Something is Wrong

The time following the Silver Scourge seemed like a blur, injury, confusion, celebration. Yorro’s right arm peppered with fragments of silvery poison and shrapnel from the Apailana.. Then he was on a beach, there were others, Aleister was there, and then they weren’t. He next awoke at the manor, the worried face of his future wife filling his vision as the blurry lights became clearer. He could feel the wind from an open window and the searing pain emanating from his heavily wrapped and slinged right arm, her voice would draw him from the wandering. She was grateful he was awake and at the same time he could feel anger and hurt in her words, what he wished he could remember clearer. He’d been gone for how long, unconscious for longer and he could imagine that didn’t sit well with any.

He’d remember whispering, “My love..” before darkness claimed him again. Some time later awaking and after more weeks of tending and minding his injuries he was well enough to be on his feet. Fortune had kept the less friendly manners of his family in check and the merchant son had come to learn the Grand Tourney was in Mead.. that damned town. He’d not wanted to go, but Elene found it enticing, likely for her family nostalgia of visiting in the past. With little complaint he’d agree to go with her, and despite his trepidation, the entire event seemed  mostly placid and uneventful. A strange wild mage was assisted in her escape from guards whilst his fiance shopped for various plants and then they’d left for the day, aside from that.. Nothing, no drama, not hunts, so many hidden and wild mages right under Order noses. Briefly he’d heard mention of some delegation and murder, but with his fiance he couldn’t investigate, he couldn’t bring more trouble and stress to her.

 On the final day of the tourney the couple returned at Elene’s behest. She was seeking deals and whatever else caught her interest, Yorro sticking by her like a shadow for the most part. She was some months pregnant now, not quite visible with her form yet, but he’d known enough and that fact alone had the mage protective of her. Being a noble without protection was another reason. While he could look like a common merchant to those unknowing of his family, Elene, despite being of a land-owner family, was relatively refined and recognizable by her manners if not her dress. Her politeness, the gestures she’d make, even her walk, refined and not like any common folk. He’d glare off a few leering eyes, leading her off by her arm on occasions that some ilk got too close for comfort. She’d protest initially, and at one point he’d have to whisper to her as to why he was leading her away. If to dissuade her from using her muscle to resist and remain like a stalwart statue. Fortunately, the woman would heed his words, showing she still held some trust for him and the pair would make their way elsewhere.

The day remained much like this until the final fight, there was a loud clamor of voices and screams, all of what occurred out of view by the colorful tents and stalls, and then a strange mist sweeping through the streets like a flood. Yorro turned to pull Elene away instinctively, his eyes watching the fog as Elene’s own were turned upwards to the dark shape with many eyes. She’d open her mouth to speak, the words twisting into a concerned noise as the fog rose to swallow everything.

---

The manor sat on fertile green land, its trees, bushes and other foliage green with life and vigor, tended daily by the gardeners and servants. Yorro stirred on the stone bench he’d chosen as a napping spot, the sun shifting the shade he’d found to leave his legs bathed in warm light, a warmth that grew uncomfortable after a time by his dark trousers. The merchant found himself sitting up, shading his eyes from the sun as he squinted about to determine the time. It was near or just past midday and with a stretch and yawn he’d rise from the impromptu bed and make his way through the rows of tall flowering hedges. Some were speckled with various colors of azaleas, white and pinks, deep magenta, even a few reds or solid whites. All had a faint pleasant smell, the rows shifting into the next pattern of flowers as he neared the open space of the garden, the ground cobbled in intricate patterns of granite and marble, a fountain bubbling in the distance. The air held a cooling mist from the spray and he’d pause for a moment to appreciate the peace. Soon enough he expected to be inside the manor, despite its size, finding himself face to face with either his brothers or worse, his father. 

There wasn’t anything in particular he’d find any of them to be bothered with, yet at the same time the trio found enjoyment in his detriment. His brothers seemingly working in tandem to incite their fathers anger, or perhaps to redirect it from themselves. Yorro would sigh, not that waiting or hiding would change that, he’d spent some time in the past, following severely displeasing his father thanks to his brothers’ framing, avoiding the man and his abuses. He’d gone off to a town to barter goods and even made a bit of fun by stealing a ship for a pirate. Doing all that of course didn’t please the head of house, and Yorro made a point to never mention the ship. What an easy  way to bring fury, by declining to give such a valuable catch to the family, instead passing it off to sea rats. Yorro found he liked the pirates more, regardless of their persistent stenches, poor manners and roughness. They had real reasons to show violence. He’d rather take a strike from any one of a pirate crew, than at his father’s hand, for things he’d never done. 

