Mari's head shot around: A scream - where did it come from? And where had the translucent elf vanished to? She tiptoed up to Elendirill, against all reason, she still hoped for a life sign. She bent down and touched his chest. No, nothing... Blue welled up in her and entered the lifeless body - only darkness inside. Then this dreadful scream again - full of despair, desperation and loss.
Mari stood up wearily, bending on her staff - will this never end? Then she followed the scream's trail - long corridors, grey as her heart was - empty and lacking light - the same as she felt... the same as she felt now.
Her path lead her eventually to a cell, the scream's source. Peering through the opening, she saw FERAILA! She knew at once, it WAS Feraila, Elendirill's love, a love only an elf can feel... The elven lady's face was distorted, full of pain and not understanding what had happened. Her hands were clenched to fists, her knuckles white and her eyes were closed. Such pain!
Mari sighed, was she the one who had to break the bad news? Elendirill's sacrifice had given Feraila her freedom back, the magic bonds of the cell door were broken - but for what??? For what??
The human village girl entered the cell and touched Feraila's arm timidly:
"You're Feraila? I'm sorry, but..."
The elf opened her eyes and looked into Mari's... No word need to be said... she understood, her face was as pale as snow. Her sorrow and grief nearly unbearable for Mari to behold. Then she heard Feraila's broken voice:
"I don't know your name, girl - but WHERE is he? Where is my love? Bring me to him, I want to see, to understand, to be reunited..."
Mari sighed again, turned around and went back to the altar room - passed the empty grey corridors - long corridors - grey as her heart was, again - empty and lacking light - the same as she felt... the same as she felt again - with one difference, this time she was accompanied by someone who's sorrow was larger, who's heart broke more and more with each step.
"And I can't do anything, I can't help," Mari whispered to herself. Even all colours of the world, even the staff... nothing could help.
The elf and the human finally reached the altar room, Feraila rushed over to Elendirill's silent body - Mari turned away, her head bent. She knew an intruder would disturb now... even a silent observer would be too much, would desecrate...
