Did I belong? (A pk post)

[TheIchorDruid 1986]

 

 

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

Did I belong?

(A pk post) 

 

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Princess Winnifred had returned to the walls of her homelands for a time of two years, yet no happiness ventured with her return. The tall walls that protected the aging woman, now seemed frail, the faces she had grown to adore were now merely blurs. She was tired, exhausted in fact. Yet being the daughter of Vladrick, had taught her to keep her posture until the support of her legs caved in; and her legs had begun to tremble. For years, her travels in Aeldin had been spent, visiting an array of medical practitioners and mages alike - for she knew her final years were drawing nigh. She had an opportunity to strike the sickness that ailed her upon the early stages, yet the woman was far too prideful to accept the diagnostics of professionals. 

 

For months, the same doctors had attempted to encourage the weak princess to travel back to homelands and prepare her loved ones to say the last departing farewells - yet again, pride refused her to do such. She had been known as a relentless warrior, a woman of her time and she couldn’t mar that. Or perhaps pride was used to mask the fear, the fear of being forgotten? Would people mourn her passing? The princess had always been the blacksheep within her lineage, though her spirits, within her youth,  as an Alimar were fully intact and many knew that. 

 

People had noticed her weakness, but did not truly know the graveness of the situation or just what was causing her frailness. Winnifred wished it could remain that way, but there was going to be a day when they found out, when she no longer drew breath. Thus, she had concluded it was best at least one person knew her circumstances, the closest person to her being; her uncle Otto Sigmar.

 

The steps that Winnifred drew though the newly constructed streets of Reza, were rather unstable; she relied upon the support of a cane to see her through the alleys and avenues. Mobility was quite the chore for the poor women, her joints ached but most of all her breathing was heavily laboured. She gritted her teeth and took a great effort to draw her head upward, proud. Though, the streets of her homelands she did not recognize - in her absence drastic construction had taken place to provide more suitable housing to the residents of the kingdom. 

 

Out with the old and in with the new…

 

Winnie chuckled weakly to herself upon that remark, noting that the streets that were new in her youth had now been knocked down to suit the betterment of the new generations. 

She continued her pursuit through the streets, the populace dipped their heads in greeting as the princess passed - usually she’d return the kind gesture yet now she merely passed them; insistent to find her Uncle Otto before her legs gave in. 

 

There he was -- her uncle, Prince Regent, crowded by people all whom yearned his attention. She smiled softly at that, it comforted Winnie knowing that her blood had business to distract them from the hardship that was about to follow. 

 

“Uncle..” The woman spoke for the first time in days, her throat tight and gasps shortly followed after her utterance “M-Might…..we speak?”

 

There were a few utterances before the speaking of Otto abruptly halted, the regent turning upon his heel to face his niece. At first there was a calmed smile, yet once he noted the graveness of her frail stature, his grin shortly shifted to a frown.

 

Winnifred attempted to draw a step onward against her cane, towards where her uncle stood - the guards that stood about the regent stiffened to a protective manner - guarding the uncle from his niece. Yet, with a wave of Otto’s hand the soldiers were quickly dispersed. 

 

It was a struggle for the regent to aid the princess to the Alimar manor, where she had spent the last few years being in Haense. Winnifred felt the pain of her body grow stronger, squeezing her eyes shut, she endured until she was graced with a seat at their dining table.

 

There was a few minutes silence, of Otto looking the woman’s frail state up and down, whilst Winnifred stared upon the table.

 

“It’s tuberculosis.” She finally broke the choking silence, draping the cloak further around her stature - within the Alimar manor it was well heated, yet the princess still felt a strong chill “Terminal now.”

 

Otto gravely stiffened, fingers grasping the edge of the table “Wh-What?” There was a clear ounce of disbelief in his tone. 

 

“I’m very sick, I have been for many years. I merely failed to mention such.” There was guilt laced within her tone, eyes cast towards the window where a low ray of sunlight peered through the panes. “Spent my days ignoring my ailment within Aeldin, until.. an episode rendered my sickness terminal. Doctors.. chided  me for my failures to attend appointments.”

 

There was a pause, a flush of anger painting the regent’s features “Why would you ignore the advice of your doctors?!” he held back a bark. 

 

“I.. sought treatment, eventually. But it had gotten to the point.. where such an investment was too late. What medicine they had to offer had no effect. I do not know how long Godani is granting me, but I refuse to fall to a sickness. Thus, I seek to ask a favour of you.” There was a stillness in her voice, perhaps a hesitance but the princess had to remind herself that these words needed to be said. Despite what pain it might cause. 

 

“The reason I did not admit my ailment years back.. is beyond me. Perhaps it was pride.. Fear? I am unsure.” She continued, at this point Winnifred was rambling “No one nor did anyone, know how sick I was. It was kept bottled, people were already heartbroken over the loss of my beloved cousin Kat. It would have been unfair of me to cut the wound again, so shortly after it had healed.”

