AFTER THE WEDDING | TO THE NEW DAWN

[NoxIndigo 106]

AFTER THE WEDDING | TO THE NEW DAWN

 

---

 

As a rook to the first of the waking oats

At the winding of months drawn grey

Or as springs to the weary of winters ere

So the frosted, what lightness may

 

As the poet to words in the formless heart

For his song, yet in wend, yet found

And as soft as the vespers of priestly mark

Or the pages, with candle, crowned

 

In the hollow we met

And black was the night

Yet lost in our hands

We found the light.

 

---

 

 

Spoiler

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nRCA0JfpLUA

 

 

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Finally, did they retire, the sun long having passed under the far-off pines and speckled glades of the rolling, western hills. The music still, and the courtyard now vacant, Amon and Mariele sought silent sanctuary for which to share… hand in hand, as husband and wife.

 

“... That… didn’t go well,” Amon whispered, an arm risen in want of her embrace. “But I don’t think I could bring myself to care.”

 

“Oh, it was terribly chaotic.” A soft laugh fled even from Mariele’s lips, muffled quietly against the crook of her husband’s neck. “But you’re right, I don’t even care.”

 

Light did Amon’s laugh pass in echo of hers, his head swaying heavily against the top of her copper tresses. “... We’ve waited so long… struggled, overcome.” A contented breath slipped between his words. “... I’m so grateful you chose to spend your life with me…” 

 

“You are by far the best decision I have ever made, Amon,” she whispered, her hand clasped tight around his. “I owe my happiness to you.”

 

“And mine you,” he murmured into her hair, his words borne off upon a fleeting sigh. Evermore would the fervent thrums of war and grey turning of years plague the realms of descendants; yet if evermore he could wake to Mariele at his side, none of it would matter.  “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.”

 

“I know I never have until now.” Her weight leant in full upon his flank, she lifted her stare in search of his storm-hued eye–ever a doting smile upon her lips. “And I have the rest of our lives to look forward to. Everything was worth it.”

 

---

 

They came to a quiet spring beneath the valley rim, the clear waters flecked with the soft, rose hues of the early evening sun. Ever did conflict beset the realms of Aevos; yet, in each other’s company, the black motions of the world felt as but faded whispers, hardly worth their time.

 

Only, that peace was a lie. A dark secret burdened her heart, one which had come ever close to threatening their happiness before—yet unbeknownst to him. 

 

“It’s still a little scary…” A nervous chuckle fled tentatively from his parted lips, a hand placed near to her side in silent offering. It had been a few days since they had officially begun courting, and he was at a loss still for what to do. 

 

Taking his hand into her own, she said naught—her stare affixed to the still  pools stretched far before them. Tall, earthen walls reached skyward, vanishing any indication of settlement far from view. They were in their own corner of the world. 

 

With a trembling squeeze, she inhaled. “Amon… there’s something I need to tell you.”

 

---

 

“We should depart soon…” With a delicate hand, Amon swept stray hairs from Mariele’s visage, so as to rouse her from the light rest into which she had slipped. 

 

An incoherent mumble passed from Mariele’s lips in hazy protest, eyne struggling to hold her husband’s stare. 

 

“Sorry,” he whispered, a wry smile flitting briefly over his visage. “You seemed so peaceful, but I thought it best we left before sunrise….”

 

“We should,” she muttered in dazed concurrence, yet made little effort to stir from Amon’s side. “... but there’s one stop I’d like to make ere we go…”

 

***

 

At last, they came to the cherry grove, indigo skies receding for the coming sun; the land in wait of a day yet to be had. 

 

“I fear the places I would have liked to visit have been lost… but I had a lovely time here, with you,” Amon whispered, then settling amidst the wild oats and fallen cherry leaves. “We moved continents, and I hardly noticed, so long as you were there.”

 

Mariele lowered herself to the short brush and sank against Amon’s side, digits sewn through his with hardly a thought. “I enjoyed the move. I didn’t think it possible–but, it was because of you.”

 

Lacking in fair words, Amon ebbed against Mariele’s flank and fell quiet, content with the silent motions of overhead stars, and the faint, wending ripple of the nearby brook. 

 

A faint smile danced over Mariele’s lips, as tender moonlight to the calm waters of a spring.. “I love you,” she whispered, her words barely breaking the quiet night. 

 

Time passed. 

 

The first rays of light glistened over the far-off horizon, and Amon inhaled. “Ready?” he whispered, spoiling the silence. 

 

A long breath came in, then out. “... Ready.” 

 

“We’ll be back,” he whispered, coming to a stand. “One day.”

