blackfyrematriarch

[blackfyrematriarch]

“don’t say the N-word on tumblr, you’ll get banned”

[blackfyrematriarch]

[blackfyrematriarch]

A Family Portrait

The Matriarch, Countess Rene Elizabeth Blackfyre and her husband Count Unwine Abel Seabright of Saltcliffe:

The Firstborn, Viscountess Darina Mercy Blackfyre and her husband Viscount Laurence Christian Tyndall of Saltcliffe:

The Twins, Lady Ferina and Lord Telford Blackfyre, Heirs to Saltcliffe:

And, as a bonus, Lord Cyrus Phineas Whitaker, a.k.a. Lord ‘Wit’, the Matriarch’s advisor:

(( relevant  / family / etc.: @legacy-of-blackfyre @from-the-serpents-mouth @warlund-blackfyre @eveshadows @elena-blackfyre @kimberlyducayne @farahblackfyre @salomeblackfyre @leonareede @baronofborhswald goodness, there’s a lot of us! ))

[blackfyrematriarch]

Silverleaf: What is their favorite beverage?

The Matriarch’s drink of choice is Arathi port. Her husband Abel Seabright always has some in the castle’s stores.

@jazimina (sorry it took so long!)

[blackfyrematriarch]

A Symbolic Expression

It was late. Later than Keenan usually liked to stay up. He couldn’t sleep, not more than a couple hours since that night.

It was the lonliness that got him. For the first time in eighteen years, he slept alone in his own bed. When he woke from his horrid dreams, reliving those anguished moments, he was alone. No love to comfort him anymore.

He decided he would take a walk, try to clear his head. Dressing himself in the clothes he had discarded on the floor, he noted a weight in his pocket. Curious, he reached down and touched it, and his heart went cold.

It was the revolver he had used to kill the Half-elf’s family. He still had it with him. His mind felt like it was swimming through molasses, and all he could do was walk. Hopefully, Elana wouldn’t wake from the room next to his as he departed his home. She would try to stop him from going out, bless her heart.

Keenan’s hand stayed on the cold metal of the weapon, slowly being warmed by his body heat. He nearly bumped into a guard on patrol, his mind elsewhere. When his journey seemed to have emded, he found himself standing in the Park, overseeing the sea.

Once upon a time, Keenan’s wife had loved the park. It was one of her favorite places to spend time with him, whenever he was in the city. He brought the gun from its hiding place, looking it over for the first time since that night. It reflected the light of the moon, dazzling his eyes. Such a pretty little thing, causing so much pain.

It made him sick. Gritting his teeth in anger, he drew back his arm, hurling the pistol over the edge of the cliff and into the churning brine below. He knew it wouldn’t help anything. But for just a moment, it made him feel like he might be okay.

When he arrived home, the distraught Blackfyre began to write letters. Family would need to know about this. He wrote to his cousin’s, Warlund, Claiborne, and Aehrick. He wrote to the Twins, Telford and Ferina, and the Matriarch at Saltcliffe. Though he knew she most likely had her own problems currently, he even wrote tp Tayela. He wrote to as many Blackfyres as he could think of, fervently writing and signing letters.

In the morning, Elana would find him leaned back in his chair, quill still in hand and asleep. With a kind gesture, she placed a blanket over him and gave him a kiss on the forhead. She saw all the letters he written, and sighed, deciding to take them and mail them for him.

Keenan slept somewhat soundly for the first time since that, dreaming of happier days, without sorrow and loss.

@warlundblackfyre @tayelablackfyre @aehrick @claiborneblackfyre @blackfyrematriarch @legacy-of-blackfyre

[blackfyrematriarch]

list of costumes

character: queen anne; series: the musketeers, 2014; appearance: season 3, episode 8; period: 1640s.

[blackfyrematriarch]

“He’d just end the marriage in divorce again. The entire effort would be pointless.”

Rene huffs softly, still smirking.

"Warlund. You need to let me make a suit for you sometime." Kimberly remarked, handing him a cup of tea.

“Why?” Warlund asked, hesitantly taking Kimberly’s offered tea. “They’re itchy and don’t ‘suit’ me,” he added with a bit of a laugh.

