[Failed to Capture]
Raemos had fallen asleep in his despondency, or had nearly done so. It wouldn't matter if he did – one of his subordinates would find him when the boat was ready to leave the land he did not deserve. Seren had given him, in her infinite wisdom, a chance for paradise, and he had squandered it by grabbing for it with his greedy, disgusting hands. Hope was lost for him. He was doomed to linger in the shadows of her light, never to feel her grace upon him, never to feel his soul uplifted... never to have one at all. He sighed, wishing for sleep to come and slice the time away, so that he could no longer think on the joy he had lost simply by being too greedy and hasty for it.
A soft song trickled through his ear, and he stirred. It had to be a dream, or the beginning of one – one of those dreams that teased with joy and promised despair upon waking. It had to be one of those – why else would he dream of an Olrawk's song, now?
But the song strengthened, and soon he realized that it was real and present. He awoke with a start, holding the branch to keep his balance, his tail writhing in surprised excitement as he saw it – the olrawk. It stared at him with its enormous, gleaming eyes, and sang its beautiful song, and Raemos was overcome with love and appreciation.
“You've come back!” he said. Well, not precisely back – it lingered in another tree, just across from where Raemos sat – but it had returned, even though Raemos's actions had startled it away. “Oh, glory be to her, you came back...” he began to cry again, longing to touch the feathers of the beautiful creature, to stroke it and hold it and possess it and hear its song for always. But, he knew, he could not do so. “You beautiful creature...” he whispered, holding out his hand. He knew better now. He would not come to it – it would have to come to him. It would, if Seren judged him worthy, but he was grateful that Seren had judged him worthy enough to send such an emmissary again, to accept his apology and grace him with it's music and presence. “I'm sorry for before, beautiful creature...” he murmured, “I'm sorry, I promise I will never grasp for things so greedily...” He would not – though he felt it again, the desire for this creature.
This was a test. Seren was testing his faith. That much was clear to him. He would not try to get it.
“Will you come here?” he asked the Olrawk as it sang and watched him, “Will you come to me? Will you stay with me?” he placed some berries into his hand and offered them out to the bird, “If you do, I will feed you and care for you. I will be diligent. If you only come with me and keep me company with the beauty of your song, I will do whatever you desire. I will provide whatever you need.” he knew he was babbling – to a bird no less – but its song enraptured him, and he could do nothing else. “I swear it...” he said, almost desperately, longingly, lovingly, “I swear it by the lady of light, I will do anything for you.” If Seren granted him this glory, he would spoil that damn thing rotten.
It stopped in its singing and hooted once, amused, before taking flight away. Raemos smiled sadly after it.
“I see.” he said, climbing down the tree, “I understand now.” Goddess be great, he understood so much now...
