elonthor

[elonthor]

He sits quietly upon the edge of the bed, walking her pace to and fro upon their entry. Honi lays just at his side, chewing on a bone of an animal he’d hunted in the early morning.

Elonthor’s eyes follow her for a moment more as she continues to pace, telling him moreover that he should have told her what his intentions were, not because she’s mad that he willfully put himself in harms way, but because she had quite a few vials of poison within her bag that would have aided him in his fight.

He heaves a sigh and stands, walking to her and places his hands upon her shoulders. “You seemed to be rather upset at the arena,” he replied, the corners of his lips curling into a frown as he wrapped his arms around her to pull her into a hug. “Rock told me. And I replied that I would fix it.” He paused. “But I have also become increasingly aware that had I told you, would you have let me enter the ring?” He questioned with an arched brow. “There are indeed going to be instances where the two of us make choices that the other dislikes, and yes, we will indeed get mad but…” he paused again. “It had indeed been some time since I last felt that...alive...when it comes to battle…”

[elonthor]

“I-I’m so sorry!” His head whips around at the exclamation from the doorway, Siofra making every attempt to avert her gaze as she’d entered the room, catching him at the most...inappropriate moment of exiting the bath.

He wasn’t...exactly covered, but enough to hide his manhood from view, a rush of color finding its way to his face as he made the attempt to make himself become invisible in her plight of trying to leave the room.

“I— if you want me to leave that’s perfectly fine! But I— if you want me to stay—,” she stammered nervously as she continued to turn her gaze away from him, though her mind seemed fixated upon the fact that...she’d never seen a man naked before, their privates out in the open; in full view, and her she’d just returned from a brothel, after talking with the owner of how she could subdue the man she so desperately wanted to get closer to.

“It’s...it’s quite alright,” Elonthor stated after a moment, in an attempt to collect himself. He took this time however, with her gaze averted, and the cover of the wood-panel curtain in the corner of the room to at-least partially dress himself. “You...” He paused, stepping from the curtain, towel about his neck. “I didn’t make anyone aware of my own plans. I suppose I’m still used to having a room to myself.”

He gave her a nervous smile as he stepped closer and moved her hands away from her face, as well as the paper. “How was your trip to the brothel?” He questioned with an arched brow. “I doubt you found it very interesting. Though I could be wrong.”

[elonthor]

He heaved a sigh as he stood there, staring down at his own two hands. They were about to embark on something that in all honesty, scared him. Traveling farther from the place he’d once called home and now...his new home. But there was something that he could and would count on; his friends/companions being there by his side.

They had each others backs. A small smile creased his face as he looked over his shoulder towards Siofra and collected his things, jutting a thumb over his shoulder towards the door. “We should probably collect the others and be on our way.” He let out a low whistle towards Honi, who perked at the call and tromped over to his master. “Another chapter begins today.”

[elonthor]

“Father is not pleased. You had your chance to prove yourself and you ran. You think he did not know where you would go? You are so predictable. All you do is run, and you’ve been running all your life. We were trained better than this, better than them; we are better than them. And yet you hide your time with them.” He felt his blood boil as his brother looked at Siofra and gave her a grin. “We came to take care of something; someone. But killing two birds with one stone, well, I suppose that wouldn’t be all bad. Have fun on your travels, brother.”

Elonthor snapped out of his meditative state with a start, gasping, grabbing for air. He quickly looked around the room. The familiar scent of hemlock among other herbs seemed to reel his back in as he rested the back of his head against the mattress from his position on the floor.

He brought both hands to his face, closing his eye. If there was one thing he understood, it was the information that he gathered about why Elegion and Greywald had drifted apart. Despite that they’d worked together to win wars and the like, it was that they thought they deserved to be this righteous entity, that far outgrew their need and desire to continue to coexist with those outside of their own realm.

He released a sigh, bringing his hands away from his face and peered about the room once more. Honi paid curled up at Siofra‘ aside on the bed, her arm hanging loosely around the wolf. He smiled gently at the two of them, his gaze eventually flitting away as his brow furrowed.

If it wasn’t for Nintor deflecting that arrow…

No, the king wouldn’t be put down so easily but...he said that he saw them and was not worried. Was he accepting death? Accepting defeat? And why did Siofra nearly bolt off the stage? What was it that she saw?

