“Jack pulled the covers up, up past his chin so that only his eyes peeked out.” Riesse paused, glancing at each saucer eye’d face listening raptly to the spooky tale she wove.
“It came again. The sound, the eery call that made Jack shiver deep in his bones. ‘Whody Who.. Whoooody Whooo..’. Jack could barely blink because if he did, the thing that made the sound just might ease up the window pane and snatch him from his comfy bed. And what that thing was, Jack hadn’t a clue.”
“It’s a Whadjamacallit!” Petrapan called out, her hands clapping together as if she’d just won a prize. The other children seated cross legged turned their gaze to the tiny Goblin, her hair in pony tales, tied up with ribbons though one hung much lower than the other. Pet nodded, her head bobbing, the pony taled curls flopping. “I know’d it is.” And she pronounced this with only Pet like wisdom.
The children’s eyes turned back to Riesse for confirmation. With a gentle smile, Riesse shrugged, “Well, it could very well be. We’ll have to see now, won’t we.” And with a wink, she went on with the tale. “Jack’s fingers gripped his comfy blanket soooo tight they were almost as white as bones. He tried to be brave, he really did, as he remembered the words of his papa. ‘You can only over-come your fears if you face them, Jack.’ And Jack believed his papa so, he took a deep breath, shaking so hard he was sure the ‘thing’ would hear his knees clacking. Carefully, ooooohhh soooo carefully, Jack scouted the covers down, just to his chin mind you, so that he could peek out the window nearest to his bed. The window where the sound came from. The moon cast it’s light across the limbs of Jack’s favorite climbing tree sending their shadows dancing across his curtains. Those limbs looked just like gnarled fingers, bent and ready to pluck you from the safety of your warm bed. ‘I can do this. I can.’ Jack whispered to himself as he pushed the blanket farther so that he could push to his knees, easing himself to the window.”
“He better have one of Missus Ama’s fryin pans.” Oliver Witherbark, a pint-sized lad of four proclaimed very, very quietly. His deep, brown eyes wide and intent on Riesse’s face.
“Yeah, so him can thunk that Whadjamacalit!” Once more Pet interjected with her child-like wisdom. In her boots, two sizes too big with laces never tied, her toes wiggling, she went on, “Thunk him right on his head.”
“Pet, we don’t ‘thunk’ people....hmmm things...anything, on the head.” Riesse interject with just a hint of sternness in her tone.
“Uh huh. Ama thunks Mister Que on the behind all the time!” Pet scrambled upward, now standing, her hands on her hips. “She thunks him and says, “Thas a mighty fine bootay ya got there, gorgeous.” As if to emphasize her impression of Amannette Hardy, Pet wiggled her hips in what she thought was a sassy manner though in truth, she looked about to fall over. Wiggling her eyebrows in an absurd mock, Pet giggled. The giggles were infectious and soon all the children joined in, laughter echoing in the farm house.
Riesse found it hard to contain her mirth as she chastised, “Pet, that is not something to say...I mean..well, just hush and sit down young lady or I will not finish the story.” At hearing the threat, Pet plopped to her bottom once more. The smell of cinnamon and apple cider tickled their noses as once more the children fell silent to listen.
“Now, Jack managed to make it to the window. Peering out into the deep dark, he searched for the creature that had made the noise. ‘Whody Whoooo’, the sound came again and this time, it seemed much, MUCH closer. Jack’s heart pounded in his chest. He was sure the creature could hear it. Still, the words of his papa rang louder so Jack reached for the window, easing it up just a tad.” Again Riesse paused, a small grin on her face as she took in the rapt faces. Piquette Hardy had snuggled much closer to her brother, Raj, her petite hand tucked in his as both children listened. Baby Thad had fallen asleep, cradled in his sister’s arms as she gently rocked him, listening to the story Riesse spun. Love surged within Riesse’s heart as her gaze fell upon each child’s face. There were so many now. Many orphans though some from families that took refuge on the farm, making it their home.
“Jack took a deep breath,” Riesse went on, her tone low as she bent her head closer to the children. “And he eased that window up, just a scant bit. After all, if the creature did try to leap in, he’d be ready. It took only a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness and he peered this way and that, searching. ‘Whody Whooooo. Whooodddyyy Whoooo.’, the call came again and Jack scrambled backward, his head thumping against the window frame. He frowned, rubbing over sore spot as he shook his head a bit. ‘Come on, Jack. There’s no reason to be afraid.’ Jack whispered to himself. Still, it did take him a minute or so to creep back to the opened window and look out again.
And he saw it then. Rather, saw them. Gleaming gold eyes peering at him. Jack swallowed tightly, never blinking as he watched those eyes coming closer and closer. Ja-”
“Ahhhhh!! It’s gonna get him! It’s gonna gobble his innards!” Pet scrambled up again, bobbing this way and that as if she was about to high tail it out of the farm house. “The Whadjamacallit is gonna git him now!”
“What in tarnation is all the ruckus?” Ama asked as she rounded the corner from the kitchen, flour specked across her nose and smeared along her forehead. Hands wiping on her apron, a single brow arched slowly upward, “Riesse... what are you up to?” she asked as she took in the bouncing Goblin and the children’s eyes wide with fear.
