The Darkest of Nights

[Bvie 1754]

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

The North's frigid breath swept over the mountaintops as the sun sank below the horizon. The nooting of penguins and the cries of the yetis in the distance began to grow faint as slumber dragged them into their shelters for the night. The only sound that broke through the serene silence was that of a pair of boots trudging through the deep snow. With each crunching step, the white landscape was further marred with a trail leading from the verdant forest.  

 

Hot breath danced in the air, free from the small confines, only to be gripped by the arctic chill. A small leather satchel of belongings rubbed against the thick coat with each movement, causing strain and exhaustion. A moleskin bag pressed against a chest with the flap loosely closed, arms gripping it tightly. Sweat, even in the frigid temperatures, dripped down the peach skin, soaking through the clothing and pooling in the confines of the boots.

 

A large polar bear awakens from its slumber as the steps pass a cave. It rises up, moving in front of its youth and stands on its rear legs, attempting to intimidate the intruder. But the bear looked upon the intruder and the intruder looked upon the bear. A mutual understanding occurred, something that transcends speech and species. The bear lowered itself and, with a huff, returned to slumber with its child. The young bear made a playful noise in its sleep, possibly dreaming of catching its first fish, while the intruder continued its steps past the cave.

 

Exhaustion began to take its toll. The gait of each step became shorter and the movements slower. Was it the wind howling just now? Or was it the tundra wolves that preyed upon the oxen and reindeer? The arms that held the moleskin bag tightened around it as the bag began to shake and squirm. Pausing in its travels, an arm freed itself from its grip and lifted the flap of the moleskin bag for a moment before lowering it once more. Eyes scanned from left to right before the steps continued, now diverting from the straight path it once took Northward.

 

The rocky outcrop shielded against the bitter winds. The leather satchel was slipped off, sinking into the snow with a rustle as the contents shifted and stirred. The shaking moleskin bag was removed and place, with gentle movements, against the rocks. Small hands removed the thick fur coat, revealing the sweat drenched body to the icy air, sending a shiver throughout the body. But the hands laid the coat over the moleskin bag then fished around within the leather satchel. Swift movements with flint and steel would soon create a small fire, the heat beating the cold in its duel (for the moment).

 

The drenched clothes were soon stripped off and hung on the rocks to dry. The dancing light of the flame on the sweaty form gave such a luster that one might think it was a coating of aurum dust. With tired motions, the hands rubbed against one another and the fingers flexed, attempting to awaken the hibernating nerves and tendons beneath the peach skin. But a noise from behind demanded attention, and a shuffle within the moleskin bag would not take no for an answer.

 

It squirmed in the air as it's eyes blinked and squinted to the fire's light. The wisps of hair, as silver as moonlight, decorating the crown of its head poked in all directions. The soft pink lips parted as its tiny feet and hands balled up, and a cry echoed out. The infant squirmed in the careful hands as they freed it from the confines of the moleskin bag and moved it towards their owners breast. The careful hands became careful arms that cradled the child and moved the long brown hair out of the way. Soon the sharp cries of hunger were replaced with soft breaths through a small nose. She looked upon the infant, running a delicate finger over its soft head.

 

"Soon....we'll find him soon."

 

Her own stomach rumbled and she moved a hand to the leather satchel. Her search retrieved only a few bits of salted mutton and raw nuts. She began to divvy up the, already small, remaining rations for herself. Her stomach attempted to revolt against her mind as it thought of skipping another meal on this journey, growling and twisting inside of her. She looked upon the feasting infant and then to the hand that cradled him. The amber ring that sat upon her finger sparkled in the fire's light.

 

Trust.

 

With a deep sigh, she brought the food to her lips and began to eat the rations, a move that appeased her stomach but wounded her heart. She knew that this meant that her search had come to an end, for this trip at least. Without food, she'd need to head home and resupply before venturing out once more. She pulled the thick coat over the both of them as she looked down at the sleeping child's face. As she closed her eyes, the child's face shifted into his and a smile splayed across her chapped lips. She trusted him, and she rested for the journey home.

