Cuyler left the room in a daze. He looked back at Arya, worried for her but Skaoi's intense look pushed him from the room. He was directed to the Queen's auxiliary room and given instructions on where to find the clothing. Apparently only those with royal blood, or accompanied by one with royal blood could enter those bedrooms. He searched blindly, grabbing something that was dry and purple in colour. He was having a difficult time wrapping his head around what he had just done. He destroyed a bedroom. He, Cuyler, with his bare hands had pulled water from the room and created an mini storm in a royals bedchamber. What was to happen to him now?
He returned with the dress and left the room to give the woman privacy to change. When Arya stepped out, he had never seen someone looking so regal. Even the Queen or Princess. Cuyler looked down, ashamed as he realized he was staring at Arya. The group before him split off to their rooms and Cuyler followed along behind Arya. He kept his distance and his hands shoved into his pockets. They were foreign to him now and he didn't want to even look at them. They walked into the Prince's room and Cuyler stuck to the walls while Arya walked in and took a seat, observing the Prince.
"Perhaps I will wait outside," Cuyler finally spoke up. This was a royal moment after all and Cuyler couldn't see his presence making anything better. The healer, Skaoi was in here after all. If anything happened she would surely let him know.
"No!" Arya said, perhaps a bit too quickly. Her eyes were instantly on Cuyler and she looked at him, begging him silently to stay with her. She had seen something when she was unconscious and it scared her. All of this, it was causing her to sink more and more into fear.
"...Cuyler, I...I believe Skaoi would agree that medically speaking, you ought to be here with me..." Arya bit her lip slightly.
Skaoi studied the situation carefully as she stood over a small kettle that was heating courtesy of one of the servants. While she could work with some of the herbs, she would rather they were fresh. Giving a small sigh the timid woman gave a shy smile to the giant Cuyler. For all his brutish nature and looks he seemed now more like a puppy who had messed up and knew he had.
"Indeed. You're presence, My Lord, is indeed a comfort and all the better for the ExtraOrdinary Wizard's health if she is at ease." Despite this her voice shook slightly as she dipped a curtsy to Valda, then turning to study the herbs she had with distaste.
There was a slight chuckle of sorts, coming from the corner of the room. A
woman was standing there, looking over at the group in the room.
"Oh Cuyler, what sort of trouble have you gotten yourself into? Control over water, that isn't exactly something to scoff about now is it?" she said, water swirling around her hand. She was wearing some sort of of armor, a sword at her side, and a pendant with some sort of symbol on it that it was difficult to see from a distance.
"You really should be more careful, though I suppose based on the predicament of the Castle, you learning about your abilities now might actually prove useful." Arya's sudden outburst surprised Cuyler. He honestly didn't think she would want him around the royals. He was unpredictable now. Could he even be trusted? He smiled slightly, looking bashful as he glanced over at the healer who agreed that he should remain. The moment hardly called for it but his heart swelled with pride that he was asked to remain. He removed his hands from his pockets, feeling a sense of control come back to him from Arya's affirmation.
"I'll stay then," he whispered. He would remain in the room with them but he didn't move any closer to Arya or the prince. And perhaps that was a good thing, for when another voice spoke up he gave quite the start. He looked up, seeing the woman in the corner and eyed her warily. Instead of moving towards Arya, to protect her, he remained in place. Child like curiosity got the best of Cuyler now. He felt he knew this woman but he had never seen her before. She was something, other though. Who else would be able to appear in a royal room without the royal or invitation. This was no ghost, their form was too solid and she addressed Cuyler as if they had know each other for a long time. Cuyler's eyes widened at the mention of his abilities. She wasn't present in the room with them though. Was she?
"How...how do you know of my ability?" Cuyler couldn't help but notice the swirling water around her own hand now.
Arya was more wary. This hadn't been someone she had seen before. She stood up from her seat and saw spots for a moment, but she didn't want to appear weak.
"Who are you and how do you know his name?" Arya asked. It was dangerous sometimes, having your name be known - witches often preyed on people with
Darke Magyk by using their name.
