Chapter 28: Daranna’s Secrets
John lay on the large bed in Lady Daranna’s chamber. He could hear Daranna luxuriating in her bath in the next room. Sylara lay next to John, her naked body still emitting a slight glow after multiple orgasms. Her breath was slow and steady. She turned to look at him.
“What was that?” she asked.
“Aveliora gave me…a gift,” John said.
Sylara nodded, understanding. “You were already gifted. Now, you are … extraordinary,” Sylara said, her voice a soft whisper. She reached out and traced the line of John’s jaw, her fingertips brushing gently against his skin. “What else can you do? How far does this gift go?”
John shrugged, a slight smile playing on his lips. “I’m still learning," he said. "I haven’t even begun to explore the limits of this ability.”
Sylara looked at him, her eyes filled with a mix of awe and curiosity.
“I wonder how far you can take this,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve never felt anything like that before.”
John smiled, a soft, gentle curve of his lips. “I’m glad I could give you that,” he said.
Sylara sighed. “I will miss you when we continue on our journey,” she said.
“I’ll miss you too, Sylara,” John said. They lay in silence for a moment before he asked “What is Draemar like?”
Sylara paused, as if considering her answer. “It is beautiful,” she said, “a city that spreads out in front of the sea. The buildings dance with color, and the markets are always full of life. The air smells of salt and spice.”
“And the people?” John asked. “What are they like?”
Sylara hesitated for a moment before speaking. “They are strong and proud, shaped by the ancient traditions that bind us. We are a people of honor, of duty. But we are also a people of passion, of desire. We embrace our pleasures as much as our responsibilities.”
”It sounds amazing,” John said.
“It is,” Daranna said from the doorway. Her body dripped with water from the tub, her hair hanging down over her shoulders in dark, wet tendrils. She was wrapped in a sheer silk robe that did little to hide her body. The room was filled with the scent of exotic flowers and herbs. “It is a place of contrasts, of extremes. We are a passionate people, but we are also bound by strict traditions and hierarchies. It is a hard place to reconcile sometimes.”
John sat up, propping himself against the pillows. “It’s a place of great beauty, from the sounds of it,” he said.
Daranna nodded, drying her hair with a towel. "Yes, it is. But there is darkness there as well. We may embrace our pleasures, but we also have our share of suffering and cruelty."
"Like any place, I imagine," John said.
"True," Daranna agreed. "But Draemar has its own...unique challenges. We are a society driven by power and status, and those without it often suffer for it. That is part of the reason I travel so much. I want to see the world, to experience different cultures and ways of life. Sometimes, I think our people could learn from others."
"I understand that," John said, “but, with respect, you seem to embody many of the trappings of that power and status.” Daranna smiled, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the room. “Perhaps,” she said, “but I think I have a unique perspective on it. I have seen what it is like to be both the privileged and the underprivileged.”
John cocked an eyebrow, intrigued. “You have?”
Daranna nodded, her gaze settling on the fireplace. “My mother was a commoner,” she said, her voice soft. “My father was a noble, but he took no interest in me or my mother. We lived in poverty, hidden away from the world. It was only when my father died without any other heir that I was able to claim my birthright. I never wanted to be a part of that world, but I knew that I had to try and change it from within. That is why I travel, why I learn about different societies and their ways. I want to bring the best of those ideas back to Draemar, to try and make life better for those who are not as fortunate as I am."
John nodded, impressed by Daranna's determination. "You're right," he said. "Change comes from the inside out. But why all the pageantry? The bodyguard announcing you? The test of my…skills the other day with Sylara and Ilyana?”
“I suppose you could say I must maintain a certain appearance for the outside world,” Daranna said, her voice soft yet firm. “Draemar is a place of tradition and hierarchy. The nobles hold the most power, and they are expected to maintain a certain level of grandeur and opulence. It is a show of strength and wealth, of control and dominance. I must play the part, to an extent. But I do not believe in the extremes that some of my peers do. I try to be a voice of reason, of balance.
“But I understand how I may seem like a contradiction,” she continued, her eyes meeting John’s. “I travel to experience different cultures, to learn new ways, and yet I must adhere to the traditions and expectations of my own people. It is a delicate balance, one that I am still learning to navigate.”