 

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The warm wind blew across the city with a gentle touch, lifting her hair and dress slightly. She stood upon the balcony of the palace, looking over at her creation below her. But instead of eyeing the populace and the festivities, her eyes were fixated on the gate as men and women in ocean blues and lustrous golds and silvers returned home.

 

"Princess..."

 

The voice called out to her from the staircase of the royal quarters as the guard captain scaled the marble stairs to the balcony.

 

"I know......I see them."

 

His footsteps were heavy, the metal boots making a racket against the clean stone, as he began to pull off his gloves. His eyes looked over the bedroom, noticing that things that once brought her enjoyment now lay in corners, covered in a thick layer of dust. The tray of food that sat on the desk had barely been touched while a second serving sat next to hers, waiting for its intended diner to arrive eventually. The goose-down bedding was crumpled and creased on one side, marking the long sleepless nights. While the other side of the bed remained pristine, much like the second plate, waiting for its occupant to return. He looked from the desk of quills and parchment that she furiously wrote and had sent out, the notices of potential rewards, the cries for any information, and the pleas for help.

 

"The gulls we sent out......they haven't been returned either."

 

He sat his gloves next to a stack of letters addressed to various settlements across Axios, knowing that the same letter would be in each one, the same letter that she's sent out all this time.

 

"The winds must be delaying them." She replied as she remain focused on the gate. "Have the stewards train them better and these letters will reach him."

 

With a sigh he stepped behind her and laid his calloused hand on her shoulder silently.

 

"You're to ride the guard to the manor in the South-West."

 

His brow furrowed as he looked at her cheek.

 

"The guard has only just returned and we only just checked that place a fortnight ago."

 

"He might be there now." She stated, her voice tired and strained as if she tried to make herself believe her own words.

"I saw him there once with Oliver....perhaps he heard about the news and went there to-"

 

His hand squeezed her shoulder, silencing her. He looked at his hand. Had her shoulder always been so thin? Had her skin always been so rough and dry?

Had her clothing always sat on her so loosely?

 

"Lily...." His voice softening as he tried to approach the subject. "You know that you are like family to me. And you know that I want the best for you...."

 

He looked upon her vacant expression as her eyes still clung to the gate in the distance and braced himself for what was to come.

 

"But....it has been so long.....maybe it is time to move on....he wouldn't want you to be like this."

 

His words hung in the air as he stared at her. Was it regret that washed over him not for what he had said? Did he wish he was able to grab at the words and pull them away from her ears to spare her the pain? Or was this feeling of relief? To have finally said what he had wished to say many moons ago? Regardless of his feelings, she remained quiet. Her eyes blinked slowly as they watched the gate and lowered towards her hand. There, the amber ring sat upon her finger and shined in the afternoon sunshine.

 

Hope.

 

She lowered her hand to the balcony railing and slowly turned to the captain, acknowledging him finally. He looked past her cracked lips and circles under her eyes. Instead, he looked into her eyes and saw in that moment what others couldn't understand, what others may never come to understand.

 

"I believe...." She'd begin in her soft and tired voice. "....that your horse is waiting."

 

Without a sigh, without resignation, and without fault, he removed his hand from her shoulder. He nodded and picked up his gloves from the desk, along with the letters. He placed his helmet upon his head and rushed to rally his men. A thunderous wave of hooves beating on stone echoed from the city as men and women in ocean blues and lustrous silvers and golds rode to the South-West while gulls flew from the stewards quarters with letters and scrolls to places across the realm.

 

As the captain rode through the thick forest, he worried no longer about his Princess. For she was not lost in misery, but safely home with hope.

 

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He adjusted his glasses as he walked through the city streets. His ears twitched as whispers slipped from the mouths of those he stewarded.

 

“They say she’s a black widow.”

“Some say she’s cursed.”

“Other’s say they run from her and fake their death.”

“Think she’ll accept this one?”

“How long will this one last?”

