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 Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 10:04 am
Prentice Solo 1
Eurig had never known a life without Arya and Subira. His mother had started her relationship with the Alk before his birth, and Arya had supported her lover throughout the entire pregnancy. He’d been told that for a time his parents, all three of them, had gotten along like family. His father had never expressed romantic feelings towards Ujana, and so, when she’d started dating Arya, his only concerns were that he wouldn’t be able to see his son as often. That’s when the arrangement was made; in the Spring and Summer months Eurig went to Tale, and for the rest of the year he stayed in Jauhar.
As a child he’d never really understood why he had to live like this. Eurig loved Papa just as much as he loved Mama Arya and Mama Ujana. Even when spending time with the opposing parent he would speak of the other, and from time to time, send packages with a plethora of letters and little gifts. Spending time with them was amazing, and yet, six months was never enough. Being forced to leave his mothers’ in the spring was just as painful as being torn away from his father in the fall. Inevitably Euri would cry so hard that his voice would crack and his little eyes, normally as bright as crystal, would dull. Time and time again Eurig begged for something to change, but neither of his parents relented. Odhran had his own life in Tale; he was a researcher, an acclaimed one at that, and his time was in high demand. As much as he loved his son he simply couldn’t pack up and move, even if the act wouldn’t be incredibly awkward for all involved. To her credit Ujana had considered it; after all, her own family was in Tale and surely if anyone could convince her to move it would be Auntie Padma! When it became obvious his mothers weren’t moving Eurig demanded an answer and was rewarded with one.
Mama Arya was an Alkidike Guardian. While Mama Ujana could move as often as she liked, Arya had a duty to her goddess, and even living where she was in the midst of earthlings she could still easily be called upon. Subira needed to be close to her people as well, so if Ujana ever did decide to leave, the family might have to split. Eurig hadn’t wanted that, and neither did his mother, so he’d relented.
Eurig grew resigned to travel. Every spring his mother would bring him to Tale, and every fall his father traveled to Jauhar. For half the year his life consisted of regular study sessions with leafling tutors while the other half was playing with Subira and physical training. Eventually his parents found a routine that kept all of them happy, and Eurig supposed it should have made him happy too. He studied in Jauhar so that when he saw his father again he could impress the man with his knowledge, and he worked out every day in Tale so that when he saw his mother she could fawn over any new muscle growth. In all regards Eurig was excelling, and yet..emotionally, he withered.
By the time Eurig was old enough to understand just what unhappy meant his mothers announced they were having more kids.
What was wrong with the ones they had? Weren’t he and Subira enough? Of course he’d acted happy; overjoyed, even, because Eurig had become a great actor. He smiled and asked questions and gossiped with Subira and hadn’t slept at all for days after. Why were they having more when they didn’t even want to keep him? Hadn’t he done everything his mothers had asked for? Papa was happy, he said Eurig was all he needed, but they....they couldn't even be bothered with keeping him around longer than six months and now they wanted more?!
While he was in Jauhar Eurig was happy, but as soon as his mother left him with Odhran, a whole three months early he was sour. She thought he might like to spend some extra time with his father since she and Arya were going to try their best to plead their case to Aisha. More like ‘get out of here before the new babies show up’. Eurig tried not to act out; it wasn’t nice and any time he got snarky his father was quick to cull the action, but he found himself acting out more and more. Papa would snap at him every time, which in turn just made Eurig more upset, and it got so bad at one point that he’d gone to spend the night with a friend of Odhran’s instead. Eurig had raged at that, as well; why couldn’t he stay with Grandpa or Auntie Padma instead?! And when he’d found out they were traveling….well, he hadn’t taken to that any better.
At least if his grandfather were around Eurig could have spent some time learning how to be a good healer, and Auntie Padma would play with him. Papa’s friends were just dull and they hated him, just like his mothers and everyone was just horrible!
Meeting his younger siblings hadn’t been easier for him. By that point Odhran had told them about his behavior, which only meant he’d been ‘talked to’ by Mama Ujana. Eurig didn’t remember a word of it. For once in his life he’d steeled his spine, looked at his mother with eyes as sharp as Uquin’s and refused to speak.
