[RP] Home

This is where the Kingdom of Fenia's main Inn is.

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Zuan
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Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:20 pm

[RP] Home

Post by Zuan »

There was silence in the forest, the summer days were slowly drawing to an end, yet winter was still far from the minds of men, and equally from the forest. Within the countless trees lived numerous forms of life, deer, bear, fox and wolf, and far more beyond that. Yet as day broke upon the land there was naught to be heard in the small green clearing just on the outskirts of the Northen Fenian manor which was the private home to the Winterbourne family. This land like all within the boundaries belonged to the Winterbourne family and as such all the game within, the trees, the roots and herbs that were often used for potions and treatments also belonged to them. However due to the lack of any major cities in Northern Fenia the land was rarely at risk from poaching or plundering, and those who lived and worked in the fields and villages that surrounded the Winterbourne estate and fortifications did so under the protection of the family and it’s soldiers. As it stood those soldiers carried the crest of the crowned wolf to signify that as it stood the Winterbourne house was the current ruling family within all of Fenia.

Yet that had not always been the case and in truth these lands which the Winterbourne’s now claimed as their own were once held by others. It had not been until the great partitioning of the land which saw the creation of new holdings, viscounties, baronies and counties which granted old and new nobles alike territory of their own. To hold. To protect. To utilize for the good of Fenia. The King had specifically taken Northern Fenia for his own, preferring the quiet Northern lands and forests to the busier cities of the capitol and Imperius, and likewise of the smaller, yet still busy port towns of Rome and Athena. These lands were quiet and good for hunting, however they had other uses. Northern Fenia’s lands were fertile and thus much of the grain and fodder that supplied the rest of the nation came from these lands, and thus under the laws of feudalism he saw great income from these goods into the dukedoms coffers. Not to mention with adequate defense he could protect the villages without spending thousands on guards like at the capitol. No Northern Fenia was truly the King’s home and hobby. Yet as ruling came to his calling so did leaving his home for the capitol and the dealings with his council and the nobility which came to have risen in the lands of Fenia. Those political games however were far less complicated than the reality of the Winterbourne house.

With the crown came turmoil and disagreement, and the breaking of this same family that ruled. While he remained, it was his siblings he lost. One dead. Two estranged from his company. One missing presumed dead. It was complicated, yet he knew as well as anyone else that to fix that problem would require time and effort. And thus deciding to leave the council in the hands of his Viceroy for several weeks he had returned to Northern Fenia and while doing so he sent letters to both his remaining siblings, inviting them to join him in Northern Fenia, away from the world and the eyes and instead to try and rekindle what had been lost. His duty was to the crown. Yet his heart was to his family. And at one time he had failed to balance duty and love. He would now have the near impossible task of rectifying that mistake. However if he did not attempt he knew the guilt would no doubt swallow him whole.

Thus, as the sun rose the silence of the forest was breached by the sound of hooves, rumbling like an earthquake, disrupting the peace of the fields and the forest as deer and other forms of creature ran to cover and shelter further within the thick woods. However the riders were not interested in game, no they were riding to, if reports were correct, to meet at the border family. There were nine riders in all, seven were guards. Clad in plate armour covered by by a hauberk dyed white and sewn into the chest was the crowned Winterbourne wolf sigil, which was also reflected upon the shields they carried. Also rode the steward of the estate, who looked after the affairs for the family while they were away. He was an old fellow, greyed in hair and withered in stature, yet his voice remained calm at all times. The man had been a close friend of their fathers and it only seemed right in the mind of Zuan Winterbourne that it should be he who looked after their estates given his loyalty to their family. The final rider was of course the King himself, Zuan Winterbourne. He wore black breeches and black leather riding boots which were tinted with gold embroidery which had become somewhat stained during the ride through some of the muddier roads that surrounded the boarder of his lands. Along with this was a black leather jerkin and a velvet halfcape which covered his left shoulder and the sheath of his sword that he carried at all times, given there was always chance for trouble. The sword was steel with a silver guard engraved with the family moto and the pommel was crafted into a wolfs head, with the eyes made of small rubies to provide a more visual effect. His hair was of medium length and billowed somewhat in the morning breeze as they rode at pace to the border, however they would make good time. And as they finally arrived at the border they waited, situated upon a small hill to give them clear sight across the threshold to see for any riders, carriages or movement upon the border and the hopeful arrival of family. His expression was calm, yet inside he truly did worry that this was all for naught and neither sister would heed his request to meet in the lands they once all called together ‘home’.
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High King of The Fenians - Brother to Dahlia, Ambra, Trinity, Sera & Zhou
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Dahlia
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Re: [RP] Home

Post by Dahlia »

For the hundredth time, Dahlia read the writing on the parchment in her hands and found the words to be exactly the same as the last time. A request, not a command, to meet the King of Fenia. Her brother. A man she once looked up to and adored above all others. And then, over three years ago now, everything changed. The family, their relationships, her entire world.

She shifted her gaze out the window to the beautiful day outside. Warm. Sunny. Calm. The faintest hint of a breeze to cool and keep the air moving. So unlike her inner turmoil.

