The Thundering Waves Are Calling Me Home

[Samoblivion 532]

 

~~~~~~~~~~

Leana Stafyr came to in the hold of the great ship of humanity. Pounding sea and thundering waves had been her only friend for the past few weeks, and fierce friends they had been. Sea sickness had claimed the young woman more than once, the last dashing her head against one of the supports of the lower decks. Gripping her throbbing head she dragged herself into a sitting position and looked around.
 

The hold seemed empty, few around. No longer did the ship roll violently in the swell, or shake to the sound of armoured footfalls or harsh cries of nobles and officers. It occurred to her that the ship was no longer at sea. Docked somewhere.
 

She tried to walk, tripping. A deckhand gripped her arm, steadying her. “Easy now, lass, you’ve come a’cropper in t’storm.”
 

Leana gripped his arm back, the fog clearing from her mind a little. The deckhand settled her down onto a bench.  “Yer’ brother asked me to pass along teh message that when yer up to it ye should be headin’ up top. There’s another bloke up on decks who says he’s been asked teh take ye to rest oh teh way.”
 

Leana frowned. “The rest of the way to where?”

 

The deckhand shrugged. “Best t’ ask teh bloke on deck, but it ain’t New Arethor a’ don’t believe.”
 

New Arethor, Leana wondered? How long had she been out? The deckhand helped her up the narrow steps on to the top deck. Having spent much of the voyage below decks she covered her eyes from the glare. Once adjusted she saw the reason for the ship’s mooring. Stretched before them was a hastily constructed network of jetties, to which the great vessel was tied and anchored and it was not alone. The steamship of the dwarves was moored not far away. To the port side was the ship of the elves, an elegant affair that seemed half alive with greenery and vine rigging, the trireme of the Kharajyr not far behind. Dragged on shore was the fearsome longship of the Orcs, adorned with skull banners and scorpion marks.
 

And beyond the great piers? Leana clutched the rail to take in the magnificence of land after so many weeks at sea. Towering peaks loomed on either side of the bay that the ships were moored on, circling a vast island that continued further than the eye could see. A new home for us, she thought, at least for a while.
 

While Leana took in the view a man in travelling leathers sidled over to her. She took his measure, noting a few strips of green and yellow wrapped around his forearm - colours she recognised as those of her family in the old days. He nodded to her. “Hail, my lady. You would be Leana of House Stafyr, am I correct?”
 

Leana stifled a blush. My lady. House Stafyr. She recovered quickly, smoothing down her travelling outfit. “Y-Yes, that’s me. Are you the man my brother sent for me?”

 

The man nodded. “Aye, my lady. If you’ll follow me we can be off.”

 

He led her across the network of piers - reminiscent of the great docks of the Cloud Sanctuary in lost Asulon - through crowds of all races, each scrambling to unload their cargo and belongings from the ships that had taken them so far. Armoured humans in red and white tabards supervised the unloading of the military supplies from Leana’s ship. She didn’t recognise them for she did not pay much attention to the politics of the Empire, but from their insignia she would have named them as ‘White Roses’, a name she had heard more often in recent years. At the Stafyr man’s insistence she went on. After a few minutes of walking they came to a cross roads. Most of the human foot traffic and carts seemed to be heading down the left fork, towards the collection of hastily made hovels that her chaperone identified as New Arethor, the Holy Oren Empire’s capital - at least for the moment. As they passed a line of trees the man pointed to their destination.

 

“That, my lady, is Huntshill.”

 

Leana looked out across a crescent lake to see a peninsula jutting into its centre. At it’s peak was a newly made keep - square in nature, not much to look at, but it exuded a feeling of familiarity. Men could be seen moving about the length of the peninsula, felling trees and dragging cargo around. Leana was led to a small jetty upon which was a boat big enough for just the two of them. After a little effort with the mooring line they were off toward this new home.

 