Eurig was grounded after that.
Even the person he thought would understand how he felt, Subira, seemed to be happy taking care of the twins. Instead of feeling put out and excluded she acted like she enjoyed having more siblings. Why would she feel bad? She gets to stay here all the time. Subira didn’t have to worry about staying smart enough so her daddy didn’t get mad or working out enough so that the kids in Jauhar wouldn’t compare her to her muscular mom.
He tried so hard so why, why, couldn’t he do anything right anymore?!
Why did he always feel like this?!
Life hit a fever pitch when he got into his first fight.
Young boys getting into scuffles were hardly alarming; hearing that Eurig had instigated it, however, was baffling. The boy may have been moodier as of late, but even in his angst he still tried so hard to be polite and kind. Still, when the shifter kids picked and picked and picked Eurig found he’d had enough.
One little boy had gone home with a broken nose, another with a large bruise on his ribs, but it was Eurig that had cried. Fighting back hadn’t felt good at all, but in the moment he needed them to hurt as much as he did! He needed someone else to feel what it felt like to be pushed aside by his parents, to be swapped around like an old book, and left behind in favor of some newer, better kids!
That’s when Odhran made the decision that Eurig should stay in Jauhar full time.
It had come as a shock to Eurig. At first he couldn’t understand why his Papa would leave him like that, but Odhran talked it through. Eurig needed time. He needed the chance to get to know his siblings, who were still in their infancy, and time to be a kid. Being a big brother was hard, especially when one felt as turbulent as Euri did, and maybe seeing how much the babies loved him would help. They simply couldn’t assist him separated as they were but hopefully after a few years of being in one, solid place, Eurig could find peace. Of course Odhran would visit; he would make every trip he could to spend time with his son
, and letters would be sent out to both Uquin and Padma asking them to come see him as well. The adults in his life assured little Eurig that things would be okay. All he needed to do was trust them.
Years later and Eurig found he didn’t struggle as much with his identity anymore. As a young man he’d found some peace with who he was. For a few years it was bittersweet seeing his mothers’ fawn over the hybrid children he wished he could be, but Eurig had learned to be quieter about it. It wasn’t their fault; Ujiri and Ika didn’t have a choice in how they were born.
Getting loud only caused trouble, and speaking his mind just made people upset. Doing what he was told was best; if he could keep up his training and his studies without causing problems then he could go to Tale with Papa. That’s what his parents wanted, and that was good enough for him.
[1518]
[5]
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 10:55 am
Class Choice Solo
Being the earthling born son of an Alkidike Guardian wasn’t easy.
By the time Eurig was born his mother had started a fresh relationship with Ariya, and thus, gave him a unique perspective on life that many leaflings didn’t have. While half of his time was spent in Tale with his father and others of his kind, the other was in Jauhar, surrounded by shifters and passing Alkidike.
His elder sister, Subira, was in much the same boat, or so he’d thought for years. When Eurig was little he’d assumed they were equal. She was a pureblood being raised in a mixed family with her own set of clashing cultures and ideas. As he grew, however, Eurig came to realize that wasn’t the case. Things seemed to come easier for her, or maybe that was simply his perspective. He was never as fast as she was, nor was he as talented with a spear. When the family sparred, Eurig was always the one struggling to keep up and while his mothers assured him that gap would tighten as he got bigger it just served to fuel his desire to be more.
Mentally Eurig held himself to earthling standards, but physically he tried his best to be an Alkidike.
In his adolescence Eurig discovered the best way to work out his frustration was to come up with a routine. He would wake up early (no matter how much he loathed early mornings), have a hearty breakfast before the sun rose, and do his pre-workout. Then before his mothers’ woke Eurig would tend to his studies, and only once they woke he would carry out the bulk of his physical training. Ujana was preoccupied with the tavern most of the time, but rounds with her weren’t exactly uncommon. She taught him the basics of hand to hand combat, helped him to build muscle mass, and showed him the right way to swing a hammer to make the most out it’s weight. And yet, when it came to fighting against her, he would always lose. Even when she threw the fight.
