Chapter 277
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Chapter 277
Cursing her feeble body, Sarnais withered, wrinkled hands trembled as she faced a struggle greater than any shed ever faced before. Shed fought Defiled Champions and Demons with a smile on her face yet this ordinary, everyday task had her quivering with abject terror. She wished she could harness the Energy of the Heavens and change her body to avoid going through this degrading process ever again. Her body betrayed her not only with age but now infirmity and frailty, all but crippled after waking from oblivion.
Mother knows what Sarnai would give to return to oblivion or better yet, to have died cleanly during last nights ambush. No, not last night, the ambush took place almost seven months ago after which she slept through the better part of half a year. Almost two entire seasons had gone past, like a story out of some outlandish opera where the heroine falls asleep until her hero arrives to save her. Except in the opera, shed be a beautiful maiden instead of an old crone so weak and ill she cant even get up to use the chamber pot without help. Glancing at her handsome, virile husband, she wept silent tears as he lifted her into his arms and proceeded to help her void her bowels.
So humiliating. If he didnt regret marrying her before, he most certainly did now. In the prime of life, he was stuck here helping a woman who looked old enough to be his grandmother wipe her ass. A pox on Healers everywhere, especially the flea-bitten, buck-toothed, rabbit-eared braggart Taduk. Theres nothing I can do, he claimed, stating her bodys natural state had atrophied despite all his efforts. He was right, Healing could only slow the progress, not stop or reverse it, but she still wished things were different. It would take plenty of hard work and exercise to regain full control of her body and though she knew hed done everything he could, she cursed him out regardless, blindly venting her frustrations on a man she owed her life to.
Except what sort of life was she left with? How long would it take to recover her strength? A year? Two? Ten? Would she even recover in time before age brought her low once more? At close to eighty years old, most of her childhood friends who werent Martial Warriors were in similar straits, ancient, decrepit living corpses who needed help wiping their drool. And those were the lucky ones, the ones still drawing breath. Better for her to have died in glorious battle than to be reduced to a worthless cripple, nothing but a burden to those she loved. Better had she stayed in oblivion and wasted away than to subject him to this miserable existence. Her death would pain him but he was strong and had so much to live for once he was free of her, hopefully finding love once again with someone who could match his lifespan.
Why did she listen to his enthralling voice, so full of pain as he pleaded her to return? She should have ignored it and remained... wherever she was.
After finishing the mortifying ordeal and she was all cried out, her sweet, dutiful husband placed her back in bed and tucked her in like a child. Dry your tears, my rose, he said, dabbing at her cheeks with a handkerchief. This is nothing to be ashamed of. Remember the wound I took in Shen Bin hunting the megalodon? You were covered in blood and shit gushing from my ruptured entrails, but you held my guts in long enough for Taduk to find us. This is nothing in comparison.
Dog-brained fool. How were the two events even remotely related? Too tired to muster a scathing response, she turned away from his loving gaze and closed her eyes. His sigh tore her in two as he sat by her side, stroking her hair as she fell asleep.
She prayed this was all a terrifying nightmare from which she would wake.
Or not. Either outcome would make her smile.
The next time she woke he was gone from her side, a discovery which left her conflicted. This was what she wanted, to push him away and set him free, but it still pained her to see him gone. If she could go back and do it all again, she would have listened to her parents and refused to marry him, not because she regretted their life together but because he deserved so much more than she could give. He deserved a partner who would age with him, not grow old and die before he reached middle-age. It was a childs dream to think theyd be any different from the countless mixed pairings before them and Sarnais heart wept for all the other couples like her, like her daughter and Charok, or Rain and his two little wives. A human lifespan was too brief and fleeting compared to the long-lived, its no wonder they set themselves apart more often than not. Better to avoid the inevitable pain and live a different life altogether.
...
Pei. Foolish woman, what good does lying to yourself do? Given the chance to leave a thousand times and youd run headlong into his arms at the hint of a smile.
Hiya. Rains chipper greeting interrupted her bout with self-pity, far too lively and animated for someone in his precarious situation. Even ignorance had its limits but Rain ignored those like he ignored all other basic conventions. Mentor stepped out for a bath, hell be back soon. How are you feeling? Grunting in reply, she lied in bed and studied Rains features, unsure whether to thank him or scold him. If not for his optimism and insistence, it was entirely possible she would've died in her sleep, a suitable end to a satisfying life. At least that way her husband could remember her the way she wanted to be remembered, as a strong warrior instead of the weak cripple shed become.
