Mediato Frater.
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 4:24 amIt's not such a long ride to the Dancing Tomcat, the Inn that's off the beaten path - but it was where Zalin was. The dark of the lane obscures - but there is moonlight enough for him to find the place, having been given directions. And inside, the healer steps - to approach the bar.
"Evening, Messer. Is there a fellow here by the name of Zalin Savoy?"
"Oy? Aye, said summin' might come lookin' for 'm. He's in room 'free."
"Thank you, Messer."
The climb up the stairs, is the longest climb in Alastir's life. Or at least, it felt as such. He pauses infront of the door - partly afraid to knock on it. And partly, ashamed. His eyes drop to look at the ground momentarily. Should he just get this over with? Or put it off.
"Why am I such a coward in this?"
He sighs, before knocking on the door loudly. There's a pause, and a silence - before the door opens. And there's a dark sharp-crisp intelligent eye'd man staring back at him. Zalin. Zalin! And then, in the doorjamb, there is a brotherly embrace of hug, and laughter.
"You're alive, Alastir? Alive. Thank the gods." Zalin says, with a laugh, and tears in the corner of his eyes.
"Yes, I'm fine. Quite fine."
"But, you look different."
"Yes, I know. I shall explain. Please sit down, and let me talk."
It is some lengthy tale that Alastir tells, in great detail. Zalin does not interrupt - and just lets his stern gaze fall on his younger brother. Nods punctuate Alastir's retelling. This goes on for quite some time.
"And, that's it, brother."
"I see. Well then, that settles it. I'm staying here with you and Owen."
"But, you can't. You must go back."
"No one knows where I went, Alastir. And if it's as it is - then it is as it is, yes? Always the altruistic one, weren't you. Worry not for me, I'll be fine here. And, I can keep an eye on you and Owen. And your friend."
"Don't be angry with him."
"I am not. He was only protecting a friend. An admirable trait. I shall have to apologize to him for threatening him so."
"Thank you, Zalin."
"Of course, we're brothers, right? Anything for the family."
They exchange smiles, and hugs once more, before laughing. Though, Zalin squeezes Alastir tighter then he should.
"Besides, I'm just glad you're not deathly ill anymore. I could care less how you did it. Asides, I always knew you were a bit above the rest. You're a Savoy, you know."
"Zalin, just be careful."
"When have I not been. It's explained, and done with. I'll just get a room at the other inn, to be closer."
"It's a dangerous place."
"It's a dangerous world, Alastir. Hiding from it, doesn't do anything. And, you're doing swordflinging training? Somehow, I figured you'd do that one day."
Zalin laughs. Alastir doesn't find it so amusing.
"Don't worry, Alastir. I'm sure you're doing well. You look well, and you seem to have gotten bigger. Not so much the reed in the wind." Zalin laughs.
"All right, well I'd best go. Master Deost will be awaiting me."
"Then don't keep your mentor waiting. I'll see you soon, and your friend. Oh. Here."
There's an exchange of letter, and a large purse of coins to Alastir.
"That's for Owen. He left it at your home. And, I added some - because I figured he'd need it. We take care of our own, you know."
Alastir smiles, and nods - accepting it.
"Always. Soon then?"
"Yes, my brother. Soon."
Alastir departs then, riding back to Esraeux. Zalin sits down at his desk, and wipes off his face - of tears. Do not mistake it however, they are not sorrowful tears. They are tears of joy. His brother was alive, and well. How could a man not be happy in this?
"Evening, Messer. Is there a fellow here by the name of Zalin Savoy?"
"Oy? Aye, said summin' might come lookin' for 'm. He's in room 'free."
"Thank you, Messer."
The climb up the stairs, is the longest climb in Alastir's life. Or at least, it felt as such. He pauses infront of the door - partly afraid to knock on it. And partly, ashamed. His eyes drop to look at the ground momentarily. Should he just get this over with? Or put it off.
"Why am I such a coward in this?"
He sighs, before knocking on the door loudly. There's a pause, and a silence - before the door opens. And there's a dark sharp-crisp intelligent eye'd man staring back at him. Zalin. Zalin! And then, in the doorjamb, there is a brotherly embrace of hug, and laughter.
"You're alive, Alastir? Alive. Thank the gods." Zalin says, with a laugh, and tears in the corner of his eyes.
"Yes, I'm fine. Quite fine."
"But, you look different."
"Yes, I know. I shall explain. Please sit down, and let me talk."
It is some lengthy tale that Alastir tells, in great detail. Zalin does not interrupt - and just lets his stern gaze fall on his younger brother. Nods punctuate Alastir's retelling. This goes on for quite some time.
"And, that's it, brother."
"I see. Well then, that settles it. I'm staying here with you and Owen."
"But, you can't. You must go back."
"No one knows where I went, Alastir. And if it's as it is - then it is as it is, yes? Always the altruistic one, weren't you. Worry not for me, I'll be fine here. And, I can keep an eye on you and Owen. And your friend."
"Don't be angry with him."
"I am not. He was only protecting a friend. An admirable trait. I shall have to apologize to him for threatening him so."
"Thank you, Zalin."
"Of course, we're brothers, right? Anything for the family."
They exchange smiles, and hugs once more, before laughing. Though, Zalin squeezes Alastir tighter then he should.
"Besides, I'm just glad you're not deathly ill anymore. I could care less how you did it. Asides, I always knew you were a bit above the rest. You're a Savoy, you know."
"Zalin, just be careful."
"When have I not been. It's explained, and done with. I'll just get a room at the other inn, to be closer."
"It's a dangerous place."
"It's a dangerous world, Alastir. Hiding from it, doesn't do anything. And, you're doing swordflinging training? Somehow, I figured you'd do that one day."
Zalin laughs. Alastir doesn't find it so amusing.
"Don't worry, Alastir. I'm sure you're doing well. You look well, and you seem to have gotten bigger. Not so much the reed in the wind." Zalin laughs.
"All right, well I'd best go. Master Deost will be awaiting me."
"Then don't keep your mentor waiting. I'll see you soon, and your friend. Oh. Here."
There's an exchange of letter, and a large purse of coins to Alastir.
"That's for Owen. He left it at your home. And, I added some - because I figured he'd need it. We take care of our own, you know."
Alastir smiles, and nods - accepting it.
"Always. Soon then?"
"Yes, my brother. Soon."
Alastir departs then, riding back to Esraeux. Zalin sits down at his desk, and wipes off his face - of tears. Do not mistake it however, they are not sorrowful tears. They are tears of joy. His brother was alive, and well. How could a man not be happy in this?