Post by Malachi on Aug 1, 2017 14:13:03 GMT -8
*Weary eyes peered from beneath a low riding hood. One blue. One darkened by the scar that traversed across it. The scar that reminded him of the fight that nearly blinded him. A hand rose, fingers trailing the length of the jagged flesh. Memories. Some were best left forgotten. Clicking his tongue and giving a gentle nudge with his heels, he urged his mount onward at a slow trot. The midnight black mare that had been by his side for so long snorted and obliged as she carried her rider deeper into the wilderness. Glancing up, he got his bearings once more then gave a tug at the reigns, urging her to change course ever so slightly. Her massive chest caught brush and low hanging twigs as she pushed through into a clearing. He had ducked just in time to allow a thin branch to whip past his head, coming to rest harmlessly behind him. He glanced back at the culprit then turned his eyes to the site before him. It was still there. His free hand rose to his shoulders, touching that place where the emblems had once rested. It had been so long. Too long. She carried him closer, the massive iron gates that once were grand and imposing did little to deter their entry now, frozen in a perpetual state of defenseless openness. Pulling her to a stop, he swung one leg over and lowered himself to the ground. Grasping her reigns in one hand, he walked slowly along the cobble stone pathway that traveled the width of the moat that surrounded the manor.
Nothing stirred. No sound. Having found suitable water for Nox, he left her to rest as he moved further inside the crumbling walls. He marveled at how even now, in her dilapidated state she could leave him breathless. Closing his eyes, he let his mind travel back to that time. A time when these halls were bursting with excitement, joy, sadness, pain, anger, happiness, sorrow, fear....every emotion that took hold of a family at one time or another. Yes, they were a family.
He found the throne room, pausing just inside the entryway to take in the massive crest that still rested above the twin thrones perched opposite him. The Night Lords. He moved forward slowly, glancing left and right as he did...remembering the many knightings, coronations, and meetings he had resided over here. The christenings, the debates...the declarations of war. This room had seen so much... and yet now...it was so....dead. One foot found the bottom step. He ascended up the few steps that separated him from the throne he once sat in. Touching it like one would a long lost lover, he caressed its carvings. He circled it once, dragging a hand along its back before lowering himself into it once more. It felt...right. He raised hands to either side of his face, thrusting back the hood he wore to allow long dark brown hair to spill from underneath. Leaning forward, he rested forearms on his thighs and clasped his hands together, fingers interlacing as he stared across the empty chamber before him. There was work to be done....*
Nothing stirred. No sound. Having found suitable water for Nox, he left her to rest as he moved further inside the crumbling walls. He marveled at how even now, in her dilapidated state she could leave him breathless. Closing his eyes, he let his mind travel back to that time. A time when these halls were bursting with excitement, joy, sadness, pain, anger, happiness, sorrow, fear....every emotion that took hold of a family at one time or another. Yes, they were a family.
He found the throne room, pausing just inside the entryway to take in the massive crest that still rested above the twin thrones perched opposite him. The Night Lords. He moved forward slowly, glancing left and right as he did...remembering the many knightings, coronations, and meetings he had resided over here. The christenings, the debates...the declarations of war. This room had seen so much... and yet now...it was so....dead. One foot found the bottom step. He ascended up the few steps that separated him from the throne he once sat in. Touching it like one would a long lost lover, he caressed its carvings. He circled it once, dragging a hand along its back before lowering himself into it once more. It felt...right. He raised hands to either side of his face, thrusting back the hood he wore to allow long dark brown hair to spill from underneath. Leaning forward, he rested forearms on his thighs and clasped his hands together, fingers interlacing as he stared across the empty chamber before him. There was work to be done....*