John nodded, understanding her perspective better. “It’s a complicated situation,” he acknowledged. “But you’re right, change does have to come from within. And it sounds like you’re doing your part to enact that change.”
Daranna smiled, her eyes reflecting a mix of appreciation and resignation. “I try,” she said. She paused, her gaze drifting to the window. The sun had been short of mid-day when John arrived in Daranna’s chamber, and now it was low on the other side of the sky.
“How do you know Lyra?” John asked her.
Daranna turned to look at him. “You are full of questions,” she said, her lips forming a small grin.
“I seek knowledge about myself, which makes me curious about others,” John said.
Daranna nodded. “That makes sense. Lyra has a…network…of women who have great desire.
She connects them with men who...fulfill their desires. She assures me of their discretion and safety. She has never steered me wrong before,” Daranna explained.
“I see,” John said, nodding. “It makes sense, I suppose.”
Daranna chuckled, a low, throaty sound. “Indeed. Lyra serves a valuable role in facilitating these…arrangements.”
“And you trust her?” John asked.
Daranna considered this for a moment. “I do, yes. Lyra is a woman of her word. She has connections and information that people of our world would find invaluable. She has been a great resource for me during my travels,” Daranna explained.
“How do you contact each other?” John asked.
Daranna smiled, a cryptic glint in her eyes. "Magic, of course. In Draemar, we have ways of communicating over long distances. It's a skill that runs in my family. Lyra is no different. She has her own methods."
John nodded, taking this information in. His hand went to Oria’s gemstone around his neck.
Daranna saw the gesture. “I see you’ve encountered similar magic,” she said. She stood and walked to a chest across the room. She opened it and retrieved a pouch.
She walked over to the bed and upended the pouch. A perfectly spherical stone fell out onto the bed. It was about the size of John’s fist, and it shimmered with a soft, shifting light. It was a deep blue, with veins of gold running through it.
“What is that?” John asked, picking it up and turning it over in his hands.
“That,” Daranna said, “is a communication stone. It’s a magical artifact from the hills surrounding Draemar. It allows for instant communication over vast distances.”
John looked up at Daranna, a question in his eyes. “So, you can just…talk through it?” he asked.
“Take my hand,” Daranna said, extending her hand to John. He took it, and felt Sylara take his other hand.
Daranna placed her free hand on the stone. She spoke in Draemarese. The only word John understood was “Lyra.”
The stone began to emit a glow. Similar to when John used the gemstone around his neck to contact Oria and Mazara, a light emerged from the stone and formed into a humanoid shape.
The figure was translucent, and John could see the stone’s internal swirls of blue and gold refracting through its form. Slowly, the figure took shape and the features resolved. John recognized Lyra's face and body. The shimmering figure before them was only a reflection of her. The blue and gold swirls masked Lyra's pale skin and light blonde hair, but her smirk was unmistakable. She crossed her legs, leaning back in a casual pose as she spoke. Her voice echoed in the room, crisp and clear as if she were sitting beside them.
"Ah, Daranna, always the social butterfly. I see you've found yourself some...entertainment," Lyra said, her eyes flickering over John and Sylara. She winked at John, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Lyra," Daranna greeted, her voice warm and friendly despite Lyra's flirtatious tone. "It's good to see you. I wish to thank you for bringing John here to my attention. He has proven to be most...
adept at his job," Daranna finished with a playful smile.
Lyra's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, yes. John's quite the...professional, isn't he?" she purred, her gaze lingering on John. She glanced at Sylara. "And is that you, Sylara? Have you experienced John's talents as well?" she asked.
Sylara smiled, blushing. "Yes, John is very skilled," she replied.
"John's time in Aveliora's tower has been beneficial to him, and to all of us," Daranna said. "His skills have grown."
Lyra's eyes flashed with interest. "Indeed? That's excellent to hear. I knew he had potential, but it seems he's exceeded even my expectations. What do you think, John? Are you enjoying your time in the tower?"
John glanced at Daranna and Sylara before answering. "I'm learning a lot," he said. "And I've met some interesting people."
Lyra arched an eyebrow. "Interesting? Or...instructive?"
John chuckled. "Both."
