đ» - Someone They Donât See Often
((Sorry itâs late, but here ya go!))
âErlain Candell, as I live and breathe by the Light it is good to see you!â Â Cried Reese Langston as he limped his way out from behind the bar, a rare smile coming to his aged face as he made his way toward the robed figure walking into his bar. Â An even older man offered the same smile in return as he moved down the short set of steps into the common room of the Pig and Whistle, his hand already lifting to intercept the others. Â Grips were firm and warm as the younger beamed to the older who looked on like that of a wayward uncle or proud father.
âIâm sorry I havenât come by often, these days my duties feel more numerous than ever before,â Erlain Candell, was a perfect of example of the old adage of âage is only a numberâ.  His broad square shoulders never seemed to sag or hunch from the years of his service.  Abound his toned frame were the simple robes of a brother of the Cathedral of Light, everything about him looking to be no more than a friendly priest to those in need.  The long blade at his side  told of a life much more in tune with how he held himself and how some knew him.  Calloused aged hands would break as Erlain would slowly make his way further into the bar.
âSo how have you been sir? Â I had heard you took up the cloth and were wandering around the Cathedral grounds, â Reese casually spoke to the older knight, Erlain having slowed his gait to not put the barkeep at unease over his handicap. Â Sharp blue eyes would wander the old bar, glad that he had come early as not to get bogged down among the many clientele, noting the scores on the wood paneling and those who never strayed far from their dreamless home.Â
âI have been well, though I could say easily the same for yourself and your family. Â Iâm always hearing from some of the younger acolytes sneaking off for a flagon of your seasonal brown,â Erlain spoke with a half smile as they reached the bar, he staying on the customer side and Langston hobbling along to get back behind the bar. Â His aged hands came to rest gently on the clean aged bar-top as he ran his tips along the wood nodding softly, âI still remember when Old Doyle ran this place. Â You, Jaine, and Eld would be running amok like some kind of tribe of murlocs terrorizing about.â
Reese chuckled as he shook his head and fetched down a fine pewter mug the handle forged in the shape of a standing lion, a crown nestled into its chest while itâs tale was turned up for the handle.  "Oh aye, tis a good thing my father and you could run up a tab that didnât make him worry so much about others.âÂ
Running a finger along the metal as he smiled at it, a shot of nostalgia wormed itâs way deep into the barkeep as he took the mug to tap and filled it from one of the coming autumn barrels. Â Nodding softly to himself as he turned back to hobble before the aged warrior and set the mug before. Â Pride beaming through him as he smiled widely at the look of astonishment coming to the soldierâs wrinkled and worn face as he lifted the mug up to stare.
âBy the Light, one of the Compass Lions. Â Where in the hell did you find? Â Iâd have thought them long gone, â Erlainâs mouth was still agape as he held the mug and looked it over like an ancient relic lost within the sand of Uldum.
âOld Doyle was a wise and crafty bastard, I found them during the initial renovations when we came back,â He did his best not to emphasis on the âcoming backâ part with his 'uncleâ, Reese knowing full well the sacrifices the men of Stormwind made in those dark days of the First and Second Wars. Â A slow ache drifted through his thigh to remind him of all their sacrifices. Â "Bastard hid six of them among a bunch of loose stones down there, I honestly wouldnât be surprised if the other six were hidden down there as well. Â But I donât worry about it much, maybe David will find em when Iâm long gone too.â
Erlain nodded softly as he listened to Reese, his heart tugging deep in his chest at the sight of the old relic from his past.  He supposed he was just as much a relic as the mug was, but seeing something brought back the flood that he never seemed to find end to when he wandered the old streets of Stormwind.  For many years the Candells and Langstons had been neighbors in Old Town, granted it wasnât called Old Town then as it was Kingâs Corner.  Streets of thin tri-level homes teeming with families as the population prospered under the rule of the Wrynns.  The Kingâs Architect had come up with the plan to build a housing district for the army and itâs officers to keep them comfortable and rewarded for their fealty to the  crown.  He could still remember watching Nora spin within the family room with a happy laugh when he first took his new bride to her home. Their home. Â
Blinking quickly at the rush of emotions he couldnât remember what Reese had been saying or was saying as he shook his bald head and looked from the foaming drink to the man across the bar. Â An aged man who he could still see as the tearful boy who was so concerned for his friend Eld who was nursing a broken nose from a wild swing at play fighting. Â "By the Light, you looked like youâd killed the queen that day Reese.â
âWhatâs that, sir?â Â Langston tilted his head in confusion hearing the old man finally speak again, himself having gone quiet as the old man reminisced holding a piece of their history.
