Reshnir moved quickly through the city. Heading to the home Delanori and Salees shared, he would leave the reporting in to the Sunrunner estate to others. He pauses at the door, his feet crunching on ice that had formed just outside the entrance. Frowning he pushed open the door, sticking his head in to glance around, and shivering at the chill that came from within. "Dela, Salees! What are you two doing in here?!"
He closed the door behind him, noting the chamber to his right was completely sealed off with ice. Moving through the house toward sounds emanating from the kitchen, he pulls his dagger as he approaches the door, pushing it open quickly and moving in. Dela raises a finger at him as she stands across the table from him, her concentration clearly on what she was still doing. Her fingers tracing raised letters in one of her spellbooks, the table covered with jars of powders, labeled with more of the raised lettering.
Resh shakes his head, his frown quickly replaced by a wide grin as he watches Dela work for a few moments. Dusting her hands free of the remaining components she looks in Resh's direction, a small smile on her lips. "You are late brother." She stands and moves around the table, her arms wrapping around him as she pulls him into a hug.
Reshnir returns her hug with a chuckle, "Better late than never dear Dela. Many of those I went with won't be going home at all." He shakes his head quickly to rid himself of their faces. "Where is Salees? Has she gone out shopping and left you alone to blow the house up? At least she was smart enough to seal up her room to try and save it before she left."
Dela pulled Resh closer, laying her head on his chest to hide her face. She takes a deep breath before answering, "Salees is dead Resh...She died a few days ago in her room. Some...A 'botani' came through one of the experimental portals they were opening. It infected her...She passed a few days ago."
Resh's arms drop from their embrace, he pushes Dela back by the shoulders holding her at arms length. His smile gone, his tone angry. "You...That...No." He lets go of her shoulders, "Stay here. I'll be back in a moment."
He moved out of the kitchen, through the small living area and to the room by the entrance. Pausing to place a hand flat against the ice, his breathing quickens, a flash of white and fel green fire erupts from his palm, leaving a puddle in the doorway. He hesitated, eyeing the small room. Taking a deep breath he walked slowly inside, arms at both sides, his palms facing behind him, fingers splayed as he entered, re-icing the entrance behind him. He moved to the chair by the bed, sitting slowly in it and placing his hands on the covers, his demeanor calm. He bows his head, beginning to pray.
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Dela sat at the kitchen table with a small sigh, she cringed as she heard and felt the holy and fel energy Reshnir used to shatter her barrier, frowning as she felt him reform it. That was knew, he'd never consciously used anything even remotely related to Ice.
She sat there for a few hours before getting up and clearing the table of her supplies, collecting various vegetables from the pantry and setting about cooking them. Jumping several times throughout the process as Resh continued to unleash various barrages of spells behind the curtain of ice. Managing to only cut herself once in the process. Eating quietly as she continued to listen to his bursts for several more hours. Listening to an hour of silence she reheats a portion of the food, taking it to the door. Removing the block with a whispered word she shakes her head as smoke begins to roll out. "Speak up, if you haven't killed yourself brother..."
Reshnir glances up from where he sat, in the ashes of what had once been Lady Salees' bed, his eyes rimmed in red, he speaks quietly, as one exhausted. "I told you...to stay there. I'll be back in a moment." He waves a hand dismissively.
Dela shakes her head as she moves toward the voice. "That was hours and hours ago big brother." She sits down in the ashes next to him, handing him the plate of food, which he woodenly takes. "It's time to come out. You've exhausted yourself...and you used that crystal you'd imbued with Fel essence as well. Much more...and you will kill yourself."
Reshnir picked at the food on the plate, eating a few pieces as he sat there, "The whole reason I came home was for you and Salees. Now half that reason is gone. She's the one who helped us Dela, when our parents died...when I hurt you. When I was so...Lost." He turns to stare at her, his eyes filled again with tears. "And I left you here alone with her too. How...I am sorry I wasn't here when you needed me. It seems that once more I've managed to let you horribly down."
Dela frowns as she listens, running her hands through his hair and removing chunks of charred furniture and ceiling as she found them. "You did your duty...Now that you're back, you will continue to do it. You are not to blame for even a third of the things you take onto yourself." She stands holding out her hand to help him up. "Now come. You need to go get cleaned up. Then I've an envelope for you."
Reshnir takes her hand, leaning heavily on her as his knees try to give out from under him. He hadn't realized just how weak his spellcasting had left him.
A short time later Reshnir sat at the kitchen table with Dela, wearing an outfit other than armor for the first time in months. He ate what was left of Dela's dinner while he stared at the seal on the envelope. An eight pointed star, four points contained within a circle while the other four extended beyond. The sigil of House Phepenos, of Lady Salees. He finished his meal, pushing his plate aside. He glances at his sister who sat tossing a ball of ice from hand to hand while she waited on him. They'd spoken briefly about the envelope, and the gentleman from the registry who had brought it, and about the mark that had showed up on Reshnir's shoulder.
"Alright then...here we go." He held the seal up to the mark on his shoulder, a small smile forming when he saw the sigil glow before the wax fell away. He read aloud, for Dela's sake.
This is the Last Will and Testament of Lady Salees Phepenos.
I dearly hope it's one of you Nah'mah'harin brats reading this and not the registry itself. For the purposes of the will, I would like to state that all my titles, and holdings will go to the person bearing my House mark. Should there be no such person it will pass into the holdings of the city and ruling government of Silvermoon.
Now on to the more important things. As I am sure that you will both outlive me I will address you both here. Delanori, You darling sell yourself short daily on your magical studies. Do not let them become neglected. Remember that being unable to see with your eyes, can give you vast insight into things others miss. Also, remember that I love you, as my own daughter.
Reshnir, my dear twiceborn child. Stop reading this aloud you idiot.
Reshnir clears his throat, returning to his reading in silence.
I know how you feel about us nobles child. I also hope that by now you have realized that you cannot hope to change a group that you are not a part of. In order for you to enact any of the change you hope to see in the noble caste, you must be a part of it, and start it. So I hope you can understand that I do not pass you my house, nor the title of Lord Phepenos so that you can 'restore the glory of my house'. It is so that you can do yourself, what you've to this point been looking for some other noble to do for you. I leave you only with this warning. Anything can create waves, they can be big, they can be small. The source of the wave, well it sinks dear. Be careful.
Reshnir folds the letter and will back up returning it to it's envelope. He stares at it for a few moments before giving a loud snort. "Lord of a broken House." He smiles and looks to Dela. "Do you think she -meant- to have her House be as broken as the person running it?"
Dela gives a small chuckle, "You mean -your- House brother? It isn't hers any longer...Least you already like the House colors..."
Resh shakes his head. "I need sleep...so do you. And it's -our- house." He makes an elegant bow, "Lady Delanori."
She chuckles and shakes her head, standing to give him a brief curtsy. "Lord Reshnir."
Reshnir cringes visibly, "Let's go to bed..."