Eurig just couldn’t bring himself to lash out at his mother.
No matter how many times she might annoy him or push him Eurig just couldn’t. She would get mad at him, tell him it was just a mock fight and he should at least try, but it never felt right. Not until he really saw how she and Ariya sparred.
Then it clicked.
When they fought it wasn’t out of a desire to hurt one another. Rather, it was an expression of emotions that sometimes went unsaid. If one was feeling particularly irritated their blows may come a little faster, a little sloppier, but if they were being kinder than it was mostly defensive. Ujana’s weapon of choice made her an offensive fighter which suited her just fine, but Ariya was a Guardian. She’d felt the calling to help defend Aisha when she was just a young girl and Eurig found himself respecting that.
At thirteen he was gangly and awkward; a shambling boy who hid from most and kept to himself.
At seventeen he was a stud.
Or so he’d been called.
It had taken years for Eurig to build up the confidence necessary to walk with his head held high, but he’d done it. The boy had finally grown into his height and the more he worked out the larger he grew. A part of him still mourned the fact he’d never truly be as tall as his siblings or able to defend them from the world like he’d prefer, but with Subira gone Eurig knew his place.
He’d taken up the shield. It wasn’t a glorious weapon, not like a sword or a bow. If he’d been born with the grace of magic like his Aunt or Grandfather then maybe Eurig could have carved a name for himself long before now. Instead, he’d chosen the one ‘weapon’ that wasn’t truly a weapon at all. With this he could ensure that whoever he was around had protection at all times, and by making himself as large as possible Eurig had the added security of knowing few would be able to break his defenses.
It may have taken him longer to find himself than others, but when he practiced against his mothers’ he knew they were proud. Eurig could see it in the way they moved, the way they talked to him and it wasn’t necessarily because of how far he’d come in his training. It was all about how he felt inside and what he projected out into the world. With his shield he was much happier than he’d been at thirteen, and maybe that bit of physical defense was enough to help him lower his mental guards.
Of course his father wasn’t thrilled by the news, but Odhran relented when he’d seen how happy Eurig was. There was a spark about him that hadn’t been there in years so it was hard to deny the boy. His studies took a break for a while, perhaps for the rest of his life, so that Eurig could focus solely with a mentor who would teach him how to properly use a shield. It meant spending more time in Tale, which was something Odhran was more than happy with, but it ultimately meant less time with his mothers.
A small sacrifice for what he would stand to gain.
[919]
[3]
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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2020 10:25 am
Prentice Solo 3
Once again the family was changing, except this time Eurig wasn’t so sure what to think about it.
He’d come to expect letters from his grandfather. Sometimes they would be addressed solely to him, which were his favorite, others were addressed to the family as a whole and on occasion there may be just one lone letter for his mother. Those were the more ‘serious’ missives that in her words were too ‘serious’ for children to understand. Considering none of her offspring were technically children anymore Eurig didn’t understand the logic, but he bit his tongue anyway. That is until the most recent letter set his mother off.
It was only when she left to find Ariya that Eurig was able to pick up the dropped papers to make sense of it.
For the most part everything looked fine. Uquin was continuing his studies in Belrea and was trying to learn new techniques to benefit others. Eurig skimmed over that bit; maybe later his mother would let him reread over it, but right now he was curious as to what had made her so upset. Was he never coming back? That can’t be it. Even if he did decide to stay mom wouldn’t hate him for it. She would just try to visit. So then what?
Hearing a noise Eurig jumped, guilty clutching the letters to his chest in utter silence until he realized it wasn’t her tearing back through the house. When he realized he was safe the teen backtracked to his room where he wouldn’t be so easily caught. Once Ujana was worked up it took a spiritual act to tame her and the last thing he wanted was for her mood to be turned on him!
Once the door was shut at his back Eurig continued to read and found something interesting. His grandfather had met someone. That was a little odd, but not terrible. Eurig had never even known of the man flirting let alone forming any lasting connections. Wouldn’t this be a good thing, though? Surely Grandpa Uquin had been on his own long enough and finding a partner to spend the rest of his life with was something to….celebrate….
