A Singular First Impression
Wilen
Wilen sorely disliked social gathering, ball and soirée, and more than anticipating the day that he would no longer be obligate to attend. As he is still a novice, family obligation was inescapable. However, if, he detested anything more than these social gathering, it would have to endure his classmate, Cara of family Binyl's company and the praise of women in particular. Without Coren, Cara's younger brother, Wilen would have made his excuse hours ago and left to seek out solitude. Coren, on the other hand loves these type of gathering, he is fond of ladies' companies and drawn to swordfights, which generally happens when a party hosts too many adversaries Houses together. Wilen hoped it would not be an issue tonight, though he had his doubt. If the House Paren would succeed where others fail, that would make them enemy to many envious of them, even if they were only holding a welcome home party for long forgotten relation. If only the notorious man and his daughter would turn up before the dancing commence, then he could make an excuse without it seeming inappropriate or offensive.
He wonders how anyone could see anyone in this crush, and if he were not so tall, he doubt he could survey the whole room as now without stationing himself in the gallery. Wilen could see the few magicians and novices among the attendances, mainly from the House Paren, but a representative from each major House here there, predictably. Wilen frowned and turned back to the previous magician and surprised to find Lady Sonea seated between Lord Regin and Lord Rothen. He wondered why she would attend as he never seen her at a social gathering before - although why she was invited was never an issue. She may have grown up among the dwellers and in the lowest and pitiful part of the city, but she remains a black magician and saviour of the Allied Lands. At the time, Wilen was around five years of age yet he could still remember the state of the city, a land of ruins, ash and smokes as his family returned to Imardin after the invasion. Wilen brushed the thought aside and turned back to observe Lady Sonea.
She looks happy enough laughing at something Lord Regin said, while Lord Rothen appeared sidetracks by the twin's antic from across the room. Could she truly feel comfortable surrounded by members of the Houses and their pettiness?
Laughter from behind caused his stomach to twist inside out; Wilen turned round and found Goren of Winar entertaining some children – no doubt charming them with his 'amiable' personality and delightful stories. Wilen wanted to run far away from him as possible, or simply leave and keep his five miles distance, but off course that was not possible yet. He should have expected that Goren would be here, it was his House party after all. Beside, the Guild would hardly publish a list of failed candidates for black magician. Although, sometime Wilen wish they would, something like that could affect Goren's popularity more effectively, his charming presence not withstanding.
Wilen turned determinedly toward Lady Sonea, and found her in happy conversation with Lord Theodin and Lady Rilva of Delvon.
"Lords, Ladies, and gentlemen, I present Lord Pentin and his daughter Lady Lillea of Oren, House Paren." Most turned to the honourees, as father and daughter walked in arm in arm. Few gasp was heard from somewhere behind him, Wilen was not completely sure however. In the next half an hour, the old Lord and his daughter meander the perimeter of the gathering and converse animatedly with those they got introduce to, although some elder folks appeared already acquainted with Lord Pentin.
Something was odd with novice Lillea, to which Wilen unable to pin point, only that she looks familiar, but that could not be possible or feasible. After all, she grew up in Lan while he never left Kyralia and he doubt she been to Imardin before. Wilen turned away abruptly, hoped that she did not caught him starring at her. The last thing he needed was for another girl fawning at him.
"Wilen, why are you not dancing my friend?" Coren asked suddenly, and Wilen turned to his friend, cursing under his breath for his distraction.
"You know I hate to dance, beside, who do you suggest I ask?" Wilen tried keeping his annoyance to himself, how successful he was, only others could tell.
"You are such a bore. Can't you see there are plenty of beauties here?" Coren grinned easily while checking-out the ladies. "There, why don't you ask Lillea the new novice, besides the gathering is in her honour and you wouldn't want to offend the House Paren."
"Thank you, I rather delay that dance as long as possible. It's bad enough that I have to dance with the youngling whom most likely will prove to be another silly girl, but as I have to endure her barely tolerable self, allow me so by my own time." Coren shrugged his shoulder and left in search of another angel. Wilen knew he was being an ass, but the last thing he need is for people to think he is interested in a newbie.
Uh oh, the newbie stood three yards from him; Wilen prayed she has not heard him. At least she is smiling, yes, and she's walking past him, thank heaven!