She merely hoped things would not end in horrific tragedy.
When he first arrived, she spent weeks waiting and worrying about the fallout, wondering how she could fix things after he inevitably snapped and hurt someone. Only a few weeks later, she turned into a nervous wreck after Alsantset declared her intent to bring two infants into her home, a disaster in the making so long as Rain was still there. When the day of adoption arrived, Sarnai rushed over to her daughters home to meet her new grandchildren only to be greeted by the sight of young Rain cradling little Tate in his arms. Still yet to recover from his injuries and emerge from his shell, Rain stood there with a smile on his face and tears in his eyes, singing a sweet little nonsense song which melted Sarnais heart.
On that fateful day, she had not two, but three new additions to her family: Tali, Tate, and Rain.
He wouldnt turn against his family, of this she was certain. Rain was stronger than he looked, a young man talented beyond belief who defied all expectations. A hero to his peers, a measuring stick for the next generation, and most of all, a Sentinel of the People. Though old and feeble, there were still things she could do to protect her adopted son, things not even her husband or his mentor could accomplish.
Her son. How strange, she thought she accepted him into her family so long ago, but this was the first time she referred to him as her son. She liked the sound of it. Her son, Falling Rain.
When Baatar returned, Sarnai put her plan into action. Rain, be a dear and go fetch my grandchildren. Id like to see them before I fall asleep again. As he strode out the door, she added, Bring your pets too. I want to see these outfits you keep gushing about and Ive yet to meet your bears. By the Mother, did the boy intend to open a zoo? Someone had to put a stop to it before he adopted every stray animal in the north.
Once alone, she turned to her husband and Sent, Inform my mentor I would have words with her in the morning. Shes maligned our son for years now and Ill not stand for it any longer. Hes a good child and keeping him at arms length isboth stupid and pointless now that the world knows hes one of the People. Ill not leave him unguarded for another second and if she wont listen to logic or reason, then Ill resort to blackmail.
Surprise flashed across her husbands face, which was immediately replaced by sheer delight. Gladly my rose, I will personally send word the moment Rain returns.
An idea came to her and she Sent, No, have Gerel pass the message along. Another one of her idiotic actions. Either Gerel is her Disciple and should be defended at all costs, or he isnt her Disciple and there was no need to publicly break ties. I swear, that arrogant woman is living proof age and wisdom do not go hand in hand.
As you say my rose, though I caution against being so direct. You know her temper.
Pei. So what if she has a temper? If I think she needs to hear it then I will tell her so myself. She wouldnt say it to her face and he knew it, but hearing him caution against it made her want to say it which he also knew. An aggravating man. Also, you dog-brained fool, what were you thinking falling apart so easily? Did I wed a warrior or a weakling?
Anger lighting a fire within her, Sarnai continued ranting at her husband through Sending, drinking in the sweet sight of his wagging tail and upright ears.
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Chapter 277
Cursing her feeble body, Sarnais withered, wrinkled hands trembled as she faced a struggle greater than any shed ever faced before. Shed fought Defiled Champions and Demons with a smile on her face yet this ordinary, everyday task had her quivering with abject terror. She wished she could harness the Energy of the Heavens and change her body to avoid going through this degrading process ever again. Her body betrayed her not only with age but now infirmity and frailty, all but crippled after waking from oblivion.
Mother knows what Sarnai would give to return to oblivion or better yet, to have died cleanly during last nights ambush. No, not last night, the ambush took place almost seven months ago after which she slept through the better part of half a year. Almost two entire seasons had gone past, like a story out of some outlandish opera where the heroine falls asleep until her hero arrives to save her. Except in the opera, shed be a beautiful maiden instead of an old crone so weak and ill she cant even get up to use the chamber pot without help. Glancing at her handsome, virile husband, she wept silent tears as he lifted her into his arms and proceeded to help her void her bowels.
So humiliating. If he didnt regret marrying her before, he most certainly did now. In the prime of life, he was stuck here helping a woman who looked old enough to be his grandmother wipe her ass. A pox on Healers everywhere, especially the flea-bitten, buck-toothed, rabbit-eared braggart Taduk. Theres nothing I can do, he claimed, stating her bodys natural state had atrophied despite all his efforts. He was right, Healing could only slow the progress, not stop or reverse it, but she still wished things were different. It would take plenty of hard work and exercise to regain full control of her body and though she knew hed done everything he could, she cursed him out regardless, blindly venting her frustrations on a man she owed her life to.