Skaoi started to move towards Arya, to urge her to sit back down. Knowing that standing right now was certainly not going to help the ExtraOrdinary Wizard. Though the Physik paused at the harshness in Arya's voice and stepped back to the wall as to be out of the way if a fight did break out. It wouldn't do to draw attention right now. Though she was rather worried about Arya's state.
She let out a sigh, before walking over towards them,
her pendant was finally visible, and she looked at the group, setting her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"Well, I was originally here for the wedding of my nephew... Or more of some weird cousin nonsense, but I think of him more of as my nephew. Now, to answer both of your questions, I am the All-Mother Cuyler, I know just about everything... Though looks like you could use my help, on more than one front here," she said, giving Cuyler a bit of a wink as she looked at Arya.
For a split moment, Cuyler felt his heart stop. In all his life, he had prayed to the gods. Told their stories from the stars and dreamed of meeting them when he passed over but now, within a year he had met two. Cuyler sank down to one knee, right fist clasped over his heart and bowed to the All-Mother. Such tales she had. They would pray and sacrifice to her every time they set sail. Sailors would cry her name as they were thrown into the seas from rough weather. Cuyler looked back up at her, seeing her pendant clearly and committed it to memory. He would have to carve it later, to help him forever remember this moment. Thor and his hammer were just one tale he had heard and would tell, never had he seen the representation of it as clearly as he did now within Klara's necklace. It was perfect. Everything about this moment was perfect.
He continued to stare at the All-Mother in awe, is blue eyes even bluer now as they took her in. Something seemed to shift the longer he looked at her and he fell back in his shock. Moments before, Cuyler had wiped out a whole room and knocked back a person with the power of a tidal wave. Klara could create such waves from nothing. She calmed the seas for her best travelers and created great storms for those who tried to sail without sacrifice. It couldn't be. There were tales, great myths of gods and goddesses bedding with their mortals but could it be real? As real as she was standing in front of him?
"You know me...you know what I just did. Did you, give me this... this...." Words failed Cuyler. He wasn't sure what to call his untapped potential. A curse or a gift. Or perhaps a mistake. He didn't even know what to call the woman in front of him anymore.
Arya sensed that something was happening.
"...Are you Cuyler's mother?" Arya whispered. She was filled with a sense of awe - though she didn't know who the All-Mother was or anything.
Skaoi was quite pleased that she was being ignored as she tried to press more water from the herbs she had with her. They were in a horrid state but they would suffice for now, at least until her 'assistant' got back with fresh ones. If she got back... Skaoi was seriously having doubts about the newly demoted woman. She seemed to have her heads in the clouds though it wasn't her place to point this out to anyone. Listening in on the conversation she mused over who exactly the 'All-Mother' was. That this woman was the ExtraOrdinary Wizard's lover's mother was evident she thought as the other two seemed to put this together. Though it seemed 'All-Mother' was something a bit more than a mother they were understanding her for. So Skaoi did what she did best. Stand in the background and moved about with a quietness that was part of her.
Klara thought for a moment, looking at the two of them, almost like she was debating about what to say.
"Yes, I am..." she said finally, figuring that would answer both of their questions.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly, my name is Klara, daughter of Thor, ruler of Asgard, and perhaps I might be able to help you learn to control your powers, as well as show you how to use them to help out the young prince, and Ms. Rincewind here," she said with a smirk, glancing between Arya and Cuyler, before looking over towards the prince.
"Your powers can be used to heal just about anything Cuyler, if you let me help you, I can teach you how to help out against this Sicknesse." It was a good thing Cuyler was still kneeling. He could hardly believe it. Klara was standing before him and was proclaiming that she was his mother. He shook his head, trying to clear the storm that was brewing inside.
"But my mother, she... she died and my father..." He paused, another what if occuring to him.
"Is my father, Eystein, is he truly my father?" Cuyler looked at Arya. What would she think of him now? She always seemed to dismiss his gods, even with all her questions, what would she think of him now.
Arya was skeptical of this. The conclusion that she herself had arrived to - all of it was too good to be true. She know that Cuyler believed in gods and goddesses, yet she was of the belief that someone powerful enough could pose as one. Who was this woman, really? If she were Cuyler's mother, why not reach out before now? Why come here and so casually mention that she could aid against the
Sickenesse. Arya stepped away from Cuyler and Klara, giving them privacy. This entire experience was unsettling. On the bed, Myrus' temperature suddenly skyrocketed and he began to struggle.
