To The Sea You Return [PK]

[Lirinya 4021]

A vessel adrift, a mindless voyage.

 

Mindless, that was true. Memories had long since began to fade, to meld into one another as though they were shadows of stories not belonging to himself. It was the drink, the long retired prince had once claimed.

 

It had been - How long had it been? - since he had left Balian in search of something he could no longer recall. Years, decades. His children left to fend for themselves. At least they had everything they needed.

 

He recalled the first moment his sister, sweet Ophelia, had found him intoxicated in his room. A youth, in his twenties with all to live for, drinking his sorrows away. That memory remained etched. It seemed many did. The ancient ones, at least. They had no right to remain.

 

A glance about the lake was followd by a realization: Where was he? Where had he been going?

 

Scattered fragments of his former self drifted into place. Santana and Hyspia, Selyne and the Amadors. Jan. Esfir. His children.. they were..- What were their names again?

The arguments with his mother as a child, or how he cried in his fathers arm. Those made their return, and for a moment, he felt a warmth...

 

And then it was gone. Replaced with an aching sadness.

 

Ophelia.

 

Before too long the rowing stopped, and in hand a bottle was taken. A dangerous beverage; liquor and a man with little to no sense.

He drank, heavily.

 

For hours he lay adrift in the boat, a rickety thing that had seen better days. The sea had always been home.

 

The wind rippled through, the current carrying him further and further from the safety of Balian's view. And then it was gone. Nothing but the endless horizon. And then it hit. A singular heavy gust of wind toppled the Novellen in his intoxicated state. He took the boat with him, his weight more than enough to send himself overboard. He could swim, of course...- when he was sound of mind.

 

But that was not today. He went with a struggle, flailing, sinking, til his lifeless being floated to the surface, face down, hair and cloak splayed out as though it were an oil spill rippling atop the now calmed waters of Aevos.
 

Elianos Hadrian Novellen - 142 B.A/ 213 SA

[Cheese 8898]

The eventual news of her brother in law's passing hit Esfir hard; like a ship wrecked ashore. While they had drifted over their adult lives, she still held him dear; cherished the time he spent as a friend and family member.

 

That night, two candles blazed within the Countess's chambers. One was lit nightly for her dear twin Selyne, and one joined for the husband Elianos that now joined her in the Skies. Tears burned at her eyes, that Esfir forced away with several blinks. But then, she penned a letter to her daughter. Tereza deserved to know that her once-caretaker had now passed.

 

By the end of the night, Esfir could hold in her cries no longer. One of her closest confidants and family members was gone, and the d'Arkent's world grew one person smaller this eve.

Spoiler

Elianos was a wonderful character whom I enjoyed knowing greatly. Thank you for letting me part of his story <333 he will be missed

 

[scarahpot 385]

The eyes of the old Alstion princess sadden, her chest tightening. "You were really one of a kind, Elianos." Alicia hummed, walking over to embrace her husband for comfort.