He would collect what information he needed from the both of them, and considered the possibility of questioning the king about the ledger in private, and despite knowing the information gathered, what he really truly thinks about Elegion and those that hail from there.

He turned, resting his right side against the mattress and reached out with his left arm against the top of the mattress, gently taking her free hand in his, gripping it just as gently.

He’d whisper, “Thank you for being there with me and...I’m sorry…”

His eye remained open for a few more moments, finding comfort once more and slipping back into his meditative state.

[elonthor]

His meditation broke for about the tenth time as it leaned towards the afternoon. They’d stayed up the entire night talking and ended it with a…

He brought his fingertips to his lips and smiled. It was uncanny and different, the sensation he felt. Euphoria of sorts.

He stared at the window for quiet some time, and it took Honi whining at him for him to break out of it. Turning, he reached out a hand to the bed, petting Honi ever so gently. “My mind seems as though it’s in a different place entirely.” He was distracted and for him, it did not happen often.

“Come,” he murmured, standing and slapping his thigh for Honi to follow. “Let’s get something to eat, shall we? Perhaps that will help to clear my mind.” He smiled at Honi, as the wolf jumped from the bed to follow.

Yet his mind still kept wandering.

The kiss.

[elonthor]

a birthday celebration;

The hustle and bustle about the castle was no different from any other day, however somewhat...different if you were to pay close attention. There were hushed whispers within the walls about some sort of celebration, however small, a type of party. Of which, he was not certain, but his ears picked up these such whispers as he exited the library, for seemingly the final time this week before they were to meet with the council.

“Apologies,” He murmured, in a low tone, eyeing the servants as they talked amongst themselves for but a moment more, their attention eventually set upon the Elf and blinked at him. He offered them a smile, and received one in return. “I do not mean to intrude, but might i inquire as to what exactly it is that you are all talking about? I’ve heard whispers about a celebration of sorts from others, but did not enquire with them. So if you might enlighten me…” His voice trails off as he looks between the three.

One, a female human, nervously smiles at him, before beaming, “Why it’s the Lady’s birthday!” She exclaimed, before covering her mouth.

“The Queen?” Elonthor questioned with an arched brow, attention turning towards the hall. “Then I should wish her a--.” “No, no - Lady Siofra’s birthday, my lord,” The human male servant said rather quickly in response. Elonthor’s attention snapped to him, and he blinked rather quickly quite a few times in an attempt to regain what composure he could muster, and heaved a nervous laugh.

It wasn’t uncommon for complete strangers to not know another’s birth day, but his heart seemed to jump into his throat. “I-I…” He paused, looking over the three again. “I must...ah, obtain a gift then, if there is to be a party held.” “Aye, we’re making preparations within one of the larger dining halls, m’lord,” The third servant nodded with a smile. “It’ll take place just before sundown, so you’ve quite a bit of time.”

“T-Thank you,” He murmured, clearing his throat, and nodded to the three. “I’ll...let you get back to it then.” The three nodded, setting off in the direction of the kitchen.

------------------------------------------

He didn’t know anything about her, other than she came from a lineage of a murdered King, and she should have been dead herself, with the amount of poison she’d probably consumed as a small child; yet her she was, turning yet another year older. But there was indeed one thing that he did know about her, now that he thought about it a bit harder; she enjoyed flowers. She did talk to them quite often, especially when the group was within ear shot, so there was no telling how long she’d talked to them when the group was in their separate rooms.

He needed something that would not expire so quickly; something as beautiful as she was. He pursed his lips as he walked, thinking, wondering. What to do. The markets were alive at midday, busier than he’d seen since he was last here, but careful enough to not let any passerbys get the better of him. Eyes scanning the booths, shouting from the vendors carrying themselves throughout the market to draw patrons in. No such shout from them would draw him in. However...there was one booth that got his attention as he moved closer to it.

A jeweler.

It wasn’t a bouquet of flowers that would expire as the days went on. This...yes, this would be something that she could wear day in and day out and a gentle reminder that he was close, even if he was far.

A stone necklace, the color of his eyes, mixed with small reflections of greens within it. It was beautiful. He looked to the vendor expectantly. “How much for this one?” He questioned. She looked quietly at it, and picked it up gently. “Something like this? Mm, would run you about 100 gold pieces.” He didn’t take a chance to think, and tugged the gold free from his pouch, holding it out to her. “I’ll take it and...if you could please wrap it, it’s a...present. For someone special to me.” She nodded solemnly, and smiles. “Of course, of course.” She collects the money, and thanks him. After a few moments, she hands him a carefully wrapped parchment, with some red ribbon to keep everything snug and closed tight. “There you are. A pleasure.”