Taking a spinning step, SKaoi slipped by Arya and went straight to the boy Prince's side. Dabbing at his forehead with a cloth as she hissed at the sudden rise of temperature.
"Easy, Your Highness. All is well." The Eastern Snow Plains exile crooned in a calming voice. Her hand wiping the sweat from the Prince's brow as she gripped his shoulder looking past the All-Mother with the most dislike Skaoi had ever given anyone, which was incredibly mild annoyance if anyone else were to use that expression, at the doorway.
"Where is that assistant and my herbs...?" She hissed the language of her native people, as she tried her best to deal with new developement. Doing her best to keep her voice calm and soothing lest she stress the young prince.
This wasn't just a simple thing though, Skaoi's skin went pale as she stated in a very firm and cold voice so unlike her.
"Everyone out. My Lord, I would request that you fetch any Healer you can find and the Queen immediately. Extra Ordinary Wizard, you will remain outside and are not to wander. My Lady, I suggest you get out. I do not have time to be distracted, please forgive my boldness." There was raw fear in Skaoi's voice as she began desperately working her skills to try and save the boy. She couldn't loose him. Not another patient. The terror of that gripped her heart more than any other had. For the Prince had been a friend and that loss hurt all the more.
"Well aren't you a slightly rude one, though I do understand your urgency..." she said to Skaoi with a tinge of sympathy in her voice, before turning back to Cuyler.
"Yes, your father is your father... Though I will admit I'm more known on Midgard as a Goddess of Water and Oceans as opposed to what my title more of is on Asgard... Anyway, perhaps I could be of some assistance physician?" she continued, heading over towards Myrus, ignoring any sort of protest Skaoi or anyone might make. Water swirled around her, before covering her hand entirely as she placed her hand on Myrus, focusing for a moment. A second later, he woke up, though his eyes were a strange red color now, which was a bit odd in her mind, but she thought nothing of it.
Cuyler was more focused on the woman in front of him so he hardly noticed when Arya branched off to tend to the Prince. The healer, Skaoi suddenly spoke up in a manner that seemed unlike her. Of course, Cuyler had just met her but her personality seemed to be a bit mixed. Cuyler rose to his feet, not appreciating the tone he took with his girlfriend and with his apparent mother. His hands balled into his fists as he glared at her, ready to speak but then the Prince began to twitch and fuss. It seemed his condition was worsening.
He deflated and watched Klara step forward. She confidently took control and Cuyler watched in awe as she caused water to wrap around her hand. All she simply did was lay a hand on him and he woke, colour returning but there was an odd red colour to his eyes. Still, Cuyler's attention was torn. He stepped up to the group around the bed, close to Arya but he was staring at Klara.
"You...you can teach me to do that? To heal people? What else can we...I do?" "Skaoi?" Myrus called out instantly, tears streaming down his face. Arya was still more or less hanging back, trying to blend into the background of this emotional and every changing landscape.
The words of the 'All-Mother' cut through Skaoi's near panic as she nodded eagerly. Her breathe abated as Myrus was returned to slightly normal, the red eyes strange but a small price for his life. Gripping Myrus, Skaoi gently checked the young Prince over tsking her tongue gently as the boy cried, dabbing away the tears with her sleeve as sh gently rubbed his back.
"I am here Your Highness. How are you feeling? Any aches? Pains?" Her voice filled with worry as she turned her head to the strange woman.
"Дугујем ти свој живот за ово. Хвала вам. Хвала вам." The woman whispered softly to Klara, her eyes bright with her own tears. For surely her own life would have been taken if the Prince had died with the poisoning that was laying blame on those from the Eastern Snow Plains.
"Forgive for my rudeness towards you, My Lady, and ask of me what you will and it would be yours if I can but grant it." The Physik pledged as fervently grasping Klara's hand in one of hers while the other still stroked Myrus gently to let the boy know she was still there.
