Decision

I swept into the forest heading for the clearing and halting in front of the ancient willow tree. Removing my bonehandled dagger from my wrist sheath, I slashed it across my palm, blood trickling down and soaking the ground. "Repentance was ordered in deepest punishment and has been served in full. A boon was offered and it is accepted in full..." I unsheathed Nithia and she sang and shone like a thousand sparkling diamonds in the suns light. I took a deep breath and raised her for the very last time over my head whirling her around before plunging her point first into the earth. The ancient symbol of the Sheya repudiating her title. I had never been given the choice to use it until now. I threw off the white robes and gown with their silver moons and let them drift to the dark soil leaving me standing in a sweater and jeans. I placed both hands on the hilt and closing my eyes poured every battle and past life memory into the blade. "I've done enough regressing it's time to live as I have always longed to live....free."1

"What have you done child?" Aldias stepped from the shadows ancient eyes suddenly maelstroms.2

I faced the last of the Elders with a smile on my face. "I have made a choice I should have made centuries ago."3

"You already made your decision!"4

"No I was given extra time to think before I made it final. I almost lost someone very dear to my heart a few nights ago and that made me re-evaluate things."5

"So you gave up destiny for a man!" This he roared.6

"No. I gave it up for me! So that I can have the life I've always wanted. No more death, no more fear, no more staring death in the face just to survive! No more losing those I love to danger that lurked in shadows for me. Nithia has tasted enough blood to last until the end of time and enough is enough. After so many millenia of being chained to that sword and it's way of life I deserve the right to choose which the Creator gave me, So I have not turned my back on my destiny but simply have rewritten it."7

"What of Daniel, you would leave him defenseless?"8

I shook my head laughing. "To be the Knemar is his destiny, the Sheya is no longer mine. Nithia shall pass to him and I will teach him all I know, and he will no longer need me to defend him, he will simply need me to be just his best friend."9

"Love has clouded your eyes young one!"10

I stalked toward him. "No Aldias it has opened them. I will still be the bard and healer, the dreamweaver, and guider of lost souls but no longer will I entrench myself in the violence Nithia created. I will fight to defend myself and help others to defend themselves instead of them needing me to do so for them."11

"You will rue this choice! One day you will need that sword again and it will not answer your call."12

"No I think you rue it. You and your order can no longer manipulate my life, I am no one's pawn not anymore. I made up for my wrongs and now I am free."13

With a look of disbelief and anger Aldias turned and leaning on his walking stick faded into the shadows of the trees once more.14

I fell to my knees raising my arms skyward as a hawk cried out in triumph, wheeling and gliding over the horizon. I could hear the singing of the wolves and I threw my head back and sang with them. A hand touched my shoulder and I looked up to find Her standing there, looking at me with those eyes that held the very universe in their depths. The energy of creation shone around her and for a moment it was almost blinding.15

I bowed my head to her, our Eternal Mother, and saw Cerrunos standing behind her. 16

She raised me to my feet. "Are you certain this is the choice you want?"17

I nodded tears in my eyes, tears of relief. "Yes, yes it is." 18

Her fingers brushed against my brow. "Then it shall be." She stood back and Cerrunos approached me laying his hand over my heart.19

"Peace be to you, Lady of the Wilds. Do not fear for the knight, all will be well with him, as will it be with your beloved. Create the life that until now was denied to you, and do with happiness. You need not dwell with one foot standing in darkness and one in light any longer."20

A mighty wind swept through the clearing and as I closed my eyes to shield them, She and Cerrunos were gone.21

I opened my eyes, savoring the warm softness of my bed, and began to laugh, tears running down my face. At last I am free! 22