Elonthor nods, and with a smile, sets off towards the castle.

------------------------------------------

The party is small, quiet and quaint. He passes a gaze about the room and seats himself with his friends, his gaze settling on Siofra, as he seats himself next to her where she sat at the head of the table. He did not spy any other gifts, save for a few that were set to the side. He would give his to her later, perhaps in private.

A lavish meal was served, along with a delicious cake. They all danced, laughed, and of course, were merry, far into the evening, until they all could no longer laugh, and most retired to their chambers for the rest of the evening.

He tugged the envelope free as he stood behind Siofra, and released a sigh, tapping her gently on the shoulder. As she turned, expectantly looking at him, he gave her a weak, yet genuine smile as he held the envelope out for her to take. “It isn’t much but…” He paused as she took it. “I do hope you like it, Siofra. Happy Birthday.”

[elonthor]

A faint smile creases his face as he sits quietly within his room, taking in the general scenery. Much has changed in his time here in the castle walls of Greywald, and he releases a sigh, a happy one mostly, when he thought back to Vindel calling him a brother - and with him not having a family so much anymore, well, being ultimately disowned, it felt...nice. To be wanted, to be welcomed with open arms to a place that once upon a time, he was a total stranger.

He supposes that they have been traveling long enough for them to know each other, but everyone has secrets, despite how long you know them for.

Hints of browns and greens filled the room, wooden accents places about and plants...lots and lots of plants; tendrils of vines scrawled up the walls, over and around the windows of his room. His bed was the most uncommon thing to have within his room, which for the most part remained made up, since the only one who seemed to use it was Honi. He did have some help decorating, however, with the help of a few of the elves that worked within the castle walls.

He’s taken time to make his room similar to how it would look if he were still living in Elegion, though more...free. No military restrictions holding him back from his self expression.

But now, he knew he had somewhere to return to.

Something that would keep.

[elonthor]

[elonthor]

A mindless flick of his wrist as they walk on, her showing him the various drawings of what flowers they need in order to make the potions needed for their travels. Another mindless flick of his wrist, though more practiced this time, he creates an illusionary flower via his prestidigitation and smiles quietly at it. He looks it over for a time, his attention shifting as Siofra moves to the glade where yet another flower resides, he remaining on the path.

He flicks his wrist again and the flower fades. His brow furrows at his hand as the illusion fades away a sigh billowing over barely parted lips.

They begin to make their way back towards the castle walls, since it is nearing sunset, and with what dangers scour the forests at night, it would be unfortunate for them to stay out so late. He flicks his wrist again, and this time a vine rose appears. He stares at it for some time as they walk, his movement slowed just a bit.

“Everything alright?” He heard Siofra call out, as she’s a few paces from him now, his movement all but stopping.

“Ah…” he purses his lips and nods, wordlessly walking up beside her and placing the vine rose within her hair and walking ahead. “It won’t last very long but...I figured...it matches your eyes.”

[elonthor]

“Suffice it to say that, if we are to go before the council with a plan of action, then we need to become more prepared for whatever it is that is to be thrown at us if we are to travel directly after.” Shifra nodded towards Elonthor as he sipped at the remainder of his tea, setting the empty cup down.

“I have been mulling through the books within the castle library over the past two days in an attempt to find more information on the items that we seek. I haven’t procured any information on their exact locations, however it seems to me that me that most do not even belong to this plane of existence.” He heaves a sigh, passing a hand over his brow. “Part of me wishes that we were able to procure more information from the Raven Queen, but it seems that the limited information she can give, lies within the book that Rock carries.” He paused. “But the rest of the castle is avidly seeking information out for us as well, so perhaps we will learn more at the council meeting.”

Siofra nodded yet again. “Well, if that is all the information that you were able to procure, maybe it is best to move on from it and go back to preparing. I have been looking up ingredients that I need in order to make us all some potions, so that when we need them, then we don’t need to spend money in the marketplace or at the shops before we are to head out.” She pulls out some parchment and smiles. “If you’d like, we could go together to find the ingredients I need?”