And there it was.
Eurig pulled the sheet away from his face with a quizzical look, brought it back up for inspection and pulled it away once more. Was someone pulling a prank on him? Had Ujiri gotten hold of the letter first? Can’t be; this is grandfather’s handwriting. So...apparently his grandfather had gotten up to a little bit more in Belrea than anyone predicted.
Eurig was going to have another Aunt or an Uncle. Or both, considering Uquin’s own prediction. He mentioned the possibility of multiples which Eurig took to be a fact considering his grandfather’s occupation. No wonder she’s so surprised. His mother would likely be in a rage for days over this. It might be best if he avoided being home for a while. Maybe he should go to Tale and spend some time with his father?
Still, as surprising as it all was, Eurig wanted to hope that Uquin was happy. It was...pretty weird to hear that his grandfather of all people was expecting, but that didn’t mean Eurig didn’t wish him the best. Or rather, them. All he said about his partner was that they’d met aboard the airship and stuck together ever since. Can an older woman even have kids? Is that safe? Then again if he wasn’t that old when mom was born, and then she was young when she had me then... Maybe they’d both just assumed they were beyond the age of conception and hadn’t-
Eurig shuddered. Thinking about that in too much detail was going to give him nightmares. Should they send something…? He supposed they should, or at the very least write back. I’ll have to write my own. If mom’s incharge of it she’ll just upset him. That wasn’t to say she wouldn’t try, but at least Eurig might be able to beat her to it. Opening the door, he peered outside to make sure the coast was clear. When he was sure he wouldn’t be spotted he snuck back into the sitting room, dropped the letter back onto the floor and scuttled back to his room.
[737]
[2]
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Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 12:52 pm
Growth Solo
It was strange to think that the catalyst Eurig needed in order to take charge of his life was watching his family lose control of theirs.
After his grandfather’s letter everything seemed to unravel. Whatever calm his mother had been forcing upon herself had burnt away in her anger and in a fit Ujana single handedly destroyed the tavern. Thankfully she hadn’t damaged the structure itself so after the repairs were made to the inside it could reopen, but it was universally acknowledged that she shouldn’t be left alone for a while. Still, it was what she wanted most. She wanted to see her sister so his mother was planning on going out to find Padma. After Subira left home she’d been on edge and now....now his mother was wilder than ever.
His baby brother was already practicing with knives and who knew when Ika would discover her ‘passion’. She seemed fairly content being on her own, which worried Eurig, but he tried not to press the matter. Anytime he asked her about it she shut down and with everything that was happening he didn’t want to risk her running off. That was the last thing his mothers’ needed.
And his father...well, Odhran was Odhran. It was nearing time for Eurig to make his annual trek back to Tale, and now that he was old enough to go without a companion he found himself dreading it more and more. How could he leave with everything in turmoil like this? As the eldest child still at home he had a duty to his younger siblings to shield them from it, and yet...how could he when they were old enough to watch themselves?
He had a handful of bags, all packed and ready to go with anything he’d need - a tent, thick cloaks to keep the rain off his back, dried meat in case hunting was bad….everything he could think of within reason. Eurig even had a satchel of gold ready to give to a stable hand in case he needed to buy a mount. And yet, he hadn’t needed a mount before so why was he so sure he would need one now? The walk to Yera had always done him good and his lungs could use the exercise.
….Maybe it was because he wasn’t planning on stopping in Yera.
All of his life Eurig had bent to the whims of those whose wills were stronger than his own. His mother, his father, his grandfather, Ariya, even Subira to an extent….So long as someone told him what he should do Eurig snapped to it, and rarely fought. When he was on the cusp of adolescence he’d rebelled, but even that was brief and he still felt guilty about it even to this day. But why? He’d only been standing up for himself so why did it feel so wrong?
“It’s because you went about it the wrong way,” he murmured to himself. “You acted like a child; all that pouting and screaming. Just because you’re loud doesn’t mean anyone’s going to listen.” So he’d quieted and kept to himself, but that wasn’t anymore effective in getting what he wanted.