 

Otto shook his head a good few times, perhaps in hopes that it was all just a bad dream and he might have awoken beneath his sheets. But.. such was no dream.

 

“Wh-What favour is it, you seek fulfilled?” He forced between a low, tense, breath. 

 

“I am.. An Alimar” Winnifred wheezed, almost as if she was gasping for breath- her fit began to worsen as she quickly brought a tissue to mask her coughing. The cough had marred the tissue with blotches of red ichor, which caused the pair alarm before the princess quickly brought the tissue out of sight beneath the table “We are not a lineage of weakness… I will niet let a sickness end my days. I ask you to draw your blade and grant me mercy.”

 

Otto brought his hand upward before slamming it upon the surface of the table, causing Winnie to flinch upon the unexpected impact “No, I will not. You will seek the treatment of your doctors and fight this Winnifred Alimar.”

 

Such hope Otto tried to reinforce into Winnifred merely caused a saddened smile to brace her lips “Uncle..” She moved her hand to rest atop his hand, her eyes pleading “Please. Grant me my last wish, dja? I was raised with a blade in my hand, I still have strength to put up one last fight. Let us draw steel to commemorate my life.”

 

She inhaled a little before continuing “I have spent years, uncle, with that hope. Seeking out a cure, but there is none. Now I am left to spend my days living in agony, and the pain, it is unbearable. Again, I ask of you, please allow me an end a dame is deserved. Wouldn’t you wish for the same end?”

 

A long moment of silence passed, Winnifred shrank against the chair as the pain continued to eb and flow like an intense hearth within her lungs. 

 

“You ask too much of me, Winnifred.” He bit his lip before shaking his head.

 

“I am not asking you as my uncle, but as my father. What is life if, I am living it in pain each day?” Those words struck him now, tears beginning to line the regent’s eyes. 

 

Those tears that threatened to spill from the regent’s eyes began to fall rather quickly “I-I never thought it would have to end this way..”

 

“Shh, please - do not weep.” She leaned over despite the protest of her weak body, and wiped the tears from his cheeks “Every man in my life has failed me, Vladrick, Markus.. It is why I ask you to grant me this peace.”

 

The prince merely nodded, inhaling sharply before rising “I shall meet you within the ring, would you like me to fetch Markus?” There was a flinch in his tone upon the inquiry before the princess merely nodded in response.

 

♛♛♛

 

It seemed like an eternity, the princess spent waiting for her husband.. A man who she had not seen or even sought to converse with for four years. He had chosen the Kingdom over his duties to her, admitted that his love for her had faltered- the news she was given years ago had truly shattered her and was the main reason she ventured to Aeldin.

 

“Winnifred.” Markus’ voice finally rang, at first the tone was rather even though as he rounded the table to see her state - it dropped significantly. 

 

“Sit.” She merely gestured to one of the seats, her head was heavy as she stared to the table - the princess beginning to explain her dire situation once more to the man across the table. 

 

“Why.. didn’t you tell me, Winnifred?” He seemed to be in disbelief, a hand raking through his hair. 

 

Though the expression of the sickly woman remained as stern as ever “The day you broke my heart, was the day there stopped being an ‘us’ and only a me. I remained quiet to protect our children.” She fiddled with the band upon her wedding finger for a moment “Our.. children. You will not let them forget me, will you?”

 

Markus quickly shook his head, brows furrowing upon his forehead “Of course not, I understand what you must do.” Though the words he uttered, his tone did not seem to accept the princess’ choice. 

 

“Another request..” She slipped the band from her finger, offering it unto her husband’s palm “Gift this to Viktor, assure that our children wed for love and not for prestige. My father was not so lucky and his departure from the marriage caused a war.” She closed his fingers over the wedding ring, drawing back shortly after. 

 

“Of course, they will have the opportunity we had when children.. They will be happy and fulfilled I promise you.”

 

"Thank you." The weary princess flinched upon the wailing of the announcement of the tourney, her head dropped before her arms wrapped around her stature "Go -- they seek your presence."

 

Markus stood and walked over to his wife, his boot clunking on the floorboards as he did so. He stopped beside her and leaned downward to plant a gentle kiss atop her head and spoke softly, "I still hold love for you, that will niet change. Now, I will live with my decisions."

 

Winnifred lifted her hand to cup the cheek of Markus, such a touch was the first in four years - her own touch was ice cold, this close Markus noticed just how pale her countenance had gotten. "You must not guilt yourself with your decisions, you must simply live, live for our children, for your kingdom and house. Remarry, Markus - grant our children a mother that they so desperately need at a young age. I have seen what a motherless childhood does to an infant.. do not let such befall our young."