"I swear it." Klara glanced over at Cuyler,
"Yes, I can, actually... We could see about helping out Arya over there, since pretty sure she is not doing the best because of the Sicknesse. Perhaps you might want to see about using your powers to heal her?" she said, giving Cuyler a bit of a smirk.
"Of course, soulmates want to stick together," she muttered under her breath, her sword had a slight pinkish hue visible from her sheath. Turning towards Skaoi, she gave the woman a simple smile,
"Do not worry, least I could do..." Finally, Cuyler looked back at Arya. How long had it been since he had actually acknowledged her? He was afraid of his ability now and felt it better to keep to himself until he had better control over it. He didn't want it to randomly pop up and hurt her potentially. The idea of using his power to heal her, equally thrilled and terrified him. He shook his head slightly, looking at Arya's feet. It didn't want to hurt her. Klara however, continued to speak and he perked up at the mention of soulmates. Cuyler felt colour rise to his cheeks and he smiled. Yes, he almost forgot that Klara was also the off-handed goddess of love. Of course she would be able to detect their growing love.
"Of course I want her to be healed but am I really the best option? I haven't a clue what I am doing." He looked back at Arya.
"I don't want to hurt you," he said. Of course, there was the whole, does she want to be healed thing. She was very adamant back in Wizard's Tower that she didn't want people speaking for her or making decisions on her behalf.
Myrus nodded at Skaoi, hugging her tightly.
"I'm sorry, Mum..." he mumbled, unaware of the fact that he had called Skaoi his mother. He was just feeling really bad about everything - about the entire scare with him nearly dying and his plan to runaway (which he hadn't told anyone yet) and the self harm... He wasn't sure how Skaoi and the others would forgive him for it.
"Cuyler, be careful..." Arya said quietly. She had heard Klara's comment as well and while it seemed to make Cuyler very happy, Arya was still skeptical. Why show up only now? Why come here, to the Palace, and heal the Prince if she was attending the wedding of Bruce Banner and Myth the Muse? Arya could not help but feel incredibly wary of this stranger - this woman who from what she could tell had abandoned Cuyler at birth on Midgard.
"She may not be who you think she is. Her power... It might be bewitching your mind, ensnaring your senses." Skaoi squeezed the woman's hand in gratitude.
"I am in your debt." The woman stated firmly before turning her attention to Myrus as he called her 'Mum'. Her eyes were already tearing in relief though she felt a panic raising at that. Unsure of how the other royals would react if the Prince continued the trend.
"There is nothing to apologize for, Your Highness. It is a pleasure to see you getting better." She would let the mother bit go for now. His health mattered more. Though her eyes did lock onto Arya with worry hearing their ExtraOrdinary Wizard was affected by the Sicknesse.
Klara did not care too much for the words that Arya was speaking.
"Seems like there might be a skeptic around here. I do not care too much for the tone of voice you are using. Though there might be a way to help remedy the situation," she said, smirking slightly before she glanced over at Cuyler, giving him an almost slightly apologetic smile. Her hand had a pinkish hue to it, and she pointed her hand directly at him. He'd suddenly get the urge to go start kissing Arya.
Cuyler frowned and he was a bit hurt. She didn't understand. They couldn't just stick around, they had their own things to look after, their own worlds. Cuyler didn't know the story of his parents now, not this new development at least and he did intend to learn it. Even if he was being tricked. She knew of his power and how to assist him, so why wouldn't he try to learn from her? Klara didn't seem to appreciate her skepticism either but Cuyler was unable to respond when he saw his mother's hand shift colours. He did not get a good feeling from it initially but what occurred next, could not be helped.
He looked towards Arya and felt himself be overcome with desire. It was almost like being back at the tower but even more so. He closed the distance between Arya and himself. There was an intensity in his eyes as his hand slipped into her hair and he pulled her in close. Cuyler's hand came to rest on the back of her neck, tipping her head back and he pressed his lips firmly on hers. He kissed her with an intense passion that was usually built up to but there was no warning for it this time.
"What?" Arya muttered, not kissing Cuyler back since she was both extremely shocked and very uncomfortable about being kissed in public. Her eyes darted over towards the others for a moment and her face was bright red.
"Cuyler, get off of me..." Myrus was staring at them, confused.