"Lady Sonea." Wilen heard her cried cheerfully. Wilen could not but frown, wondering how they knew one another, as Lady Sonea took Lillea of Oren arm into her own and the two began talking, as if they were friends. Lady Sonea almost laughs at something Lillea was saying, but Wilen could not be sure at this distance. She was clearly shaking her head and then turned to him with what he assumed a disapproving stare. Wilen blinked, wondering what he done to earn that look.
"Have you met my father?" Lillea of Oren asked from across the floor, Lady Sonea shook her head negatively.
"Papa!" cried Lillea inelegant but gaily across the room. Wilen prayed he never did that and noted to himself to remind Gia of how ill mannered such action would appear. Lord Pentin left his company and walked toward his daughter smiling. He stopped dead on his track however, and Wilen saw that Lady Sonea was shock, also. Her eyes widen almost like horror, and the Lord faired no much better. Wilen frown deepen, mystify by the puzzling exchange.
"Sonea?" cried Lord Pentin in what Wilen believe to be a disbelieving tone. All attentions are now on them three, and Wilen could not but frown at what he was seeing. There was no denying it, however, for before him stood two ladies identical like two tears drop, except for their skin colour. The brown robed novice was half Lan's blood had darker skin tone, while the black magician favoured the typical Kyralian looks with snow-white skin.
Wilen could hardly imagine what Lady Sonea reaction must be, and thought he tried convincing himself he did not care for his fellow schoolmate, he was curious to Lillea of Oren reaction also. Did they speak? Father and daughters; for that what they must be, considering the gossip on Lord Pentin notorious former life, appeared to be speechless.
"Excuse me." Wilen heard, but could not be sure if it belongs to Lady Sonea. He did not have to wait long for his confirmation however, for she prompt those words and moved to exit the party. Lord Rothen followed directly, as did Lord Regin.
The guests tried acting as if nothing significant happens to little avail. Wilen picked out whispering from all eight directions around him, but his focus was on Lord Pentin. The old lord was a mixture of shock, pain and regrets.
Wilen move quietly through the crowd and into the courtyard, relieved to find Lady Sonea around the garden with her guardian and former enemy (yes, he heard the old stories).
"…really him, his here, a Lord, a member of the House, maybe this is why Aunt Jonna acted oddly." The black magician was pacing on the grass, muttering to herself with clenching fists. Wilen had never seen Lady Sonea this angry and for a moment, he fears her, fear the black magician and her immense power.
"Why don't you try talking to him, Sonea, mayhap he could answer your questions." Lord Rothen suggested comfortingly. Wilen could hear regrets from his voice and wonder at it. Surely, he would not worry should Lady Sonea love her father. Lord Rother was still her guardian in many ways.
"Rothen, I don't want to hear why I was abandon."
"He didn't, your aunt wouldn't let him take you." Lord Regin said quietly, no doubt he also fear the black magician.
"What?" Lady Sonea cried instantly. "You knew? Was he your guess? He was who you want to introduce me to?"
"Calm down Sonea." Lord Regin cried succinctly, as he held her shoulder. Wilen never heard the warrior address Lady Sonea informally before, it sounded almost intimate.
Lady Sonea obviously was accustomed to that intimacy, for she sighed deeply. "Did he know I was coming?"
"No, I didn't tell anyone of my suspicion, Lady Sonea" Lord Rothen raised his eyebrows at the younger magician, but said nothing.
"How did you know?" Lady Sonea looked to both Lord Regin and Lord Rothen for answer.
The younger magician laughed and the older one smile. "Have you checked a mirror recently? I guessed a connection as soon as I saw Lillea coming off the ship."
"Lillea of Oren, what do you mean?"
"She is almost a replicate of you, and half of the university have been wondering if they were seeing thing." Lord Rothen told her assumingly, Lady Sonea smile bashfully.
"I'm certain senior magicians were wondering if they have travelled back in time, seeing Sonea the troublesome novice imposing chaos into the Houses by breaking a tradition established for centuries." said Lord Regin mockingly.
"Is she really like me? Oh my, I have a sister." Wilen smiled with her, happy for his favourite teacher.
"Sonea?" Wilen turned toward the voice and found Lord Pentin at the garden step, unsure of his reception.
"Lord Pentin." The black robed magician replied coolly.
"How have you been, my child?"
"I am well, but you must excuse me, Lord Pentin." Lady Sonea hastily moved to exit the house, Lord Regin frown but stayed behind. Lord Rothen glanced back to the courtyard once, and then followed his former novice out the house.
"I don't think she's ready to talk to you cousin." Lord Regin placed a comforting hand on Lord Pentin shoulder; the latter sighed and began walking back into the House. "She lived most of her life without a father; you can't expect her to accept you with open arms immediately."
