THE ETERNAL SPAR

[sondher 797]

 

 

NASTASIYA REZA VAS RUTHERN

Daughter of Princess Maya of Haense and Dmitry var Ruthern

1874 - 1928

 

 

"Afraid of death? Why would I be afraid of death?" A young Nastasiya queried boldly, her brows furiously knitting together as she evidently detested such an accusation. With unbridled anger that typically came with her age, she charged forth to clash her longsword against her opponent’s- as if she were attempting to make him retract his statement.

 

"Because you fight like you are scared," A pale boy quipped in response, thrusting his own sword forth to deflect her strike with ease. He was younger, but more experienced in the field of swordsmanship- therefore stronger than her, something Nastasiya would never admit even on her own deathbed. 

 

The Ruthern hesitated, apparently his words had struck a chord. The boy took no mercy on her though, in her moment of weakness he extended his foot to kick her shin, sending her flailing body into the ground. Her sword clattered to the ground next to her, the world spiraling around as she was sent into a daze. The hazy shadow of the blonde’s figure loomed over her, kneeling to offer a hand, “Why do you keep fighting?”

 

No response emitted from the grounded girl, her verdant eyes rolling into the back of her head as the world warped and went black. . .

 

 

---

 

 

The old and withered Nastasiya was torn from another feverish dream, one out of the series of them where she was in the prime of her youth once more. The throbbing pain in the back of her head lingered and the ache in her heart resumed once more. So many dreams, yet all of them were memories of those who were no longer with her- splotched and incomprehensible like parchment ruined by spilled ink. A quivering palm raised to place itself over her heart, which fluttered at the mere reminiscence. 

 

The elderly woman was not as alone in the world as she felt though. She proudly mothered seven well-achieved kids, and frequently served her signature cookies to eight adoring grandchildren. Though for Nastasiya, that wasn’t enough. 

From a young age she had always been ambitious, with aspirations to become a knight- only to be crippled at the age of seventeen. Ever since that incident, she had always held a muted bitterness in her heart for the world. Despite being raised in a household where the virtues of GODAN were held above all, Nastasiya could not help but believe GOD had some participation in her unraveling. 

 

With some struggle and a bit of wheezing, she heaved herself upright to gaze out the window. It was a lovely landscape that looked over the lands of Vaska, but nothing like home. For a little over five decades of life, Nastasiya found herself in a quaint home in Valwyck- the same place where she had moved in as a little girl, the same place where she and her siblings would play, the same place where she found her first love, the place where she had raised her kids.. And the place she thought she would die in. The world had other plans of course, and she found herself in a new world– Aevos. Part of her yearned for a hero's death that might’ve been rewarded by recklessly charging into the Mori chaos, a death that would’ve satisfied her younger self, but she was unable to build up the courage required for it. Why of all times, why was she so scared to die now– when there was nothing left to lose? Before, she was ready to risk it all with her comrades… all of whom are dead now. She helplessly sunk back into bed and turned her palened face towards the hearth in search of an answer. Above the fireplace was a portrait of her daughter and her own family of Ivanovich, Nastasiya’s legacy. A faint smile appeared on the wings of her lips, emphasizing the traces of wrinkles that inhabited her visage, in that moment… she had forgotten her previous sorrows and was blissful.

 

Why do you keep fighting?

 

The question rang loudly in her ears, the voice of her childhood best friend and lifetime lover. It was true, she had been fighting all along- though not the kind that involves a sword. She had spent a lifetime mourning over the thought of what could’ve been, that she never got to enjoy the present, which left her behind just like that. It was time to move on… time for the fighting to cease. Nastasiya realized that she was actually blessed to have never become a soldier because it was true, she was a coward, she spent a lifetime blindly running; but now it was over. 

 

She clutched at her chest once more, this time feeling for a golden cross that had always adorned her neck- gifted to her by the late Princess Maya of Haense, her mother. Just for a moment- that perfect moment- the sun casted into the Vaskan Keep, shrouding the old woman in light. An eerie chill was momentarily ceased by a blanket of warmth that felt like an embrace, “It is time, mamej… Let me say the prayers for once, Maya…” She murmured contentedly, her dainty eyelashes fluttering shut.

 

There would be no more fear.

 

 

---

 

EPILOGUE

 

In the vast emptiness of darkness behind her eyelids, she felt a falling sensation. Desperately, she reached up, feeling that somebody was there- an all too familiar feeling. A bronze hand emerged and pulled her up. The sun was above and bright, coarse sand gritted under the surface of her boots and suddenly she was back in the Colosseum of Haense in Almaris, “Vy must have hit vyr head too hard.”

