What Was [PK]

[Taketheshot 3834]

The Duke of Azor read the missive from his exile, not a fervent follower of the ongoing of Haense a retired Archchancellor always kept tabs, force of habit perhaps. Reading through the missive of the Princesses death it took the Duke a moment to process, he never had much contact with those of Haense in recent years, the war ensured that. But he remembered an encounter many decades ago in Talons Port, a couple exposed, worried sick of what may happen if anyone found out, an expecting child, the pair seemed quite happy. 

 

"Goodness... I'm, I'm too old..." 

 

Joseph remembered how his friend Vespira had swindled the duo, a small smile crept over his face at that memory, but for Joseph, he wouldnt have said a word. 

 

"Perhaps it's time I finally take the Duke of Valwyck up on his offer of a drink..." 

[ThanksChris 589]

All was still in the sitting room of Lichtestadt, save the occasional spit and hiss of firewood. Not dried long enough Matyas thought to himself. He had needed the quiet - nay… he was not certain in fact whether it was the wailing doors in the residence above that had troubled him more, or those behind which he heard nothing at all.

 

No, the silence was doing him no good at all. He longed in that moment to hear Isabel - ever diplomatic - breaking up another of Mags and Saoirse’s feuds as she did so many times growing up. To hear Fae and Ellie giggling to themselves between lines of traded gossip. To hear Ana at the piano one last time…

 

Abruptly he stood, marching toward the door with initial determination before hesitating… indulging the memory. Memory was all he now had of her. Turning back he saw a young boy, playing cross-legged on the floor with a set of clay soldiers, the sunlight which poured into the windows dancing on his waves of brown hair. Behind the couch two women spoke, looking down on the blissfully unaware boy with pitiful eyes.

 

“Then you must tell him. You are his Godanmamej.” Anastasya whispered urgently.

 

Georgina’s expression was firm. “Ah told ye already Ah will. We can spare the lad ‘til Leo an’ Fenika are inside. Or d’ye fancy each o’ them cryin’ into your skirts one at a time? Let them learn of it togaither.”

 

The young Matyas he saw before him had lost one mother that day, though he didn’t know it. Nor did he yet know that he had gained two. The two that watched over him now, and would in the years to come. Not always with patience, nor always with kindness, but that was the Baruch way. Childhood was about learning hard lessons and harder work. Neither had any interest in sparing him these truths.. but they cared for him truly. 

 

The grown Matyas turned back to the door, eyes closed and inhaling sharply. It was time. As he saddled his horse he fixated on the candles in each window of the residence which towered over the courtyard. What immense sorrow was hidden behind each glimmer of flame. He would be back to share that sorrow when the girls were ready. For now, he rode for Reinmar while to him one mother remained. 

Edited May 4, 2022 by Chris (Acaele)

[Tigergiri 2866]

Cecylia Kortrevich remembers the young girl the danced through the halls. She remembers hearing the talks and The arguments. Tapping her cane to the ground, old and aging blue eyes looked at the lifstala portraits. Words are spoken in a soft, gravelly tone, “Da deary, yam sorry for their loss of another one.”