A CROW’S LONG ROAD HOME

[Legoboy7984 3155]

 

A CROW’S LONG ROAD HOME: 

A TALE OF PURPOSE AND REFLECTION

"For what I have found is that true power lies not in the title, but in the ability to wait for it without losing sight of your worth."

Sigmund Ludovar to his father, Duke Henrik-Otto Ludovar upon his return

 

The frigid winds of Haense howled like a beast through the snow-covered hills as Sigmund Ludovar stood at the edge of Isaakev Castle, his gaze fixated on the white landscape and rocky mountains around it. Its towering stone walls had grown to be a reminder of his recent shortcomings and had begun to feel like a prison. The title of Duke’s heir, which he had held prior as a badge of honor, now weighed heavily on him like a burden. With each failure seemed etched into the very stone, the memory of his dismissal as Deputy by the new Palatine, Milena, and his defeat in the election for Lord Speaker by Sigmar Ruthern. The same Ruthern who had taken his former position as the Deputy Palatine.

After a few days of reflection along with mounting frustration, Sigmund realized that he must take leave as staying within the walls of Isaakev had only deepened his sense of failure. The weight of his failures had begun to suffocate him. Thus, being unable to bear such disappointment he had felt in the eyes of those closest to him, he decided to leave where he sought clarity in the snowy mountains north of his homeland.

For months, Sigmund had walked along in the bitterly cold weather, where he only carried bare essentials. Each night, as he huddled by a small fire in the shadows of the mountains, his thoughts turned inward. And it was within these thoughts, that memories continued to haunt him. The memories of the day he had received the letter of his dismissal, its cold words still had cut deeper than the winter air that now surrounds him. Then came the Speaker election, a moment he thought would be the time to show his true worth, only to be ended by yet another defeat. As the memories deepened further, he began to see the disappointment in his father’s eyes, the silent judgment of his peers, and the bewilderment of his wife, who did not understand why someone of such status and capability was unable to rise within his own Kingdom.

 

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In the mountains, surrounded by the silent cold winds, Sigmund crouched low, his eyes scanning the frosted grounds for signs of movement. As he hunted for food, he would begin to reflect on his childhood. He began to recall the days spent as a ward under the late Palatine, Ivo. A time in his early life when he learned the importance of advisement, research, and ambition. Though Ivo was a stern yet patient mentor, and it was under his guidance that Sigmund truly flourished. Yet even then, a lingering weight pressed upon him, a sense that his path would never be easy. One similar to his mentor, who didn’t reap his rewards until way late in his life. And it is from this moment of reflection, a forgotten memory would come to light, a fortune he had received long ago before he was a ward. The words of it began to come to him, echoing in the stillness as if spoken anew by the seer who had foretold his future.

“"Ten of wands. You will carry a great burden, young man. This may be a duty to your family, or a challenging job, but you will carry this burden alone. See how the man labors under the weight of the wood he carries? But, he's approaching home. The village is in the distance. You will succeed in life, as he has succeeded. He has made it through the worst of his labor, and now he may reap his reward. You will reap your own rewards.""

It was for the first time in a long time since his departure, that Sigmund allowed the weight of those words to finally settle upon him. The fortune had never promised an easy path, not had it foretold swift success. Instead, it spoke of burdens carried alone, just as he now carried the weight of his failures. The man in the fortune labored and struggled under the crushing weight of responsibility, but the village, the sign of hope, was always in sight.

As the months continued to pass, Sigmund found solace within isolation. The mountain had become his place of reflection, their vastness reminding him of the insignificance of his failures. He began to realize that his true battle was not against those who had risen above him or cast him aside, but within himself. It was only his pride that was his true downfall. He had tied his worth to titles, to power, to recognition from others.

But here, in the silence within the snowy mountains, he understood that his worth came not from the positions he had previously held, but from the strength of his character. He had forgotten the teaching of his mentor, Ivo, the importance of patience, wisdom, and service not for one’s glory but for the betterment of others. He had carried the burden of his family’s status, his ambitions, and the expectations from Haense’s leadership, but he had yet to learn how to carry them with grace.

 

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Into the second new year, Sigmund rose from what had been his shelter for the last few years in the mountains. The snow had fallen thick upon each passing night, continuously blanketing the world in a soft, quiet peace. As he stood idle for a long while, gazing towards the horizon of the mountains he knew it was time to go home. His time in the mountains had not brought forth any sort of answers to which he had hoped, nor had it lifted the weight of his burdens. Yet it had given him something far more valuable, a sense of clarity.

With some sort of renewed purpose, Sigmund packed his belongings and began his long walk back home to Isaakev. As he did, the words of the fortune continued to echo in his mind, not as a distant prophecy that was once forgotten, but as a symbol of truth he had begun to understand. He would carry his burdens, but he would carry them with honor. And in time, he would reap the rewards of his labor, not for the titles or power that comes with it, but for the peace that comes from knowing ones own worth.

And so, Sigmund Karl Ludovar, heir to the Duchy of Kvasz, had returned home, not as the man who had left in despair, but as one who had found himself in the solitude of the icy mountains, ready to face what is to come in his future.

Spoiler

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(Thanks to @Kaii for reading it over)
( Context: I took a hiatus for the last two weeks. Now I am back )
 

[Kaii 572]

A young Stefan Ludovar had been sitting in his chambers reading when he heard the news of his father’s return. Excitedly, the boy jumped up from his chair and ran through the halls of Kvasz, shouting to his younger siblings, “Isabel! Robbie! He's home! Papej is home!” After running through the keep for a while, Stefan finally reached the gates and greeted his father with an embrace. “Papej! Vyr home!” Stefan exclaimed, a smile now resting on his face.

 

Spoiler

@Wavey  @Rainalyn

 

[Wavey 2568]

Robert, who had been taking a nap within his and his twin brother’s room, was awoken by the excited shouts of his eldest brother. 
 

“Hmm?” He murmured with a gentle yawn. However, realization soon dawned upon him at his brother’s elated shouts for their father. 
 

“Papej? He is here?!” 
 

The young Ludovar quickly jumped down from his bed, not caring for the cold surface of the stone floor his bare feet pressed upon as he then quickly opened the door of the room before bolting towards the court yard. 
 

“PAPEJ!” The young Ludovar called ever the more loudly as he reached the courtyard, running as fast as he could to greet his father. 

 

“Ea have so many things to tell vy!” 
 

Oh if only Robert knew that in his excitement for the return of his father, the young boy had forgotten to wear any shoes.