 

Rising alongside him, she sought his hold and started east. “One day,” she echoed. 

 

Sunlit streams passed soft through the thin morning mist, casting faint flecks of orange and red over the far-off hillside. Hand in hand, they headed along the brook, and parted mirthfully toward the new dawn.

 

Time would touch them no longer; ageless and unburdened. The rest of their days, for however long they chose, would be spent together, forevermore.

 

---

 

 

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The End

 

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AMON’S LETTERS

 

SAFIYAA VOURKEHARDT @jihsoo

Spoiler

Safi,

 

I remember how we often played along the streets of Numenost, so sure—or perhaps ignorant— of our youth. 

 

 I thought myself your protector; as you swore your sword in my name, I swore my heart in yours. How could I not? You were my only friend, a point for which you would tease me relentlessly.

 

How wrong I was; for, in both the dark and the light, it was you whom I found myself leaning upon for assurance.

 

In our years, we grew distant. Nor for conflict nor strife, but simply for the different lives which we led. I hope you don’t resent me for it, and I’m sorry if I ever made you feel as though I resented you. It was never the case. 

 

I think what I’m trying to get at is thank you. Thank you for being my sister; my pillar; my friend.

 

With Love,

Your Akhi

 

NALIA VOURKEHARDT @chaoscorvus

Spoiler

Nals,

 

I have wronged you in parting, I know this.

 

I truly am sorry for the circumstances in which I leave you; however I might try to justify myself, I know it to be selfish, and I know whom I am hurting. Even so, I could not stay. 

 

I remember that girl whom Mother found those years ago, so fearful and little. How far that time now seems; how much we have all changed since. 

 

For better or for worse, I see so much of her in you. 

That sadness with which you carry yourself;

But also your love, and the passion of your feeling. 

 

I cannot ask you of anything, but if I had one request,

It would be that you live–as you are–with care; with fervour; with want. Do not go as she did, suffering silently until that black end.

 

And that you know you are forever loved.

 

Hold out for me,

Your Brother

 

EMBERLYN VOURKEHARDT @drywall

Spoiler

Emberlyn,

 

What a spirit you are. What a flame. Yet once so bright-eyed, I now feel as though some of that light has dulled. It saddens me tremendously that you are no longer so lively, so outwardly passionate as you once were. 

 

Whatever you might think, there are people who love you. It can get better, if only you would hold out for it.

 

I shall expect to hear far-reaching accounts of the tall heights you summit. Your mind is brilliant, and I know you shall do many a great thing.  

 

With Love,

Amon

 

P.S.–After you finish reading this, why don’t you go to the Ardrossil lab? I left something (someone?) there for you. 

 

AURIS VOURKEHARDT @Tainga

Spoiler

Amma,

 

I am not certain what you were yet told of our plans; alas, by the time you have received this letter, we will surely have already departed.

 

Here is the reason.

 

For some years now, a restlessness has festered within me. Ever changing—ever maddening—are the realms of descendants, and I so desperately needed a respite, or else I feared losing myself in the throng. Thus, Mariele and I sought to leave them entirely; go off, errant and free. Where before, our lives were tainted by flight, this journey—this adventure—is one we embark willingly. It is a happiness we chose. 

 

Yet there is much I am leaving behind, and many things I wish to say, though I have always been poor at spoken word.

 

 Thus, I have penned my thoughts here.

 

First, my gratitudes. You were always there; whether as a friend, a teacher, or a parent. Sincerely, I don’t believe I would have made it through the blackest chapters of my life were it not for your careful presence, and your firmness of counsel. Thank you.

 

Second, an apology. I have hurt you in some ways; degraded the trust between us, or have otherwise caused harm to our relationship. Thus, I am sorry. For those secrets I kept; for the reservation with which I carried myself; and now my leave which I take so suddenly. I love and trust you with all my heart, and I’m sorry if I never made that clear.

 

Third, an ask. We—for our heritage—may come to far exceed many of our kin in years. Someday, when that time comes to pass—if you have then forgiven me—seek me out so that we might give honour together. I will make myself apparent.

 

With Love,

Amon

 

SER ARTHUR MARSYR @The Vulgate Cycle

Spoiler

Arthur,

 

I leave unto you the deed to the clinic, so that you might find a successor in one of the many prospective students. Consider yourself endowed also with the authority of the Master Surgeon, henceforth until that time. 

Know that the circumstances in which I take my leave are happy ones, and I hope you shall soon seek that same mirth. Through brutal work, you laid claim to your titles; and though yet you toil, you have deserved your retirement ten times over. 