Elonthor smiled at her, and standing, collected his things. “Shall we go then?” He questioned, looking over his shoulder at her.

They’d packed a small lunch, as they had to travel a bit always from the outskirts of the town in order to find what they needed. As they sat, Siofra sketched out images of what the flowers and such other ingredients she needed, and handing them over to Elonthor, he would simply point in the direction of them, his keen sight helping them to procure a good amount of what they needed.

“Just there, past that tree,” he would point over her shoulder as they walked. “There, through that patch of trees,” he would point again.

[elonthor]

lady shifra:

        Mother.

        Children of every race and creed learn the word before they learn almost anything else. My memories of mothers are not quite what one might hope they would be. I remember a laugh that sounded like wind chimes. I remember eyes green as forest of evergreen trees and kinder than any I thought I’d ever see again.  I remember the sound of her softly breathing as she sat with me in my room as I slept.  At least I believe I do.  The older one gets the more distant the memories feel.  Eventually, you begin to doubt they ever happened in the first place.  I often feel like I exist outside of time and space.  Perhaps it’s because I spend my days chasing memories of the ghosts of the people I loved.

        I was barely even a child when she left Papa and me.           He always said left, but I remember her coughing up a storm one night shortly after a large party - we had always had parties then- and there was blood.  Healers stormed the castle for nearly 2 weeks straight.  In a few good moments they let me see her.  Papa laid asleep in the chair next to her bed, supposedly keeping watch of her like a soldier guarding the most beloved of treasures.  However, after almost a week his constant attentiveness had taken its toll.  His moustache laid unkempt, his clothing wrinkled, and his nails bitten down to their beds.  He said Mother always said it was his best trait; a king who nervously nibbles on his nails still thought of himself as mortal first and regent second. Papa first saw Mother on the worst possible day.

        A plague had hit our kingdom and he had opened the doors to bring the sick in for healing.  Amongst the chaos of clerics and healers running through the rooms, children scampering about, the sick walking or being carried back and forth between the rooms stood my father, a young regent in his own right, frozen in shock.  Mother burst in aiding an elderly man support his ill son as they all walked in she secured the young man a bed and waltzed straight up to father and demanded a cleric see that boy that minute. 

        “You there.”  Lord Albert’s eyes were directed straight to the pale, boisterous woman in front of him.  She pointed directly at him.  “Yes, you.  Don’t look so surprised, you look like you’re in charge here- although by the looks of things perhaps you’re better suited to a life as a statue.-”   He could not believe the impertinence of the woman standing in front of him.  People were dying all over the city and she had the gall to suggest that he was not handling himself appropriately upon seeing him for a minute.  Lord Albert gathered himself up to put the woman in her place when her face fell from righteous anger to the softest fear and anguish. 

        “Sir, Gavin’s going to -” she took a breath to regain control of the anxious tears she had begun to cry unwittingly - “My neighbor’s son, Gavin, he’s being taken by the illness.  Without him, John will have nothing.  He was injured years ago, John can’t run the farm by himself.  He’ll starve with a broken heart if we can’t save the boy.  I’ve done all I can.  Please, just help me help him.”  With that she grabbed Lord Albert’s hand and in that moment he knew two things.

        First, he was going to save Gavin if it killed him.  Secondly, assuming saving Gavin didn’t kill him, he was going to spend the rest of his life with this woman.   Papa never believed in his life that she would go, but after her death he spoke of her constantly as if she would return.

        When I was a child I thought it was so romantic.

        I dreamed of the day my heart would be made complete in this charismatic moment that the bards could sing songs of.  My father hopelessly and purely in love with a ghost.  As I grew older it became more troubling.  Andre would accompany me to mother’s grave and hold my hand as Papa would address mother in front of visiting nobility while I winced at their obvious disdain. 

        Sometimes I think it is precisely why Priscilla set her sights on marrying Papa.

        She never cared for love, except I thought for loving me.

        A year into Priscilla and Papa’s marriage, Papa became ill.  Papa became violently ill and Priscilla split her time equally between Papa’s bedside and me.  As my dearest father grew sicker and sicker, Priscilla promised me she’d never leave me.  Priscilla brought joy and laughter to those painful moments.  Close to the end of Papa’s illness, I had begun calling her Mama.  She was everything I believed a mother should be.  I loved her with everything a child has in their soul.