Stepping ashore she could see more clearly the work being done around the keep. Men in green tunics and tabards worked to move supplies into temporary stores, while others worked to cut back the undergrowth and pines that crowded the peninsula.

 

The man went ahead as Leana dawdled, looking over everything. He waved to a group clustered around a small table and camp fire.

 

“Excuse me, milord Edmund? You’re sister is here, sir.”

 

A man with young yet craggy features used to smiling and a thick mane of dark hair turned to face her, grinning.
 

“Leana!”

 

"Edmund!" Leana gasped in relief and ran to embrace him.

 

He laughed. “Creator, Leana, I’m sorry for leaving you there but we were all needed here. The trees around here are all spider infested, every sword was needed.”
 

A taciturn young man approached, his features somewhat softer than his brother’s. “Glad you’re not dead,” he stated in a semi-sarcastic, deadpan tone.

 

Leana stiffened a little in her older brother’s arms before nodding to her nuisance of a little brother. “Farley. Glad to see you so concerned.”

 

Farley grunted something and prodded at the fire. Edmund stifled a laugh, with Leana drawing back from the hug.

 

“So,” she said, “We’re calling it Huntshill are we?”

 

Edmund nodded. “That we are.”

 

Leana nodded back, smiling a little; “Hunting what?”

 

Edmund shrugged. “Aside from spiders and monsters? Who knows. There’s bound to be something around here.”

 

A bearded figure with an infectious smile sidled up from the wood.

“There’s hogs and stuff in there by my reckoning.” He looked Leana up and down, causing her to stifle a blush. “And who might this be Edmund?”

 

Farley leaned back from his seat at the fire. “Your cousin.”

 

The man blanched. “Ah.. I, uh- Hail, uh..”

 

Edmund slapped him on the head. “Leana, this is one of our long lost family members, Graveth II, son of our host and kinsman Lord Godwein. Graveth, reintroduce yourself to Leana.”

 

Graveth straightened a little, the smile returning. “Good to meet you, cousin.”

 

Edmund laughed. “In the short time I’ve known him he’s rarely been speechless. But forget about that, you must tired, Leana.”

 

Leana nodded a little, smiling.

 

“Yes, this land is quite something. I’ll quite look forward to getting a better look at all of it. The trip here was lovely.”

 

Edmund smiled and gestured to the keep. “Go inside, sister. You’ve had a long journey, you’ll tell us all of it after you’ve had some rest.”

 

 

Leana’s smile paused. That wasn’t what Edmund had said.

 

She looked to the others gathered. Graveth smiled his bearded half smile and placed a hand on her shoulder. Farley moved near to his cousin and brother, smiling as well, as he had seldom done back then. Edmund’s mouth opened a crack as he gave his sister a reassuring smile and a slight nod. She looked to everyone present, a similar look on each of their faces. Tears in her eyes she hugged her closest kin and looked up to the keep.

 

The way was steeper than she remembered, and it was now dusk. The keening cry of a falcon was heard. As she climbed the hill she began to slip. As she fell, a hand in golden plate clasped hers. The sentinel steadied her and led her up, the ground becoming easier as he went.

 

To her flanks she noticed men in armour kneeling, in the green and yellow tabards of House Stafyr and some in the red honour dress of the White Rose. One of the Roses looked up momentarily and nodded to her.

 

“Fair winds, Leana.”

 

Their captain stood at the head of them, a Rose with his blonde bearded face obscured by the dark of the night. Voice cracking, she reached for his hand. He squeezed hers tightly before retreating back into the shadow.

 

The silent sentinel led her onto the flat ground before the keep, before taking position to the right of the door. He clasped his greatsword in both hands and nodded to Leana, ushering her toward another familiar face.

 

Godwein called from the doorway, his kindly and wise face aglow with warmth. He placed a hand on her arm and smiled.

 

A tear in her eye she mouthed something before being stopped.

 

“It’s alright, Leana. The day… is ended.”

 

The air came to a standstill as she gazed upon the door. Taller than she remembered, with the sounds of voices and merriment beyond the threshold - familiar voices, voices that she had held in her heart for so long.

 

As she heard them they brought her visions of joy and sorrow.

 

