Returning to Sarvas Part 4 - Departure

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[u]Also, somehow, this didn't publish when I pressed publish last night, so... double chapter again...
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Leaving R’sath was surprisingly difficult, Ahsch found. Unlike Sarvas, he’d only lived at the Capital for months, rather than years, and aside from the members of his inner circle - many of whom were traveling with him - he didn’t have many close friends that he was leaving behind. Add to that the fact that this was but a temporary absence, rather than a potentially life-long move, and Ahsch was rather startled by how emotional he felt as he and his traveling companions loaded up their mounts in preparation to leave.

Including himself and Mahat (who was to again serve as Ahsch’s mount), Ariin, Dorin, Rwnil, and Kirasiel were all accompanying him, though Mahat and Ariin had tried to entice the Dominant Mage into bringing Naemui or Elui along with as well. Much to their disappointment, practicality had won out, and both of the monster girls were more needed at the Temple than at Sarvas. They were, however, present to see the group off, along with Avery, Butler, and the angels. And, Ahsch was able to sense, Stella, watching surreptitiously from behind a distant corner.

After thinking about it for a moment, he turned to stare directly at the hidden girl. A minute later, she tentatively stepped out from her hiding spot, and Ahsch heard Kirasiel’s anxious breath when she caught sight of her little sister. After a few moments of staring, the two slowly approached each other, and had a quiet, brief conversation, which ended in a quick, tight hug, before they parted and Kirasiel hurried back to the group.

“She…” the royal began to explain, but stopped at Ahsch’s halting hand.

“I suspect that I don’t need to know,” he said. “If I do, continue. Otherwise, what was said is between sisters, and I’ll trust you at that.”

Kirasiel’s mouth moved silently for a moment before snapping shut as she gave an understanding and grateful nod.

Avery came up to Ahsch, giving her husband a hard look. Her gaze slid towards Kirasiel for a moment. “Don’t go jumping off cliffs to save stupid cunts while you’re back home, you hear?”

Ahsch gave his wife a sharp look, but even as he did, he could tell that, despite the barbed joke, she _meant _it - or at least, the underlying message. “I promise,” he said.

She nodded. “Good. I…” Avery hesitated, glancing to make sure none of the others were listening. “I can’t… talk about… _that _with you if you die again. Not soon enough, anyways.”

Ahsch’s eyebrows shot up, but he kept quiet, then gently embraced his wife. “I’ll hold you to that, love,” he murmured. Avery stiffened in response, but then leaned against him, giving a single, jerky nod.

Pulling apart, she cleared her throat, then nodded more casually. “You idiots have fun out there,” she said, addressing the entire group. “Though, not too much fun.”

“No promises!” Ariin replied in a sing-song voice, giggling.

Rolling her eyes, Avery stepped back, and was replaced by Aena, surprising everyone. The first of Ahsch’s angels stared at her creator for several long moments before bowing. “Master, my sisters and I would make several requests of you.”

Everyone stared at this unexpected development, and Ahsch, just as shocked as everyone else, took a few moments to respond, with a numb nod and dazed, “Go ahead.”

Aena stood straight. “Firstly, we would prefer that you take one of us with you, to protect you should another attempt on your life be made.” She stopped, clearly awaiting a response, and Ahsch agreed after a moment, deciding to have Aena herself join the group - no extra supplies would be needed, so having one of the angels along wouldn’t require any extra preparation, making it an easy decision. “Secondly, we would like to have designated tasks within the Order of Enochiel. Jobs. We understand that our mere presence is beneficial as proof of Enochiel’s divinity, however, as time passes, we have become… discontent with our current limited use. We would appreciate if, by the time of your return, you had semi-permanent assignments for each of us.”

It was only a moment of thought before Ahsch had a response. Ahsch beckoned his other two angels over, as well as Elui. “While I’m gone, I’m going to have the two of you rotate through a variety of jobs within the Order, under Elui and Naemui’s direction.” The rabbit girl was surprised at first, but Ahsch filled her in on his plane through Daydreamweave at the speed of thought. “When I get back,” he continued aloud, “we can talk about the various work that you did and see about permanent placement.” He then looked at Aena. “I’m afraid that I can’t give you exactly what you asked for, but I hope that what I do have is enough: I want you to accompany me more, as an advisor, bodyguard, companion, and as the voice of Enochiel’s angels - I know that it’s currently just the three of you, but I’m sure that in the future, that will change.”

All three of the angels bowed, murmuring their understanding. With a nod, Ahsch dismissed Nyrin, Sifthi, and Elui - the latter of whom quickly went to Naemui to fill in the harpy on the new development - then looked at Aena. “Do you want to fly alongside us, or travel within one of my demi-planes?”

“I would fly with you, Master.”

Ahsch nodded. “Then you shall.” Looking around, he took in the whole group. “Are we ready?”

Ariin, Dorin, and Kirasiel nodded, and Mahat purred her agreement in his mind. Nodding to himself, Ahsch mounted up on his familiar as the other three mounted their tilre, and they set off across the bridge to the mainland, turning in their seats to wave farewell to the others. Even knowing that he could always keep in touch through Daydreamweave - and even better than he could have with phones or video calls back on Earth, if he was being honest - Ahsch still felt a lump in his throat as his gaze swept over those who were staying behind, lingering especially on Avery, Naemui, and Stella - the first as he contemplated the conversation that awaited his return; and the second because he couldn’t yet speak with her in Daydreamweave (and was now regretting not developing his relationship with her more); and the latter as he wondered what had been said between the Celes sisters, and what awaited Kirasiel upon her return.

Then he faced forward, and took a deep breath as he considered what awaited him at his childhood home. He had a lot of explaining to do, after all.

Then Ariin rode closer, an evil, mischievous smirk on her face. “Don’t forget, half our sisters are now ‘of age’ to your sensibilities, brother,” she reminded him. “I’m willing to bet they miss their dear big brother _very _much…”