A Zel'aran Farewell - Prolouge

The moon was slowly rising above the forests, letting it’s pale ivory beams shine down upon the land of Zel'aran.  Within her skies there was the light of stars that were still virginal and unknown.  However on this night the stars could not be seen, only the strength of the moon could cut down the shadows that the clouds created.  These clouds were not made by nature, but by dark impure magics in the realm.  It was under this dark sky that the Lord of the Merricks, Athos Jeremy Merrick, stood preparing a horse he’d borrowed from his kin, a brown mare named Restara.  He picked up the emerald blanket he often traveled with, laying it atop his saddle for the moment.  He rubbed that young looking face, he was lucky that he had maintained his exterior all these years.  It pained him to leave in this way, in the middle of the darkness.  However, knowing what things may cross his path in the night, and knowing his ability to fight them, he chose this time as the best for his travels.  However, he did not count upon the sight that approached him as the moon crested the trees of winter.

“Athos, ye be leavin’ me without even sayin’ goodbye, do ye?” Came the tender tones of his Highland Rose.  She pulled her salmon gown slightly about her, the flames that she called her hair licking over her head and let loose a tender glow.  Kaylia Merrick was a vision, one that Athos had dreamed forth, in a way.  He had dreamed of traveling to a world of his desire, to find his own way and destiny in the universe.  It was this dream that lead him to a run down tavern in a pirate’s wharf, and this lass had been sitting at the bar, dressed as any good sailor man would be.  A rapier at her side, a second within her mouth that stung with a wit that none could match save those she trusted, none thought her possible to be tamed.  It was only in the darker times that this lass had come into her own and in turn, had come to him.  Many a war-torn road he had fought across to be at her side, but in the end, he returned her heart to her intact after it had been entrusted to him.  Now he called her wife, and mother to his darling children who rested in the Merrick Keep.

“Kaylia, my love…” His voice was weary with pain and reluctance.  “I did nae wish tae wake ye so soon after ye finally got tha children tae sleep.”  He buckled the curved bastard sword to the saddle of his steed, trying not to gaze too deeply into those eyes that sought to sooth his pains and keep him at her side.  “Besides, tis only a two day ride, a week in tha field, and then I am returned to ye.”  It was only then that he would turn, the dress looking so radiant over her form.  Even now those emerald pools seemed to seek him out, drown him in their power and reform him anew.  But he shook it away, taking up the blanket he’d placed over the side of the horse.

Kaylia looked far more worried than her husband would give her credit for.  She touched his leathered chest gently with her porcelain hand, gazing up at him.  “Ye ride forth ona darker night than e’en yer kin expected it ta be.  The Dark Ones are out there, Athos, and they be wantin’ yer blood, an’ mine, an’ tha of our children.  I beg ye, wait another day, maybe even two.  By then, I’ll be strong enough ta join ye.”  She’d give him a grin only a rouge could love, “Ye be knowin’ I swing a sword jus’ as well as ye do.”

At that, her husband moved to her side, the moon now rising higher to shine upon them both and the keep behind them.  And in the reflections of the light, the pair could make out the images of three wisp-like faefolk, their wings glittering in the light as they danced about them toward the heavens.  A slight song could almost be heard on the air as they moved.  He draped his jade-colored blanket over his shoulders, and wrapped her up in his arms, the material just covering them both.  

“Fear not, my love.  For in this night, we ‘ave been blessed by the Lunar Goddess.  Her light will guide me through tha darkness, and return me safe to yer arms.  Carry on fer me, keep the Keep warm with thought o’ our love, and ye shall find the fortnight passes quite quickly.”  He would turn her to face him, and in a single gesture impart all of his love for her in a slow press of his lips to hers.  Time stood still for them in this moment, before he was forced to relinquish their heartfelt goodbye.  He left the blanket wrapped around her shoulders, and forced himself into the saddle.  

“In a fortnight then, Lady Merrick.”  He would pull his hood over his head now, letting the shadow hide all but his eyes with took a slight glow.  He then urged the horse into it’s motion, riding forth toward the trees.  It was unknown how long Kaylia stood there watching as he was her size, then the size of a child, then of a pawn on a chessboard, till finally he was a speck on the darkened horizon, leaving but the mists to roll in after his passage.  She then pulled that covering he’d left up to her face and took in his scent, smiling to herself before going back into the Keep.  She would keep her promise, the fire being brightly lit, and his family waiting for his return.