âOh nothing boy, just remembering that time you clacked Eld with that broom handle and gave him that crook in his snout,â He had to laugh now, the melancholy of his old days gone seeing Reeseâs cheeks grow bright red before joining in the laughter as the old friends remembered. Â The roars of their humor echoing in the empty bar as they slowly came to the deep breaths and sighs of relaxing smiles and joyful moments. Â But then the question would follow that always caused a cloud to form. Â "Have you seen him?â
Reese wiped at his eyes and grew quiet now as he took in a deep breath and shook his head, "Not for awhile. Â He was coming in once in awhile, trade a few things, grab a drink, ask about the kids, and then, â Sighing softly as he thought for a moment, âProbably been on a month since last he came in.â
Erlain nodded softly again, already regretting asking about 'himâ. Â It wasnât his fault, who could blame him with everything that happened? Â Who else didnât know that bitter road of loss? Â The mug was lifted and a deep drink was followed, the beer going down easily and thickly as he brought it back down again with a enjoyable sigh. Â "By the Light Langston, you got some kind of brew master down there.â
Reese shrugged softly as he fetched himself a mug and poured himself a bit from the seasonal, breathing in deeply of the brownâs rich aroma as it wafted up. Â "Davidâs not a bad a hand at it, gotta say the boy does me proud. Â Somebodyâs gotta have an artistâs touch around here.â
âI dunno, lad, you were something else with that crossbow of yours. Â You and Eld, world class to say the least. Â As I recall just as good when the muskets came,â the military pride began to seep out of the older man as he took another drink from his beer and watched Reese stiffen a bit as mentioned the part of their past.
âWell when I got a horde of greenskins running at me, had to learn to be quick on my feet,â the words stung as he spoke them, the throb seeming to only in-testify as he said what was on his mind. Â A shake of his head followed as he did his best to not be bitter, âPa was a good teacher.â
âThat he was, that he was.â  Eld spoke softly, knowing he needed to back off with mentions of those old time and how they both knew talking about them was not good for either of them at this point.  Lifting the mug again, he would finish off the beer with a sigh gently setting the pewter to wood with a soft thunk. "Damn good.â
"You want another? Â Or something to eat? Â Think Stephenâs got some stew on for a special tonight. Â And I promise it will be better than Jaineâs 'summer stoopâ,â the bitterness melted away from the barkeep as he already knew Erlainâs answer, the soft remorse of being a family of memories than blood.
A sad smile came to Candellâs face as he shook his head, âNo, I need to be getting back to the Church Iâm sure the brother have some work for me. Â I just figured Iâd stop in and say hello and how youâre doing.â Â An unspoken other reason left that way as he ran a finger again along the pewter mugs handle before easing his touch away from the warm metal.
âOf course, donât be a stranger sir. Â Youâre always welcome here.â Langston spoke tightly as he watched the old man nod and step back from the bar. Â He knew he was only a few streets over but he also knew he was just like the younger version to come by once in a blue moon. Â But he would always accept the Candells back when they came to his door, itâs what family is for.
âLight be with you, Reese.â Erlain spoke the prayer in his deep voice before smiling tightly to the barkeep and march back out the door he had only so recently come in from.
âAnd with you, Uncle Lain.â