Daranna joined in the laughter. "Indeed, Lyra. John has been quite the surprise," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Have you met Aveliora herself yet, John?" Lyra asked.
"No, not yet," John answered, "but I believe I will soon. As...instructive as my time in the tower has been, I am eager to resume my quest."
Lyra's eyes narrowed, a faint hint of concern flickering across her face. "Careful, John," she warned. "Aveliora is not someone to be trifled with. She has her own agenda, and she will not hesitate to use you to further it."
John nodded, his expression turning pensive. "I am aware of that, Lyra. But I also believe that meeting her is important to regaining my memories. And, if I'm being honest, I'm not convinced that her agenda and mine are entirely separate."
Lyra studied John for a moment before nodding. "Very well.
I wish you luck, John. Remember, if you need anything, Daranna can tell you how to find me," Lyra said, her voice serious.
“Thank you, Lyra,” John said, a note of gratitude in his voice.
“And what about you, Lyra?” Daranna asked, a playful lilt in her voice. “Have you found any interesting… specimens… lately?”
Lyra laughed, a sound like tinkling bells. “Always the curious one, Daranna. And yes, as a matter of fact, I have. A young man, quite handsome and skilled. Will you be visiting the village of Oakshade anytime soon?" Lyra's voice was pure mischief, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"I can certainly add it to my route," Daranna said, smirking.
"Excellent," Lyra replied, "please let me know when you have made travel plans. He may not quite compare to John, but he will satisfy you, of that I am certain."
Daranna nodded her head. "You have never steered me wrong in matters of pleasure, my friend," she said, "I will be in contact again soon. Be at peace."
"Be at peace," Lyra said. Daranna removed her hand from the stone, and Lyra's image faded away.
Daranna released John's hand and stood. She picked up the stone, placed it in its pouch, and returned it to the chest. She pulled another pouch of of the chest and retrieved a much smaller stone from it. After placing that pouch back in the chest, she returned to the bed and handed the stone to John.
The stone had the same colors and patterns as the one Daranna had used to contact Lyra, but it was much smaller. It was about the same size as Oria's stone around his neck.
"I can use this to contact Lyra directly?" John asked, taking the stone from Daranna.
"Yes," Daranna said. "She will be able to see and hear you, just as you can see and hear her. It is a two-way communication line, so to speak."
John nodded, turning the stone over in his hands. "Thank you, Daranna. This will be useful."
Daranna smiled. "I thought so. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must attend to some business. I'll leave you two to...continue your...activities," she said with a wink. She walked towards the door, pausing before she left.
"John, a word before I go?"
"Of course," he said, setting the stone down on the nightstand.
Daranna turned to face him, her expression serious. "I want to thank you, John, for the experiences you've provided. Not just the pleasure, but the insights. You've shown me things about myself I didn't know. And you've given Sylara a gift she'll never forget."
John nodded, feeling a warmth spread through him at her words. "It's been my pleasure, Daranna."
She smiled, her eyes softening. "I mean that genuinely, John.
You have a gift, and you use it with care and respect. That's rare, and I appreciate it. If there's anything you need, anything at all, don't hesitate to ask. Lyra will know how to contact me. I'll do what I can to help."
John felt a genuine gratitude towards Daranna's words. He nodded, "I will keep that in mind, Daranna. Thank you."
Daranna smiled and left the room, the door clicking softly behind her.
John turned his attention back to Sylara. She was still lying on the bed, her eyes closed, a soft smile on her face.
He reached out and touched her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin. She opened her eyes and turned to look at him, her smile widening.
“That was…something else,” she said, her voice a soft murmur.
John smiled back at her. “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” he said. “You seemed to, at least.”
Sylara nodded. “I did. Very much so. But…I don’t understand how you do it. How you can…give that to someone.”
John shrugged. “It’s a gift I was given.
I’m still learning how to use it.” John said. Sylara’s eyes widened with curiosity. “Can you show me? Teach me?” she asked, her voice eager.
“I don’t know if I can. I’m not sure I understand it myself yet.” John said, but he saw the disappointment in Sylara’s eyes, and he didn’t want to dismiss her request outright. “But, we could try. Maybe if I focus on what I do, and you try to mimic it…”
Sylara nodded, her eyes bright with excitement. “I want to try. I want to give that to someone else.