Around the Fireplace

Luth woke up, from a heinous dream, submerged in his own sweat and some bits of tears, soaking him all wet. His breathing had now gone stable, much better than it was while in the peril with Alver. He sat up, upon a warm and comfortable bed, which housed about four pillows, softer than anything he had ever laid his head on. A blanket was round his body, the cloak nowhere to be seen.

In a little distance was a table, housing an inkwell and several stacks of paper while besides it an long, silver candle stand kindling with bright flames, hurling themselves from each other, all in a continuous manner. The window remained close, and outside was a deep hail, showering over the land small particles of snow; and once in a while a tiny hailstone would slam upon the glass, making a soft 'tut' sound. 

He feel back on the pillows, snuggling himself closer to the soft material, it had been a long time since he had been somewhere he had known as a place of safety, there was no point in resisting it either. He was tired anyways; whatever calamity will come, would come, then he might as well be in peace before that.

A sigh of relief escaped his mouth, then he curled up to get himself warmer, accidently opening the wound on his chest a bit, secured by the bandages

It was clear that he had been out for a long time, as the sound the the whirling wind intensified outside; he shivered just from the sight of it, drawing the blanket over his shoulder. Upon the small bedside table, there was a jug completely filled with water; and being thirsty for a decent amount of time, Luth felt more than tempted to grab it off the surface and slip if down his throat. That is what he did, gently drinking the water in impatience of it all. It was adjusted at the perfect temperature, soothing his throat as each drop leapt out into his tongue.

Luth finally gave out a long breath, satisfied; and then only did he begin to grow curious about where he was. The room was a fine one, comfortable and little warm, with brick walls covered by yellow and red wallpapers, engraved with elegant designs. The place was fanciful, and even more than that extravagant—though truly that was only from his countryside standards and nothing of a greater magnitude when looked through by noblemen and noble ladies—but ultimately it was certainly of a noble house.

There were a few voices, of cluttering, steps roaming around and cracking their feet upon the stony floor; some voices of scraping also came out and then disappeared, which resembled those of a broom; voices of people, talking, listening came through, more prominently than any other, sounding like a handful of a bunch. Pleasant vapors passed in the air through an incense, small embers burning orange before falling off as ashes. The fragrance reminded him of lavender, and hints of lilies, spread across in an outlasting mixture. Luth took it in, sighing heavily; both his shoulders slumped down in annoyance at his own confusion regarding the situation.

His stomach suddenly—and rather loudly—let out a grumble, hungry from the ordeal that he went through. It was not a very believable situation, not a very suitable situation to be in either; he would have been inclined to believe that it was the old, epics that his old priest would dictate in his empty time; some ridiculous, but it was not far from his own conditions, and that is why he abandoned such thoughts off his mind.

Just as he sat in midst of his contemplation, the door creaked open and out came two faces; and Luth's face gladdened to see one of them which was of Shari. He sat up straight, making an effort at least. 

Then only did his eyes fall on the second figure which walked in; it was a young lady, it was a young lady, graceful and slim; walking in an beautiful stride as her legs swayed slowly. She wore a bright-white dress, made of soft cotton, slightly illuminated by the candle-light and rebounding with an orange tint.

Her skin was snow-white, as if she was the muse to the weather itself; holding a smile on her face, soft and tender, widening in the slightest bit when her eyes saw Luth sit up. She accompanied Shari to the bed where he sat and stood beside.

"I should thank the gods," said Shari, relief evident in his voices. "that you are good and well. Does your chest feel well?"

"Better than it could have been." Luth replied plainly.

"Of course that is so." he said calmly, "Could have had worst of it all if you wouldn't use your Miero." he concluded, trying but put some humor into the past, but not achieving much.

Luth quickly recollected all the memories of it, his mind flooding with what he had done. He acted so unconsciously on that time, slitting Alver's skull ruthlessly. He neither knew the reason for why he lost it, nor did he ever wan to repeat that again. For now he could only rejoice in his survival and give a weak nod to Shari.

