Page 82 of Remnants: Disruption
I only have a moment to consider how warm she feels against me before she’s directing us down into the basin. When we reach the flat part of the stone, it becomes less clear who she is to these people.
Gregor, if that had been his name, had said “queen,” but the way these people bow in reverence makes “goddess” feel more appropriate.
What had just been a raucous party is now as silent as a funeral service. The crowd parts and a previously unseen dais appears at the far end of the field. I can’t help but stare at the faces as Mary ushers us by.
Several look humanoid. They have mouths and eyes. Some have fangs and others have slitted pupils that look like a lizard’s. Many others look decidedly less human, almost bordering on the absurd.
The creatures that look like biped wolves have upper torsos resembling bears and lions. Beside them are the dragon folk who, unfailingly, look like human dragons from storybooks.
Before I can really take any of it in, Mary has turned us to face them. I can’t really decide what the vibe of the crowd is, but they look expectant. And I feel disturbingly like a trophy.
“Tempest,” Mary’s voice rings out louder than I would have expected from her. “I wish to express my deepest gratitude for your hard work over these last few months. Many have perished for the survival of our kind and for the stability that we might experience in the future.”
There is a general murmur of agreement through the crowd. Several of the were-creatures thrust mugs of something brown into the air.
“I know there were rumors of my time in the field, and I wish to clear them—at least for the most part,” she gives the crowd a knowing smirk and there’s a titter of laughter.
Mary turns to me, and for a moment, it feels like it’s only the two of us.
“Would you like a new identity?” she asks, her voice now only between us.
“I’m so fucking confused right now, Mary,” I hiss, glancing around her at the crowd.
“Please,” she whispers, her body is so close I can feel the warmth radiating off her again. “Just trust me. I will explain.”
I nod and take a quick breath.
“A new identity?” Mary prompts again.
Even as I consider it, the answer feels obvious. Though I have no idea where that note is now.
“Hiraeth,” I murmur, and Mary barely restrains a genuine grin before she turns back to the crowd. Even from the side profile, I can see the way her lips are quirked at the ends.
Her dark orange eyes seem to glisten with newfound excitement as she begins again.
“Tempest holds power beyond the imaginable. Within our walls and across Nye Verden, we have some of the most powerful beings to walk this plane. I am honored to recognize the newest member of our family.”
Mary turns to me, a hand outstretched.
Tentatively, I take it and step next to her.
“Kneel,” she whispers, and I glance at her, eyes widening in confusion.
Without further prompting I follow along, unsure of how I’ve managed to find myself kneeling in front of Bloody Mary surrounded by storybook creatures deep underground.
But here I am.
I look up into Mary’s expressive eyes. They seem to assess me. Like she’s deciding if I’m worth all of this.
“You shall now be bound by blood and flame, pro omni tempore et spatio—rise, Hiraeth and be reborn anew.”
Dutifully, I stand and turn to face the crowd.
“Now,” Mary turns her attention to Tempest, “you may all return to your night of debauchery.”
Cheers erupt as the music restarts, and the mass turns back into an undulating pile of bodies. They seem happy. Like this is their family. Like this is their home.
The thought threatens emotions I’m not yet ready to explore.