 

A scowl formed on the elf’s face as he lifted his long robes from dragging upon the stone. The minds of the unenlightened, he thought with a disgusting taste in his mouth. Passing the tall buildings with each step, the smell of spices and sweets reached his nose. Following the aroma, he arrived at the source. Large carts and wagons of fresh fruits, sweetened breads, and spices sat outside the palace gates. Their banners were foreign and their drivers all wore a similar uniform.

 

The slender steward wormed his way through the crowd made of curious citizens, feisty merchants, and merry bards that circled the palace.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

His voice was disgruntled as he fixed his askewed glasses.

 

“Another one.”

 

The steward would sigh heavily as he made his way past the guard and headed into the palace.

 

His mood didn’t change much once within the confines of the palace he once was proud to say he had built. Now, it had begun to fall apart and become overgrown. Vines and cobwebs seemed to expand outwards, fighting each other in some territorial war of dominance. Who would own the left gargoyle? The spiders or the weeds? Numerous holes in the roof of the reception hall allowed a constant dripping to echo throughout the room, potentially causing one to go mad if held there long enough. But his attempts to fix the room were thwarted.

 

“It’s how he left it, he liked a bit of nature.”

 

She rarely left the palace those days unless to do her basic duties for the city or to go out on one of her trips to search for him.

 

“Yes, but Princess….” His arms would expand outward. “This is more than a BIT of nature!”

 

His complaints and claims fell on deaf ears as she stared at his picture. He felt her sorrow, unable to aid her through mundane or magical means. She was his princess, but also his teacher. She had taught him how to mend broken bones cure toxins, but never how to heal a broken heart.

 

His stroll down memory lane was interrupted as a deep voice boomed from the reception hall. A man of tan color and dark hair stood before the throne of diamonds and tidestone, bearing numerous caskets of jewels and precious metals.

 

“I have heard of your beauty. I have heard of your kindness. And I have heard of your love for wealth, something we share in common, my princess!”

 

The foreign man laughed as he rubbed his large stomach following his claims. With a strained neck, the steward looked around the man and saw the princess seated on the throne. Her look seemed blank, expressionless, and empty. Yet the man seemed to believe his attempt to win her heart infallible.

 

“That is kind of you, sir.” She’d reply in an exhausted tone.

 

The steward righted himself up and fixed his robes. He slicked back his hair and straightened his glasses. With a deep clearing of his throat, he marched his way into the room. He emanated confidence and prestige, when internally he was quite timid and fearful.

 

With a bowed head he approached the tidestone throne. “My Princess.”

 

She acknowledged his presence with a nod and the steward took his place next to her. “My Minister of the Interior.” She stated to the foreigner as she introduced the nervous steward.

 

“Aha! What a fine man to build such a fine city!”

 

The foreign man slapped his stomach as much as he laughed.

 

“Yes, fine indeed. Especially this hall, no?”

 

The foreigner’s laughter paused as he looked around at the weathered hall, his voice becoming strained.

 

“Yes….it is….lovely...but!” He smiled once more as he looked upon her. “With me at your side, I can have this mess fixed up quickly!”

 

Her movements were slow, yet sharp. Standing in front of the throne, the steward was able to look at her without feeling sheepish. Her presence was once magnificent, as if a glow exuded from her, a sense of timeless beauty and confidence. But now he could see that she wasn’t herself, and each passing day her form became worse. He wished he had forced more food upon her or been more adamant about tailoring her dresses more. Once the richest person across the realm, she now appeared as a beggar queen. He quickly looked to her eyes, blushing as he thought she was looking at him stare. But her eyes were transfixed upon her hand where a single amber ring sat. The torchlight of the room caused the ring to twinkle.

 

Loyalty.

 

“It is not a mess.” She replied to the foreigner as she stepped down from the dais. “And I do not need a man by my side other than he.”

 

The man laughed slightly as he tried to maintain his composure and smile.

 

“My Princess, it is known that he has gone. Fled, dead, or something of the sort! You hold onto memories and words as if they were flesh and blood!”

 

He moved to his knee and took from his person a box that held within it a ring with a beautiful diamond upon it.