 

Take care of yourself,

Amon Vourkehardt

 

MARIELE/ARIANNA’S LETTERS

 

MUM & DAD @retro@drywall

Spoiler

Mum & Dad, 

 

I don’t think I will ever be able to thank you enough. You will always disagree, but the facts are clear; you both saved me. I only hope I have the chance to return everything that is owed–even if you don’t believe anything is.

 

The life you were both gracious enough to allow me to live has been the best I ever have and ever will. Thank you.

 

I don’t want to write this like a long goodbye letter, because it isn’t–I will still be visiting as often as I can manage and you will still be receiving letters from me, so this is more of a chance for me to remind you both how much I adore you.

 

With love,

Arianna / Mariele

 

(P.S.  check the lab. I was not going to leave without giving some final things.)

 

FLORIAN @Lapidary

Spoiler

Borsa,

 

You saved me from a nightmare then dragged me back into one.

 

I know you love me–and I hope you know I love you too; from peasant, to brother, to guard, to prince, to king and all in between. Some of my fondest memories from my childhood are with you. Dare I say it, you made me who I am. 

 

But you lost yourself. I think you might still be lost to this day.

 

Reach out, please. Send birds and check in. I’ll do the same. 

 

With love,

Arianna

 

(P.S. If you want to be free of it, I’ll make the trip to help. I am not letting you go through it alone.) 

 

YHL’FLAAOWNI @DizzyGrey

Spoiler

Flaaowni, my daughter,

 

Before I write much, I am prefacing this by saying I am not leaving completely–only moving away. I’ll still visit. However, I’m taking this chance to write letters.

 

I’m so unbelievably proud of you. I doubt you want to hear this much, but I am writing it nonetheless. You have achieved so much in such little time and grown so much since you were a little cub. I hope you are as proud of yourself as I am. 

 

I have one small and perhaps selfish request of you; take a break. Even if it's just a day, or an hour, or a handful of minutes. Sit down. Breathe. Have a drink, even. Enjoy all that you’ve done. 

 

With love,

Arianna

 

ANY SURVIVING RADOMAVICS 

Spoiler

To whatever's left of the Radomavrics,

 

It will be a surprise to none of you that Saoírse was right. 

 

I’ve not a clue how many of you are left, but I will still find it somewhere in my heart to wish peace upon you. Blame me, if you wish, for running, for staying–for all that I did and said. 

 

In the end, I’ll leave you with some final advice; The Courts were our shared hell. Run, if you dare, from anything that's left of it. 

 

With love, 

Arianna, the Sunlit Princess

 

ANY SURVIVING DENODADOS 

Spoiler

To any surviving Denodados, 

 

I’ll be surprised if anyone receives this letter, with how long it’s been. I’m not even sure if the new generation knows my name. 

 

I think my brother is still alive, somewhere.

 

Whether you know me or not, I’ll leave an offer; reach out, if you have need. Anything. 

 

With love,

Arianna Cobarde

 

JORO @lemonke

Spoiler

You knew early on, I think, that I was never cut out for that life. You tried, I know, but I’m also certain you had no surprise when I vanished. 

 

A part of me hopes you find peace, but I know that chance left you long ago. 

 

No, I’m not dead, but letters will have a hard time finding me. If you really, really need help, send after me. I feel I owe you that, at least.

 

Sincerely, 

Arianna

 

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OOC NOTES

 

DuckIndigo:

Spoiler

This largely concludes Amon’s story, and marks the end of my stay on the server (though I do plan on a medicine forum post not far into the future).

 

Well wishes to everyone whom I’ve interacted with in roleplay or in VC. Thank you @confusedjester and @TomFunks in particular for giving me the opportunity to play this character; I had a lot of fun. 

 

Bye!

 

RatFromTheTrash:

Spoiler

As with Amon, Arianna/Mariele’s personal story has more or less come to a close! I will still play her from time to time, however her role will largely shift to a supporting role :) 

 

They’ve long since quit the server, but I owe a thanks to the Denodado’s who let me play Arianna and Lapidary & Capn_Avary who had a profoundly large impact on her character. 

 

See you later!

 

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Credits to @RatFromTheTrash for co-authoring this post, and @jihsoo for review.

[Tainga 521]

Auris Vourkehardt sat alone in her office, the hearth murmuring at her side. She read each line with deliberate care, as though weighing the very ink. At last, a breath eased from her chest. 

"There's nothing to apologize for," She whispered to the page as she folded it closed. "I forgave you long ago. And you know this—my love for you is constant. You make your mother proud." 

That night, the eldest of the Vourkehardts lingered beside the fire, her smile flickering with the embers. Her thoughts wandered to Amon—her first nephew, her eldest—bright in memory. 

