Ilaryn
4764
Present
Rain pelts my shoulders as most of my rain shield covers the little boy snuggled in my arms, his face glued to my neck. He knew nothing of death, but that's what I've lived with my whole life. I'd strike fear into men's hearts and, at times, revel in it. Knowing only darkness, I became darkness—until I met her.
Runa Calphiryk
Beloved wife, mother, and friend.
Gone but never forgotten.
Our daughter, Alina, rubs her hand across the cold stone. We sail for a land far away from the memories of here. Alina rises and looks up at me, her eyes misted and reddened from hours of crying. She looks so much like her mother.
Thunder booms threateningly—a warning of a storm worsening as the night goes on. Puddles deepen as I look at my reflection. I look just as I did when I met my mate. Never growing old would make some resentful. I kept fighting with myself back then. I knew I would be here one day, staring at the etched picture of my first and only love with our daughter and grandson.
I close my eyes. I would have to do this again and again. I look at my daughter. The only thing she had of me was her piercing blue eyes. She was a lovely mix of the best her mother and I had to offer.
My grandson sniffles as he holds me tight, refusing to say goodbye to his own best friend. I smile a little, remembering the mischief he and his grandmother would get into. I return him to his mother and lean down to say my final goodbyes. She was full of life until the very end. I never knew true heartbreak until today, until I had to bury my best friend.
I help my daughter into the carriage. Our boat leaves first thing in the morning. This adventure was one Runa had been waiting for, but her declining health never allowed it. The onslaught of water continues battering the carriage as it sways heavily. I smile as I remember how she and I first met.
I lean forward and lift my grandson onto my lap.
"Have I ever told you how I met your grandmother, Aywen?"
Runa
4711
53 years ago
There is nothing ladylike or dignified about throwing oneself over the ship's side and retching, but I am doing just that here. Thankfully, most of the people were enjoying some frivolous dinner affair inside. I seem to be the only lunatic out on the deck, in the pouring rain, might I add, trying to calm my broken stomach. I wanted fresh air. There is something about keeping your eye on the horizon. It is pitch black, the moon is half-covered, and the heavens open up as soon as I get out here. Hair plasters my face; makeup drips onto my evening gown that I'd manage to even put on with the fits of nausea. The rain and wind cooled the heat in my cheeks as the boat lurched to the side over a break. I lean over the rails. I still have another half day before I reach my destination.
A burst of music pours into the night as a door opens from inside. Three women stumble out, laughing and talking amongst themselves. I back away into a dark corner to hide from my embarrassing situation. The sails clink loudly against the masts as the wind picks up and the boat lurches again.
"I need to go back to bed," I mutter. I hurry around the corner and straight into what feels like a brick wall.
"Hmph." Arms snake around my waist and upper back. I grab onto them to prevent myself from falling.
I peer up to see the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen. My eyes widen as they begin to turn colors before abruptly returning to blue, and I'm immediately let go. I return and see that the eyes aren't the only thing beautiful.
The man is wearing a casual button-down shirt that has clung to every inch of his well-toned body. My eyes continue to wander downward. His brown pants accentuated his hard thighs and even harder- My eyes shoot up to look at his face. A smile lurking behind his arrogant face. I clench my teeth as he peruses my body at his leisure. Tit for tat, I guess.
Shit! What must I look like? The boat lurches forward again, and heat floods my face as I put my hand on my mouth. No, No! Not now! Embarrassment claws at me, and it's too much to bear as I run back out the doors behind the mystery man and back to my rooms.
A bell rings in the distance, waking me from my fitful slumber. I rise and rinse my mouth out. I do a double-take when I see myself in the mirror. Kill. Me. Now.
My face is pale. My hair is a tangled mess, and clearly, I didn't make it to the bucket on time. I groan, peeling off my dress and rinsing myself with a pitcher of water. We are starting to dock, and I'm running late getting off the blasted ship.
Dry land! I almost get down on my knees and kiss the ground.
I read a large sign that said 'Ravengro' and remembered why I was there. I attended university in Lepidstadt, where I was mentored for years by Professor Petros Lorrimor, a brilliant scholar and an even more brilliant friend. He had retired from teaching many years ago but would occasionally take on mentoring students. Well, one. Me. I just spoke with him through a letter he sent me a few days ago. He seemed worried about something. And now, he was dead. His daughter Kendra told me that I was named in his will and should come immediately.