Except what sort of life was she left with? How long would it take to recover her strength? A year? Two? Ten? Would she even recover in time before age brought her low once more? At close to eighty years old, most of her childhood friends who werent Martial Warriors were in similar straits, ancient, decrepit living corpses who needed help wiping their drool. And those were the lucky ones, the ones still drawing breath. Better for her to have died in glorious battle than to be reduced to a worthless cripple, nothing but a burden to those she loved. Better had she stayed in oblivion and wasted away than to subject him to this miserable existence. Her death would pain him but he was strong and had so much to live for once he was free of her, hopefully finding love once again with someone who could match his lifespan.
Why did she listen to his enthralling voice, so full of pain as he pleaded her to return? She should have ignored it and remained... wherever she was.
After finishing the mortifying ordeal and she was all cried out, her sweet, dutiful husband placed her back in bed and tucked her in like a child. Dry your tears, my rose, he said, dabbing at her cheeks with a handkerchief. This is nothing to be ashamed of. Remember the wound I took in Shen Bin hunting the megalodon? You were covered in blood and shit gushing from my ruptured entrails, but you held my guts in long enough for Taduk to find us. This is nothing in comparison.
Dog-brained fool. How were the two events even remotely related? Too tired to muster a scathing response, she turned away from his loving gaze and closed her eyes. His sigh tore her in two as he sat by her side, stroking her hair as she fell asleep.
She prayed this was all a terrifying nightmare from which she would wake.
Or not. Either outcome would make her smile.
The next time she woke he was gone from her side, a discovery which left her conflicted. This was what she wanted, to push him away and set him free, but it still pained her to see him gone. If she could go back and do it all again, she would have listened to her parents and refused to marry him, not because she regretted their life together but because he deserved so much more than she could give. He deserved a partner who would age with him, not grow old and die before he reached middle-age. It was a childs dream to think theyd be any different from the countless mixed pairings before them and Sarnais heart wept for all the other couples like her, like her daughter and Charok, or Rain and his two little wives. A human lifespan was too brief and fleeting compared to the long-lived, its no wonder they set themselves apart more often than not. Better to avoid the inevitable pain and live a different life altogether.
...
Pei. Foolish woman, what good does lying to yourself do? Given the chance to leave a thousand times and youd run headlong into his arms at the hint of a smile.
Hiya. Rains chipper greeting interrupted her bout with self-pity, far too lively and animated for someone in his precarious situation. Even ignorance had its limits but Rain ignored those like he ignored all other basic conventions. Mentor stepped out for a bath, hell be back soon. How are you feeling? Grunting in reply, she lied in bed and studied Rains features, unsure whether to thank him or scold him. If not for his optimism and insistence, it was entirely possible she would've died in her sleep, a suitable end to a satisfying life. At least that way her husband could remember her the way she wanted to be remembered, as a strong warrior instead of the weak cripple shed become.
She merely hoped things would not end in horrific tragedy.
When he first arrived, she spent weeks waiting and worrying about the fallout, wondering how she could fix things after he inevitably snapped and hurt someone. Only a few weeks later, she turned into a nervous wreck after Alsantset declared her intent to bring two infants into her home, a disaster in the making so long as Rain was still there. When the day of adoption arrived, Sarnai rushed over to her daughters home to meet her new grandchildren only to be greeted by the sight of young Rain cradling little Tate in his arms. Still yet to recover from his injuries and emerge from his shell, Rain stood there with a smile on his face and tears in his eyes, singing a sweet little nonsense song which melted Sarnais heart.
On that fateful day, she had not two, but three new additions to her family: Tali, Tate, and Rain.
He wouldnt turn against his family, of this she was certain. Rain was stronger than he looked, a young man talented beyond belief who defied all expectations. A hero to his peers, a measuring stick for the next generation, and most of all, a Sentinel of the People. Though old and feeble, there were still things she could do to protect her adopted son, things not even her husband or his mentor could accomplish.
Her son. How strange, she thought she accepted him into her family so long ago, but this was the first time she referred to him as her son. She liked the sound of it. Her son, Falling Rain.