Wilen sighed heavily, hoping to the clear the guilt from his lung. He walked back into the party to make his excuses and wondering why he had restored to eavesdropping.
*~*~*
Anyea
Anyea wants to wipe that smirk of his face, stamp on his feet or better drop a fort on him. How dare he ask her to dance, Lord Pentin and Lillea would arrive any minute now and she desperately wanted to perceive Lord Pentin reaction to mother appearance. Unfortunately, Grandma Rilva seated next to her when Goren of Winar came up and ask for the honour. Grandma gave her a narrowing stare and indicated that an endless boring lecture would due if she dare decline.
Sarlen is so lucky; she hated being a girl and the obligation that comes with it. Thank goodness that she permitted to be a magician. She will die of boredom if she has to stay home, sit in the garden looking pretty and sewing useless embroidery for the rest of her life. She cannot wait for graduation and could help mother at the hospice everyday, she hated staying with grandma and learn housewife duties, despite loving grandma - the ennui was not worth putting up with her company. She pitied her distance cousin from the House Arran; most of the girls were keep under lock and key at home before being married off. Although, some know not how boring their lives were and some even sees her with distaste whenever they deem she had acted 'unladylike'. She wanted to puke.
"So how was your first lesson, Anyea, was it scary seeing your power for the first time?" Anyea smiled thinly, if only he would leave her alone. He spoiled her freeday and half of it already gone.
"Not at all, Lord Goren, although if I was, I would be too used to it by now, seeing that I have come to my power for almost a year."
"Oh, I forgot, you're a natural. Your power must be strong indeed."
Anyea shrugged her shoulder indifferently, and prayed he would shut up. "It's not important."
"Indeed, but I suppose if you would eventually learn black magic, you can strengthen yourself and not worry about your natural power."
Anyea narrowed her eyes slightly at him; the conversation was inappropriate for novice, no matter their background.
"I'll worry about that when I'm older, Lord Goren. Mother said I don't have to learn it, and she rather I didn't, beside it evil and father won't like it." Anyea knew immediately he would think her crazy, thus was why she tends to pull the 'father' card. Who talks about their dead father anyway? It was better than talking about black magic, a subject she may knows more than other novice and magicians, it certainly a restricted subject and one should not talk of it to a failed candidates. Did Lord Goren think she was stupid? Mother stressed the important of black magic and black magicians. She always told the twins who failed and who passed their tests and why, mostly to ensure Sarlen and she to be on their guard.
"Sonea." Anyea could not be sure if she heard correctly, the call was almost faint. She tried turning and looked around the room. It was overcrowded however, and she could not see her mother or Grandpa Rother. She wondered if Lord Pentin and Lillea arrived yet, surely half the night is over and they should be here by now. The music was infuriating; she could barely hear anything in this crowd. At least grandpa and grandma were talking to other older people and Sarlen was across the room, no doubt playing chess. When will this dance end? Someone please save her from Lord Goren insipid chattering.
"Anyea!" thank goodness for Sarlen, who finally came and rescue her. "We have to leave, mother already left." Perhaps she was more surprised than she realise, for Anyea stood frozen in place, speechless.
"Left?" she repeated dumbly.
"Yes!" Sarlen pulled her hand and the two ran out toward their grandparent. They quickly made their excuses, though grandma was over distracted with gossip, which was odd, but Anyea did not notice anything amiss.
"Sarlen, Anyea!" Lord Regin voice caused them to stop on their track. Standing next to the warrior was a Lord that neither Sarlen nor Anyea ever met. Sarlen bowed respectfully to the two elder Lord and Anyea hastily followed. Sarlen began telling the warrior they were departing, just as Lillea came upon them and called out 'papa' worriedly. Anyea concluded that apparently, they were looking at the notorious Lord Pentin.
"Did you manage to talk to Lady Sonea?" Anyea startled at the question, did mother already seen Lord Pentin?
"I think your sister needs time to accept me, Lillea."
"Sisters?" Anyea heard Sarlen and she chime together.
"Twin, this is I suppose your grandfather, Lord Pentin of Oren, your mother's father." Lord Regin explained.
"Oh." Anyea muttered under her breath, and missed Sarlen bewildered expression. The two automatically greeted their long lost grandfather, however.
"Pentin of Oren, how are you?" Anyea heard grandpa Theodin from behind. An arm meets Lord Pentin shoulder, and his reach out to meet the arm that greets him.
