Lightstar Family/Xarnelf/Roleplay 62

Little Ada?

"Milord! News from Idapur!" the courier called out as he galloped up the long line of marching infantry. He expertly reigned in his horse after reaching the head of the column, where Xarnelf rode slowly.

"Yes?"

"A new knight has announced her intentions to join the war and lead men into battle!" he announced excitedly, trying to catch his breath. He continued after a brief moment. "She claims to be your cousin, milord."

This caused the hero's eyebrows to raise considerably in surprise, as he wondered at who it could be. "Her name?"

"Adaria, milord."

"Adaria... Adaria... no, it cannot be... Little Ada?" the Duke mused softly to himself, deep in thought. The last time he had seen her, the girl was naught but six winters old. He might have noticed her at the funeral, standing with his uncle, had he not been so introverted and preoccupied with depression throughout the entire ceremony. Turning to the messenger, Xarnelf ordered, "Send word to the bureaucrats. Adaria is to be a Knight of Idapur, henceforth."

As the courier rushed back to the capital, the hero smiled softly, deep in thought. So little Ada was not so little any more, it seemed. Well then, he would have to see about her training with the blade. After hearing of this latest news, a small weight felt lifted from his heavy heart, but Xarnelf immediately reminded himself of his loss, and dove anew into a fresh wave of heart-wrenching agony, so that he would never forget his new objective and purpose.