Eluvianna frowned, still watching the figure repeat its absurd wobbles. It was a simple cantrip, though its charm had quickly begun to needle at the conversation.
“Did you know him?” Her curiosity bloomed, leaving the tiny knight to perform its nonsense without audience.
“Mhmm.” The Lord set the book aside. “He was your mother’s knight.”
She blinked. “But…I thought you were!”
Dacian laughed, though it was kind. “Oh, my little star, I am no knight.” With a wink, he patted the tome. “Your father was always a scholar. Always.”
Of course, now there would only be more questions.
Taking a breath, he would begin. A fairytale, though not one found in any tome at Everheart manor.
“Once upon a time, very long ago, your mother was promised to another. Sir Goldenknight. He would offer her…” He glanced around the study, shoulders heavy. “A different sort of life.”
Memory carefully threaded through the words. “And perhaps, well, it might have made her truly happy.”
But Eluvianna could not imagine her mother truly happy. “Where is he now?”
Dacian looked away, leaning palms to knees.
“Sir Goldenknight was taken long ago—it is why we visit the Scar.” His eyes returned. “Very carefully.”
She had only ever seen it standing at her father’s back, at the edge of the ruin that split through the gild of Eversong. His hand barring even a single step closer. The undead still wandered the rot, unseen, their howls carried on the gales. And there he would stand, as he always did, looking out over the darkness. Quiet. Reverent.
“But,” Dacian continued, “Sometimes we are given more than just one knight.”
He smiled, brushing her cheek. “Or scholar.”
“Some stories have one,” he went on. “Two. More, even—or, none at all.”
“Sometimes a knight AND a scholar…” she added proudly.
“Yes, very good, Eluvianna.” He chuckled. “But we must not forget, our story is still our own. And there is no shame if we do not find it in any book.”
“I’ve never heard Mother tell hers...”
“Well, she was never one for fairytales.” He sighed. “But Sir Goldenknight…he was much more than just a story. Armane was my brother.”
Dacian allowed the words to rest.
“Tell me, Eluvianna, what would you like your story to be?”
“Mother would like me to be a proper Lady…” The reply came a bit unsure.
“Mhmm, mhmm. Do you think that sounds nice?”
“Sometimes.” She wrinkled her nose. “But knights, that part...they’re so stuffy and serious!”
Dacian laughed, a little louder this time. Finally, he nudged her shoulder with a secret, “Fortunately, not *all* of them are.”
“I think…I’d rather have a scholar. And a library.” There was a half smile as she returned the nudge.
As another thought came, she bit her lip, gaze now distant. “But all Mother sees…”
The Lord's face softened with sentiment. “Well, your father sees your story as much, much more.”
“A constellation.” He swept a hand, as if conjuring the night sky. “An adventure, full of stars. Each with their own special light.”
“Scholars, knights—” He squinted one eye, voice slipping into a rougher tone, “maybe even a pirate.”
They shared a laugh before Dacian raised a stern brow.
“But, this I know:” He gave Eluvianna a knowing look over his spectacles. “Stars are only truly happy when they are free to shine. Together. Side by side.”
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