Lightstar Family/Xarnelf/Roleplay 61
In the Aftermath of Tragedy
The blood drained from his face, and his jaw hung slack, as the news finally reached him on the path to Lenamaziel. His mouth began moving, almost as if to form some sort of reply or question to the young messenger, but no sounds came out. Abruptly and without a word, he dismounted and walked off the road, away from the courier, away from his men, away... without a destination in mind. He simply wanted to be alone.
Equally as shocked as his liege, Captain Mathias grabbed the messenger by the shoulders and shook him roughly. "Are you certain they hanged her?!"
In reply, the man grimaced and nodded, eyes downcast. Mathias finally released him and half-turned towards the noble, who had walked out towards the fields perhaps fifty yards by now. "How...how could... oh blessed Aenil... This can't be..." the captain muttered. Then he regained some semblance of control and turned to address the remaining soldiers.
"Carry on, lads. Continue to Ahael and home. We'll be along shortly..."
They nodded, not knowing what else to say, and trudged on, feeling much more weary than before. Mathias took the reins of his commander's horse and lead the animal off towards the solitary figure in the distance.
Eventually, the captain caught up with the noble, who had slumped down against the trunk of a tree, eyes staring vacantly off towards the horizon. Mathias tried to think of something to say, but words failed him, so he merely tied the horse and sat down beside the noble. He would observe their surroundings for a moment, then surreptitiously move his gaze back over to his liege, but Xarnelf's vacant expression never changed.
Mathias never thought he would miss the reckless hero who charged into battle with little care for his own safety, but he did now. At least he knew how to deal with that personality, whereas this new facet was entirely foreign to him. And so he sat there in silence, simultaneously hoping that his commander would snap out of his uncharacteristic daze soon, yet fearing the moment when the man's shock turned into anger, or perhaps something worse....
Even though he was home at last, Xarnelf still felt hollow and empty inside. He knew he should visit his family, but he felt too devastated still to do much more than try to sleep away the past week. The man had not eaten in days, and so his servants barely recognized him through his haggard appearance, as he entered his estates. Ignoring everyone, Xarnelf headed straight for his chamber to seek rest that probably would not come.
Mere moments after he had tossed his armor aside and sank onto his bed, eyes closed, his butler entered with a tray of bread, meats, and fruits.
"M'lord," the old man said quietly, "your sister's body has arrived at the Lightstar estates, and your father intends to hold the ceremony at dawn."
Sighing softly, the Duke responded, "Very well. Send word to Tharion and Luyten, and anyone else in Idapur who wishes to attend."
"There is another matter of slight concern, m'lord. Soliferum may lay siege to Ipsosez again, within a few days," the butler mentioned gravely, as he set the tray of foodstuffs down upon a side table. Xarnelf gritted his teeth in irritation at this news, eyes still closed.
"Wake me after half a candle has burned out. And tell Mathias to find me a new unit."
"Uhh, sire? Ten-score men??" Mathias asked dubiously, obviously concerned about his liege's mental stability at the moment.
"Do not make me repeat myself. I care not if you must empty out all the barracks in Idapur. We move out at sunset." Xarnelf narrowed his eyes as he perused the latest reports once more, while his stunned captain continued to stare in disbelief.
Then, Mathias slowly grinned. Now this was the insane hero that he much preferred to see, instead of the empty shell of a man that had been in his place for the past week. He could almost see the fiery glint in the noble's eyes again... almost...