@kimberlyducayne (prompt mentions)

[blackfyrematriarch]

“And divorced, nephew. Don’t forget that, too. You’ve ended a marriage match to a strong woman... such a shame.” Rene says with a smug smirk.

@adhelin for mentions

🌟

1. He’s been engaged twice and married once.

[blackfyrematriarch]

“There, there, dear nephew. They’re all idiots, after all.” Rene replies with a bit of a smirk.

“Light save me from these idiots.”

[blackfyrematriarch]

Flaws and Strengths of Kimberly

↳ Bold what applies to your muse!

↳ Italicize things that sometimes apply

⚔ FLAWS

moody | short-tempered | emotionally unstable | whiny controlling | conceited | possessive | paranoid | lies impatient | cowardly | bitter | selfish | power-hungry greedy | lazy | judgmental | forgetful | impulsive vengeful | stubborn | sadistic | petty | unlucky

♛ STRENGTHS

honest | trustworthy | thoughtful | caring | brave patient | selfless | ambitious | tolerant | lucky intelligent | confident | focused | humble | generous merciful | observant | wise | clever | charming cheerful | optimistic | decisive | adaptive | calm

Tagging: @warlundblackfyre, @leonareede, @tayelablackfyre​, @blackfyrematriarch, @legacy-of-blackfyre, @from-the-serpents-mouth

[blackfyrematriarch]

The Matriarch of the House, Countess Rene Blackfyre, escorted by her adviser Lord Cyrus Whitaker to the Blackfyre family dinner.

@house-blackfyre-wra @warlundblackfyre @tayelablackfyre @leonareede @keenanblackfyre @from-the-serpents-mouth @legacy-of-blackfyre

[blackfyrematriarch]

[blackfyrematriarch]

Lord Cyrus Phineas Whitaker Adviser to Countess Rene Blackfyre of Saltcliffe Castle The Matriarch’s Wit

[blackfyrematriarch]

The Matriarch sat forward in her chair, that ever-present frown gracing her lips as always as Telford read aloud the letter sent to Saltcliffe. Ferina was sitting in a plush armchair opposite their grandmother, legs crossed and a smirk still dancing lightly on her face. Behind Rene and tucked in the shadows of a corner of the room, a man sat quietly, listening. And near the doorway, Darina and Ethan were standing, hearing what news had come to their home by the sea.

“I am Tayela Blackfyre, former bastard daughter to Warlund Blackfyre, now Countess of Redcliffe. I invite you to the castle on matters of urgent business, not only regarding the future of the Blackfyre family, but also to mend any bridges that may have been burned by my father. Please accept this invitation with all haste.” By the end of it, Telford didn’t seem to know whether to laugh or sneer. He hands the letter reverently to the Matriarch, unable to contain himself. “A bastard sits at this family’s main Estate as Countess? That is beyond insulting.”

Ferina’s smirk had likewise gone, replaced by a frown that looked so much like Rene’s it was frightening. Her brother moved to perch against the arm of her chair, and she leaned against him slightly, “So what do we do? This family gathering is something that hasn’t happened in quite some time.”

Darina scoffs softly, “Ferina, my daughter, the Blackfyre family prides itself on its Pride. The men of this line find it distasteful when women such as we further the family with more success than they do. If this woman, this ‘Countess of Redcliffe’ has called for a meeting, I think it wise to hear her out.” At this, Ethan hums once and nods his agreement.

Rene glances between all of them before looking over her shoulder. “And what do you think, dear Lord Whitaker?”

The man sitting in the shadows lets out a soft chuckle, a hand motioning to Darina. “Your daughter is quite right, Countess. This would be an important gathering for the family in quite some time. You wouldn’t want them to show you up. Appearances must be kept, for posterity.” His tone is matter-of-fact, clean, sharp. “You are the Matriarch, after all. Respects are owed to you just as much.” He sits forward, offering each of them a smile, though that warmth did not touch the ice in his eyes.

With a soft inhale of breath, Rene gives a curt nod. “Very well. I will make a personal appearance, then. Lord Whitaker, you will accompany me.” He nods once, ever smiling, and Darina takes a step forward.