        When I was twelve, we sat at breakfast once more quietly eating as we listened to the birds chirp peacefully when all of a sudden she stood up from her seat. “Why aren’t you dead, yet?”  Priscilla screamed across the room angrily.

        Confused, I tried my hardest to understand what was going on. “Pardon me, Mama?”  Infuriated she stalked toward me like a wolf toward its prey. 

        “I’m not your mother, child.  What have you done to your breakfast?  I know you’ve done something to it or you would be dead by now.  What have you done?”  I was starting to get scared.  I’d never seen Priscilla like this before.  She grabbed for the silver like a wild animal.  I instinctively flinched as she stabbed it toward me taking a spoonful of my porridge out of my bowl. “Eat it.  Right here.  Right now.  Eat this,”  So, I ate the spoonful.  Then another and another.  

        With each bite she became more enraged until she screamed. “There was enough hemlock in your bowl to kill a fully grown man in under a minute.  You must have tampered with it, you insolent brat.”  She seethed.

        Stammering, I replied as coherently as I could.   “I swear, Mama.  I simply ate the breakfast you made for me as always.”  

        She gave me a smirk that sent a wave of terror sweeping over me. “Fine, I’ll prove you did something to it.”  She took the spoon from me and grabbed a bite.  Within moments her face began to twitch, her muscles began to spasm, and within minutes she stopped breathing. 

        I read through her journals that she left behind and realized that love blinds you from duty.  Papa’s love for Mother blinded him from seeing anything else.  With constant thoughts of Mother plaguing him, he couldn’t see that Priscilla was a murderous maniac.  Andre closed off the city, the council of elders was formed, and I went to my studies vowing never to fall in love lest I bring my city to ruin.

        But according to Andre, I’ve been gone for weeks and nothing has happened.  Perhaps, now that the council exists they no longer need me the way they once needed a regent.

        I suppose I now understand my father a bit better.  I do not know whether or not I love anyone in particular, but Elonthor is practically my constant thought these days.  Is he eating well enough?  How is his emotional state?  What does he think about when he stares off into space?  Does he think of me as often as I think of him?  What if he does?  For as much of an angel as Mother supposedly was, she was Papa’s ruination.

        Suppose Elonthor cared for me like I cared for him.  Suppose we wile away the days together until we run out of days.  

        How could I let him potentially remain in anguish as I slowly but surely left him alone.

        The thought of him being alone devastates me, but the thought of me leaving him alone devastates me more.

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         I have read many a tale over time, well, by many I do mean many, since my years are far more than that of most of my companions. I think that in this moment, I should be kicking myself for thinking of such things, for feeling such things. Why you might ask? Well, that being that Elves will far outlive any other being upon this planet.

         I’ve known this from the moment I knew how to read and yet here I sit, with the deepest regrets, for finding a new family, a ‘brother’, and someone that I may consider to enter into the closest type of relationship that years ago I could not even fathom.

         I wish to protect her from the things that I have seen, done, but there is one thing that I fear the most for, that I cannot protect her from. That being the inevitable death that will slowly tug her away from my grasp. Somewhere that I cannot be, that I cannot follow.

         I know that it is considered silly; childish, as my father would say. I have had brushes with death many a time, and it nearly consumed me. Had I not been saved, I would not be here and fearing it for her sake.

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[elonthor]

          “There’s many a thing that you will not learn, or come into contact with, from staying within these walls, my child,” The arcanist murmured, as he scanned over books, his gruff voice carrying throughout the library. There was no one else within,and had Elonthor not been there to supervise, the older elf may as well had fallen to his death countless times from the ladder’s height as he scanned the shelves.