The manor doors slowly came into view as he strolled along the paved paths of the garden, into the open lawn of the front of the house and then up the stone steps to the door. He’d lifted his hand to knock but a servant had it open before he’d made contact, bowing their head and ushering him inside with formalities. Yorro offered a brief thanks and entered the foyer, the ornate branching stairwell and an ostentatious statue of his father decorating his view, and beyond a plethora of doorways, halls and other passages that many servants slipped to and from. The stairs was his destination as he headed up them and to the left wing of the second floor. His room nearest to the end, only his fiance’s own quarters at the farthest end. She’d hardly used them in recent times, opting to make her intentions more obvious some months after he’d ran off. He couldn’t hide from anyone much longer, and he didn’t wish to harm her more. Elene had been accepted in his bed despite their lack of formal marriage, but it had been announced as imminent, the day after they’d spent the night, and now her time in his own rooms was hardly questioned. 

The only soul with a complaint was Eozon, but for Elene’s sake, the middle son never so much as voiced it, instead he would look a bit lonely and distanced himself from her in search of other interests. Elene had mentioned being sad for lack of their combined pleasant conversations, but it couldn’t be helped as she wasn’t marrying him. She’d instead spent much of her time reading borrowed books from Yorro’s mother or strolling the gardens during nice weather, having her own time pruning and tending some of the plants. The gardeners and servants failing to dissuade her as she often knew more than they did. She’d grown up with more plants than Yorro or anyone in the Mithwyr could imagine at Skystead and it was little solace for her even when Yorro brought exotic flora to her as gifts. She was delighted every time but there was a longing he couldn’t fill with just another plant for a shelf or window. 

He’d push open the heavy and tall oak doors to his own room, not surprised to find Elene lounging with all the pillows and more from the bed and sofa’s piled about her like a throne. She’d cast a look his way, too distracted in whatever romance or fluff was occurring in her book to share her full attention. 

“It is near noon, love, have you walked around at all?” Yorro would remind her. The doctor suggested she keep some activity for the health of herself and unborn child. 

“A bit. Earlier.” 

“Would you like to walk with me after lunch?” He’d pause some, considering her eagerly turning the page of the well-loved book, a slight smile on his face despite her not looking, “After you finish the spice of that chapter.” 

“Ah- yes that would be enjoyable!” She’d fluster some, turning the page again and casting him a furtive look. He’d watch her for a moment before turning to the bathrooms to wash his face. 

“Tell me about that bit later.” He’d mention, listening for her noise of alarm. 

“It’s not appropriate!” 

“I know that, and I’d like to know besides.~” He’d offer her a more mischievous grin which she’d reply by marking her page and tossing the book down. 

“You, sir!” Elene would sit up on the bed, adjusting her skirts and properly setting the book on his side of the bed, atop the nightstand where he’d kept some personal items. Then she’d continue once it was placed, “you want to know.. so you can try what it says.” There was a hint of curiosity in her voice, barely veiled by the sarcasm. She wanted to know what he was thinking, whether her assumption was correct.

“Maybe…” He’d mutter like he hadn’t cared, the tone riling her. Then to dismiss her outburst, not in ill meaning, but to give her time to process, he’d stop speaking and continue about his business. When his face was sufficiently cleaned of sweat and whatever dirt barely existed, he’d turn to find his fiance staring daggers at the book on the stand. 

“That might be somewhat fun..” He’d catch her whispering to herself before she spun around, her skirts flowing around her like a blooming flower. She stormed over his way, pushing open the door entirely to the bathroom, so forcefully that it hit the wall with a loud thud. Yorro stood at the counter, water still filling the basin. She could so easily capture his attention, distracting him as the water overflowed. He’d turn the handle quickly, stopping it. 

“So after lunch-” He’d start, hands curled into the rag he debated using to dry the spill, Elene cutting him off with a raised hand and a serious look. 

“After lunch, we come back here, discuss the book,... then- then we can go for a walk, doctor's orders. In the evening...” Elene would cut off her own words, She’d stand firm on the last notion, a hint of amusement and smiling with her own look of mischief before twirling out the door. He’d hear the door shut to his quarters with a click as she left, letting free a soft chuckle. So much for waiting til marriage, though it would be soon enough. That ship had sailed a while ago, and he found her flirting had been less hidden now. It was something he enjoyed, no longer veiling their wants and the freeing feeling of opening up to a partner.  

Yorro found himself smiling still as he unstopped the drain and watched the water swirl down the basin like a whirlpool. Perhaps her presence would be enough for him, he didn’t need the family, their wealth, power, just her.