Talibah - The Egyptian
Chapter 13 - Page 1
Borderlands

The field seemed filtered, even slightly hazy, in muted colors of energy rather than the more distinct, sometimes even sharp variants that Jared often worked with and was more used to. Yet, this was a border area, an area beyond which Jared did not go. In some ways it was not so much that he could not, but as an Elf he understood the need for balance, that his energy would misplace energy and cause ripples that would upset that balance should he wander beyond the boundaries of his designated realms. His work, his duties, his energy enriched and helped maintain the balance of the area he had been placed. Even Cordelia, who had the right, the permission, even the proper balance to move between areas, mostly stayed in a certain prescribed region much like a queen over territory and country. All in the question of balance, all to keep the Earth as she should be, as she needed to be.

Jared had wandered to the field out of curiosity, if nothing else, but also to be alone for a while. None of his friends would seek him out here; they had no inclination to get so close to these areas, complaining of coldness and dizziness. In truth, it made them rather uncomfortable and a bit unwary. Jared certainly understood that and agreed that he felt the same, but Cordelia had taught him to work out along the borders, too, for life needed their attendance everywhere within their vicinity - and with care, even such places were negotiable easily enough. Sometimes Jared felt he glimpsed shadow beings in these places and though he didnšt sense any real fear concerning them, he didnšt feel inclined to try and contact them at all, either. Besides, Cordelia warned him that contact was likely unwise, at least at his current level. 'Spirits.' She had said. 'Ghosts of the between. Humans, otherkin. You've not the skill yet, cousin. Perchance someday.' So Jared chose to sit calmly in this muted place. Perhaps to let himself drift in dream, perhaps to think; but mostly to be alone and be in silence.

For some space he thought of almost nothing, his eyes closed, his body in an easy repose as he felt a filter of what was likely sunlight, though he never really saw the actual sun. After a time, images of Talibah invaded; tenderly, softly, as if mere movement at the edges of his thinking. It caused him to smile a little, despite the fact that he also felt some pangs as well. It seemed eons since he'd seen her and he wasn't sure he understood what humans could be doing that made them so busy they could forget things he deemed so important as the work he and Talibah were involved with. He sighed momentarily, he knew he had important work outside of what he did with Talibah, too; yet, he felt none of it mattered near as much - Talibah, her wonderful dragon, or the Star Being. And sometimes he began to speculate what it was like in Talibah's world? What made her world so that she could forget, could take so long at times before she contacted him? Thoughts about the Star Being troubled him, troubled him enough to open his eyes and gaze out at the haze the borders made.

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