What he wanted was the life his sister had taken for herself. Subira left to start her own journey in a land so far away he couldn’t even comprehend it. And as if that wasn’t enough of a sign, his grandfather had gone to Belrea as well for his own adventures. They may have been on opposite paths, with clearly different goals, but the two were living their lives on their own terms. Even his Aunt Padma hadn’t visited in so long because she, too, was out traveling. He missed seeing her so much some days that his heart would ache, and he knew his mother felt the same. And yet, she never left. Had motherhood stalled her or was she just biding her time?
Regardless Eurig was done waiting. Jauhar had never truly been his home; he could feel it in his soul. It was simply a place his family resided, but in all honesty that could have been anywhere. Belrea was just as much a home to him now as Jauhar was, and if his Aunt settled in Yael of all places then that would be home too. In all his years growing up Eurig never really gave credence to what he wanted out of life because somehow, in some way, it would inevitably inconvenience his family, but no more.
Ujana may have birthed a calmer son, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t inherited her backbone.
The thought of leaving home was both less terrifying than knowing he would have to tell his mothers first. As much as he wanted to follow in his sister’s footsteps Eurig knew better than to bail out with just a letter. If this was something he truly wanted to do then he would have to approach them first.
And he did; he really, really wanted this.
With his bags packed and tossed over his shoulder, Eurig gave his room one last look before turning for the door.
[865]
[Ever since his youngling stage, Eurig has passively gone along with whatever his family wanted out of him. Regardless of whether that was traveling between Tale and Jauhar to fit his parent’s schedules, filling the role of ‘big brother’ to the twins, or being an errand boy for his mother’s tavern, Eurig has always tried his best. Now that his Aunt is traveling, his grandfather is a father again, and his big sister is in Belrea with a new tree Eurig is seizing his chance to change. He knows that if he stays at home he’ll always live in a sort of complacent state, but he wants more out of life so he’s branching out to make his own path!]
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2024 2:04 pm
S2 Solo 1
“Stop touching it Murta, you’re making it worse.” Ahma swatted his wife’s hovering hands away from his bandaged leg with a tired sigh. The Talean was propped up on no less than three pillows, all courtesy of his frazzled wife who couldn’t bear being more than a few feet away from him. Even though it had been weeks since the accident that broke Ahma’s leg she still treated him as if he were freshly injured.
It was sweet to watch at first, but now Eurig could hear them arguing from the path leading to their home. Ahma was a restless sort of man – always moving, always working – but without truly being able to move he was stuck. In his home. With his fussing wife.
“Honestly love, I’m fine. The healer said –“
“The healer said you could go back to light duty in two weeks if you had proper rest first.” She curled her little nose and gave him a mighty harumph. Honestly, it would have been adorable were Murta not a beast of a woman. It wasn’t her height that made her intimidating, nor her brawn, but those eyes. They were hard, impassable, and when she had her mind on something no one could change it. Eurig should know. The first few days he’d been around, helping at the tavern with Ahma at his side, she’d stormed in and tore into both for letting the poor man up out of bed. He’d been properly seated with his leg elevated, but that wasn’t good enough for Murta.
Mad Muggin’ Murta they’d called her. All throughout his childhood stories were told of the family of heathens who lived just on the village edge. The villagers called them all sorts of things; vile, ugly, rotten, thieving, etc. Anything they could pin on the family they did and for a time Eurig, too, thought them scary. Anytime he would see Murta’s father he hid. It was bad enough being teased for his Aishan ties by smaller folk, but that man? He’d stayed well away.
And he thought Ahma had too. The boy had taunted Murta growing up; threw rocks at her, mud, rotten fruit and – even if Eurig wasn’t positive – he thought the nickname might have come from Ahma as well. So, what a surprise it had been to return to the village years later only to find Ahma hand in hand with Mad Muggin’ Murta. It was an odd pair to be sure – with Ahma’s fair, charming looks and…Murta – but he’d never seen his friend happier. They bickered, sure, but at the end of the day there was something in their eyes that warmed Eurig’s spirits.
