Blessings of a Mother

Moira Brighton waited.

Alone in the darkness of Lorelei’s chamber, she was left with little to do and no indication of how long John’s journey into the Astral Plane with the seer would take. For the first few minutes she studied them curiously — John mostly, admiring, with a blush to her cheeks, how his face was framed by the flickering candlelight of the magic circle.

Even while he stared blankly into space, his body but an empty husk, Moira felt her chest tighten as a hurricane of emotions slowly turned her insides to goo. Love, admiration, even jealousy melted her heart. Her mind kept turning back to their agonisingly brief encounter in the guest bedroom, where she’d finally professed the feelings she’d bottled up. It was strange to think they’d only truly been acquainted for month; Moira felt like she’d known him all her life. Perhaps because they were both Champions of the Lady?

Moira did not know. She was certain, however, that she loved him. Not long ago entering a polyamorous relationship would have been unthinkable for her, yet Moira had been entertaining the thought since that first time she’d been courted by Red’s devilish hands and John’s divine tongue. Her feelings on the matter remained unresolved, yet at the same time, it didn’t bother her as much as she thought it would. The thought of John sleeping with droves of women still left a sour taste in Moira’s mouth, but perhaps a close circle of people she knew would be acceptable. After all, John was a Champion of the Lady and she had thus far left his promiscuous behaviour unpunished. On the contrary, it was rewarded and enhanced the more John partook in carnal activities, if he was to be believed. Moira found herself deeply envious of that — but she knew in her heart the price for her own powers were another trial set in place by the Lady, for those with power must constantly prove themselves worthy.

Arousal plagued Moira, even now… though the cause of it was currently sitting on the floor a metre away. “Damn you, John Newman,” Moira muttered quietly in the dark room. “For winding me up like a toy and leaving me to suffer while you roam the Astral Plane.” She wanted him back now. Moira sighed. Her fingers lightly drumming against the metal between her thighs. Moira briefly entertained the idea of relieving herself — the key was only upstairs in her dresser — but soon discarded the notion, deciding she didn’t want to risk John returning and leaving while she was in her chambers.

Instead she chose to meditate. Kneeling on the floor, just outside the circle of candles, Moira placed her hands in her lap and steadied her breathing. It was a technique taught to all Wardens, not exclusively to calm their burning arousal, but certainly useful to such an end. Moira let out a heavy sigh, as despite her best efforts, her thoughts drifted anxiously back to John Newman.

‘It’s unfair,’ she thought to herself for the umpteenth time. John’s powers were extraordinary. Her frustration grew the more she thought about it. Where the price of her power was lust, John’s seemingly came with none. Where she struggled to grasp the full extent of her powers, John had grown an unprecedented amount over just one month. Her father had certainly taken notice; though he did not entirely understand why, he must at least suspect he has a powerful patron. Moira suspected that was part of why he agreed to her request, letting John be her partner in the Mitchum investigation.

‘Lady, please guide me,’ Moira sighed and focused her thoughts on prayer. ’Guide me on my journey forth with John… and guide me so that I might reach my full potential.’

Her thoughts still swirled around the topic of John, but her breathing soon fell into a soothing rhythm. The tension in Moira’s body eased as a calm washed over her as she gradually lulled into a pseudo-sleep.

For a time her mind was still, like water in a puddle. Eventually, however, the puddle rippled and Moira began to dream. A face formed in her mind, battle-hardened, yet serene, with flowing red hair and emerald eyes. It was a face familiar to Moira, a face she had not seen in a very long time.

”Mom.” Moira’s breath hitched in her throat and she felt moisture build between her closed eyes.

“Moira…” the woman smiled warmly back at her. “My lovely daughter, look at the woman you’ve become.”

“H-how are you here? W-why even?” The calm Moira had managed to maintain until now was well and truly shattered. Even so, the dream maintained.

Her mother’s smile tightened slightly. “I am here by the grace of the Lady, but our time together will only be brief.”

“But-”

“Moira,” her mother interjected, her voice now stern. Moira recalled being lectured to such a tone many times in her youth. “You must steady your impatience. Remember you are only nineteen years old, you still have much to learn… and a long time to learn.”

“But I can’t go a single day without hearing how important it is to unlock the true might of my powers,” Moira returned. “How can I wait idly while evil preys upon the innocent?! The world needs all three Wardens at their full strength, but I don’t know how to get there; I’m already so far behind my sisters… and John. They say you were the strongest of your sisters, Mother… even still you died. I need to improve faster… I need to be stronger… because I don’t want to die and leave those dearest to me alone!”

Her mother’s face fell, and a hand that could not possibly be there reached out to wipe away the tears that rolled down Moira’s cheeks. “I’m sorry, my dear Moira, I know I failed you and the last thing I would want is for you to repeat my mistakes. That’s why I’ve come to you now,” she insisted. A pause lingered between them, before Moira’s mother let out a heavy sigh. “There is a place sacred to worshippers of Gaia. A trial awaits there that is said to heighten the powers of her Champions. But no Warden in recent times has successfully made it to this trial, let alone completed it.”

