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[indent][sub][COLOR=7ea7d8][sub][b]Location:[/b] Sanctum Sanctorum [/sub][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=7ea7d8][sub][b]Interactions:[/b]None[/sub][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr][hr]

[indent]That morning played over and over in his head.  He hadn’t slept all night, and when he’d gone to Raph’s room the man was not there.  He stood in front of Orias’ door and smiled as the small child’s chest rose and fell.  Aielah touched the child’s hair and moved it out of his face.  He remembered Dr. Strange’s words regarding attachments to this realm.  His attention was snatched away when the sound of glass shattering filled the Sanctum.  Aielah ensured Orias didn’t wake and took off towards the source of the sound.  Raph’s body was covered in deep wounds.  He remembered how the tear fell from his eyes as he held Raph in his arms and beckoned him to not waste his energy, to conserve it, but with his final words the man reminded him that his job was not done, that now he had something more to protect.  Orias.  Aielah remembered the light leaving Raph’s eyes and for a moment a bit of his own light diminished.  The warriors of the Sanctum quickly took Raph’s body to be buried in the sacred garden upon Aielah’s orders.  How would he explain to Orias what had happened?

Aielah stood in the middle of the relic room physically present, but his mind distant.

“Sir,” one of the men spoke, bringing Aielah back.

Aielah turned to the man and blinked.

“Sir, there’s been an incident.  It’s all over the news.”

Aielah nodded and followed the man out of the relic room.  He sealed it back with a wave of his hand and soon sat gracefully in front of a large mirror.  In the reflection, Oberon was addressing the world.  Aielah’s eyes scanned the reflection and sighed.  There was more than one attack last night.  This proved that there was something going on and he had to get ahead of it and figure out what to do.  He would need to pay Oberon a visit, but sending someone would be too messy.  For this, he would have to actually get his hands dirty.  As a sworn protector, it is what he had to do.

“Aielah..”

The small voice came from the doorway of the room.  Aielah turned to see Orias standing sheepishly in the doorway, his head lowered.

“[color=B507E1]Orias,[/color]” Aielah said, beckoning the child to enter.  “[color=B507E1]Are you alright?[/color]”

Orias seemed to brighten when Aielah motioned for him to enter.  He quickly jumped into the sorcerer’s lap and buried his face into his shoulder.

“I had a dream about him.”

Aielah closed his eyes and comforted the young child in his arms.

“[color=B507E1]Dreams are ways of remembering Orias.  He rescued you, and brought you here for a new life.  Thank him by living fully.  Cherish every dream and memory.[/color]”

Orias pulled away from Aielah and looked him in the eyes.

“I want to be able to protect you, like you protected me.”

Aielah smiled warmly and ruffled Orias’ hair.

“[color=B507E1]Are you sure you want to learn?  It is ultimately your choice, and I will not bar you from learning.[/color]”

Orias nodded his head and Aielah stood, placing Orias gently on the ground.

“[color=B507E1]Then your training will begin during the first light of the moon.  Now, I have someplace to be, I trust you will look after the place while I am gone.[/color]”

Orias nodded again and Aielah smiled.  

“[color=B507E1]Good.  Nicolai will take you to the inner sanctum.[/color]”[/indent]