“Is there anything I can help with, Murta?”
“Y’er doin’ plenty ‘nough as it is. Jus’ helpin with the tavern is help enough.” When she turned to smile at him it was a pure thing and Eurig was surprised to see she still had all of her teeth. He’d have thought she’d knocked at least a dozen out by now. “When do ya go back to Jauhar?”
“Whenever Ahma’s able to take over.” Which could be a few weeks longer than two, depending on what the healer and Murta had to say about it. In all honesty Eurig didn’t mind the change in scenery, but he was starting to miss home. As strange as it was, even though he should feel at home here in his birth country his home had always been Jauhar. It was where he’d been raised in his strange, blended family and hoped to settle one day with a family of his own. “I thought about visiting some relatives in Belrea first, though. I haven’t been in a long time and it would be nice to see them again.”
“That’s where your grandfather lives, isn’t it? With his young wife.” Ahma waggled a brow and started to chuckle until a slap to his arm from his wife stopped it. “Isn’t she the same age as us? Was she rich or just pretty?”
Pretty like a knife. Maritza was a thin – too thin – woman whose lack of curves was only exaggerated by her height and attitude. If he hadn’t known she was around the same age as him he’d never have guessed. She had the attitude of a ninety year old woman and he nearly as much – pegging that on what had attracted Uquin – but chose not to. While she wasn’t particularly pleasant she’d never been cruel to him and so long as his grandfather was happy that should matter more.
“She does make a fair amount of coin so maybe it’s that? I’m honestly not sure. I try not to pry.” I don’t want to pry more like. Whatever had started that whirlwind romance was something that Eurig would rather stay between the parties involved.
“You should find yourself a good woman, Eurig.” And, after a tick, Ahma added, “or a husband. Just someone to spend your time with. The nights can get lonely.” He reached for Murta’s swollen, meaty paw and smiled at her.
It wasn’t as if he hadn’t tried in the past to find love. Eurig had gone a few dates, tried his hand at wooing some shifters back in his teenage years and even a few girls from Tale since he’d started staying here. The problem was no one had ever really caught his eye in the way that made him want to come back and rather than break their hearts later by confessing he’d only been testing the waters Eurig simply dipped. “Maybe it’s just not my time. My family has a habit of either finding love really early or really late, so maybe I’m the later.”
His mother had always told him that he took after his grandfather in looks, but never once had Eurig considered he would be like the man romantically. At least Uquin had a few semi-permanent romances before Maritza; so far Eurig had none. And, weirdly enough, he was sort of okay with that. Getting everyone around him to see it that way, however, was the hard part.
“You’ll find them.” Murta reached out to pat his knee. “And they’ll be lucky to have ya. Y’er a good cook, a good friend, and y’er not ugly.”
“Murta.” Ahma hissed.
“It’s true. He’s not bad; just not as good lookin’ as you.” She leaned forward to kiss his forehead before moving to rise. “I’m goin’ to check on supper.”
As she walked out of the room – both men watching her go – Murta started to sing a little diddy under her breath. It was horribly off key with a whining sort of quality to it, but the woman was happy and Ahma was smiling so Eurig endured.
“She’s a real doll, that one.” Ahma grinned. “Doesn’t seem like it – definitely didn’t at first – but on my life, Eurig, I think if something happened to her I’d lose myself. She’s everything.”
And maybe, just maybe, a bit of Eurig was jealous of that. As happy as he was for his friend, and as much as he valued his own freedom, a little part of him wondered what it would be like to have that. Maybe in years to come he would, but for now he was just happy to have a good life.
[1218]
[4]
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2024 3:36 pm
S2 Solo 2
When Eurig told his father he would be going back to Jauhar – for a few months, a few years, only time could tell – he’d decided to host a feast. Odhran wasn’t a particularly social man so his inner circle consisted of only a few close friends, maybe a smattering of cousins and a few neighbors that had come to know Eurig as he stayed. Ahma and Murta graciously offered to host it in their tavern and closed it off to anyone other than those in attendance. So far it had been a lovely night filled with good food and even better company. He couldn’t have wished for more, but Eurig’s mind was still…a little preoccupied.