When Baatar returned, Sarnai put her plan into action. Rain, be a dear and go fetch my grandchildren. Id like to see them before I fall asleep again. As he strode out the door, she added, Bring your pets too. I want to see these outfits you keep gushing about and Ive yet to meet your bears. By the Mother, did the boy intend to open a zoo? Someone had to put a stop to it before he adopted every stray animal in the north.
Once alone, she turned to her husband and Sent, Inform my mentor I would have words with her in the morning. Shes maligned our son for years now and Ill not stand for it any longer. Hes a good child and keeping him at arms length isboth stupid and pointless now that the world knows hes one of the People. Ill not leave him unguarded for another second and if she wont listen to logic or reason, then Ill resort to blackmail.
Surprise flashed across her husbands face, which was immediately replaced by sheer delight. Gladly my rose, I will personally send word the moment Rain returns.
An idea came to her and she Sent, No, have Gerel pass the message along. Another one of her idiotic actions. Either Gerel is her Disciple and should be defended at all costs, or he isnt her Disciple and there was no need to publicly break ties. I swear, that arrogant woman is living proof age and wisdom do not go hand in hand.
As you say my rose, though I caution against being so direct. You know her temper.
Pei. So what if she has a temper? If I think she needs to hear it then I will tell her so myself. She wouldnt say it to her face and he knew it, but hearing him caution against it made her want to say it which he also knew. An aggravating man. Also, you dog-brained fool, what were you thinking falling apart so easily? Did I wed a warrior or a weakling?
Anger lighting a fire within her, Sarnai continued ranting at her husband through Sending, drinking in the sweet sight of his wagging tail and upright ears.
Chapter MemeRead latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only
Chapter 277Cursing her feeble body, Sarnais withered, wrinkled hands trembled as she faced a struggle greater than any shed ever faced before. Shed fought Defiled Champions and Demons with a smile on her face yet this ordinary, everyday task had her quivering with abject terror. She wished she could harness the Energy of the Heavens and change her body to avoid going through this degrading process ever again. Her body betrayed her not only with age but now infirmity and frailty, all but crippled after waking from oblivion.Mother knows what Sarnai would give to return to oblivion or better yet, to have died cleanly during last nights ambush. No, not last night, the ambush took place almost seven months ago after which she slept through the better part of half a year. Almost two entire seasons had gone past, like a story out of some outlandish opera where the heroine falls asleep until her hero arrives to save her. Except in the opera, shed be a beautiful maiden instead of an old crone so weak and ill she cant even get up to use the chamber pot without help. Glancing at her handsome, virile husband, she wept silent tears as he lifted her into his arms and proceeded to help her void her bowels.So humiliating. If he didnt regret marrying her before, he most certainly did now. In the prime of life, he was stuck here helping a woman who looked old enough to be his grandmother wipe her ass. A pox on Healers everywhere, especially the flea-bitten, buck-toothed, rabbit-eared braggart Taduk. Theres nothing I can do, he claimed, stating her bodys natural state had atrophied despite all his efforts. He was right, Healing could only slow the progress, not stop or reverse it, but she still wished things were different. It would take plenty of hard work and exercise to regain full control of her body and though she knew hed done everything he could, she cursed him out regardless, blindly venting her frustrations on a man she owed her life to.Except what sort of life was she left with? How long would it take to recover her strength? A year? Two? Ten? Would she even recover in time before age brought her low once more? At close to eighty years old, most of her childhood friends who werent Martial Warriors were in similar straits, ancient, decrepit living corpses who needed help wiping their drool. And those were the lucky ones, the ones still drawing breath. Better for her to have died in glorious battle than to be reduced to a worthless cripple, nothing but a burden to those she loved. Better had she stayed in oblivion and wasted away than to subject him to this miserable existence. Her death would pain him but he was strong and had so much to live for once he was free of her, hopefully finding love once again with someone who could match his lifespan.Why did she listen to his enthralling voice, so full of pain as he pleaded her to return? She should have ignored it and remained... wherever she was. After finishing the mortifying ordeal and she was all cried out, her sweet, dutiful husband placed her back in bed and tucked her in like a child. Dry your tears, my rose, he said, dabbing at her cheeks with a handkerchief. This is nothing to be ashamed of. Remember the wound I took in Shen Bin hunting the megalodon? You were covered in blood and shit gushing from my ruptured entrails, but you held my guts in long enough for Taduk to find us. This is nothing in comparison.Dog-brained fool. How were the two events even remotely related? Too tired to muster a scathing