“And where is this trial?” Moira asked. Why would her mother tell her about it if she believed her to be incapable?

“The lake said to be where the Lady first blessed King Arthur with his sword, the same lake where the Order was first founded. But the location was lost, along with Camelot, buried somewhere deep within the Lady’s barrier. As you know, ventures into the depths of that barrier have been less than successful.”

“The Lady has encouraged John to make such an expedition in the past,” Moira recalled.

“Indeed, it is likely you will need John Newman’s aid in such a venture; his powers grant numerous advantages,” her mother agreed. “In any case, you should not rush into the matter. You must understand that progress takes time. Train, pray, and be active in your service… but more importantly, forge bonds, make allies, and spend time with the one you love, Moira.” A playful smile spread across her face.

“Mother...” Moira sighed, as a blush spread across her cheeks. She knew where this conversation was leading now, and she dreaded what her mother would have to say.

“Behind every great Warden is a partner,” her mother’s face was serious again, “someone to aid them, to guide them, and to carry the Lady’s light to the next Warden. William, your father, was that person for me… and John Newman may very well be that person for you. I sense in your heart you believe this to be true… and yet a part of you feels threatened by him, by his power… jealous even.”

Moira hung her head, ashamed to hear it from someone else, especially from her mother.

“This mindset will only cause you pain, my sweet and stubborn daughter,” the vision of her mother continued. “Consider instead, that you have a powerful ally. One that would gladly aid you in your quest for justice. One that ensures an even stronger generation of Wardens to come. One that will cherish you, and sympathise with you, and be there for you.”

“So you approve?” Moira asked sheepishly. “...Even if he sleeps with other women?”

“He is a Champion of Gaia… and he makes you happy; these are good things,” her mother admitted. “So long as love binds you, it is no one else’s place to criticise.”

“I do love him, Mother. But I fear that Father will not approve,” Moira sighed.

“Probably not immediately,” her mother agreed. “But hiding your relationship from him will only escalate the issue… be forthright and let John prove himself. Your father will come around in due time.”

“I hope so,” Moira agreed even while she doubted such a time would come.

Her mother did not reply immediately, instead cupping Moira’s face and pulling her forwards to kiss her gently on the forehead. Her presence was beginning to fade. “I love you, my darling daughter. Know that I will always be with you in your heart…” She placed a hand on Moira’s chest. “And in battle.” Her other hand moved over Moira’s and gently formed it into a fist.

“You can’t stay longer?” Moira asked hopefully, despite being certain of the answer.

Her mother shook her head sadly. “I cannot… but I must warn you of one last thing…” Her form began to grow brighter, her crimson hair turned white and her features blurring amidst the building light. The ethereal light cast beyond her figure, vanishing the room and blinding Moira.

When the light faded she found herself floating in a sea of light blue fog and shining stars. Movement drew her attention downwards, to where a figure was fighting, sword in hand, against a hoard of headless spectres. A second figure clung to him, trying not to get caught by one of the spectres’ bony claws. ‘John and Lorelei,’ Moira realised immediately. She was looking into the Astral Plane, though she could not distinguish much beyond their immediate surroundings.

Moira watched as they desperately scrambled through the hoard of spectres, as if being chased by something. Lorelei was suddenly struck by some unknown **** and she collapsed against John’s arm. Moira wanted to help, but found herself unable to move closer. She could not even tell what was chasing them.

Seconds of stillness passed. It seemed like John could no longer move. Then a third figure appeared — or grew might be more accurate — from the middle of John’s back. The third person’s features were indistinct, but Moira guessed it was a woman. Briefly Moira thought the Lady had come to save John, but that could not be so. This woman, while most certainly divine, radiated a black aura — not necessarily evil, but not wholly good either.

Unspoken words passed between John and the divine stranger as he continued to drift. Soon, the same black aura began to build inside John. Moira’s concern grew immeasurably. ‘What are you doing, John?’

Something stirred the fog of the Astral Sea. It was a claw, larger than anything Moira had ever seen before. ‘By the Lady, the creature they’re facing must be enormous!’ Moira shuddered with dread.

Just before the claw hit, the discomforting aura building inside John unleashed. ‘I’ve seen this before,’ Moira realised. It was the same attack that had nearly wiped out the Order Knights that helped them fight Vulpis. ‘But it was weaker back then.’

Moira’s vision faded quickly, leaving her shaken and alone with the empty bodies of John and Lorelei. She rushed forward, knocking over candles as she pushed into the circle.

“John?” Moira shook his limp body, hoping he would awaken. “John!”

He wasn’t waking up. Neither was Lorelei. She had been knocked ****, and without her guidance it was unlikely they would make it back to their bodies. They were completely at the mercy of that goddess.