Miras Last by Erin Elliott Page A

tent.
    When he got to it, he was surprised to see
the tent flap propped wide open because the air was still chilly.
Assuming since the door was open, anyone was welcome, Tark stepped
into the tent. Sitting on the hammock with his back to the opening
was Morgo. His head was bent and he appeared to be looking at
something in his lap. Tark cleared his throat, hoping to get his
attention, but Morgo remained in the same position. Tark began to
worry something was wrong so he crossed over to where the elf sat
and peered over his shoulder to see him holding a bowl full of
water. In the water was the image of Venia. It appeared she was
sitting down and staring vacantly at nothing at all, as she had so
often done when Tark was around her.
    “She’s still beautiful, isn’t she?” Tark
asked. The result of him speaking when Morgo was so entranced
caused both of them to be covered in water and Morgo to end up on
the ground, looking up at Tark and breathing heavily. “Sorry, I
tried to get your attention before, but you were a little
preoccupied.”
    “You’re right. I had no idea that you were
behind me as evidenced by my reaction,” Morgo said, chuckling
slightly while he got up. He stood and shook his hands to get some
of the excess water from them. He looked sheepishly at Tark, much
like a child who had been caught doing something naughty. “I
suppose you would like an explanation.”
    “I have an idea, but I’m willing to listen
regardless,” Tark said, grinning at the look on his friend’s face.
For in truth, Tark realized Morgo had developed some type of
feelings for Venia, otherwise he wouldn’t have paid as much
attention to her as he had.
    “She is beautiful. I’ve never seen anything
as beautiful as Venia. The moment I laid eyes on her, I felt a pull
like I had never experienced with anyone in the world from which I
come from. I think the fact she is from the world above is what
holds part of the attraction, but only a small part.”
    “Are you sure she isn’t just a puzzle for you
to figure out?” Tark asked smirking slightly. His friend Morgo was
always trying to figure out how things worked or the reason behind
anything he found intriguing. To Morgo, the world was one big
mystery, waiting for him to unravel. It was the reason he’d begun
collecting so many books.
    “I’m not sure to be honest. That was the
reason I became so interested in the first place, but then she
started responding to things I was doing for her. Just little
things like smiling at me or looking toward me when she heard my
voice. It’s gotten to the point where I look forward to those
moments and find myself doing whatever it takes to cause her to
smile or acknowledge me at all.” Morgo sat heavily down on his
hammock, looking at his hands as if they had somehow betrayed him.
“I’m crazy, aren’t I?” He sounded thoroughly depressed and Tark
couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for him.
    “No, not crazy. Well, maybe not completely
crazy.” Tark grinned at him.
    Morgo returned the smile. “You know I asked
Nigora to stay behind with her, so that she could continue to try
and bring her back. She refused to though. She said her talents
would be needed after battles. I knew she was right, but I still
couldn’t help feeling disappointed when she didn’t remain behind.
Although, we’re both at a loss for exactly what to do.”
    “I think you were heading in the right
direction. Love her back to life.”
    “Are you angry at me, because we were friends
first?” Morgo looked down at this, still looking sheepish.
    “No, I’m not sure I completely understand,
but who am I to judge others?”
    Morgo gave a half grin at this, relief
evident on his face. “Neither do I.” Morgo shook his head a little
sadly before looking up and regarding Tark. “Now, how can I help
you, since I assume your main purpose for coming to visit was not
to scare the wits out of me?”
    “No, but it was definitely a perk,” Tark
said, laughing at