“The Whadjamacallit is gitting Jack! Him gonna eat his innards! Get a fry pan, quick!” Pet skittered to Ama’s side, tugging on the apron.
Ama blinked, her arm wrapping around the bouncing Goblin’s shoulders, “The WHAT is What?” She frowned, peering at Riesse again, “Scary stories? Before bed time? Riesse....ugghh. You kno-”
“I gittin a fryin pan now!” Pet flew to the kitchen in search of the weapon.
Riesse’s chin lifted, a feigned look of innocence plastered on her face. “It wasn’t a ‘scary’ story. It was...it was one of facing your fea-- uhmm of bravery. Yes, bravery and daring deeds.”
Ama’s now some-what clean hands fell easily to her hips as she starred down Riesse. “Uh huh. Some how I doubt that.” She paused, hushing the children, tsking as she touched each cheek. “Now YOU can see them all home and put them EACH to bed, Riesse Starsinger Dracone.”
From deep in the corner of the room, Pique Hardy, better known as Que, stepped toward his wife. “Lemondrop has now been sentenced to a fate worse than death, love.” He snickered softly, a deep rumbling in his wide chest and tossed a wink in Riesse’s direction as his muscled arm encircled his wife’s waist. “I don’t think she’ll survive.” Even as he uttered the words, Que knew without a doubt that Riesse would do that very thing. Each child would be escorted home in the wagon Riesse would call for. Each child tucked in, their favorite toy snuggled close and blankets pulled all the way up. He knew too that on this night as on every other, before she found her own bed, Riesse would wind her way around the farm. She’d check every house and every barn, making sure that those under her care were safe and sound. And while she’d deny it to her end, she’d done it a hundred times over. They were hers. They were the ones she loved most and called family. Before she took the winding path to the lonely manor on the hill, Riesse would make sure every lantern was lit so that those who were lost might find there way home. For Riesse believed that home was were the heart truly lay and every heart deserved a place to call home.
Riesse sniffed with righteous indignation as she rose gracefully from the ‘fat-bottom’ chair she’d been curled up in. “Fine. Que, send for the wagon. I’ll see the scoundrels home then, since I’m not wanted here.” With those words, she returned the wink Que had given her earlier and began to gather the children around her. Managing to place an arm around every child’s shoulders, she ushered them to the porch to await the wagon. As it rolled up, wheels crunching the gravel below, she smirked and helped the children into the back before tossing a kiss to Que and Ama as they stood watching from the porch. “Perhaps we’ll have an adventure on the way home, children.” Riesse called loud enough for Ama and Que to hear. She watched as Ama shook her head and heard from somewhere within the farm house, “Watch out for the Whadjamacallit, Momma!!” And following Pet’s yell, “No adventures, Riesse!”, Ama hollered as the wagon rolled slowly on it’s way, her arm lifted in a wave.
“But doll, LIFE IS an adventure!” And Riesse’s musical laughter floated back, curls of white lifted by the breeze. Faintly heard when the laughter died down were these words, “Did I ever tell you the tale of the man with no heart...”
The light rap of knuckles against her door drew Riesse's eyes from the gift she held tenderly in her hand. A missive lay beside her on one of the many pillows.
"Enter."
The door pushed slowly open as He'rona's head peeked in as if to verify the bid to enter.
"He'rona. Come in. I am awake."
"I saw the glimmer of light beneath your door. Are you well?" The larger woman with close cropped hair stepped inside, eyes curious and concerned.
Riesse smiled softly, her tone as she answered gave little away though the weariness in it could not be contained. "I am, thank you. I was merely thinking."
"Your thoughts must be troubling or deep if once again your eyes fail to close despite the dark circles underneath them." He'rona made her way across the small expanse of the room where ordinarily the lights lit every corner. Tonight, the blonde in the bed looked small, fragile, a single burning light on a table near the bed. He'rona knew that was not the case in truth.
This apartment at the top of the Registry was her home away from home. The place she retreated to when she was too worn to make it home.
The smile Riesse gave was an attempt to ease the worry her guard seemed to hold. The words of the letter ringing in her mind 'I do not wish you to fret about me, worry or forget.' "I am fine, truly." Riesse subtly changed the subject then, "Were you able to procure the item I ordered?"
"I did. I've got it here. It's rather...odd." He'rona stepped to the edge of the bed as the magi sat up a little straighter, reaching out a hand. The leather pouch at her side was opened and He'rona drew out a small black box, passing it to her mistress.
Carefully Riesse lifted the lid, her eyes brightening as the contents came into view. A soft gasp of delight trickled from her as she lifted the item from within, Turning it this way and that, Riesse's eyes drank in the tiny creation. "For a first rendering I find it adorable."
Lovingly, she tucked the object back into it's 'home' for now, her laughing eyes lifting once more to her guard's face.
"Yes, well..will there be anything else, my lady?"
"No, I believe I can rest now. The time grows quite late indeed."
"Yes, my lady and as some say, 'time waits for no man', or woman, as the case may be." He'rona dipped her head in a semblance of a bow and made her way from the room, shutting the door tightly behind her.
