knowing there was little he could do to stop it. This, was also the story of his beloved Sarah. For weeks; months; Rufus knew of her illness. But twas his understanding that, elven women almost never fell ill. Whatever the circumstance, he knew that his wife had been away, and tended to by healers in hope of restoring her essence; much like he dreamt for the rose…

It had been very quiet about Nujel’m. Rufus had separated himself from most of the world, tending to things within the shores. Without a queen to aid in his movements, his pace became sluggish and without passion. His drive began to dwindle. Oh how it pained him to keep himself from the masses he loved. He had not wrote a missive, a poem, a tale of enlightenment, or a letter to drive and push for balance throughout the realm. Rufus was becoming very much unlike himself and it bothered him. He knew that he would become what he feared; a former Regent, who would become nothing and disappear from the view of the people he served. Twas a thing that scared him more than death…to not have a voice. Rufus spent many days and nights, walking about the town, speaking with the townsfolk, and often retiring to the outskirts to begin a sermon or class if able. But as the moon lit the sky, he would return to a lonely retreat, one without a wife…or son. There we’re times, where he would scribble…remembering his writings to those that would read them…

“Now I shall approach you as a man, a being of circumstance. One who is in tune with your worries and is acceptable to the fates the same as you. I fear that I have wondered from my brethren, and I apologize for that. To find the love within myself to be vocal, and preach my ideals and thoughts unto you should you accept them, has become quite the journey, but I believe I am winning…”

“…Perhaps, we become so comfortable in that which drives us. That which has become a gift, and fueled our inspiration that we forget our own drive; Our own passion…the thing that we are born with. The trait that forces us to carry on, and when it awakens, we should take that momentum, and acquire the bounty that lay in wait for us…”

“There shall come a time, when each being does not feel him or herself, and is doubtful of their presence amongst those that they love…and should those they love fall ill, or become unable to carry on…will we proceed?”

“Yes, we must…”

These writings, with each stroke of his pen, and each excerpt; would put back in him the confidence he had before his Queen fell ill. And it would drive him to act in her absence even stronger than before. If he was left Sultan; and a sultan without a Queen…Or Sultana for that matter…he should act as one.

Rufus pondered; he worried; he thought that he would overlook that which is important, by proceeding as if nothing was lost…but as the last petal fell from the rose, the room was empty. For Rufus had begun his journey to change…a journey that would make him active among the peoples again.
_________________
"He's been fired from the Shrimp Boat?" -- Charlaine Harris "Living Dead In Dallas."