 

Beyond her squinted eyes Nastasiya spied the person speaking to her, a fellow comrade from her youth- that had been somehow lost over the years. Her eyes broadened with disbelief and her heart might’ve stopped if there was a pulse to inhibit in the first place, “Nie… niet possible,” The Ruthern said playfully, going along with the strange scene, joyously sweeping her forgotten sword off the ground, “Where are the others? Where are Magnus, Loran and Georgie?” 

 

Her sparring partner shook her head, a reassuring yet amused smile taking its place upon her tender countenance, “It’s niet their turn yet,” She stated ominously whilst taking on a practical fighting stance, the tip of her sword tauntingly pointing at the brash Nastasiya- whom was brimmed with newfound energy.

 

“Ea’ll catch them later then,” The Ruthern declared, brushing the thought off before eagerly hopping into the spar, an activity she hadn’t been able to participate in since seventeen years of age.

 

 

[!] Letters awaited upon the top of the desk near Nastasiya’s deathbed, previously prepared many weeks ago for this exact moment. The old woman did not plan to leave this world without final word to her kin.

 

FOR CRESSIDA MARIE IVANOVICH ( @Marshi )

 

Spoiler

My Dearest Cressida,

 

It is the most terrifying realization a mother could have, knowing that a time would come where she must abandon her children in such a cruel world. I have tried my best to prepare you for the moment of my death, where you would be left without a mother or a father. I am glad that you are as strong and independent as you are, I may rest assured that you will continue to succeed without my guidance. Your birth was truly a blessing from GOD, it renewed my purpose in life when I thought all else was lost. I would not exchange the years I spent watching you grow into the beautiful woman you are now for anything. As the oldest of my children, I always held high expectations from you and truthfully, you have never disappointed me. You have much more life left within you, so take advantage of that while you can. I am certain that you will achieve great things, my only regret is that I will not be able to be there to cheer you on. My memories with you and your darling siblings will always be my most cherished ones. I will refrain from saying goodbye because, there is no true guarantee that this will be the end- for now it is appropriate to say we will see eachother again.

 

Love, Your doting Mother…

Nastasiya Reza vas Ruthern

 

FOR GEORGE ARTHUR ALDERSBERG ( @Matheaww )

 

Spoiler

My Dearest Georgie, 

 

I acknowledge the burden you must feel as the inheritor of your father and sister’s legacy, but I hold no doubts that you are strong enough to continue the empowerment of their name. I may rest easy now, knowing that my bloodline is secured with the most strong-willed children in all of Aevos. You may not be as young as I remember you to be, but regardless, I shall always consider you my darling little son. You have a promising future ahead, do not hesitate to take advantage of it.

 

Love, Your doting Mother…

Nastasiya Reza vas Ruthern

 

FOR LORENA ANASTASIE of MARDALE ( @slattador )

 

Spoiler

My Dearest Lorena, 

 

It is a shame that we were not able to have spent as much time together as I would’ve liked, you were the first child born from a man that I truly loved- not from some loveless marriage. You possess the best qualities of both myself and your father, you are bold and passionate like me- but you’re also strong and ambitious like your father. All I ask of you is that you pursue a life and occupation that you truly admire, and marry whomever your heart desires. My first marriage was a mistake that I made in my naive youth and I never truly felt happy until I was reunited with your father, I do not wish for you to repeat my actions. You are still young and it is difficult to determine what path you may go down, but I am certain that wherever it leads you will be of great importance. Follow your ambition and trust your gut, you have a warrior’s instincts within you… the instincts of a survivor. I always hoped that there was still enough strength within me to pull through and see the days where you, Justine, George, Jasper and Amadeya finally marry but it seems that I do not have much time left. I often think of my youth and where my life might have led me if things didn't turn out the way they did, but after decades of pondering… I have finally decided to be grateful that it was this way. It was the greatest honor ever bestowed upon me to be the mother to you and all of your amazing siblings. I will keep an eye upon you from the Seven Skies when my time comes, I promise.

 

Love, Your doting Mother…

Nastasiya Reza vas Ruthern

 

FOR AMADEYA SIGISMUNDA of MARDALE ( @ydegirl )

 

Spoiler

My Dearest Deya,

 

The youngest of your kin, I believed it would be appropriate to relax my formerly strict way of parenting by the time you came around. I am so fortunate that the last of my children was not one for drama and in fact, preferred to stray from it. It is a shame that I must become ill why you are still quite so young. Though I do not believe I will witness much of your future, I know that it will flourish under the aid of your older siblings. Do not be so shy and keep asking every question that arises from your curious mind. Keep being you, my bright little sun.