"Erm... I'm not sure I'm old enough to see this..." he mumbled to Skaoi.
Skaoi pointedly gave a small cough as Cuyler started kissing the ExtraOrdinary Wizard with a fair amount of heat. Clearing her throat a bit louder, the poor physik's cheeks were a fair hue of crimson as she pointed and politely studied the ceiling. Her hands clutched before her slightly. It wasn't her place to interrupt but someone here had to have sense more than the Prince!
Klara snickered slightly before lowering her hand, releasing Cuyler from her powers, and looking over at the two of them.
"You two are such an adorable couple... Anyway, do you want help with the Sicknesse or not? If Ms. Oh so powerful I'm better than everyone and don't believe in anything weird ExtraOrdinary Wizard wouldn't mind playing guinea pig, than we can see about teaching you how to use your powers to help her, or anyone else like her who has fallen ill." Arya didn't kiss Cuyler back, she refused him completely. He was a little hurt by this but when he was released from Klara, a wait lifted and the embarrassment hit him. He blushed a violent red and backed off from Arya immediately. Now Cuyler was hurt by his mother. Why would she have done that to him? To Arya. Perhaps he did have to keep his guard up with this one for a little longer but he was still intrigued by her. Klara's next commented bothered Cuyler even more. He turned his head and narrowed his eyes at the Norse Goddess. Mother or not, the name calling was not appreciated.
"I think that's enough," he said. His voice lacked power but it held meaning. He looked back at Arya. He was torn.
Magyk had taken everything from him and here he was, suddenly powerful and able to help Arya, if only he could learn how. But this
Magyk was different. It was pure and natural, inherited to him by the very gods themselves. It would only be bad if the person was bad. As was the act of
Magyk. Arya had been teaching him that ever since they met, years ago.
"Arya, I would ask you be a little more open to this. As I have been open with you in your teachings. The very Gods I have spoken to you about are here, in The Castle for a wedding after all. You know they are real. Why would she be any less than what she says she is?". All he wanted to do was help. To not feel useless anymore.
Arya sighed slightly. She did not like Klara - especially with the manner that she had callously treated Cuyler and herself with. She had the urge to simply
Transport off to Wizard Tower and damn the consequences, yet Rowland had been clear with her. As ExtraOrdinary Wizard, dealing with threats of this sort was her duty. She could not abandon her post.
"Cuyler, you have no reason to take her claims as credible. From what I have heard of your traditions and ways, some of your beings are tricksters. A woman showing up all of the sudden, claiming to have the answer to the Sickenesse that Skaoi herself was unable to solve? And that somehow, she is your mother despite never having shown her face to you before - conveniently coming into your life now that your blood family is no longer living? I will trust her if and only if she earns that trust." She then faced Klara.
"If you are who you claim to be, then I would have words with you - yet if you are telling lies, I will defend the Castle with my dying breath - let that be clear," she said.
Myrus looked at Skaoi a beat meekly, with a face that clearly said
this is weird, can we get out of here? Skaoi looked between the three and bowed slightly to the woman who had saved the Princes life.
"My Lady ExtraOrdinary Wizard, it is not my place to speak so boldly... But this woman has healed the Prince has she not? Forgive my boldness but I thank you for your credit though I feel it is misplaced. My knowledge of the Sickenesse is flimsy at best and spotty. Forgive me." The woman whispered as she bowed deeply to the three.
"If you would Lord Cuyler, bring the ExtraOrdinary Wizard to the Infirmary when this business is concluded so I might assure that the Lady ExtraOrdinary Wizard is in truly good condition?" The pale Eastern Snow Plains woman whispered and moved towards the door, gesturing minutely to Myrus to follow as she scooped up the disaster of her basket. Oh, she was going to have some private words! Her assistant was no where to be seen!
"Actually... My cousin is the Goddess of Lies, so I learned that lying is a bad thing fairly quickly... My uncle is the God of Mischief and I am considered a minor trickster god, but think that has to do with the fact that I can control water and the oceans, as well as everyone's hearts. Love and hate, both of them, though I personally believe that love is better than hatred... I can teach you Cuyler, in time you will learn, but for now," she said, walking over to Arya. Her hand once more was covered in a crystal clear water, and it started glowing, however, after a moment, the color shifted, changing into more of a gray color, almost a tar like substance. Klara's eyes grew wide, seeing it, and she actually had a worried expression as her hand dropped, the water going splat on the ground, as it wasn't really water anymore.