Despite my closeness with the Professor, I never met Kendra. I wonder if she even knew about me. Petros would talk about his daughter lovingly. I admired any man who took care of his family. I wished I could say the same about mine. Going to the university was a saving grace for me. If I stayed any longer at home, my father would have probably beaten me to death. I shiver at the thought.
My father died the day my mother did. Whatever came back with me after the accident was not my father. I shake my head. Now wasn't the time to relive old memories.
The town is quiet and just beginning to awaken. Many shopkeepers are setting up wares, dusting, and mucking about.
"Hello," I greet a guardsman further into the town gates. I'm looking for Professor Lorrimor's residence." His eyes go round, and a flash of fear or something crosses his face before he quickly recovers and points to a lovely house just up the hill. Without a word, the man turns and leaves. Rude.
I approach the manor. A garden sits off to the side. It needs a little maintenance but is still pretty. Vines with yellow flowers creep up the right side of the house to round the corner. I knock, and I'm greeted with a big, silly smile.
"Lukas!" I laugh as he wraps his arms around me, lifting me as if I weighed nothing. The movement reminds me of the boat, and I gag.
He puts me back down, hands on my shoulders. "I take it you got a wee bit seasick?"
I cut him a look that I hope can translate the hell it took me to get here.
He chuckles, then quickly sobers.
Tears form in my eyes, and he pulls me back into his embrace. "I know," he says, his chin on my head.
Lukas was the Professor's guardsman. When Lorrimor went out on his various tasks over the last few years, Lukas was his shield. He is handsome, intelligent, and good with a blade. During his years of service, we became fast friends and eventually like siblings.
Movement behind me catches his eyes, and he smirks at someone past me. "You took your time, pops."
I turn to see the man I ran into and away from on the boat last night. Heat crawls up my face, and he looks at me over Lukas' shoulder after being pulled into a hug.
I stare at him, mesmerized, like an idiot. A knowing smile crosses his lips. I roll my eyes, looking anywhere but at the man who was a perfect specimen in the world. This man exuded danger. Part of me knew I should be scared, and I was, but the other part was definitely not. She was curious—very much so.
He is dressed differently now, similarly to Lukas—a mix of plate and leather. An intricately designed sword is attached to his back. Blue frost constantly moving across the blade.
We all step inside and Lukas shows us to the parlor. Magic lights flicker on when we move through the manor and turn off when we've gone.
Music plays softly as we enter the room. A somber melody that comes to a swift end as soon as the pretty woman sitting at the keys notices us.
Kendra Lorrimor. I recognize her from the Professor's pictures.
She walks with elegance and grace. Her eyes are puffy, and dried tears stain her cheeks. She smooths her hands down the front of her light peach dress. She looks like a noble with an aristocratic nose and sharp eyes—her pale skin flush and accentuating the gold locket she wore low around her neck. I was always interested in the way people lived. Kendra's was such a far cry from my childhood. Even now. I barely had enough money to get here. Living in the big city was costly. Looking around, a tinge of jealousy bleeds its way into my heart. I wish I had half of what I knew Kendra had, and I wasn't just talking about the money.
"Hello," she greets us, her smile forced. Her eyes flick to Lukas, and her face softens. I quell a smile.
Lukas makes our introductions. Kendra's eyes linger longer on Ilaryn Calphiryk as she leans in to shake his gloved hand. Kendra is tall for a woman, and even then, she comes up to Ilaryn's nose. I am short with little curves, or at least not that anyone would see as I cover them up. I am not as comfortable with my body as most women my age. They'd already be married with children by now.
"My father spoke of you often. It is nice to put a face to the name and stories," Kendra says, wide-eyed.
Lukas smirks and rolls his eyes. I wonder if Kendra also feels the same exhilaration in the dark, arrogant man's presence.
Ilaryn's eyes flick over to mine when I offer my hand as well. He takes it but, this time places a soft kiss on it. His lips are cool, but my body doesn't get the message, and warmth fills every part of my body.
Lukas clears his throat. "Well, we are waiting for one more. The Professor's doctor. Nice, lady. She won't be joining us until after the ceremony."