With more than a few drinks in his blood, Eurig stumbled outside to get some fresh air and was met with the sight of his father. Despite putting on some weight over the years he was still a reasonably handsome – if bookish – man and when he waved Eurig closer the young man fell against him easily. That was one thing that Eurig had never taken for granted. After seeing so many children with parents who could care less for them growing up Eurig took every hug – every compliment, little touch, and gesture – to heart. His parents may never have been together in the couple sense, but they cared for one another deeply. Even when Odhran had married Ujana sent a care package to him via Eurig – ‘Do NOT open this!’ – and although he hadn’t understood it as a child now that he was an adult his father’s instant blush had been telling enough. Whatever lay within that box was meant for adult eyes ONLY and even then he was sure it was raunchy.
“You know, I’d hoped after spending some time here you might stay.” Odhran bumped against his son. “Spend a little time in Tale. It’s not so bad here. You could even visit with your Aunt and cousins more.”
While it was true that seeing his family here was much easier Eurig knew he could never stay. Tale was no more his home than Jauhar was Odhran’s and while the man knew it, Eurig couldn’t blame him for trying. Instead of responding, the Leafling raised a hand to lift the sweat slicked hair off his neck and sighed when the night air brought him some modicum of comfort.
“…Are your mothers hoping you’ll run their tavern when you get back?”
“Run it?” Eurig snorted. “I’m not ready for that. It’s not as if I have any other work prospects though so I’ll be working there for a time, but I don’t know about running it.”
“You could though, if you wanted to. Ujana clearly likes the atmosphere, but she doesn’t have the knack for bookkeeping. And I’m sure Ariya’s only holding it open for her.” Eurig knew as well as Odhran that keeping up with records and ordering hadn’t suited Ujana. Those years where his mother had tried her hand with it had been some of the worst financially – namely because Ujana didn’t have a clue as to what she was doing. Now that Mama Ariya had set up someone to come in to help out with things while Ujana traveled it was fairing better, but even then Eurig wondered how everything would work out as the years went by. Would they keep it open in name only, letting others step in and handle the work?
Or should he try to step in? It wouldn’t be difficult; he had the experience and the knack for record keeping. He’d gotten that much from his father. Still, to be tied down to one spot…Maybe he had a little more of Ujana in him than he’d thought.
“I was thinking I’d visit Belrea first, before going to Jauhar. I’m a little worried that if I go back now I might never get up the nerve to go.” He’d only been twice – and both times the trip was little more than a blur. Eurig was so disconnected from his family so far out in the sticks that it was hard to keep up with them so maybe it would be good to see his grandfather’s family? Check in, make sure all was well, and then he could make a life of his own?
“Oh if you want to go, you’ll go. You’ve got that from your grandfather; not just your mother. That stupid as-“ Pinching his lips closed, Odhran offered a half smile. “I don’t think he was ever really that fond of me and the feeling is mutual. I’m glad he’s good to you, but if you never visited Belrea I wouldn’t consider it a loss. Maybe a boon, actually, for your sanity.”
“Dad.”
Odhran snickered and Eurig gave him a shove. Despite how close they’d been in Tale physically, Eurig could only count on one hand the amount of times Odhran and Uquin had ever interacted. Sure Eurig spent time with Uquin when he could, but it had always been after one of the other had dropped him off, sometimes even using Padma as a proxy between them. It wasn’t as if there had been bad blood, but…Well, maybe there had been? After all, Odhran had knocked up Uquin’s daughter not even a month after the poor man was reunited with her.
“Come on, let’s get back inside. They’re starting to get rowdy.” Placing a hand on Eurig’s back, Odhran ushered him back to the festivities.
[912]
[3]
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Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2024 6:07 pm
S2 Solo 3
Eurig had been dead set on returning to Jauhar once his time in Tale was over, but that was before learning about his family’s fate. Getting news all the way in Tale from Matori was difficult. The speed and accuracy of information depended heavily on the courier chosen, which in this case had been the best his Aunt could afford. Zadia had sent the letter directly to his father on the off chance that Eurig was even remotely close and a similar missive had been sent to Padma’s family.