“We will remain to keep the Castle, and Father.” Rene looks pleased at this, her lips tugging upward slightly.

“Good. I want the Twins to come along as well.” At this, Ferina and Telford both sit up a little more. Darina looks hesitant, but Rene squashes such rebellion, “They’re at the age ripe for socializing and then a few years. I’ll not hear another word about it.” The siblings look to one another before nodding, taking their leave to go pack. “Cyrus, please send someone down to the Port - we need fast travel south. Getting us to the other side of Blackrock mountain should be sufficient, but it needs to be enough to transport the carriage as well. And make sure to send a courier ahead to inform Redcliffe that we need two stay-rooms, preferably with two single beds in each.” Another cold smile and the man rises from his seat and glides effortlessly through the room and out to see to the request.

Redcliffe had better be ready, Rene ponders to herself.

(( @house-blackfyre-wra @tayelablackfyre @warlundblackfyre @leonareede @aehrick @keenanblackfyre @legacy-of-blackfyre for mentions ))

Salt of the North

“Don’t tell me you’re getting weaker in your attempt to favor speed, sweet sister?”

A beat, followed by a laugh, and the clang of a pair of daggers crashing against the blade of a greatsword.

“You dare insult the Shadow Dragon of the North, brother?”

Another beat, and the scrape of those daggers along the sword until they slide off, steel singing softly.

“The Shadow Dragon of the North. Ever the dramatist.” And with that, his strong hand reached out to take one of her wrists, vise-gripping relentlessly. He dragged her closer, pale blue-gray eyes locking to the only other pair of eyes that matched his in all of Azeroth. A few stray strands of her long black hair caught the sea breeze, dancing in front of her face. Her smirk was filled with just as much pride as her tone.

“We, dear brother, are the Light and Shadow Dragons of the North, the Blackfyre Twins and the heirs to our home, Seabright Port and Saltcliffe, it’s castle.” She smirks more even as he releases her, pushing her down onto the soft grass with a shove. She nimbly rolls before coming to a stop on her stomach, laughing.

And this sparring match denoted by arrogance and mirth is what the lowly mage-courier popped into existence near: a pair of teenagers with matching black hair and striking pale eyes, the boy standing proudly - sword in hand - and the girl laughing at him from her stomach in the swaying grass. Both of them turned their attention quickly to the stranger, sizing him up.

Eyes lingered too long on the Lady’s form, bringing a sneer to the Lord’s lips.

“If you’ve business here, you’d best get it over with.”

The man straightened at once, his gaze snapping out to the sea to avoid them both, “Apologies! I am to deliver a missive to the Lord and Lady of Saltcliffe Castle… do you know who I should look for?”

Telford tilted his head slightly, glancing at Ferina before stepping forward, snatching the scroll from the man before he could pull it away. The man made to protest when Telford held up his sword.

“Do you know I forge my own weapons? I make iron and steel sing when I hit it…” The man looked terrified. “I am Lord Telford Blackfyre, Lord and heir of Saltcliffe. You have yet to bow in the presence of myself and my twin, Lady Ferina Blackfyre… Are you gonna sing when I strike you for such insolence?”

Even as he continued to torture the poor man, Ferina snickered at her brother’s antics. “Now now, the man is shaking.” She smiles, letting tiny little wisps of shadow form at the tips of her fingers, swirling menacingly as she wiggles them in the man’s direction. “What do you want with us, little man?”

The courier dropped to a knee, holding up a terrified hand to Telford, head bent down, “I am so sorry, my Lord, my Lady. Please. The Lady Blackfyre of Redcliffe sends you this.” He drops his hand as Telford looks the missive over, the courier bending lower to the ground.

Ferina rises, giving the courier a long smirk before waving him off. The man stumbles away, vanishing with a pop. “Surely it’s a joke. ‘The Lady Blackfyre of Redcliffe’… Grandmother has never mentioned our great-uncle’s whelp having legitimate children. Let’s go share the news with her, shall we?”

The devious grin that spreads across her face is mirrored by Telford, “Alright, then. But remember yourself. You know as well as I do what her punishments are for being snarky to her.” He is only answered by a wink as they walk down the steep hillside toward the castle.

