Madrin was quiet as they walked - Wish assumed - towards his quarters. Because of this, Wish did not say a word either as she was unsure if he was pleased that she had chosen to go with him or if there was something else on his mind. In either case, she wouldn't have known what to say to Madrin. Her olive colored eyes were continuously aimed at the floor as they made way down the castle halls, Wish ever careful not to bump into Madrin. It was the sound of Madrin's door opening that lifted Wish's gaze away from her boots and towards the entrance of Madrin's room. However, once she stepped inside, she realized that they were not alone, at least for the time being.
Nedira was in Madrin's room sitting by a table and was finishing what was left of her breakfast. Upon hearing the door opening, she almost flew away from the table and looked towards Madrin with innocent fury in those brown orbs of hers. Wish felt this like Madrin, but Nedira's expression quickly changed when she realized that Madrin had not returned alone. He had come with Wish. Nedira's anger was curbed slightly and she grinned sweetly at seeing Wish, speaking in the voice that Wish normally knew of the girl and not one that was laced with rage.
"You've no reason to apologize, Nedira. Although, I'm sure this is not the last time it will happen. 'Tis best that you get used to it," Wish said a light smile on her face. It was true enough; Nedira's adopted father was the Lord Commander of Eiler. He would need to leave at a moment's notice and unfortunately, there was nothing the little girl would be able to do about it. It was his life; a soldier's life. Still, it seemed any anger that might have been present was forgotten as Nedira passed hugs from Madrin and then onto her.
"Aye, I've returned safe and sound. With you about - taking care of your father and everyone else - I am sure that you'll soon be surpassing me. Maybe one day you can be Aurora's Paladin."Wish threaded a hand through the girl's hair, but just as quickly Nedira had stepped away when Madrin told his daughter to leave the room - that he and Miss Star needed to talk in privacy. At this request, Nedira's face noticeably beamed, her cheeks lightened with a blush and her face curious. There were questions she wanted to ask - possibly at their relationship or whatever it was the young girl had seen happen between her father and Wish on Heruin's battlefield. Wish couldn't blame her really; Nedira was at that age where she was simply curious about such things. If Wish had to answer Nedira though, she wouldn't have been able to.
Luckily Nedira didn't stick around to pry or bombard them with questions. Instead, she slipped quietly out the door, or at least that was what Wish had thought. After Nedira closed the door to Madrin's room, the Lord Commander went to it and held the handle waiting silently for a minute or two. Wish wondered what he was doing and was about to ask when Madrin jerked the door open and Nedira went spilling onto the floor clearly embarrassed. She tried to cover this up by running for her dishes when Madrin asked if she had forgotten something. Wish smirked as Nedira rushed out the door, dishes cradled in her arms and was gone for good this time.
The look on Wish's face quickly changed once she realized that her and Madrin where actually alone. He gestured for Wish to sit by the table that Nedira had been at. As Madrin explained that his story might take some time, Wish did accept the offer of a seat, wishing for a second that she had some tea to calm the anxiousness that was present in her nerves. She folded her hands in her lap and sat quietly, her head tilted upwards as Madrin recounted his history and how not only him, but his family as well, came to be.
Wish took in every detail. Madrin's mother, Ranisa, was a product bred for war to aid the evil mage Gertluo in his quest for power and strength. Because of this, she had finally killed off Angeasor, her own father, to show what loyalty she had to Gertluo. For years Ranisa shared the mage's bed and led armies that would crush his enemies. That was, at least, until Madrin was born and he was taken away from Ranisa to be murdered.
Unaware, the mage had no idea that Ranisa had any loyalties to anyone but himself. However, she had secretly hidden her own free will throughout the years and would not forsake her child. Not even an hour after childbirth, Ranisa ran through Gertluo's guards, killing them, and destroyed the mage to save her newborn son. After, Ranisa freed some 200 captives she had previously enslaved and brought them to freedom via a portal. This portal led to a snow-filled land near the mountains which Wish guessed was Arthuran, Madrin's eventual home where he would grow up.
When Madrin was done speaking, Wish saw something in his face that he had not shown before. The Lord Commander of Eiler was worried. Madrin tried to conceal it, but Wish saw a bit of that concern poking through the guarded mask he wore. Perhaps it was her initial silence the frightened him or the reaction she might have over knowing his history now. She felt bad for keeping him waiting, but in truth the right words she wanted to say were stuck in her throat. At long last, she spoke.
"Your mother is indeed brave," Wish said,
"and I've no doubt you take after her, Madrin. I am glad that she found her way to Aleris as this realm needs someone like you to protect it."Wish, not feeling the need to sit any longer, moved from her chair, gossamer-like wings stretching out some behind her. She stood before Madrin and shook her head, her gaze attentive and on him. Her hands laced behind her back, not knowing what to do with them yet.
"I... I am not quite sure what you expected of me though, Madrin. I appreciate the truth as always, but you are not your father despite your origins and no amount of storytelling can convince me of that. It is unfortunate that Gethe has made attempts to use and enslave you because of your past. My worries are that the demon is not truly gone and he will come back not only for you, but maybe for your family... Nedira."Wish swallowed thickly and she looked down at the floor briefly before returning her line of vision to Madrin.
"I am certain this has all crossed your mind of course," Wish said.
"Gethe... does he follow a dead lord, Gertluo, or is it possible the mage will return as well?"Before Madrin could answer, Wish brought her hands around from behind her back and took one of Madrin's palms. She wrapped both of her hands around his calloused and battle worn hand, holding it tightly as she nodded.
"Please, forgive me for saying so, but... if they happen to return - either Gertluo of Gethe - I hope that you do not fall under their control. I pray for you to be stronger in that regard and to remember those you love. I don't want to - no, I can't... simply can't... watch you fall like that another time. What if you couldn't be saved?"
Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 9:42 pm