 

Love, Your doting Mother…

Nastasiya Reza vas Ruthern

 

FOR MARLENE KONSTANCJA VON ALSTREIM ( @zuziee )

 

Spoiler

My Dearest Marley, 

 

You are the youngest of my grandchildren, and perhaps the last one I shall ever meet. Though I do not expect you to be able to read very well by the time this letter is passed on to you, I do believe that you were born with a magnificent purpose- a destiny which God carefully calculated himself. You have my eyes, which I gave my daughter whom gave them to you- and behind them is a wonderfully creative mind. As a carrier of my blood, I do not doubt how exceedingly great your potential may be, carry it to the fullest. 

 

Love, your doting Grandmother. . .

Nastasiya Reza vas Ruthern

 

FOR ALL OF MY GRANDCHILDREN

 

Spoiler

My Dearest Grandchildren,

 

It is truly a shame that I lacked the strength to rise from bed and be the grandmother that all young children deserve. In my later life I acquired a few of my mother’s recipes that I absolutely adored as a child, and I desired to share such a recipe with you. My mother, Princess Maya of Haense, was famous for her love of sweets… and in her memory, I shall share her love with you all.

 

RECIPE FOR KREDEN COOKIES

With Parental Advisement

Take butter and melt it by placing it on a warm surface until it has a thick-liquid consistency.

Combine the melted butter with vanilla, flour, salt, egg, chunks of chocolate and sugar- then mix the concoction. Do be careful, as it is easy to overmix the dough, you do not wish to overmix it or else it won’t have the same appetizing texture.

Roll the mixture up into little doughy spheres and place them upon a tray to set above a fire. Let it heat up and bake them until they slightly harden, if you wish for them to be soft and easy to chew then don’t let the tray sit above the fire for too long.

Finally, after some time waiting, I wouldn’t suggest more than ten minutes– remove the tray and place it upon a countertop to cool. Then, they shall finally be prepared to eat.

 

I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as I did.

I wish each and every single one of you luck with your future endeavors, I love you all dearly.

 

Love, your doting Grandmother. . .

Nastasiya Reza vas Ruthern

 

[slattador 511]

Lorena Anastasie weakly thrummed at herself from the crevices of her tailory in the Petra, an emotionally dispelling mechanism she'd resort to in her to be, long tenure of grief. Through her tear-glazed and distorted vision, her crane plunged within the depths of her own frail arms; and those pale digits she'd adorn- layered in minor cuts and blisters, remained tightly affixed to the very letter her mother vacated for her. Something within her urged her to opt not to search through the parchment's confines, a dwelling fear- perhaps, the kind of fear the youth must face when they lose their guardian in a large crowd. The fear of abandonment. 

 

"She always feared her legacy would cease in its prosperity. . and she'd never know that her sacrifices are what's aiding it in its everlasting tenure of growth- and success. I'd only hope she'd continue to be proud of us." Lorena murmured through the most softest of cries.

[exogens 934]

A certain Count, an aging man whos certainly outlived even those he met when they were just children sighed, he did not know what to think of this except that it was always a reminder for him that it might be next for him soon. He could not help but light up a candle for her honor as he spoke "May you rest well, Ruthern. Say hello to all those who knew me and passed.."

[zuziee 4004]

Blessed Maya smiled upon her daughter from a few sky’s higher, muttering a prayer for her safe passage. 

[Marshi 1184]

Cressida Marie held the letters within her trembling hand, her youngest daughter clutched tightly to her side as the now duchess sobbed within her quarters. She had seen her mother alive and well only moments before she left for court. Nastisiya was someone she had always looked up to, the woman that raised her to be as she was even in the years she had departed.

The Duchess sat quietly, attempting to regain herself as she went to address her family , The Lady Nastisiya Ruthern had finally passed. 

"A Funeral is to be held within the coming days, send word to my sisters" she managed to mutter out, going on to plan the events.

[Frawlic 1602]

36 minutes ago, Marshi said:

Cressida Marie held the letters within her trembling hand, her youngest daughter clutched tightly to her side as the now duchess sobbed within her quarters. She had seen her mother alive and well only moments before she left for court. Nastisiya was someone she had always looked up to, the woman that raised her to be as she was even in the years she had departed.

The Duchess sat quietly, attempting to regain herself as she went to address her family , The Lady Nastisiya Ruthern had finally passed. 

"A Funeral is to be held within the coming days, send word to my sisters" she managed to mutter out, going on to plan the events.

Anastaja Marie had been with her mother upon finding her grandmother dead and because of her young age could not really process it. Though, knowing she was familial, as they returned home to their keep, had drawn an image of The Lady Nastisiya Ruthern.
 

Spoiler

 

[Cubicita 640]

"There you are, dear friend." Lady Gisele Halcourt stood upon the edge of the Seven Skies, welcoming her home. 

[MissToni 3565]

Katerina would welcome one of her students into the seven skies.