          “I wish I knew the reason as to why our gates are closed, and why none of our race is to step outside it’s bounds unless it is in times of war,” Elonthor stated rather flatly, carrying his voice up and to the level where the older elf could hear him.           A laugh boomed from the older elf, as he tossed a book asunder, it landing upon the floor directly next to Elonthor, who jumped at the rather loud noise it made when it met the floorboards. “It surprises me that your father never told you of such things, my boy! Of all people, you would think that he would tell his family! But perhaps he was told to protect such information, hm? Oh! And you were made to catch that, boy!”           “A warning would have sufficed!” He shouted back, and watched the older elf clamber down from the highest recesses of the shelves.           “A warning is unneeded, you should have known! Were you even raised right, boy? A military family, yes? Pish posh, if you cannot catch a book, then how will you be ready for battle, hm?” The older male questioned, heaving a brow at Elonthor, who simply sighed.           “I did not come here for you to poke fun of my abilities, Zaaren,” Elonthor scowled, receiving a huff from Zaaren. “Why did you call me here? Truly, if there is nothing urgent that you need, then I must get back to my training.”           “Fine, fine, fine! It is not urgent, but something that may prove to be useful, when and where you need it.” The arcanist muttered a few choice things, picking the book that he had thrown onto the floor and tossed it onto a desk nearby. “Come, come! I’ve something I wish to show you.” Zaaren motioned for him to follow. Elonthor wordlessly followed to older elf, as he sauntered over to a collection of scrolls, and plucked one free and held it out. 

          “Here. As I stated, these may prove to be useful to you over time. Consider it a gift, and early one for your graduation ceremony. Commit them to memory, my boy.” Zaaren smiled. “Oh and, do not show them to your father or let him find out that I gave this to you, understood, boy?” Yet another archer brow was tossed in Elonthor’s direction.           Elonthor smiled. “Consider it a well kept secret, Zaaren.”

[elonthor]

lady siofra:

      The delicate woman’s voice carried through the breeze like the sound of birds chirping in the wind, both far away from and all around Siofra as she sat in the greenhouse.

      “To find true love muddle the petals of a pink rosebud in a dish of milk and sugar under the light of a new moon.”  Siofra scribbled furiously in her notebook.

      “And then what, Daphne?  Add the hair of a horse born at midnight in the third stall of the stable of a barn built in an odd numbered year?”  Siofra almost missed the hint of a sly smile as the voice continued on seemingly amused. 

      “Laugh now but separately each of these ingredients might help you determine your fate, sweet child.  It’s up to you to know.”  Siofra nodded solemnly.  Normally she was hungry for knowledge and soaked up every last word Daphne breathed.  For everything Andre knew, Daphne had the knowledge that Siofra couldn’t explain.  If Daphne hadn’t started whispering to her the former queen would have surely gotten away with murdering Siofra as expediently and cleanly as the former queen had murdered Siofra’s father. For all Daphne knew, she seemed truly blase about the duties a young, unmarried, orphan regent had ahead of her.

      “I suppose it would be prudent to manifest feelings of love for my husband once I find out who he is.  Andre has allowed a potential suitor to begin his journey to the castle.  So this may prove useful sooner rather than later.”

      “Vindel?  Andre will never open the gates for someone with so many -” Daphne paused to hiss - “scars”.  

      Siofra chuckled softly to herself. “Emotional or physical?”

      Daphne’s voice floated above Siofra’s shoulder and became almost imperceptible. “Both taste sweet on the right man’s lips, child.  You’ll find out soon enough.”

________________________________

      As Daphne’s voice faded out on the wind, Siofra awoke with a bolt in her bed to find she was decidedly not in her bed.  Her journal strewn out on the floor with some blankets and pillows she had dragged there the night before.  Hemlock tea sitting by the bedside in a shallow pool at the liquid from her clumsy attempts to set it down the night before. Everything from the day before came rushing back to her.  The letter, the festival, and, for better or worse, the long islands.  The more she remembered, the more her head began to pound.  Siofra pulled out her medicine kit and began mixing things together.

      Hyskaria was undoubtedly caring for Vindel by this point assuming that he hadn’t recovered.  For all she remembered Vindel reacted rather strongly to the drinks, but save for his incessant chatter about sex and love and other things that would make Andre faint from impropriety, seemed fine and as always entwined with Hyskaria.  When she first met the pair Siofra couldn’t believe the two.  A tiefling and a prince.

      Siofra hadn’t been in the world for terribly long, but Andre’s lessons on royalty told her that no real prince would abandon his duty for love.  In fact, the entire idea insulted her entire upbringing.  She’d never admit it to them now but Siofra took the couple’s blatant happiness as a personal offense at first. Although now the thought of the two often inspired an absent minded smile on her face.

      Mint for nausea. Muddle the herb with ginger to soothe the nerves.  Rock wouldn’t need anything much either. While Siofra didn’t quite understand Rock or his poison of choice, she assumed he didn’t quite understand her hemlock tea either.  Perhaps, he was tolerant of most poisons too. Siofra made a mental note to inquire after him about this. A pinch of Valerian to calm the nerves. She knew that she and Elonthor needed this tincture to calm the pounding in both their heads.