~~~

Of days spent atop the battlements, staring with wonder at the world. Her brothers and cousins and family and friends…

Of a knight in red and mail leading her a lovers dance across the virgin lands.

Of wonder and amazement at great trees and soaring silver towers.

Of the pang of the loss of her truest friend and kinsman.

Of joy at marriage, at the birth of a son.

Of pain and anguish with death after death, a spark of hope in the birth of a daughter.

Of pride at the strength of her nephew, of the house in a second rebirth. Hope for the future.

Of final sorrow, of three children lost.

~~~

 

Leana’s face relaxed into serenity.

 

Her hand moved to the clasp.

 

And inside was light.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb4xCKUBteM

((^^Leana's theme))

 

Last Words, Will and Testament of Lady Leana of House Stafyr

 

 

 

The following is the Last Words, Will and Testament of Lady Leana of House Stafyr, Daughter of Brenton, Former Lady Regent of House Stafyr, Sister to the late Lord Edmund Stafyr and Aunt to the late Lord Farley II Stafyr, Kinswoman to Saint Godwein - in life known as Lord Godwein Stafyr - and Wife to Saint Edmond - known in life as Great Ser Edmond Brunswick of the Order of the White Rose and Count of Lachsin. Loyal Servant of the Creator and Loyal Subject of Five Emperors and Four Kings of Oren.

 

*This Will appears to have been revised many times over the years, with entire sections scratched out of the parchment - presumably due to deaths in the family and otherwise*

 

To the Current Lord of House Stafyr

 

My humble apologies, kinsman, for the vague term of address but in my advanced years I have seen so many friends and lords pass from this world that I must save myself the pain of putting a personal name in writing. To you I offer words of wisdom in the hope that you avoid the fate that I have seen so many Lords of our family fall into.

 

Know that leadership is not a blessing but a curse - it destroys the will of those who must carry it, but carry it you must for the good of those around you. It is rare, the man who can carry such a burden with seeming ease - Godwein Stafyr was one such man. I know not what secrets or wisdom he carried but for one - live for peace, not war. War corrupts all it touches - yes it is necessary, and yes humanity must be ever vigilant of threats to itself, but it must never become all that we are. When you look to the future look not to see from whence the next battle comes, but for the next opportunity to cast aside the sword - to enjoy the company of family, friends, lovers and children. Know that a man who lives for war and retribution with one hand cuts his enemies and with the other cleaves out his own heart.

 

With this wisdom comes a request. A long standing order is given in the servantry of our house to transport with us, whenever our long passed brethren are relocated, an unmarked wooden casket. Contained within are the mortal remains of my only grandchild, who died before he ever knew life in Anthos. He was innocent of any moral crime his father committed decades later, and it is my last wish that his remains be taken from said casket and interred with mine in my stone vault. If you do not wish to follow this request I would humbly ask that you at least continue the tradition of carrying my grandson’s casket with us whenever we carry out ancestors to places new.

 

Also, if a woman of half Adunian blood by the name of Yana is ever to find her way into the company of House Stafyr again, I would ask that you treat her with the love that you would show any lost member of our family. If she still lives and you should see her, tell her that her Aunt Leana always loved her no matter where the winds carried her.

 

I wish you nothing but prosperity and good fortune and trust in the honour and judgement that is your birthright as a Stafyr to do what is right for the family, for our nation and for our world. May you see better days than I. Creator keep you.

 

 

To Milena Stafyr

 

We did not know each other well - a fault on my part, I fear. I can offer nothing but sympathy for the untimely death of your husband. Know that the pain will never leave you, but take solace in the fact that the love of your child and those around you shall at least diminish it. I have trodden the road before you and offer you wishes of luck and good fortune.

 

I write this also to bequeath to your son, Athelstan, the engagement ring of Alesira Teya, given to her by my beloved friend, mentor and kinsman Godwein. I had intended to pass it to my own children in time, but the Creator’s plan held another course for them, and so I pass it to he who is my sole living heir.

 

May he grow to be a great man like his father and grandfather, and may his days be filled with joy and not hardship. I wish the same to you, Milena. Creator keep you.

 

 

To Donatien Brunswick

 

We have never met, you and I. I had always intended to seek you out, to do this in person, but my frailty - and perhaps cowardice on my part, has prevented me from doing so. Had fate conspired you would have been my son, but that was not the case. I go to my grave with no malice to you or your mother, this message is not to chastise or to weep for a future that your father and I never shared. Know that I loved your father dearly, and that seeing him fade into a shell of a man was one of the greatest tragedies I have ever witnessed. I hope that he found solace with your mother in his dying days.

 

To you I give to you the engagement ring given to me by your father on the island of Kalos sixty years ago. It was made from one of his swords, in a gesture to demonstrate that love can conquer the rage in the hearts of mortals. I pass this to you as his sole living heir as a token to remember your father by.

 

May you find the peace that your father never could in life. Creator keep you.

 

 

To House Stafyr, my Beloved Kin

 

I apologise for not knowing many of the faces who will read this. I have come to find that most of the people I have known and loved in my life now await me in the Seven Skies, and I may have distanced myself from many of you for fear of recognising new names in the crypts. But enough of my morbid ramblings.

 

Each and every one of you carry within yourselves the strength of your ancestors and each other. Never forget that the bonds between family are the strongest, surpassed only by our bond with the Creator. In my youth I could never have imagined the unity we now have - for seventeen years, the name ‘Stafyr’ in my mind could only be applied to to my brothers and parents. Godwein Stafyr, my friend and mentor, now a Saint, brought us together, helped us to realise the strength that we have as one - never let petty squabbles or rivalries destroy the bonds that bind us.

 

To the family as a whole I bequeath my knowledge of a dying tongue. Among my possessions you will find a book I have been working on titled 'The Codex Revicheg', containing the knowledge necessary to learn and pass on the dying tongue of our forefathers.

 

I rest easy knowing that no matter what comes, our family shall face it together as it always was meant to. I go now to my Creator, to join with our kin of old and my children.

 

Law, Honour and Loyalty.

 

Auf Wiedersehen, meine Familie - Gott schütze euch alle.

 

Leana Stafyr

 

 

(( Well, Leana has kicked the proverbial bucket somewhere in the back end of her eighties. She was my first female character and by far one of my most cherished. I'm proud to have been with House Stafyr through its ups and downs and even though I will not be playing a Stafyr for the time being, I wish you all nothing but luck.

 

Obvious thanks to all the old school members of the House - Z3r0, Emenzi, Dewp, Amk, Dylan and Dan and all the rest of you reprobates. Thanks to the White Rose, especially LeRenardNoir and Jarkarll for some great times in Elysium, Kalos and early Anthos, as well as all the rest of Oren I RP'd with.

 

It's been a blast, thank you all. Special thanks again to Emenzi since he's leaving in a few months, I'll miss you mate.))