[blackfyrematriarch]

A most curious letter

Trolls. The savages thought themselves clever in intruding onto Keenan’s land. Men he could run off with a stern word, but trolls were hardly more than beasts in his eyes. He had tracked them to a nearby lightly wooded copse, where they had made a ramshackle camp. Three in number, though two had already fallen to his arrows. The third reasoned to flee to the greater troll encampment, not far off. Keenan had easily kept pace, and waited for his prey to rest.

As he crept though the brush, he saw the stream he knew the troll would rest at. Predictable. A boring hunt, really. Keenan notched an arrow, and let it fly. The mongrel didn’t even have time to scream.

As Keenan retrieved his arrow and cleaned it, the bushes he previously used as cover rustled, with the approach of a possible attacker. He already had another arrow ready to let loose, but a man had instead stepped into view. It was the courier who usually brought him letters from those he kept in contact with. Even as the man handed him the letter, he saw the wax signet of the Blackfyres of Saltcliffe impressed onto the seal. He paid the man what he owed, and read it carefully.

“…former bastard daughter to Warlund Blackfyre…mend any bridges…please accept with this invitation with all haste.“ Keenan thought for a time. He had heard about Warlund, and not much of it was good, at that. But, family was family, no matter how much you cut it. He reasoned he would make an appearance, though his wife and son would remain, In case it were some sort of ruse.

Perhaps bridges would indeed be mended, and the Blackfyres could be a force to be reckoned with once again. If not…well, Keenan reckoned he still had his land and family. Truly, what more did a man need?

[blackfyrematriarch]

Days in Review

The days since her mother’s return went by with almost a blink, they had spoken at Redcliffe that night but Tayela had learned little else than she had gathered herself… Like Leona faking her own death. This was not to say having her mother back was a bad thing, Tayela was beyond happy about that, more so than she would ever admit to anyone. However, by the time Tayela had gone to see Leona the following morning, she had already left to see Warlund in the Bay. Hopefully the next time Tayela saw Warlund was in a glamour from the ring… Leona, alone with Warlund? Now that made Tayela upset and there was not much she could do about it. The only thing she could have looked forward to was Latilda’s memorial… look forward to it? Maybe she was losing it. Maybe she wasn’t. Either way her mood returned after a small conversation with Lady Starbreeze as Gwynepaine returned from Alterac. He was back and she was happy… however, as per her usual, something would come along and change that.

Leona returned from the Bay after several days and walked in on Gwynepaine and Tayela discussing her. Leona had followed Warlund’s suit and laughed at Gwyn’s name. At least she had the courtesy to apologize, something Warlund would not have done. Throughout the meeting, Gwyn was able to convince Leona that he was in the relationship for love, for Tayela. It pleased Tayela to know her mother would not be plotting his death, at least until something went wrong. In this regard, she only had to worry about Warlund offing Gwyn for simply being Gwyn. She truly did live in a horrible family situation, at least in some ways. Gwyn and Tay both let Leona know the wedding was to be the next Tuesday, December 6th at the 6th bell in Redcliffe. She seemed a little less than thrilled the wedding was going to be so soon but did agree to let Tayela help her find a dress for the occasion, something Tayela gloated about to herself in the back of her mind. At the first light Tayela sought out her mother to begin their search for a dress suitable for Leona, much to Leona’s anger at being up relatively early when there was no cause for it. Tayela would have disagreed, she planned on taking half the day to find the perfect dress for her mother. The dress finding was much faster than Tayela would have liked or anticipated. Leona had selected a pale blue, sleeveless dress… one of the few that Tayela had which left the chest area mostly uncovered. So Tayela made her mother compromise, that dress and it being shortened to fit Leona in exchange the dress would be mended to cover more of her chest. This led to a odd conversation, one Tayela rather wished her mother hadn’t started about how she needed to catch someone’s eye as she was a woman and had needs to be tended to. Then Leona mentioned she’d keep her lovers secret from Tay. That was the actual line, Tayela gagged. The thought of her mother and Warlund together to conceive Tayela? Not a big deal, but multiple on multiple of “lovers”? That was too far. Leona laughed and poked some fun, she prepared herself to leave. Tayela couldn’t let her just leave. She had to let Leona know just what was at stake in this wedding. Tayela told her mother if something happened to Gwyn before the wedding, more than just his and Tay’s life would be negatively affected. That is when Leona looked far more familiar to Tayela. Her look of concern for her daughter, one of the looks she got so often back on the Seawolf. Leona made sure it was not the only reason Tayela was marrying Gwyn and Tayela’s response was convincing but not nearly as much as she would have liked. Hell, she did not even know truth be told. Leona comforted Tay and restored some semblance of confidence to Tayela. Leona let Tayela know that she’d keep it secret and if Warlund found out would ensure he’d never have the chance to harm the child. Tayela’s response was a long hug, one she had missed out on for six years of her life. When the hug broke off, Leona offered Tayela a smile, then left with the dress to have the tailor start work right away. Tayela on the other hand, stood in the room for several more minutes. Finally she went to the council room to decide some things, like the repairs to Highever or more correctly Borhswald since its renaming under its new Baron Oklin Ravenblud. 