"Theodin, it's been years, old friend." Anyea turned and found grandpa nodded in agreement.
"I see you meet my grandchildren. Sarlen, Anyea, greet Lord Pentin." Unexpectedly Lord Pentin laughter rang deeply and heartily over the noise.
"Do you mean our children actually got together?" Lord Pentin or perhaps she should say grandfather, asked his incredulous old friend.
"My son been dead these fifteen years Pentin, surely Lan can't be that reclusive." Grandpa Theodin said evenly, clearly believed grandfather Pentin meant offence.
"I heard of the famous High Lord Akkarin, don't worry. I did not realise 'the Sonea' is actually Lorna and my child, however. I suppose it would be too much a coincident to presume such." Grandpa Theodin frowned and looked between Sarlen and she and grandfather Pentin, before caught sight of aunt Lillea. An understanding came over him and he smiled then laughed with grandfather Pentin.
"This is my other daughter, Lillea." Aunt Lillea bowed toward grandpa Theodin, who nodded in reply. The two old Lords moved toward servant with drink tray and each took a glass of dark wine, before chatting together, catching up as old friends do.
"Should we return to the Guild?" Sarlen asked and Anyea shrugged nonchalantly.
"It's still early; why don't you show me the city." Aunt Lillea suggested which Anyea found appealing though Sarlen might have a different opinion. Surely, it was better than staying at the party and force to dance with unpleasant partners. Anyea grinned at Sarlen, hoping he would agree and luckily, he did not care one way or another.
"Why don't we go to the marina Lillea, I bet you haven't seen it at night. If we're lucky, there might be a boat race." Anyea pulled Lillea out of the Paren House, and they skipped and ran toward the western gate. Sarlen followed behind.
"Keep safe children!" Anyea heard Lord Regin voice cried out from the house, Sarlen affirmed that they would and continued down the streets.
"Hania!" Anyea cried out excitedly, she rarely gets to see her cousin, who was mostly busy with her crafter works and lived at the edge of the Northern Quarter. The two girls dance ring around one another, Sarlen stuck his tongue out to his elder cousin.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be back at the Guild, or some court gathering?" Hania asked mockingly, knowing how much Anyea hated court and social gathering.
"We were at the House Paren and ran into our grandfather, Lord Pentin. Did you know? Oh this is our Aunt Lillea, mother younger sister."
"Uh, he arrived already?" Hania said, sympathetically.
"You knew?" Sarlen exclaimed in surprise.
"Ma has been muttering about it for weeks, which is why she avoided the hospice, if you were wondering."
Sarlen and Anyea formed a simultaneous 'oh'. "Are you done for the night, are you on your way home?" Anyea asked.
"Yeah, I just dropped off some sewing to the House Heril. Do you want to come over? I'm sure Da and Ma would love to see you." Sarlen nodded immediately, Anyea turned and gazed Lillea reaction, however.
"Do you think your mother would mind if I join my niece and nephew?" Aunt Lillea asked politely. Hania had her scrutinising face on, no doubt weighting her options.
"Sure."
They arrived at the small house and found Uncle Ranel and Kerrel seated on an old worn bench in the front drinking Bol with grandpa Rothen. Uncle Ranel saw them first; he placed a finger upon his lips and pointed inside the wooden house. Voices belonged to Aunt Jonna followed by mother, one almost exasperated and another deep but composed.
Sarlen and Anyea moved discreetly toward the window and put their ears against the wall. Aunt Lillea tried pulling them away to no avail.
"…need him. Beside, if he really cared he would have taken you with him. He didn't care enough and he should stay away. How dare he try acknowledging you as if nothing happen?" it was Great Aunt Jonna voice.
"So he never asked for me? Not once?" Great Aunt Jonna was quiet, as if guilty of something.
"Well…"
"Jonna, you promised to be truthful."
"Sonea, you don't need to know."
"If you don't tell me, I'll read it from your mind." Aunt Lillea gasped beside Anyea; Sarlen hastily covered her mouth with his hand.
Anyea could hear Great Aunt Jonna teeth gritting and quietly said, "He did, he wanted to take you to live at the House and raise you as one of those women at court. I told him he had no right taking my sister child away. We moved away soon after, and we kept moving because I heard he tried looking for us."
"No right? You kept me from my Da and let me think he never cared!" Anyea never heard her mother raise her voice before, she felt herself shiver. She heard footstep coming closer and the door slammed a tick after.
*~*~*