The Lore Wain and Her Nephew Pt. 25

Nala leaned close to Celeste, "You don't genuinely believe this was your fault, do you?" Celeste didn't need to answer, for she started to weep at the sound of such a question. It was clear to anyone she was with that she still blamed herself. The problem was that no one could seem to get her out of that mindset because they didn't know how to help her. What do you say to someone who has lost so much? Nala wasted no time in taking Celeste's tea cup and setting it aside before giving her a motherly hug. "Oh, dear, you are not at fault for this. You couldn't of known. You were out doing your duty for the people of Anniera." "No... I was off in other lands when I should of been home!" Celeste cried. Nala looked at the rest of the party, as if asking for some privacy for Celeste's sake. Clef picked up on this and helped shoo the crew back into the line of trees. Janner, Nala's son, joined them also. As Nala comforted Celeste, Janner got onto a nearby ladder to start picking fruit. After he had picked about four apples, he carefully climbed down and handed them to each of the members of the group to eat. "Here," Janner said as he handed them out, "A sample of your fine work from the harvest." Nibble thanked Janner but refused the fruit, "Thank you but... Perhapsss you should save this for Celeste. She loves fruit a lot more than I do." Janner responded by pocketing the apple for when Celeste was ready for it and moved on to the next crew member. "Thank you, Janner. I got to say, I'm very proud of you for being so kind to the lot of us misfits. Keep it up." Clef said as he received the apple and took a bite out of it. Janner smiled in response, "Thank you, Mr. Clef." Clef shook his head, "I appreciate the formality but just call me Clef. 'Mr. Clef' makes me feel like a music teacher..." He said with a wink. "Ah-" Janner laughed at Clef's joke, "I'll try to keep that in mind..." Zarabean received an apple from Janner and thanked him before gingerly taking a bite of it. His eyes were narrowed as they usually were then he was being cautious. Frankly, he looked a little shifty with the way he was looking around. However, Janner wasn't the cause of Zarabean's strange behavior, it was Zarabean's wariness of the local ridgerunners. Cy politely and shyly thanked Janner but looked at Zarabean with great concern. She wanted to ask him why he was acting so strangely but she already had a feeling she knew why. Cynthia felt they were being watched. Janner looked concerningly at Zarabean as well as he walked back to Nibble and Clef (Zarabean and Cynthia were standing about ten feet away from the rest of the group.) "Is your friend okay?" He asked quietly. "Aw, he's just antsssy. Don't mind ol' Bean." Nibble cackled and walked over to Zarabean to check on him. Meanwhile, Celeste told Nala what she had been holding onto for so long. "I wasn't supposed to be in Skree or in Dang or even the Hollows... I was supposed to be in Anniera." Celeste explained through her whimpering. "I should of been there when the castle was broken into. I should of been there the second time too. Oh, Nala, this is all my fault..." "It is not your fault!" Nala exclaimed. "My dear, you were doing your job!" "No, my job was to be in Anneria, not the rest of Aerwiar!" Celeste argued. "That is what a Lore Wain is supposed to do- keep the stories alive for the Annieran people! If I hadn't been looking for my parents, I would of been back home doing my duties properly..." Nala shook her head, "No, Celeste. That's not the Lore Wain's only job." "You wouldn't know you... you aren't Annerian..." Celeste protested, though knowing it was a poor excuse for an argument and a bit rude to state. "Oh, I know quite a lot without being Annerian, Celeste." Nala replied with a little bit of an attitude in her tone. "It's just a few miles out to sea. A sea dragon's single stroke would get him there in two minutes. We hear plenty from the Kingdom." She made Celeste look her in the eyes. "You were chosen to keep the stories alive for ALL of Aerwiar. Not just Anniera. You were doing your job all along. Look at the crew you've gathered!" Celeste looked down and then at her crew standing several feet away. She observed Nibble teasing Zarabean by nuggying his head. Zarabean appeared to wack Nibble's hand away and bicker with him. Clef appeared to cackle at the two of them while Cynthia looked very anxious. "Could anyone of done that?" Nala continued without noting the crew's behavior, "*Would* anyone of done what you've done?" Nala asked, her tone becoming softer. "Celeste, if you cannot see what the Maker has done through you, you need a new set of eyes! You've done work only he would of set you out to do." "All this time... I thought I was looking for my parents..." Celeste slowly looked back at Nala. "But I found friends instead..." Nala placed a hand on her shoulder, "And your parents could still be out there... But are you prepared if you find they aren't?" She asked with tenderness in her voice. Celeste sighed and paused a moment to digest the simple yet hard question. "I don't know if I am after the week I've had but... At least I know I'm doing something right by the Maker..." "Now, do you still think you're at fault for this?" Nala asked, making sure Celeste's mindset had gotten to a better place. "It... couldn't of been my fault if I was doing my job correctly..." Celeste muttered, trying to admit Nala was right. Nala nodded, "And the Maker had you safely away from the palace for a reason- for both times. You could of died and Echo wouldn't of been saved." Celeste nodded in agreement, "I suppose you're right..." She slowly rose her head to look Nala in the eyes again. "Thank you, Nala. I haven't had any time to really... really think about this in the right light." "No problem, what are friends for?" Nale replied with a smile. "I'm sorry for... snapping at you over the Annerian thing..." Celeste apologized with embarrassment. "I shouldn't of..." "You were upset, I understand and I forgive you." Nala replied as Janner rushed back over to them. Janner took Nibble's apple out of his pocket and offered it to Celeste. "Nibble said he wanted you to have his since he doesn't like fruit..." Celeste smiled softly at Janner and took the fruit. "Thank you..." Janner looked between Celeste and his mother before saying. "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting but your ridgerunner friend... He seems on edge." Celeste blinked and looked over at Zarabean and Nibble. Zarabean looked rather angry with Nibble for nuggying him just moments before. Nibble seemed uncomfortable with how strangely hostile Zarabean seemed to be acting. Celeste looked back at Janner. "Thank you for letting me know. Bean has been on edge since we've gotten here but... He never snaps like that at his friends. Something must be off." She stood up and thanked Nala again and walked over to her crew.