      If the drinks affected me, then how in the many realms would he even be able to get out of bed.  That sweet poisonable elf. Her hand combed through the ingredient pouches in her kit in search of sugar, her fingers loosely brushing past a bag of pink rosebuds and her face flushed with at the sudden memory of a spell Daphne taught her ages ago.

      Somewhat flustered she pulled out the sugar, to sweeten the medicine and mask the tin-like taste of the valerian. With it popped out a bag of cinnamon. For a moment she paused, trying to remember what Daphne had said about cinnamon years ago. Siofra shook her head as if trying to shake off the thought.  Daphne was a geranium and in a completely different kingdom. Elonthor was nearby right then and needed Siofra and she somehow knew it. Cinnamon tastes great in tea and makes a good stirring implement, nothing more.       Siofra walked to the door stirring the tea and hoping that Elonthor would be pleased to have her company in this moment rather than annoyed at the existence of the world as her books led her to believe he might.  She swung open the door lost in her own thoughts when all of a sudden she ran into him.  Elonthor was at her door and her sudden shock back to reality from her thoughts left her speechless.

      “Good morning, Lady Siofra.  I trust you slept well?”  Elonthor smiled at her with a kindness that slowed her thoughts.  She nodded slowly.

      “Better now that you’re here.” She grinned and opened the door a bit wider to invite him in.  “Tea?”

________________________________

elonthor:

The library in Elegion was home to many books, especially the one upon the higher levels and within the walls of the Castle. He was lucky enough while growing up, to browse the countless texts on past battles that had been carried out, their victories and losses, studies of beasts, other races that existed outside their walls, and among all else, texts that still boggled his mind to this day: those about love, seeking out/finding love.

Most were mere tales, carried to Elegion by wandering bards, none exactly confirmed. But he found them entirely amazing. In all of his years, he never had experienced what love truly was. He’d been told by his mother of very few things when he’d come to her of certain feelings.

“My dear child, it sounds as though you have what they call a ‘crush’,” She would beam at him, and pull him close. “Tell me more about her, I want to know everything.”

She would sit beside him upon his bed as he listlessly went on about the elvish girl in his classes, or one that he had passed upon the cobblestone road to school as he wandered through the market prior, or on an errand. Each time she would listen with a smile. But soon such stories were deemed childish, as he was made to focus upon his military life, and rising in the ranks to join his older brothers and sisters, as well as his mother and father. Love was not commonplace as you grew older, not here anyway. “It is childish, he is no longer a child. Stop filling his head with silly things such as this!” He recalled his father stating rather flatly to his mother, when he arrived home one evening after shopping the markets. “He must focus, and not be blinded by such desires.”

His heart sank, and he grew cold, dismissive. Though still dreamed of change...though the thoughts of love, or even finding someone to fill such a void, were placed far back in the reaches of his mind.

________________________________

He blinks quietly down at Siofra, his form seemingly looming over the tiny female. His brow furrows upon her greeting as his head tilts to the side, as if attempting to understand what she meant by her being ‘better now that he was there’.

“I am...unsure as to what you mean by that…Lady Siofra,” He states quietly, before pursing his lips into a fine line, and peered past her, looking within her room. It seemed rather quaint, and for some reason, the scents and smells within while it reminded him of an alchemist's lab, it also reminded him of home? Which garnered a rather comforting feeling within him.

‘Better now that you are here’, he ran the statement within his mind a few more times, thinking back to the texts he’d read and there was a strange and taken aback look upon his face when it had finally clicked. He blinked rather quickly, looking back down towards Siofra, who still holding the cup of tea up towards him, seemed as though she was standing upon her tiptoes just so that he would take it.

There was a slight hint of pink upon his cheeks as she’d opened her door just a bit more in order to invite him in. Reaching down, he would take the cup from her, as gently as he could manage. “Tea? I-- uhm...that does sound...rather nice, yes. Thank you.” The scent of the tea wasn’t at all common to him as he brought it up to his lips, but she was a cleric after all, so there was no way it would...harm him? He hesitated a moment, and entered her room, taking a sip from the cup.

