Darigan Uncles

Folks often ask how I came to have two Darigan uncles when our family is from Brightvale and my father even fought with Meridell in the war. The short answer is simply that my mother has a big heart. The long answer, well...

Once upon a time, what seems like a very long time ago, my mother and I were sitting quietly at home. A storm was raging outside, but we had a cozy fire. My mother was doing some mending, and I remember that I was cutting pieces for my first quilting project. Father had voluntarily enlisted to fight with Meridell, as even though we lived in Brightvale, our lands were so close to the border that some of our near neighbors were Meridellians, so he wasn't home and hadn't been home in quite some time. Mother and I missed him terribly, but he was able to send regular letters home and so we knew that he was all right.

Suddenly, the butler came in and announced that we had visitors. His face was troubled, and  Mother glanced quickly at me, trying to make a decision. She seemed to come to one, and standing, followed the butler to the foyer, bidding me stay and continue my task. I bent my head to my fabrics, not thinking much of it. I was excited to make my first quilt. It was a tradition, and almost a coming-of-age celebration in our family. But surprisingly, Mother hurried back in after only a moment.

"Put those away now, Sinia, dear. Pull that chaise over by the fireplace. Quickly now."

And with that she hurried out again. Bewildered, I did as she asked, and then stood uncertainly by the head of the couch. I looked around and grabbed a fallen pillow to set on it. Not a moment later, Mother came back in a flurry of activity. The butler and a Grarrl I had never met before were carrying an unconscious Krawk through the doors of the sitting room. Blankly, I stared at his wings dragging on the carpet. Around me, a trio of maids fluttered by in busyness. One covered the couch with sheets, another held an armful of clean towels at the ready. The third carried a large washbowl. Behind them, two more maids came in, one with a ewer of hot water and the other with some rags. The one with the rags set the bulk of them by the couch, and then took a few herself and began to wipe up the spots of blood that had dripped in a steady line from the door to where the Krawk was now being laid gently down.

"What happened, Mama?" I asked anxiously. "Who are these people?"

"Hush now, Darling. I'll explain in a moment."

Everyone silently went about their tasks while I hovered about helplessly, until finally Mother decided our guest was as comfortable as she could make him. He had been dried as well as possible, and wrapped against the chill. Fresh bandages had been applied to his various wounds. Thankfully he did not seem grievously injured, he had hit his head quite hard and we would have to wait for him to wake before we could assess him further.

"Sweetheart, this is your cousin, Dragev."

I turned and stared at the unfamiliar Grarrl.

"Well rather, he's my cousin." Mother paused a moment, thinking. "I believe he's my third cousin... once removed?" She sent an inquiring glance at Grarrl in question.

Dragev's face showed an amusing look of alarm.

Mother smothered a laugh, before continuing the introductions. "Dragev, my daughter, Rosinian."

Rosinian gave a small curtsy, and was pleased that Dragev immediately stood at attention and sketched a bow towards her.

Dragev spoke in a surprisingly soft voice. "My companion is Rulinian. I thank you deeply, Cousin Zemmah, for taking us in. I know our lands are... not friendly right now."

Mother huffed in exasperation. "Politics. War. They care nothing about the people who are just trying to live their lives. And Gyrr going off to fight on his own will, when he knows I have family on the other side."

I shifted uneasily. I hated to hear Mother talk this way about Father. Father was wise and brave. I had never known that Mother had family who lived under Darigan rule, not to mention fighting on the Darigan side.

"Nevermind," Mother said, sensing my discomfort. "Tell us, Dragev. Whatever happened to sweep you up on our doorstep like this? I haven't seen you since... since we were all in short pants, I imagine."

"The storm. We can fly through it, of course, but Rulinian didn't see the branch carried by the wind. Truth be told, I didn't imagine the wind to be strong enough to lift such a thing and hurl it with such force. He was knocked out cold. I was able to catch him, but his weight was cumbersome and the landing was.. not smooth.

"We descended from the Citadel, which is currently floating not far from here. Although, i cannot disclose exactly where." At this, he looked suddenly abashed, as if realizing that he had perhaps spoken too much.

Mother clucked her tongue sympathetically. "I do suspect a concussion. We'll have to monitor him through the night until he wakes."

Dragev sighed in relief at the way Mother skipped over the touchy subject of the War.

Just as a maid came in with a tray of hot tea and cold sandwiches, the Krawk on the couch stirred and groaned. Dragev jumped up immediately and leaned over him.

"Rulinian?"

The Krawk blinked his eyes slowly, finding it hard to focus on the face above him. "Dragev," he croaked. "What happened? Where are we?"

"My cousin," he gestured behind him.

Rulinian struggled to sit up. Dragev quickly put an arm around him to help him up.

Mother stepped forward quickly and waved me forward as well. "You've been injured," she explained gently. "Please don't try to stand. I am Lady Zemmah. This is my daughter, Rosinian."

I curtsied quickly. "Uncle Ruli," I blurted.

His eyes widened for a moment, and I blushed. I don't know what had made me call him that just now. But then his eyes crinkled up and a laugh escaped him.

"So I've been promoted to 'Uncle'?" he glanced toward Dragev.

Dragev smiled wanly, and just shrugged.

Mother's face held a larger, warmer smile. "Yes, of course. Uncle Dragev, as well. Uncle Dragev and Uncle Ruli. That's lovely and perfect."

Pleased that Mother was pleased, I smiled shyly at my new uncles.