Dakien Sorntur
They met at the Bay Leaf Inn, Shadow was married and pregnant with a daughter that she was never meant to have, and one that she would not be allowed to keep. Dakien was a ranger/scout from a world known as Vayino and was simply ‘passing through’. There was a connection between them because of their race and the similarities. Dakien joined the Taurësúlë Den’gar assisting in creating ties with the Taurësúlë to the south and eventually he moved on, acting as liaison between the Taurësúlë capital in Gala Nodel and those that resided in Shaenay Forest.
In the years that passed, Dakien and Shadow worked closely together in bettering the Taurësúlë Nation and during that time Shadow ignored the signs, but with each visit, his intentions became clear. But Shadow refused to leave her husband.
With the death of her husband, Dakien pressed until she agreed to his courting but when her children needed her most, she focused on them. It was something she learned later had started a seed of resentment within her future husband. Eventually she agreed to marrying him, Shadow trusted him and was fond of him, and deep inside she knew she married him to feel safe, falling prey to her own self-doubt. Their marriage was blessed by her ancestors, though the true reason for their blessing wasn’t known for many years after their last son was born.
To the world, their marriage appeared to be ‘perfect’, but it was a lie that Shadow told to cover up the mistake that she had made. Abuse was common, though he never raised a finger against her. Emotional abuse was his tool, trying to force Shadow into the wife he expected, going so far as to purposely impregnate her, something that has baffled many as to how, to make her stay home. Dakien didn’t want her to deal with any of her family or friends.
During a quest Shadow was faced with her own mortality and a fear of dying alone, a strange sensation that she had never felt before. On that day, Shadow swore if something should happen to him and he died, she would follow him in death, not out of love, but because she would not put herself through the pain again. It was an oath that was tested one dreaded night when their village was attacked; It was an oath she wasn’t able to keep. The night of Dakien’s death, her twin felt it and sent for Y’Roden D’Riel, who took her away and forced her to live.
Together Dakien and Shadow had, nine children, three girls and six boys, though their last, Daerkal, never had a chance to know his father as it wasn't known that Shadow was pregnant the night of Dakien's death. It was the birth of this child that the Sildanai and Shadow’s ancestors wanted, and the reason why the marriage was blessed.
Eventually Shadow came to terms with the betrayal by her brother and father and the real reason why she ever married him, he felt safe, and something that she rarely felt. Feeling safe though, wasn't all that it was cracked up to be and it slowly dampened the spark in her that everyone knew. Dakien's death was a blessing, freeing her to become the woman that she was meant to be.
No I would not sleep in this bed of lies
So toss me out and turn in
And there'll be no rest for these tired eyes
I'm marking it down to learning
I am
Don't think that I can take another empty moment
Don't think that I can fake another hollow smile
It's not enough just to be sorry
Don't think that I could take another talk about it
Just like me you got needs
And they're only a whisper away
And we softly surrender
To these lives that we've tendered away
No I would not sleep in this bed of lies
So toss me out and turn in
And there'll be no rest for these tired eyes
I'm marking it down to learning
I am
Don't wanna be the one who turns the whole thing over
Don't wanna be somewhere where I just don't belong
Where it's not enough just be sorry
Don't you know I feel the darkness closing in
Tried to be more than me
And I gave till it all went away
And we've only surrendered
To the worst part of these winters we've made
No I would not sleep in this bed of lies
So toss me out and turn in
And there'll be no rest for these tired eyes
I'm marking it down to learning
I am
I am all that I'll ever be
When you - lay your hands
Over me but don't go weak on me now
I know that it's weak
But God help me I need this
I will not sleep in this bed of lies
So toss me out and turn in
And there'll be no rest for these tired eyes
I'm marking it down to learning
I'm marking it down to learning
'Cause I am