Ever since the falling out, any exchanges were… less than pleasant. Downright hostile at times. Not surprising, all things considered.

She didn't have to acquiesce or respond. She could very well ignore it. A part of her wanted to. Why bother reopening old wounds? Her family already surrounded her in this house; Eva, Xaphan, Trevelyn (the newest addition), and of course Evan. How, through all the ups and downs, they managed to overcome them and decide to try again still baffled her.

Of course, there was her sister, whom she loved fiercely, Andrelous and Nocturne, among others. Dahlia already had family. So why?

Because, much as she hated it in the past, ignored it, denied it, Zuan was her brother. Her blood. Once upon a time, they’d been a family. Over the years the dynamic changed, they’d lost people, but were always there for each other. Some memories refused to be pushed aside or forgotten.

Sighing, Dahlia got to her feet. She walked through the stone walls of her house, aware Mrs. Brown was currently with the children. But none of them were the one she needed. It was Evan she sought. No, they weren’t married, but old habits die hard and she didn’t make it habit of keeping secrets from her significant other.

Once she found him, the discussion was mercifully short and went over better than expected. He only asked her to ride Lucy. His horse. His Hell-horse. The one who hated everyone aside from her. Which meant he attempted to bite, kick, trample, or otherwise maim anyone he saw fit, up to and including Evan. This earned the archdemon a look of displeasure from Dahlia because she knew that was exactly why he insisted on her riding Lucy, but he remained undeterred.

And so, a few hours later, the young woman found herself atop the large, proud, jet black stallion, making their way toward Northern Fenia. People admired the pair as they passed. Lucy stood taller than most horses. His black coat, mane and tail were glossy and shone in the sun. The equally cared for black saddle and matching headstall, edged with gold and intricately tooled, looked elegant and flawless. Dahlia’s colors contrasted in every way. Light blonde curls. Sky blue eyes. Skin the color of fresh milk and just as smooth. The color of her clothing remained in light jewel tones. Nothing dark. Gold was the only color they shared. They were striking together, even if his size all but dwarfed her already petite form.

Admittedly, Lucy’s company was different than that of a horse and she silently thanked Evan for that. It meant she wasn’t entirely alone. He couldn’t speak but he understood perfectly, and the lack of words didn’t stop him from vocalizing through body language. He pranced when he was happy or to show off, tossed or shook his head to answer her questions. Pinned his ears back and snapped his teeth whenever someone got too close to either of them, to which Dahlia threatened not to feed him treats in response. He relented. A little. At least he didn’t take any hands off.

It took several days to reach their destination. On the morning of the meeting, Dahlia dressed with care. It shouldn’t have mattered but it did. She selected a gown the same shade of blue as her eyes, a delicate, feminine design in gold worked into the fabric. The inner and outer layers were either a shade lighter or darker blue. The sleeves, neckline and bodice were all edged in gold as well. Deft fingers worked her wealth of blonde hair into a braid which ended low on her back. The only concession she made in terms of jewelry was a necklace Evan gave to her two, perhaps three years ago that reflected the seasons within the pendant. Her fingers, wrists and ears remained bare.

Soon enough, Dahlia and Lucy laid eyes upon the retinue waiting for them. She reined him to a halt and just… looked at the figures on horseback, picking her brother out easily. She could still turn away. Zuan would know, of course. Their vantage point meant they’d likely already been spotted. But to come this far and turn back now seemed a waste.

Lucy pawed the ground impatiently, sensing her agitation. “Behave,” Dahlia warned and got a crow hop for her trouble. She let him dance a moment or two before loosening the reins to let him break into a rolling lope the rest of the way up the hill. Since he seemed intent to plow right through the group, Dahlia pulled his head down until he came to a prancing stop. Stubborn beast.

Her hands and body managed the unruly Hell-horse, but those blue eyes were all for Zuan. “Brother,” she greeted him. So much meaning, expectation and implication behind one simple word.
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Zuan
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Re: [RP] Home

Post by Zuan »

He could see off into the distance from the point of the hill a black spec appear in the distance which slowly grew bigger as the thing came closer. Yet as the creature came closer it was clear to the eye that it was not one being but two, and the blonde hair most certainly gave it away, even if it did appear she was riding a horse that even from distance gave of the vibe of unnatural being. Yet this did not exactly concern him, after all, she had many reasons to be sceptical of his invitation and no doubt this beast through power, will, magic or a combination of, would no doubt see her safely home if any harm arose.

As the beast finally reached the summit of the hill and Dahlia slowed it to a stop, it was once again made clear of it’s unnatural size, he was sat upon his own War Horse, a powerful black beast built for combat and riding, yet even it, large as it was paled in comparison to the horse his sister was riding. He said nothing however, as his focus by the time she had reached the hill was entirely on her and her own persons. Those within his party remained still and silent upon their beasts, as if silent witnesses to this most unusual of events. As she spoke, that one weighted word, he looked across the small distance between her and deep into her eyes. His hair gently blew in the wind, but even then the wind did not seem to make a sound as her words crossed the gap between them, and equally he responded with a word of equal length and weight.
”Sister” He let the word hang for but a moment, yet recognised that given that this was his invitation to her, and also to Ambra that he should likely say more than a single word.

