#Mention: Juden Riverwind

[houseildanan]

In Which He Prepares Brunch

The oven door latched with a soft click and he straightened, surveying the stovetop, the pans and pots on the burners, the counters with the cutting boards marked with the juice from the fruit he’d cut and the butcher block surface dusted with traceries of flour and bits of pastry trimmed off to even out edges.  The pastries were not a usual project, but this morning it felt right to make some even as he tended to more savory fare to accompany them.  A proper brunch seemed right this morning, despite everything.

Perhaps because of everything.

“It smells good in here,” his commander’s voice said from the doorway.  The red-headed woman stepped into the kitchen, glancing around and finding them alone.  “When did you get back?”

“About an hour ago,” he said.  “I stopped in the market before I came back.  I hope you don’t mind.”

“Knowing how well whatever you brought back will serve morale?  No, never.”  She joined him at the stove, reaching over the pots and skillets he tended for the one of coffee set at the back to stay warm.  Her glance in his direction held the very vaguest hint of concern.  “What emergency sent your wife here to fetch you back at half past one in the morning?  You didn’t have to come back so quickly.”

He frowned briefly, using a spatula and a firm hand to toss some sizzling greens in their pan.  “What makes you think it was Seni?”

She favored him with a level look tempered by a wry smile.  “There is a very particular flavor to Senithvia Dra’zar’s magic that I am more than well acquainted with, Tyr.”  She filled a mug and then settled the coffee pot back into place.  “Come on now.  Are we going to do this dance?”

One corner of his mouth kicked into a grin as wry as hers.  “That depends on you.”

She stepped away, sinking into one of the chairs at the table, one that creaked even under her relatively slight weight.  Age and the temperatures were starting to wear on so much up here.  So much would need replacing and repair if they were to stay for much longer, to make everything into a proper garrison.  They both knew that—his commander better than most, since her contingent of Alliance forces was the most likely to remain on-station here even if the Crusade moved on.

She took a sip of coffee, her brow arching.  “Does it?”

He shrugged and turned away, checking the hash.  “It wasn’t Seni.”

“Then who?  And why?”

“My nephew.”

It took a moment for her to catch his meaning, but he knew it had registered as soon as he heard her mug against the table, rattling slightly in a way that suggested she’d hastily set it down.  The chair creaked as she leaned forward, almost but not quite rising.  “Is everything—”

“Everything’s fine,” he soothed.  “Honestly, they didn’t really even need me there, I think.”

“You wouldn’t have forgiven yourself if you hadn’t been.”

He stared down at the stove, at the array of cooking vessels and food he’d begun preparing.  It was probably too much, but better too much than not enough.  The urge to do it was half habit and half therapy.  As bitter as some of the memories were, far more were good.

His eyes stung.  “You’re right,” he murmured.  “I wouldn’t have.”

“Still, that doesn’t explain why you’re already back.  Unless…?”

He laughed.  “She told me to and some habits in that regard die hard.  Orders are orders, right?”

“Everyone’s healthy?”

“She and the baby, yes,” he said, shaking his head.  “Everyone else may be in some kind of altered state, but she said it was fine and I trust her to know.  Told me not to borrow trouble when she shooed me off.  I was glad to have been there, though.”

“I’m certain she was, too.  You’re as much her brother as her actual brothers.”

Tyr laughed quietly, eyes stinging, but he nodded.  “I suppose you’re right.  She’s seemed to collect those over the years.”

“Tyr, if you want to—”

“No,” he said gently, reaching for the coffee pot to pour himself a mug.  “No, Commander.  She’s right, my place is here right now.  I have a job to do until you and the Crusade find someone who can do it better or until I’m actuallyneeded back there.  They know where to find me, how to find me.  I write when I can.”

“Did you leave them breakfast, too?”

He barked another laugh, reaching up to wipe the tears from his eyes.

“What do you think?”

In answer to that, she simply smiled.

#Tyrvarden Kindaer Grimstryke #tales from the front #Argent Crusade #Jude Auroran #Mention: Wyn Ilthyrii #Mention: Senithvia Dra’zar #Northrend #World of Warcraft #Mention: Juden Riverwind #Wyrmrest Accord #RP #fiction #WrA #WoW #Resolute Blades #Age of Blood #Retribution of Arathor

[wynilthyrii]

A letter to Anthus Steelshatter - 11 December

[This letter is written on good parchment in dark ink. It is sealed in charcoal gray wax bearing the seal of House Ilthyrii of Quel’thalas.]

Dear Anthus,

At the outset, I must apologize for my lack of communication, though I’m certain you understand.  A great deal has happened since we saw each other last, and hopefully this note will catch you up on some of the more important bits of that.  I don’t precisely have much opportunity to come to Dalaran as one might (or might not?) hope, but I do plan to be there in the next day or two, which of course brings me to the reason for this letter—beyond, of course, letting you know as much.

I plan to meet with your sister-in-law regarding the expedition she has been called upon to assemble.  I do not know if you or your wife have involvement in it, but it seems my son will.  Juden is fifteen now, nearly sixteen, and is well beyond his years when it comes to his studies thanks to some truly incredible teachers that he has been blessed to work with these past several years.  I do not know what ultimately made her think of him, but the invitation has been extended and I suspect that he would not forgive me if I told him he could not go.

In the old days, of course, I would have simply asked to come along, but my current duties in the Everlight, among other things, preclude that as an option.  I will be having some strong words with Commander Frost to ensure his safety.  A political consideration to such is that he is the last scion of House Riverwind and its lord and the kingdom can ill afford to lose him, though I think we both know that my concern is that of a mother for her son.  I am not asking that you attach yourself to whatever expedition she is organizing, I’m merely advising you of my position on the matter, should she approach you for your insight.  I do not know the shape of your relationship these days, though I certainly can recall in hindsight how insistent she was on your safety and treatment back all those years ago.  Tyr did mention to me in passing that he could not recall seeing you in Northrend more than once or twice in the near three years he spent there with the Crusade in her command, so I must imagine that retirement has actually stuck.  I am glad of it—you deserve to be settled and happy.

Clearly, I am most decidedly not retired these days, though I am relatively settled and quite happy. Overall, the family is well, and we have settled into the relative peace with more ease than I would have anticipated. I didn’t join Tyr in Northrend with the Crusade at first because I was newly wed and then caring for a newborn and that after that my duties with the Order and matters within the Everlight precluded my doing so.  All seems well enough these days, though, and quiet, and now we all are home.

I don’t know how long I will be in Dalaran, but I may call on you if there is time.  If not, I shall have to make arrangements for another time. It would be good to see your face.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Wyn.

[Tagging @versusvices because I’m not sure where else to tag these days ;) ]

#letters #letter to Dalaran #Wyn Ithyrii #Juden Ilthyrii Riverwind #Anthus Steelshatter #cross-faction #WoW #World of Warcraft #WrA #Wyrmrest Accord #Age of Blood #Retribution of Arathor #Horde #Alliance #Dalaran #Kirin Tor #Wyn now has to explain this to people and it will be hilarious