An airship carrying Maritza and Isaia went down over the Ocean. Survivors were being scooped up by passing vessels and brought onto shore, while dozens more were lost. While Isaia had been discovered – wounded, but alive – no word had come through on Maritza. Eurig looked down at the letter and felt it crumple in his hand. His mind was too far away to register what he’d done and even with his father’s hand on his shoulder the Leafling couldn’t formulate any proper thoughts.
He'd never been close with his grandfather’s Belrean family, but they were family. This was Uquin’s wife – the woman he’d crossed an ocean for – and his son. Eurig’s ‘grandmother’ and his Uncle. It was hard imagining the sort of heartache his grandfather must be going through and for Zadia to reach out to him, when she’d never done so before, must mean it was worse than her letters led on. She didn’t describe Isaia’s injuries – which was telling enough – and with Maritza gone….
“Do you think she survived?” He murmured, raising his eyes to look at Odhran.
“I think…it would be a miracle if she did.” The older Talean’s voice was subdued as he looked from his son to his wife. Eurig’s stepmother stood in the doorway to their bedroom, the blanket she’d been folding half-crumpled in her arms. While the two exchanged glances with one another Eurig found himself turning away from Odhran so that he could scoop up his rump sack. “Wait – Eurig – it’s the middle of the night. The caravan isn’t set to leave for another three days-“
The merchant caravan Eurig was supposed to travel with to Jauhar. In exchange for a ride on their carts he was supposed to provide protection and a helping hand. Not that it mattered now. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll start out on foot and catch a ride when I can.” Surely that wouldn’t be the only caravan on the main road. He couldn’t wait three days; not when his Uncle might very well be dead on foreign shores. What if Isaia’s injuries were so great that he died before Eurig got there? He may not have known the man well, but they were blood and his grandfather would need him. Surely the rest of his family had the same thought?
“At least wait until morning. You know how dangerous it is to travel at night!” Odhran may have been on Eurig’s heels, but the taller man was already out the door. The cool night air hung heavy on his skin, and despite how tired he’d been moments before worry claimed his blood. He had to get started. “Or – or – what about a kinfa? Murta-“
“Murta has a kinfa.” Eurig murmured, turning to look at Odhran as he nodded.
“She does. And she might be pursued to let you borrow him if you wait until morning.”
“Or I could tell her it’s an emergency and she’ll give him too me now. She owes me.” He’d worked for her and her husband all this time for next to nothing; it would be the least she could do. Whatever sense of old-world order consumed Murta would ensure he got his way. And with that in mind he started walking toward their home, with Odhran at his side.
“Have you ever even flown before?”
“Nope.”
“Then maybe you should wait until she can teach you-“
“I’ll figure it out.”
“Eurig-“
Whipping around, Eurig turned a hardened glare on his father. “I’m going. End of discussion. I know you’re worried, but I’m leaving. So you can either go home or come to see me off.” And without waiting for a response Eurig kept walking. He didn’t look over his shoulder to see what the older man’s answer was; if anything he may not have even known he’d followed him at all if it wasn’t for the sight of him in the lamplight when Murta opened her door that night.
Of course she was more than happy to let Eurig take her kinfa. The beast’s name was Fur – for whatever, strange reason – and it looked as deranged as it’s owner. Feathers askew, freakishly large for it’s kind, with a beak that looked more accustomed to slurping honey than eating rodents. She gave him a brief run down on care, and flight, before turning the reigns over to him. If he died on the road…Well, that was his problem, not hers. And honestly, he was fine with that.
Odhran a little less.
His father was clearly uncomfortable the entire time, and while Eurig was sympathetic he ultimately mounted the kinfa anyway. When he looked down at the man it was with a sad smile and when he reached a hand out to him one last time his father took it gladly. The pair stayed like that for as long as Fur was comfortable, but when the avian got anxious Eurig took that as his queue and spurned it into flight.
[914]
[3]
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