Remaining atop the horse, he kept one gloved hand upon the rein and the other gently shifted to adjust the half cape across his shoulder that much like his hair fluttered lightly in the breeze.
”I give you welcome dearest sister back to the lands of your home. Not least am I most grateful for agreeing to his meeting, but equally so I am grateful to once again see the face of family. While I recognise there is much difficulty in the gap, so small as it is here, between us. I do indeed hope that today can be the first step to repair our relationship.” He said calmly, as he watched her with interest for even the most minute of reactions to his words. “I have also sent a letter to our dear sister Ambra, in the hopes that she might join us to upon this occasion. Among my party here are but a few guards and our house steward Mr. Clarke. He worked for our father, and since then he has helped keep our lands running smoothly.” The gentleman tilted his head in polite gesture and welcome to Dahlia, before the King continued. ”So dearest sister, how does this world find you and yours, in that time since we so long ago last spoke freely?” He said with a slight smile, welcome to wait upon the hill for a short while longer in the event their sister was indeed planning to show upon the hill also.
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High King of The Fenians - Brother to Dahlia, Ambra, Trinity, Sera & Zhou
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Ambrosia
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Re: [RP] Home

Post by Ambrosia »

The lone Fenian foot soldier weathered through the unpredictable peasant towns weather. He took care to shield himself from the hail, and even continued onward through the sheets of rain. Once he got to the last rumored home of Ambra, there was no question that his presence was not welcomed. Between the force of the tornado-like wind that tried to propel him away to the precarious animalistic eyes that watched him in the trees. The cats meows echoed at an alarming rate, but he still managed to get to the door of a modest cottage. He isn't quite sure how he was able to now that he thought back of it. The horse he had ridden was long lost in the thick forest, and now that he waited outside the door.. The menagerie the ex-politician kept outside her home was evident. As if they closed him to the oak of the door with their claws barred.

Ambrosia didn't answer the door, instead a child of ten or eleven did. Everyone knows Ambra left with a baby, but .. the pattern of aging was off. The child shouldn't have been this old already in normal standards. "Randah, step away from the door dear. Stately business, go play in your room." The words whispered in the air, before he saw the woman he had been charged to deliver the word to. The child startled runs away from the door only the for the solider to be met with the exiled princess of the court. And the crossbow that had cleverly been aimed toward his family jewels. "State your business. Zuan's fodder isn't welcome here." Short and to the point, gone was the softness he once remembered she had.

Still as cordial as he could be, he bowed down and presented her with the letter. A shaky hand indeed, that she plucked the letter from. "Mm. I see. I'm supposed to be bothered to do what exactly?" Ambra begrudgingly spoke. Each word coated with an extra lair of salt & ice. The Fenian soldier cleared his voice trying hard to figure out how he would survive this situation. Surely food out here was sparse, and he didn't want to be served as a main dish. "Your sister will be there." He piped in as she seemed to stare through him for an explanation. The woman opposite of him scoffed bitterly and rolled her eyes to the Mages above. The audacity of this guard. "Mhmm. What about Cara? Hm oh yes, what about our older brother Razen?" Ambra retorted with an icy smirk. "I hope you return back to Fenia under these conditions, and when you do..." The raven-haired woman pushed the opened letter into his chest forcefully. "Tell him to shove this letter up his arse." The harshness of the encounter had the guard feel the slashes on his cheek from a chill in the air that didn't exist. With that the door was slammed into his face, causing him to stumble backwards.

"But mother, Aunt Dahlia will be there." Piped the youthful replica of her, which caused Ambrosia to turn slowly. Most of the callousness had vanished from her face replaced with a pensive look.

"That is what the man said, didn't he?"
"You should go."
"Why ever would I do that? Who will watch you?"
"Deliver a hardtack to the king's face after you hug Aunt Dahlia."

Ambra snorted as her steps lead her closer to her child, placing an easy kiss to their temple. "Smart."

-----------------------------------------------------

Home was just as she remembered it to be as she paused far enough away to admire it from afar. From a distance it was groomed for the king's preference, she could tell. Raven curls stirred as she glanced up to the trees, "Leave me." The woman's voice carried off into the air magically caressing the leaves of the trees, which seemed to cast the animals within them back North from whence she had came. The woman's figure blinked away making her direct presence there questionable, but then she just merely.. appeared. It made her appearance random as she stood next to both siblings atop of their siblings. Quietly tightening the gloves on her hand, flexing her fingers to keep her temper under control for now.

Years ago, she wouldn't have thought the mages would bring them here. In the three different scenarios that guided their hand, and for a split second she regrets her impulsive decision to show herself. Too late to turn back, she proudly lifts her head to her sister's direction first. A genuine smile spread across her dry pale pink lips, "Dahlia, you look marvelous." Ambra stated proudly, before her expression deadpanned in the direction of their brother. "Zuan."
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