Honi scampered up the steps directly after his master, entering Siofra’s room, but not after the wolf had attempted to lick Siofra’s face a few times. Prancing happily after his master, he would find a place that was suitable enough for him to lay down, and sprawled out upon the floor. Elonthor peered further about the room, to and fro, eyes quickly scanning the environment before he looked back to Siofra, rather embarrassed. “Ah, apologies.” His ears seemed to droop just a hair, as if he were an animal that had done something wrong.

“Thank you for...the tea, Lady Siofra. If I might ask, what type of tea is it? It is...rather good, and soothing. And another question, if you would allow me to ask? How are you feeling this morning? I pray better than I, as it seems I defecated some of the vile ale I had consumed last evening.” He makes a rather sour face a that, as he recalls the bucket he’d moved out into the hall when he awoke.

[elonthor]

Milk tea helps to soothe the headache brought on by the rather mild hangover given him by the alcohol he drank the night prior. He heaved a sigh, finishing up the last bit of his letter, folding it up and peered around carefully for any sign of a servant. He did not place his name upon the outside of the parchment, instead placed “to Senare, and family,” on the outside, as well as where to deliver it to. Once spotting a servant, he motioned them over, holding the parchment out for them to take. “Can you see that this is delivered to Elegion?” He questions. “It does not need to arrive post haste or anything like that. Just see that it gets there. Though my preference for its delivery would that it be sent after my companions and I depart the castle.” He smiles at the servant, who smiles in turn and nods to the Elf.

“Of course, sir. I will make note of that.” The servant bows, and departs, leaving him to his own devices once more. Honi shifts underneath the table, and the elf releases a sigh, finishing his meal, drinking down the remains of his milk tea.

The dining hall remained quiet for some time thereafter, as few servants passed through, picking up his plates and seeing if he’d needed anything else. He’d decline, sending them away, before departing as well to return to his room. He was rather surprised that the others were not awake yet, but then again last evening had been rather rough on all of them.

Sauntering up the steps, he made it halfway down the hall when the door to Lady Siofra’s room swung open. He’d stop, and hesitate in greeting, but eventually found his voice. He offered a genuine smile, and a nod in her direction. “Good morning, Lady Siofra. I trust you slept well?”

[elonthor]

David BOUSCARLE

[elonthor]

[elonthor]

It’s quite a few hours later when his meditative state breaks, and he opens his eye. Letting out a rather large yawn, he stretches his arms out in front of him, much like a cat and smack his lips together. He’d wondered how long he’d been out for but simply shrugged it off as he sat upright, casting a glance about the room again. Patting Honi’s side, he was given a huff in response as the wolf raised its head, placing his muzzle atop his masters hand and proceeded in licking it a few times.

A laugh pooled over barely parted lips, tugging his hand away from the beast. He’d push up and off the bed, sauntering over to where his overshirt and cloak lay, as well as his bandages, which he plucked up from the floor, folded them neatly, placed them on the dresser, and retrieved his undershirt, pulling that on. Picking up his folded, discarded clothes, he glances over his shoulder at Honi and smiles. “Come along, I’m going to have these washed and have some breakfast.”

The wolf stared at him tiredly, and stretching in the same manner his master had prior, he stood on all fours, hopping off the bed and bounded up behind him.

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“Dearest Sister,” he would write at the table, after asking for parchment and something to write with. “I know that by now you have been made aware of what fathers plans had become of how to deal with myself, and my companions. If this letter reaches either you, or them, which it will perhaps reach fathers hands first before it reaches you, then Father, I forgive you. I know that what you did to me was a lesson. Hell, everything up to now was a lesson. But the way that both of us had handlers our meeting after years past, I had not handeled myself to the best of my ability, and for that I apologize. I apologize for not heeding the warnings that had been offered three times over. I know that the arena battle you had tossed myself and my companions into, was another lesson, but moreover I did not know what else you had up your sleeve, and thusly it is why I chose the method I had, to get us all to safety. I know that you are a hard man to convince, and do not give forgiveness easily, but I hope that you will find it in your heart to not only forgive me, but to forgive my dear sister, as well as the others who have wronged you. Time is a cruel mistress, and while I do not see myself returning home ever again, my heart aches at the idea that I will never see my true family again. I love and miss all of you, and give mother a hug from me.

It is time for me to move on and live out my life with my companions; my family. My brothers and sisters in arms. People who I would lay my life on the line for. Those worth protecting and those that I love.

Sincerely, your brother, and son.”