"I thought the Professor's funeral was today. We are the only ones?" I ask.
"Some are waiting for us outside," she replies nervously. Her eyes flittering anywhere but on us. "Let us move out then. "
We all make our way outside, where a beautifully etched coffin sits atop a pedestal. A small handful of people have come to pay their respects. Two have offered to act as pallbearers, as well as Lukas and Ilaryn. Everyone's faces are sad and drawn. Jominda Fallenbridge, my old apothecary professor, is also in attendance. They were excellent friends. I smile softly as she nods her head to me in acknowledgment.
Kendra leads the procession through the cemetery. The only sound is the crunch of gravel beneath our feet. I pull out my lute and play a soft melody. It's a favorite. I've heard Lorrimor listen to it often enough to know it by heart. I never asked what it was or why he loved it so much. It meant something to Kendra because her balance faltered momentarily before recovering.
As we round the bend of Dreamwake Road, a rough-looking group stands in the way.
"What is the meaning of this?" Kendra demands.
"Lorrimor ain't to be buried here. Take 'im upriver." a wiry, older man says. His clothing is crumpled, and they all appear to be in various states of drunkenness.
Kendra gasps, taken aback, grief giving way to anger. "Move! I've already arranged for him to be buried here with the priest."
"No necromancer is staying 'ere. Folks 'ere don't want 'im next to our kin." Another says, then spits on the ground at Kendra's feet.
How lovely.
"How dare you? My father was no necromancer!" Kendra shouts.
The wind picks up, and the atmosphere gets colder. A feeling from the direction of the coffin catches my attention. Ilaryn's gaze is toward the ground, his eyes changing colors, darkening.
I inhale sharply. "Gentleman," Moving forward to join Kendra's side. "I can assure you, this man was nothing of the sort."
"Says you." the wiry man sneers.
"I doubt that Kendra wishes your family harm. Allowing our people, friends, and family to rest peacefully is important to us all." I walk closer, my hands at my sides to show submission. "We just want to bury our friend," I say as I stand in front of the presumed leader of the bunch.
The man runs his hand through the minuscule hair left on his head. He smells of smokeweed, alcohol, and sweat. I try not to breathe in too deep. I steady my racing heart. "You're a good man, Mr...?"
"Gibs." He lifts his chin proudly.
"You're a good man, Mr. Gibs. Protecting the village and all."
Gibs beams at me. His teeth need a good brushing, if that would even help.
Gibs turns to the rest of his men and calls for them to disperse.
Runa nods to Gibs. "I owe you a drink, Mr. Gibs."
That mollifies the grumbling men, and they nod excitedly as they move away back towards town.
I wipe the sweat that formed on the back of my neck. Kendra is seething but doesn't say a word as we continue to the Professor's resting place.
Over the next hour, many of the mourners speak a few words.
Lukas stands next to the coffin. "Professor Lorrimor was like a father to me. He took me in when no one else would. I was angry at the world for abandoning me. Angry that I wasn't good enough." Lukas pauses a moment, adjusting his armor. "He showed me that I was. He spent not only his money on me but his time. After a while, the loneliness I'd always felt disappeared. I gained a new family. One that chose me as I did them." He looks to Kendra, who now let her tears quietly fall, no longer able to hold them back. He nods over to me, and I smile. We had many things in common. We all became each other's family in one way or another.
Ilaryn was the only one not to speak. He spent his time in the back of the crowd. He looked even more sad after the discord with the ruffians earlier.
He must have sensed my attention because his eyes cut over to me. A smile breaks out on his face.
Ilaryn
4764
Present
"Did you marry her then?" Aywen asks, his eyes wide and innocent, just like his grandmothers were back then.
"Nay, not yet," I reply.
Alina chuckles. "Your grandfather tried to play hard to get."
Aywen scrunches his nose. "So then, what happened next? What did the will say?"
"Hmm, that's where the real story begins." Despite his desire to hear the rest of the story, Aywen's eyes were heavy. We have had little rest with the travel preparations and funeral arrangements. "Sleep now, Sunlight." At my command, he drifts off to sleep.
"Do you think you will ever find someone else like Mom?" Alina asks as I kiss her goodnight.
She knew the answer. "Never."