 

♛♛♛

 

The last she intended to discuss with was her eldest, beloved Viktor. As Markus departed, Viktor stepped into the manor- his usual delighted look glowing from his face. Winnifred felt herself smiling softly upon her boy’s true joyousness, it reminded her of herself as a pup. 

 

“Mamej!” He exclaimed before rounding the table, the wide toothy smile that blossomed faltered a little- upon seeing Winnifred’s weak state “Mamej, what is the matter?”

 

The mother lifted a cold hand to brush against his cheek, before patting the seat next to her, the boy did not hesitate and instead hastily moved to sit beside his mother. 

 

“I’ve missed you.” She spoke quietly, holding back a few tears as an arm wrapped around his waist to hold him against her flank “We must speak like adults now, dja?”

 

“As have I” He exclaimed in a hushed tone of voice “What is it you wished to speak to me about, mamej?”

 

Winnie paused, she never thought she’d have to sit her child down and explain the reality of their family’s future. 

 

“I’m very sick, dove.” She murmured quietly, brushing a hand through his curls - a sadness held within her eyes. She then went on to explain the occurrences to her son, from start to finish- of why she originally left to travel, how the sickness came about.. And now what she must face. 

 

“U-Uncle Otto.. is going to..?” He was breathless,  clutching onto his mother tightly. 

“Yes, my boy. Your uncle Otto is going to grant me peace, something I need. It will hurt at first, but do not cry for me, instead smile. Hold close what I have taught you, be kind, always. You will need to be brave, Odrin and Ophelia are still very young, they will not fully understand what is going on, so you must put them to ease whilst I am gone. Especially now that your pader is getting older.”

 

“I-I promise Mamej, I love you.. So much.” She wheezed as tears trickled down his cheeks, in which the mother assured to quickly wipe away.

 

“I love you too, little dove..” She uttered before bidding her final farewells and sending the boy to the tourney to be with his father and siblings in mourning.

 

♛♛♛

 

The time had come, that the Dame lofted her steel for the last time and entered the ring with her uncle. She had fully donned her plates, aside the helmet, wishing to fight as it was a serious opponent. Yet, she knew just how weak she was, it did not deter her from giving Otto a run for his money. 

 

After a struggling pace, aided by her husband- Winnifred entered the ring, swaying in sheer weakness; only just about catching her weight against the wall. 

 

Otto stood there with a regretful look stark upon his face, tears still falling as he bowed his head to the princess “Are.. you sure of this, niece?”

 

“Dja, I do not wish to live in pain any longer.” She thrusted her hand from the wall and forced herself to a stand, yet she almost fell again - the head of her blade sinking into the dust to catch her weight before she inhaled sharply “Do not treat me like a fragile thing, during this fight Uncle. You know the intent of the fight.”

 

He glanced away for a moment, teeth sinking upon his bottom lip- he dismissed her comment with a weak and gentle swing of his blade in which Winnie forced her weight to lamely parry the blow. The movement clawed at her body, as if pure fire coursed through her veins. But she persisted, pushing forward to push her uncle half an inch back to free their steel from the parry. 

 

This time she feigned a swing towards his thigh, before shifting it to his gut in a weak thrust- such only merely caused a metallic screech to sound against his breastplate. Yet he accepted the blow and allowed his state to stumble back, without an effort to defend himself.

 

“Winnifred..” He spoke in a depressed tone, eyes almost pleading her to change her mind - yet the woman did not step down once a choice had been made.

 

She knew that with swings and blows alike, it was merely going to exhaust herself and her uncle was clearly not prepared to motivate himself to pursue her. Thus she poised her blade and with the adrenaline she was granted, dashed towards him with intent to stab. Otto’s eyes widened, he quickly mimicked her actions - yet, just before Winnie reached the man, her blade dropped. Welcoming the sensation of hot ichor running down her breastplate. 

 

“Stupid girl!” Otto snarled before thrusting the blade outwardly and tossing it to the ground, Winnifred did not snarl out in pain.. She had grown a tolerance to it, instead she smiled. Growing rather limp against the stature of her uncle. “I-I..” Otto continued to be lost for words, pressing a gauntlet to her wound whilst she was cradled within his arms.

 

“T-Thank you.. Papej..” She whispered to Otto before the princess drew her final breath.

 

During her last moments.. Phrases of her life, from those she adored soothed her ascent to the seven-skies.

 

‘You are a bastard, but my bastard’ -Vladrick (Khan/lotcapprovedname)

‘Not of blood, but you will always be a daughter. You are mine, Winnifred, you understand?’ -Ester (Koanda)

’Our friendship is eternal’-Katerina (Benelux)

’You have achieved much, how? I am proud of you’- Otto Sigmar (Pureimp)

‘I love you mamej’-Viktor (Zanthuz)

 

 

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13th of the Sun’s Smile, 1756

In Loving Memory of

Princess & Dame

Winnifred Ophelia Kortrevich-Alimar

 

A loving wife, mother, dame and friend.