All sweet moments must come to a close though and that is exactly what happened several hours later, Tayela was still in the council room. A young woman in a tight darkened leather, riding boots and gloves, and a longsword by her side arrived at Redcliffe. The guards brought her straight to Tayela where the woman handed Tayela a message it wasn’t signed, but it was sealed with an owl sigil. With no signature but words regarding Tayela and her mother, it was only from one person: Warlund.

“Leona,

I hope you know my room still smells of you. Again, haven’t aged a damn day. Anyway, not why I’m writing. I need you to tell Tayela to write Lord and Lady Blackfyre-Seabright of Saltcliffe Castle. They’re found in Arathi, near the coast. Just write them, and tell them they’re needed at Redcliffe. They’ll answer my daughter’s call. I’d write Tayela directly, but I don’t want anymore evidence linking us than is necessary.”

Tayela dropped the letter onto the table and gagged, like she had earlier in the day. So it was like she had thought, Warlund and Leona had sex… making Tayela had been okay sex… but this? No, no. Leona had sex with him not a day it seemed after there was confirmation Warlund had put a blade through Tayela. At least make him work for it! Slowly she picked the letter back up, shaking her head. What was that about Blackfyre-Seabrights? Tayela had known there were probably more Blackfyres but she had not gone too far into the records since she had become Countess of Redcliffe, she’d have to look further into them. Part of the reason she hadn’t looked is the only ones that sought her out were Thane and Aehrick. That did not matter though, if Warlund wanted to have an assembly of Blackfyres it was either because it was important or he was going to kill them all. However, Tayela believed it to be the former as he likely would have just written them himself if he planned on killing them. She quickly grabbed a quill and parchment.

“To Lord and Lady Blackfyre-Seabright,

I am Tayela Blackfyre, former bastard daughter to Warlund Blackfyre, now Countess of Redcliffe. I invite you to Redcliffe castle on matters of urgent business, not only regarding the future of the Blackfyre family but to also mend any bridges that may have been caused by my father. Please accept this invitation with all haste.

-Lady Tayela Blackfyre”

She read it a few times over, it would have to do. All Warlund had said to do was to call on them, nothing specific, she had hoped the letter would be enough to get their attention and their arrival at Redcliffe. She sealed the letter and went to her one of her more reliable mage-couriers, time was likely of the essence so someone that could teleport would be most useful. “Take this the Arathi, near the coast. To Saltcliffe Castle, hand it only to the Lord or Lady Blackfyre-Seabright. Am I understood?” The courier nodded and headed outside of Redcliffe, past the wards to begin his spell. Tayela watched him leave and once he was to the gates, she went to the archives. She had to make sure she knew who exactly she was to be hosting… also it would be polite to know who her relatives were.

mentions: @warlundblackfyre @leonareede @aehrick @house-blackfyre-wra @sarastarbreeze @legacy-of-blackfyre @blackfyrematriarch @keenanblackfyre @smokingoak-lin

[blackfyrematriarch]

“A Lord of Light, my grandson’s sword is one of swift retribution. I am proud to call him a Blackfyre.”

Lord Telford Blackfyre Heir to Saltcliffe Castle Twin to Lady Ferina Blackfyre