response, she turned away from his loving gaze and closed her eyes. His sigh tore her in two as he sat by her side, stroking her hair as she fell asleep. She prayed this was all a terrifying nightmare from which she would wake.Or not. Either outcome would make her smile.The next time she woke he was gone from her side, a discovery which left her conflicted. This was what she wanted, to push him away and set him free, but it still pained her to see him gone. If she could go back and do it all again, she would have listened to her parents and refused to marry him, not because she regretted their life together but because he deserved so much more than she could give. He deserved a partner who would age with him, not grow old and die before he reached middle-age. It was a childs dream to think theyd be any different from the countless mixed pairings before them and Sarnais heart wept for all the other couples like her, like her daughter and Charok, or Rain and his two little wives. A human lifespan was too brief and fleeting compared to the long-lived, its no wonder they set themselves apart more often than not. Better to avoid the inevitable pain and live a different life altogether....Pei. Foolish woman, what good does lying to yourself do? Given the chance to leave a thousand times and youd run headlong into his arms at the hint of a smile.Hiya. Rains chipper greeting interrupted her bout with self-pity, far too lively and animated for someone in his precarious situation. Even ignorance had its limits but Rain ignored those like he ignored all other basic conventions. Mentor stepped out for a bath, hell be back soon. How are you feeling? Grunting in reply, she lied in bed and studied Rains features, unsure whether to thank him or scold him. If not for his optimism and insistence, it was entirely possible she would've died in her sleep, a suitable end to a satisfying life. At least that way her husband could remember her the way she wanted to be remembered, as a strong warrior instead of the weak cripple shed become.She merely hoped things would not end in horrific tragedy.When he first arrived, she spent weeks waiting and worrying about the fallout, wondering how she could fix things after he inevitably snapped and hurt someone. Only a few weeks later, she turned into a nervous wreck after Alsantset declared her intent to bring two infants into her home, a disaster in the making so long as Rain was still there. When the day of adoption arrived, Sarnai rushed over to her daughters home to meet her new grandchildren only to be greeted by the sight of young Rain cradling little Tate in his arms. Still yet to recover from his injuries and emerge from his shell, Rain stood there with a smile on his face and tears in his eyes, singing a sweet little nonsense song which melted Sarnais heart.On that fateful day, she had not two, but three new additions to her family: Tali, Tate, and Rain.He wouldnt turn against his family, of this she was certain. Rain was stronger than he looked, a young man talented beyond belief who defied all expectations. A hero to his peers, a measuring stick for the next generation, and most of all, a Sentinel of the People. Though old and feeble, there were still things she could do to protect her adopted son, things not even her husband or his mentor could accomplish.Her son. How strange, she thought she accepted him into her family so long ago, but this was the first time she referred to him as her son. She liked the sound of it. Her son, Falling Rain.When Baatar returned, Sarnai put her plan into action. Rain, be a dear and go fetch my grandchildren. Id like to see them before I fall asleep again. As he strode out the door, she added, Bring your pets too. I want to see these outfits you keep gushing about and Ive yet to meet your bears. By the Mother, did the boy intend to open a zoo? Someone had to put a stop to it before he adopted every stray animal in the north.Once alone, she turned to her husband and Sent, Inform my mentor I would have words with her in the morning. Shes maligned our son for years now and Ill not stand for it any longer. Hes a good child and keeping him at arms length isboth stupid and pointless now that the world knows hes one of the People. Ill not leave him unguarded for another second and if she wont listen to logic or reason, then Ill resort to blackmail.Surprise flashed across her husbands face, which was immediately replaced by sheer delight. Gladly my rose, I will personally send word the moment Rain returns.An idea came to her and she Sent, No, have Gerel pass the message along. Another one of her idiotic actions. Either Gerel is her Disciple and should be defended at all costs, or he isnt her Disciple and there was no need to publicly break ties. I swear, that arrogant woman is living proof age and wisdom do not go hand in hand.As you say my rose, though I caution against being so direct. You know her temper.Pei. So what if she has a temper? If I think she needs to hear it then I will tell her so myself. She wouldnt say it to her face and he knew it, but hearing him caution against it made her want to say it which he also knew. An aggravating man. Also, you dog-brained fool, what were you thinking falling apart so easily? Did I wed a warrior or a weakling?Anger lighting a fire within her, Sarnai continued ranting at her husband through Sending, drinking in the sweet sight of his wagging tail and upright ears.Chapter MemeRead latest chapters at novelbin.com Only