"...Oh no, this is bad, this is very very bad..." Cuyler held his head in his hands and backed up further, closer to his mom. Arya’s continued mistrust of her was making it difficult for him to control his emotions. He was struggling with who he needed to listen to, to trust. Cuyler looked up when Klara started to speak. Her honesty and calm tone towards Arya was striking. She stepped towards Arya and he went still, his hands dropping to his sides in clenched fists. He watched her hand change with swirling water in a brilliant blue colour. The colour shifted and Cuyler’s stomach dropped as Klara released the now tar looking substance and it hit the ground with a splat. Klara piped up again, her tone changed and Cuyler’s heart sped up from it.
”How bad?” he questioned her. His concern was completely for Arya again. He forgot the two other people in the room as his attention shifted once more. He knew what he needed to do now, even if this woman was more trickster than mother. All that mattered was Arya’s health and safety and he knew she wouldn’t put herself first so, he would do so. Even if that meant the end of their love. As long as she was protected and well, he would be sated. This disease was made worse now that he saw it in a solid form. Klara was pulling it out of them and her power was greater than Arya’s
Magyk.
Magyk was not going to cure or get rid of this
Sickenesse. Even Rainbrook said that a simple gem would keep the
Sickenesse at bay and that was not
Magyk. It was natural, as natural as this power Cuyler had inherited from the Gods.
Myrus nodded at Skaoi, slowly getting up and sneaking out of the room with the physician. He didn't really know what was going on in there, but quite honestly, it all seemed incredibly insane to him. Of course, was it any more insane than the abilities he had gained? His head felt clearer than it had in months, as if he had been drowning for ages and finally came up for air. His eyes reflected the change that had overcome him.
Hearing the woman that Arya did not trust admit to being a trickster goddess did not do much in terms of winning her over. The act of healing Myrus and Skaoi's reminder was largely the reason why Arya wasn't insisting on having Klara escorted from the Palace and interrogated as to why she was there. She felt wary as Klara brought up the water, yet the instant she started to do her work, Arya felt better. Her fatigue and headache lessened, the near permanent ache in her abdominal faded away. It was like she could breathe again. She then frowned a bit, noticing that the water had turned to tar.
"Thank you," Arya said.
"Now... What exactly do you know of the Sickenesse? I imagine you have some guess as to its nature." Bowing once more to the All-Mother, Skaoi hastened from the room meekly. Though her muttering were soft beneath her breath.
"Oh, where is that assistant of mine?!" Skaoi hissed uncharacteristically as she half herded Myrus towards the infirmary, half hid herself in his shadow. Wary of running into the Young Army woman or Tristan.
"The Sicknesse is not exactly a natural occurring thing... This is a bit worrisome if it is who it appears to be... This is caused by the one known as Chthon, the Elder God of Chaos," she said. It obviously was bugging her, and she seemed to be trying to think of what to do.
Cuyler flexed his hand's, releasing some of the energy that was still built up from when Klara approached Arya. Arya seemed, calm. At least she was asking questions now rather than telling Cuyler that he couldn't trust the All-Mother. He watched Arya though, waiting for some sign that what Klara did was a figment of his imagination. His fingers twitched he wanted to go to her but after her earlier response, even though he was literally out of control, told him to hang back. She had her
ExtraOrdinary Wizard face on and he shouldn't undermine her authority.
He frowned when Klara mention a God Cuyler had never heard of but the word Chaos brought one person to mind. Halley. But it couldn't be, could it? After all, Halley had brought his friend back from the dead and he was still alive and well, as far as Cuyler knew. Surprisingly, with everything he was learning and all the emotion at war inside him, Cuyler didn't unleash his power like he had before when Arya fainted and he succumbed to rage from being prevented to go to her. Doing his best to take everything in stride, the young man looked at his mother.
"So, mom, how do we stop him?"