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

1

Spoiler

OOC: I have found that I have lost time for this beloved character, which is a real shame – i have made so many lasting memories on Winnifred and ones that I won’t forget! A massive thank you to the entirety of the Haenseni community for standing with me whilst Winnifred developed and aged. Allowing such a wide dynamic development to occur for the character. I have played the character since being four and since then it is truly crazy to think how much she has grown. So again, thank you and apologies for the abruptness of the post – though it has been in consideration for a few weeks! Though this does not mean I won’t be playing another Haense person in the very near future!

 

[AndrewTech 3334]

In the Seven Skies, a certain man of Raevir lineage would find himself playing a game with his sister. 

 

They had built a snow palace together, a most elegant one of the highest degree. Figures of courtiers surrounded the building, with the young child playing with a figurine that resembled the late king’s wife, Maya of Muldav.

 

“What do you think, Tiberius? I think that Maya’s figurine looks exactly like her!” He asked of the aged knight standing next to him, his gaze shifting over to the deceased Lord Regent. For even now, his top knight continued to guard him in death as he did in life.

 

Suddenly, King Andrik IV would look up from his work, realizing that someone new is standing before him.

 

“Winnie...” He offers her a saddened smile, although a hint of sadness can be seen in his eyes. “I’m sorry that you had to join me up here so soon. You really should have sought help from the doctors sooner, when you initially learned of your ailment. Surely if I had, I might still be alive today. But no matter-“ He pauses for a moment, beginning to stand.

 

“-You’ve done well, Dame Winifred. Your life was spent defending the kingdom which you loved so much, and you exhibited the highest degree of honor expected of a knight. You pulled yourself up by your bootstraps, and you never forgot the humble beginnings from which you came.

 

I am proud of you, my cousin. You were a true Crow in life, as you were a true friend.”

[Zanthuz 1863]

Ser Nikolaus Kortrevich welcomed Winnifred to the seven skies with ease

”Come now Winnifred, be rid of your ailments and join me and your family here in the skies above. You’ve proven yourself to be resilient no matter the circumstances that faced you. From the very moment you sought to become a Dame, I knew shortly after meeting you how you carried yourself and how prominent your worth-ethic was which reveals itself  now within your own son; Viktor. Now, look upon the ones you’ve left behind and see to it that their spirits are held high as they mourn your passing and move forward. Be patient as you await for their own ascent here as I’ve done, for now rejoice with your love ones and return to those you’ve desired to embrace since their passage to the seven skies.”

 

---

 

Viktor Kortrevich sat somberly within the confines of the Basilica where he said out loud

”Mamej, why? Why now? Why ever? Ever since I was a boy I looked up to you and to that of Papej as exemplars of what it meant to be brave and courageous. Since my earliest upbringing, you’ve taught me the many fundamentals of life and the essence of living up to the name we hold. Rest easy and may both Papej, Juliyus and I join you one day.” 

[rukio 8924]

 

”Without you...my life would have been worse. Thank you, Winnie.” 

 

It had been several years since Edyth had hung herself and in that time several of her friends, as well as the love of her life, had passed. She was not surprised by Winnie’s sudden appearance, they were both cursed with the struggles that come with being torn between both sides of the war, after all. As she had done with Kat and Aedan before her, Edyth embraced Winnie as her long time friend entered the Seven Skies. A small, comforting smile would reassure Winnie, a happy nod as Edyth speaks. Perhaps some of her words were familiar to the old female knight, words Winnie had once said to a seventeen year old Edyth, terrified and new to Haense.

 

”Life...was hard. It’s all a lot better here, where we can rest. You’re under my protection, they can’t hurt you anymore. I promise you.”

 

 

[Eryane 3698]

Within the public chapel of the Ekaterinburg palace, Maya Alimar knelt in the rows of pews as she prayed for Winnifred’s easy passing into the seven skies. Her jaw was clenched as she fought back tears, the names of many of her family members flashing through her mind. Out of all of them she remembered Winnifred to have always been the strongest, the warrior of the family. They spoke only in passing or brief and fleeting moments of conversation, all in which she cherished. “I pray that you find the peace that you deserve, Winnie. If anyone deserves it, it’s you. Our family has been through far too much for you not to get happiness in the afterlife.” She spent the rest of the evening within the chapel until she was on the verge of falling asleep, her head lowered and gloved hand frequently wiping away the tears that came as she continued through prayer.

[Pureimp10 5691]

Otto returned to his office within the palace soon after the duel, a half empty bottle of Carrion Black in hand. He had sworn he would never drink this much since the death of his wife yet, in his great sorrow, he could do nothing but drink and hope that it would numb the pain.

 

“Rest well, niece. I’ll see you and your uncles soon enough.”