She remembered his mother parading him about, even tossing the poor boy into Ceru'wyn's arms with shameless delight. She remembered clambering up a tree only to find him and his siter wailing, tear-streaked and sticky with snot. Two tiny storms in a single branch trying to console each other.

Gentle. Quiet. A healer's heart already forming.

He had grown into his mother's craft, and from Auris he had learned the arc of a blade. She watched him go when he left Númendil for Reinmar, pride and worry braided tight in her chest.

But she never doubted this truth: Amon would always have a place among the Vourkehardts. Their doors, their arms, their love—all of it would remain open.

And she knew he would return someday. When that day came, she would be there, as steadfast as she had ever been. 

Until then, she waited—for the soft footfall of homecoming, however distant it might be. 

[confusedjester 811]

Spoiler

i will miss u 4ever duke 

 

 

much love <3

 

[drywall 198]

R

[jihsoo 746]

────────────────────────────────────

 

Streets once held sparks that danced in flight,
Shadows chased flames through fading light.
A hearth glimmered in corners low,
A quiet warmth through smoke’s soft flow.

 

Time scattered winds across the years,
Yet embers glowed through fading tears.
Now a new flame moves ahead,
The old hearth silent, softly bled.

 

Farewell drifts on the evening breeze,
Whispers of fire through the trees.
Though footsteps fade where memories lie,
The glow remains beneath the sky.

 

Farewell, Ahki.

I love you.

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

[Pearlescent 585]

A small hooded figure peered over a small letter that found its way to them, A glowing golden glare peering over its words as they spoke aloud "Enjoy your peace for now princess, it will not last long" before the letter was burnt to ash by golden flames 

[lemonke 6014]

"You know me well. There is no peace for the wicked. I must only move forward..." A necromancer paused. "Until I breathe no more." Whilst wicked, Joro would find some comfort that the ally she swore to ascend into leadership is alive and well. "Sayonara, old friend. Be in peace. At least... you should. You deserved it."

[TaraJess 2848]

Spoiler

Our interactions in rp were brief on another character, but I'm very glad I got to interact with you! Well wishes wherever life takes you, I pray you one day get that fancy violin you talked about  duke ❤️

 

[DizzyGrey 1229]

A Kharajyr looks over the missive. Aged and wizened beyond her natural years, she finds herself oddly reminscent of another letter from another time. Another parental figure. Another journey away, from her. Another wish for her to relax, and another statement of how proud they were.

 

But how could they be proud  if she simply rested upon her laurels?

 

Yhl'Flaaowni looked out across her vassal, as construction of the Great Work began in its final stages. A summoning platform, for the first true step in response to the grand loss her people had suffered. Compared to that, she supposed the pain of losing another Muuna wasn't too bad.

 

"Nemocehuiaz itquin tlami." She murmurs, tucking away that letter with the three others that spared her the same message- Each a plea. Each having left her. 

 

She'd need to make a particularly pink, particularly tea spot for whenever her Muuna decided to visit. But, for now, construction continued.

 

 

[TomFunks 756]

Light, gilded in radiance through twin-blessings, glimmered about the fearful visage of Mariele. Against her face was the flicker of demise, wielded in the discovery of her accursed nature. Within those crypts underneath Caladras, Emmerich had made peace with the knowledge that his relationship with Amon would never be repaired. His cousin’s beloved was threatened, to be immolated in the sanctity of his flame.

His father had a kinder heart, a gentler proposition. A cure, one unknown to all their minds or of any within that period. He held enormous doubt, though spoke them not. Yet, if there was one who could concoct it, it would be Wernher’s greatest pupil. And so he did.

The vampiress, absolved, was spared from divine deliverance. Emmerich seldom regarded Amon thereafter. He would tell himself it was out of a lack of necessity. In truth, a shame bubbled in his stomach at nearly severing his kin from their heart. When he departed, the Sword of Owyn spoke a prayer of a safe voyage and hoped to see him once more, another day.

[Spellblades 749]

Spoiler

You were the first person i really interacted with on my whitelist character and i appreciate you for that. I wish you well wherever the wind takes you Duke :)

 

[chaoscorvus 34]

Time seemed to stand still as Nalia stared over the horizon. It was a moment of quiet contemplation, of reflection on all the moments shared with her brother.

 

Her thoughts were interrupted by the break of day—of course. Time never stands still—this was a fact she had become all too familiar with over the years.  As she made her way home, a murmured promise fell from her lips: to live, no matter what.
For Amon.

 

Spoiler

thank you for the rp <3