 

“Allow me to heal your wounds, my princess. We can rule together and you will be wealthy and pleased!”

 

The steward blinked as he looked at the size of the diamond. Carefully he watched her eyes as she moved her hand towards the engagement ring, confused at what would come from this. But as the princess’ hand reached the box, she simply closed its lid and let her hand that held her small amber ring sit upon the top.

 

“Safe travels home, sir.”

 

His stomach rumbled slightly as he stood by the princess on her balcony, watching the carts full of sweets and savory food leave.

 

“Didn’t find his company appealing, my princess?”

 

Her eyes fixated on the gate as the last cart left the city. The sun began to set upon the city and its residents began to head home for the evening.

 

“He would wait for me.”

 

He couldn’t argue the point, the bond they had shared was known throughout the city and elsewhere. But it wasn’t until he stood there on that balcony with her that night, staring into the setting sun, did he realize how loyal an individual could be. Even when not teaching him, she somehow managed to do so. And in an attempt to prove his own loyalty, he left her side and gathered numerous torches, candles, and glowing stones of various sizes and colors.

 

Through the night he worked, but when he work was complete, he had lit a path home for him to follow.

 

All he could do now, was pray that the Light would guide him home to the most loyal of them all.

 

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“You remind me of him.”

 

The dark elf blinked suddenly, looking from the tome that he read at the table and looked upon her.

 

“I’m….I’m sorry?”

 

Her hair began to lose its color, her silver roots peeking through the once dyed brown hair. Sores began to appear around her joints and she tired easily. He had wanted her to cleanse the sword he found that day, but after seeing the toll it took upon her already weak form, he wished he had looked for a different way.

 

“He is always so invested in what he does...he either goes fully into something, disregarding all caution, or doesn’t. There is no middle ground.”

 

Her words were soft and strained, her lips crimson. Many knew she was sick, few knew how severe. She refused to take medicine or allow herself to be healed. She knew what was causing it, and she knew what would come soon if she did not allow herself to recover.

 

“Princess….”

 

He sighed, knowing that if he tried to correct her tense usage it would only upset her more. She talked about him all the time, as if he was just running an errand and would be home soon. How many moons had it been since anyone had last seen him? After some point, many just stop counting and assumed the worst.

 

“Walk with me.”

 

He stood from the chair and closed his book before moving to her side and taking the sleeping infant that sat in his carrier from her. He passed her the staff that had now become more of a cane than anything as of late, and the two of them walked off.

 

“Here we are…”

 

They stopped at the top of the stairs between the library and palace. His eyes looked around, confused.

 

“What….?”

“This is where I first met him.”

“Oh…”

 

She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly, relishing in the memory.

 

“He came rushing over to us from the grove, seeking aid for someone choking.

His mannerisms and exaggerated movements….even though a serious moment, they made me want to laugh.”

 

He smiled at the words, remembering such antics being a common place with him. After a few moments, she opened her eyes and began to walk once more until stopping in the city square.

 

“Here….is where I healed him after being assaulted by a crazed Kha.” She looked down at the stone with narrowed eyes, as if remembering the exact place he lay. “He was so bloody, the katar the Kha used had sliced his internal organs. People just stood there and offered no help.”

 

He scowled as he adjusted the infant upon his back. “A reason why I seek the Light, to be able to do when others do not.”

 

She nodded her approval and remained still for a moment before stepping forward. Only a handful of yards away upon a stairway she paused.

 

“Another spot?”

 

“Yes….his chest and side had been slashed up. By sword or claw, I never knew. But seeing him in pain, something within me knew that

I had to be the one to bring him comfort when no one else could.”

 

Their travels continued, and while he thought that the time could be better spent at solving the mystery surrounding the shadow blade, he followed along silently. The green of the forest wrapped around them as they looked up at the ruined elder tree.

 

“He spent much time here.”

 

“He always had a thing for Druids. He would always be around Nyn and the others.”

