"On the far side of Delaunay, he fretted with impatience, a smile at once kind and eager lighting his dark eyes"
-Phedre no Delaunay
Alcuin awoke with a splitting headache, his head throbbing in time with his racing heart. Out of instinct, he patted and darted his eyes around the grassy clearing, unsure of where he was or why. It was light outside, causing his already white hair to shine, almost sparkle. Alcuin looked up at the most beautiful sky he had ever seen, and the air was so clear he had to halt his lungs from gulping it down.
Alcuin sat back, smiling up at the sun, even though he was clueless as to where he was and had no way to go about escape, he found the time to just sit back and enjoy the sunlight closing his eyes. "Alcuin" a soft voice called to him, causing his eyes to snap open as he simultaneously got to his feet. He remembered that voice, the voice of his beloved. Just as Alcuin's brow crinkled in preparation for some major soul searching, a voice caught his attention. "Suriah, where did you go girl!" a voice called out. Alcuin turned quietly, measuring his steps as he walked up to the man. The man had long wavy brown hair, and matching light brown eyes. It was easy to tell from his carriage and looks that he was D'Angeline. A slight sigh escaped him as he caught up with him.
"Excuse me sir, would you mind telling me where we are?" Alcuin added the customary bow as he didn't know the stranger and didn't want to offend him. The man raised a brow. "Well lad, we're about 30 miles away from the City of Eula…" the main looked Alcuin over "Which I find interesting that you are out here in the backwoods. Are you a hunter lad?" Alcuin blushed slightly, his fair skin taking on a rosy complexion. "Actually sir, I'm not. I…" Alcuin didn't want to seem crazy to the man, so he made up a story. "My coach turned over not too far from here and my driver is nowhere to be found, but I did find an empty liquor bottle in his stead." The man grunted his amazement and disgust. "Well lad, I can take you to the City of Eula, I just need to get my dog Suriah first." Alcuin watched in amusement while the man yelled and cursed for this lost dog, and began to laugh as he saw the dog race unseen past his master and trot her way up to Alcuin.
"Sir…" Alcuin said concealing a laugh. "I've found her." The man turned, all anger on his face, yet as he walked up and the dog pounced on him, a small smile presented itself. Looking over at Alcuin, he extended a hand. "Nice to meet you, I'm Jean Mitchell." Alcuin nodded firmly. "I'm Alcuin no Delaunay."The man looked him over. "Ah…Delaunay, fine man he is." Alcuin's face split in a smile as he hopped behind the man on his horse, it was no coincidence he knew Delaunay, he was brilliant, a good man, and best of all his. At this thought, Alcuin blushed slightly and leaned his head against the man's back, letting the soft trot lull him to sleep.
Alcuin awoke a few hours later, being lurched awake as the man hopped off the horse preparing to help Alcuin down. Alcuin's eyes watered at the sight before him. Even in the just sparked moonlight, the City of Eula looked beautiful to his eyes. "Thank you, thank you sir! I will not forget you Jean Mitchell" Alcuin exclaimed while grabbing the man's hand and kissing it. The man scowled and pulled his hand away, smiling as got back on his horse and headed out of the city gates once more, or perhaps going to visit The Night Court first. Alcuin was overjoyed as he looked out at the bustling city he called home with Delaunay and Phedre. Suddenly over-eager, Alcuin called a coach and ordered them to tale him to the small mansion Delaunay called their home. Sitting inside, it was warm and soft, and Alcuin felt great, but was still troubled at how he had gotten here. Yes, this was his city. And yes, it looked identical, if but the weather was nicer here nearing winter, but something was out of place. Leaning his head back against the coach, Alcuin began to dream.
In the library, I was reading the most magnificent volume written in Caerdicci about how to find the Master of the Strait's way of escape. Phedre had gone to complete her marquee to Naamah's service, so Delaunay and I busied ourselves with reading up. We had to do this, well actually Delaunay had to do this, and I just helped. He was doing it for Ysandre de la Courcel, granddaughter of the King of Terre d' Ange and future ruler. We were trying to get information on how to bring her Pictish betrothed here, and I remember Delaunay turning frequently to check my progress, as well as give me a smile or crude gesture to get me to laugh. It was at these moments that I had no shame or doubt in my choice as choosing Delaunay as my lover, though I was his bond-slave and he raised me. We…sat like that for some time when a squadron of D'Angeline came in and…we fought so hard. Delaunay shouted at me to escape, to leave, to run while he fought them, oh how he fought them! And I, even if I had a means of escape, could not, would not leave Delaunay, battling beside him and bringing down two of the bastards. Finally, I remember being stabbed, for the second time in my life, and seeing Delaunay look back at me, anger growing as he fought on. I awoke…I awoke to Phedre's screeching voice, grasping my hand while I asked her about Delaunay. The minute she said no…I knew, I knew I wouldn't make it. Through the blood streaming out of my mouth, after catching a glimpse of Delaunay lying in a pool of his own blood with several daggers sticking out of him, I fought death and held on to life, if but for mere minutes. I gave Phedre the message, and then…
Alcuin shocked himself awake sweating profusely, shaking and clawing as a hand reached in and grabbed his arm. "Sir…sir. We've arrived" The coachmen announced. Alcuin jolted himself awake, tears streaming down his face. So…this was death. He got out slowly, hesitantly heading towards the door of Delaunay's city mansion, the place he considered home and safety. Reaching the door, his eyes widened as he caught glimpses of the people that worked for Delaunay, now all gathered once again in his home, and it tugged at Alcuin's heart to know that they too were dead. One of the maids smiled at him and wordlessly put her arms around him, noting his tear stained face and look of dread. "Never fear" she whispered to him. "We are home now, truly home." Alcuin nodded silently in agreement as she lead him to his old room, and his heart clenched at the sight of Phedre's room, yet it was empty, since she was still in the world of the living. The maid patted Alcuin's bed, and he made his way over slowly, snuggling his body into the covers. The maid leaned over before she blew his candle out. "By the way, my name is Suriah." Alcuin managed a small laugh through his tears as exhaustion claimed him and he slept.
And thus began Alcuin's "life" in the afterlife...