Riesse once more opened the lid on the black box containing the gift she would send if things went as she hoped. Placing the crafted object on the pillow next to the treasure laying there already, she smiled gently, "You may not be crafted of gold and jewels but, you're perfect." He'rona's words came back to her and she continued speaking as softly as her lids fluttered slowly, lashes fanning over her cheeks. "Perhaps time does not wait for any man but, maybe, just maybe, this one will be worth waiting for. One can hope..."
(This report can be used ICLY by any Magistrate, Blood Knight or Farstrider. Please notify oocly if you intend to use it so that all parties involved are aware)
Case number: R1A: Subject/Victim: Lord Kornayl Valorcrest.
Person(s) of Interest: Unknown female, Unknown Orc male.
Details: Attempted murder, Assault with a deadly weapon, battery upon the person of a Noble, An act of violence within the City limits, Leaving the scene of a crime, Disturbing the peace.
Case Status: Closed. Subject is believed to have fled the area/lack of substantive evidence/leads.
The report would bear her Legist seal and be filed in the case closed section of the vault.
Riesse paused, her pen lifting from the page a bit to brush across her eyes. Gone was the light in her icy green eyes, gone was the smile that more often than not lifted the corners of her lips upward. No smirk danced, hovering to be given with a wink.
I have to put to paper, the occurrences of the last few days. To sort out the emotion of it all. To make sense of the senseless in some way. The convolution and conjecture swirling and mixing needs to be set straight for me to deal with it and put it in the past. Then, when they come to me with questions, perhaps, -perhaps- I can find the words to offer some answers to the questions that have no answers. People will assume what they wish, they always do but, the truth of it all will remain locked away with those that know it.
Her pen shook as her hand trembled and again, she lifted it from the page briefly as she took a deep breath.
Jahaerys is gone. He called out to us, over the comm. begging us to come to him. The raw, aching pain in his voice was something even the comm.'s distance and mechanical tincture could not disguise.
Voltos's and Rook's faces had to be reflections of my own as we neared the manor. Solemn, already knowing instinctively that the end was just inside the massive door that stood open.
The man barely stood on his own and when he entered the great hall, what held him up failed. He crumbled, his once mighty and proud countenance gone. The illusion of youth no longer held in place by magic, deep lines were like rivers engraved in his face. Once bright and intelligent eyes held only emptiness and sorrow now, a contradiction of all that life was. His body frail, wasted away by his practices. He was crippled by the life he'd spent and his pain evident.
"She is gone. I want to join her..."
Jah managed to utter those words, a last breath, if you will, of an already dying man. His eyes, they will haunt me to my dying day. They begged us, as friends in some form and manner, a family that had formed around him when none of his was left. His eyes begged us to end his torment.
"Fire.... let there be nothing of me that remains....please, Gods please end this torment..."
For a moment, I shut my ears to the sound of his pleas. I refused to hear, refused to believe. I knew his words were truth. Ace was gone though no official word had yet to be released. I knew it with my entire being for the truth that it was. She had lost hope, given up and given in. The betrayal, the missing files, the whispering of secrets that would rip us all apart was more than she could bear. In the end, she lost the will to fight, to -try- as she sank back into the pit of despair that was her past. There would be no third chance and she knew it.
In that moment, looking into Jah's eyes as he begged us to take his life when he had not the strength to do so, my heart turned to stone. Cold, empty and devoid of life and though I shook my head, rebuking his request, I knew what I had to do. What we three must do for a man we respected and loved.
I grit my teeth, looking to Rook's face as the withered hand of Jahaerys reached out, lifting from the cold stone floor in his direction. I have rarely seen my brothers eyes so cold, so hard and yet filled with pure, unadulterated pain. He gave a simple nod and moved to Jah with a glance to me. His blade was swift, the movement barely seen as he spoke in a reverent whisper.
"Go in peace, go in love, your memory will remain in our hearts, friend."
Jahaerys's face eased then, a smile replacing the anguish. Peace settled over him and his hand brushed across Rook's face as his eyes turned to me, his last request, one that only I could fulfill.
I don't recall the steps that took me to his side, or the stone that bit into my knees as I knelt, my hand on his chest. I don't remember if I looked away from his eyes at all.
"Stars guide you, friend. May you find the peace you longed for in this life. Tell my sister, I forgive her and love her. Her secret will be kept. Go in peace. I forgive."
We walked away, the flames licking the walls and none of us looked back.
When Bels told me of the letter, the death of Ace having been finally revealed, I screamed against it, railing at the finality I already knew. For one single moment, I wanted to believe it wasn't true. That the betrayal hadn't happened. But, it had and they were gone. Two people that I had given my heart to were no more in this world. We would keep their memories in our hearts, their final days locked away from the world and in doing so, the world would not see that darkness but only the light that both of them bestowed but, could not see for themselves. People would talk, would whisper and make conjectures about the why of it, the senselessness of it all but, they will never know the truth of what happened, that was my charge, our gift to Jahaerys and Acalinia. They would go in peace, finally.
Riesse shut her journal softly, with the pages closed, the cover sealed, she locked away the past once more and the secrets it contained.
