The Things That Were Lost

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Stefjan Kovachev sat solemnly upon his old steed, analyzing the landscape of a certain region in the vast redwood forest of the Westerlands. He wrapped his fingers around the reigns of the bridle and let out an elongated sigh. As he sighed, a thick cloud of steam escaped his mouth, for it was one of the coldest days of that winter.

 

He placed his boots on the stirrup that hanged from each side of the saddle and sat upright before he pulled the reigns to signal the horse to start trotting. The horse began to trot slowly, and Stefjan commenced to look around the forest, further analyzing his surroundings. The hoot of a snowy owl was heard from one of the trees nearby. “Who-who… who-who.” Was heard throughout the adjacent area. A pair of yellow orbs stood out from the hollow of a redwood tree.

 

Stefjan’s lips tugged upwards after a moment of carefully hearing the owl’s hoot. It had been the first moment in a long time he had experienced genuine peace, and him and his horse continued to trot through the woods calmly. He began to remember everything he once had and admired  as he made his way back to the road that led to the capital. He recalled seeing the great warships of House Vanir in the sea of Serpentstone. He recalled when his father revealed him that his mother had passed away due to a strange illness that affected her lungs. He recalled the last time his entire family sat down on the great hall of Kovagrad to enjoy each other’s company and a lavish feast.

 

Stefjan found himself on the main road after wandering the woods for some time. He wiped his face with the cloth on his sleeve and hugged his legs around his horse whilst he pulled the reigns once more to make the steed gallop. The cold wind passed through him with ease, but it made him miss the warmth of his old castle. The city of Bastion appeared in the distance, disguised amongst the dense fog.

 

The steed galloped hastily, and Stefjan arrived at the capital promptly. He made rode his horse towards the stables and dismounted him. He ran his fingers through the steed’s snout to caress it gently and tied him to a post inside the stable. Stefjan turned about and exited the wooden structure to enter Bastion, but he made sure that the horse had enough food and water for the rest of the day.

 

After entering the capital, the man pushed the door of his household open and went upstairs to enter his bedchambers. Upon entering he found Aleksandra holding a sleeping Astrid on her arms.

He smiled warmly and approached the duo. “Privyet, love.” He said to Aleksandra before he leaned downwards to peck his daughter’s forehead whilst she was sleeping on her mother’s arms. Aleksandra smiled widely as Stefjan did this, and she greeted him back. Stefjan stared blankly past his wife and further realized that what he holded dear did not vanish along with the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska and that being in the place he was currently was an opportunity to amend everything he had done wrong in the past.

 

OOC.

As always, I hope you enjoyed this read. Please excuse any errors in the writing!

 

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[cablam 477]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.