The lady, who was silent up until this point, had now spoke up, interjecting between the moment of theirs,

"It is so well, that I found you both in the correct time." she spoke, the pointed her finger over at Shari; continuing in an accusatory tone this time, "You are well-fortuned to have my carriage pass by when at the correct time. Never have I seen a knight or caster puddled like some mercenary caught in traps of a monster."

"That is way more specific than it needed to be." Shari retorted, as he should be in the case. "Besides, its not like I fought someone ordinary."

"Or are you making things up, for I—neither any sane person according to my standards—would believe that you fought a madman with an all-rending sword and afterwards disappear with all evidences."

Luth observed their conversation for a few moments, hen finally asked the question. "Shari... Who is this lady?"

Shari turned to see Luth, a little startled by the interjection, but quickly composed his voice and answered. "Ah, well, this is Lady Vercia Milvor, she is a part of the kingdom's aristocracy. Her parents used to be my benefactor and she also provided for some time after her parents passed away. I managed to join the Order of Notis and become a caster only due to her family's aid."

"You flatter me," said Vercia walking up to the knight, "but still, are you completely serious about that peril you were talking about?"

"Surely, I can't be mistaken." replied Shari, "You have two witnesses, what more must you ask for?"

"That is fair, in the least."

Another soft slamming of the hailstone quickly reminded her and she turned towards the door. "Please, let us walk out of this room. I would say it is rather cold, since there is no actual source of heat around; excuse that if you will. Let us walk to the living room where we can continue this matter, for I doubt you too would want to rather sulk in this room."

Saying that, she walked out of the room, and Shari helped Luth to get up, both following suit after her. They walked past some servants and maids, making their way through the vast halls of her mansion, passing the lanterns that flickered lightly in their way. They eventually led to a wooden door, open and wide which led to an empty living room.

 Vercia walked onwards the door, and came near the fireplace, kindling brightly, illuminating the entire space with light; warming all their bodies, comforting especially in the cold weather, that is the second winter-month. The onslaught of frost continued outside the window, raining down with all its might onto the world, dropping all their cold that they collected over the other months, engulfing all, sparing none. Such was the night, such was the darkness, such was the time at which he was sitting inside the comfort of a royal mansion; far beyond his standards—and perhaps a reach where only dreams can grab the hold of.

"Any preferences in drinks?" asked Vercia, directing the question at them both, while she pulled at her dress from behind, sitting down upon one of the seats calmly.

"I am well." said Luth seating himself upon one of the chairs, and Shari takes a seat beside him, also giving the same answer.

To this she gave a little frown, but it was clear that it was not meant to be taken seriously. "Why it is a shame, I had fresh Glacial-Wine stocked up this noon; all the way from Zelven no less. But that is well too, if you prefer—Sir Armon would take his share in a cup anyways."

Shari stopped for a bit in his own thinking, focusing on Vercia now.

"Sir Armon is coming?" he beseeched

"Why, certainly." she replied with a polite smile on her face, "I sent him a letter this morning when I found you two. He shall be visiting after duty, if that is what I assume correctly."

"Is it not rather late in night, Lady Vercia, for the commander to visit us both."

"Very much so," she reached for the table, lifting up the cloak that Armon gave to Luth, "but I am curious as to why he would have his cloak. And perhaps he would be too."

Shari paused, absorbing what she said and then asked the obvious.

"And how do you believe that it is his cloak? It seems of any person from the Order of Notis to me."

"Oh don't be ridiculous, Shari. I have seen his cloak in a multitude." she raised it to its backside and pointed at a engraving upon the hood. "Look, it has its initials, 'A.C'"

She rested the robe back onto the table and looked at Luth, while Shari did the same.

"It is true," Shari murmured, then raised his voice a bit so it was clear for Vercia, "he did come out of nowhere, and I do not even know his name. But that does not make him an associate in any wrong-doing, if that is what you would think."

There came a soft rapping on the door, followed by seconds of silence, then it opened to reveal her handmaid who wore a light-brown dress; she bowed a bit before announcing the arrival of the commander to everyone in the room.

"Quite the timing. Let him in, Clera." she nodded, then after the handmaid took her leave she spoke again, gazing at the door. "Let us have the commander explain it all."