 

“It was here that I blessed his weapon, and here where he helped me ward their tree. It was here that….” She’d pause and look to the sleeping child on his back and allow the rare smile to lay across her cracked lips. “It was here that I realized how much he meant to me.”

 

He looked at her with a sense of understanding, yet her gaze was fixed on the amber ring that sat on her hand. The moonlight seemed to strike it in such a way that caused it to sparkle.

 

Love.

 

“We should be getting back, my princess, the hour grows late.”

 

She nodded and began to follow him home, but stopped to look behind her once more before heading off.

 

As they returned to the palace they climbed the tall stairs to the royal quarters. The bedroom had only fallen into further disarray in the recent days, yet no one tried to fix it. After laying the child in its crib she helped her into her bed, slowly moving the blankets and fixing her pillows. Her coughing began once more and the white cloth she used to cover her mouth became speckled with crimson. She sipped the water he offered her slowly and leaned back against the pillows to close her eyes.

 

“And this is where I thought I lost him forever. And also where he came back to me.”

 

Her words became soft as her breathing slowed, falling into a soft slumber. He stayed by her bedside, understanding why she refused to change anything, understanding why she refused to leave, and understanding why she refused to move on. He understood what love truly was in the dark hours that night by the bedside of his princess, witnessing it first hand.

 

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The darkness of her bedroom washed over her belongings. Like a spectre of death, silent and deadly, it crept from the shadows that hid in the corners. It slipped over her books and journals, over her jewelry and dresses,  over her paintings and portraits. It slithered up the bed posts and onto the blue bed spread hoping to assault the unguarded princess.

 

But as the shadows of the dark room attempted to swallow her in this hour, the amber ring shined brightly.

 

No simple sparkle or twinkle, but a brilliant amber light shined against the darkness, forcing the shadows away as if he was there protecting her in her time of need.

 

For she was never truly without him, but now he was headed home.

 

Trust. Hope. Loyalty. Love.

[Archipelego 2188]

"... And this is why I quit doing relationships." Kasfer hums happily.

[Jakraes 51]

Rhova'dir would shed a tear or two, man, that's a story that hit him right in the feels, and he's a man of feels, jeez.

[Guest]

27 minutes ago, Archipelego said:

"... And this is why I quit doing relationships." Kasfer hums happily.

 

Brother Leatherback shrugs his shoulders in response to Trout Druid Kasfer. "I suppose it's not for everybody. Not interested in finding yourself a nice Halfling lass?" 

[Archipelego 2188]

Just now, Veist said:

Brother Leatherback shrugs his shoulders in response to Trout Druid Kasfer. "I suppose it's not for everybody. Not interested in finding yourself a nice Halfling lass?" 

 

"Tried, failed. T'ey never wanna stay." He shrugs back. "Bachelors life fer me."

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, Archipelego said:

"Tried, failed. T'ey never wanna stay." He shrugs back. "Bachelors life fer me."

 

"You'll definitely be a bachelor forever with that attitude," muses Leatherback. A faint silence falls between the two, before he continues. "Give it another shot. You'll be surprised at what you find." 

[Archipelego 2188]

Just now, Veist said:

"You'll definitely be a bachelor forever with that attitude," muses Leatherback. A faint silence falls between the two, before he continues. "Give it another shot. You'll be surprised at what you find." 

 

"Heh, maybe. Though wit' m' age I doubt I'd get much." He gets up with that, wandering off to do halfling things.

[MamaBearJade 2090]

Lilliana stood on her mountain away from prying eyes. She had sent him home, her blessings given, not that either of them needed hers. She knew where the princess stood in terms of the Druii, knew how she felt towards a specific druii. She sighed, almost saddened. She had sealed herself off from those who despised her, those who could not find forgiveness. She had watched as her own flesh began to die. He had been freed of his grief for now. She prayed the princess could keep him happy, and that was all she had cared. "Maybe one day, amends can be made."

[someome 2053]

He'd remove his hand from a tree, his daily practice, looking across the square of Sutica and sighing "It always takes time, it seems.."

[Chorale__ 2147]

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.