A Wonderland of Snow

[Kaili Talith]

Snow was always such a weird concept to Kaili who had grown up in a tropical paradise. It was like rain yet it was light enough to get blown away by the winds and far less enjoyable. It whipped you in the face during storms and then it melted against your skin afterwards. Kaili would never make any pretenses that she liked this kind of climate in the slightest. It was beautiful yet unbearable whereas her home had been both beautiful and bearable. As her eyes peered out across the plains of Midvinter she found herself blinded by the sheer whiteness of it all. Her head shook and she turned her attention back to her driver.

“Are you sure you shouldn’t be wearing more than just that?” He asked, his accent blaring through barely broken basic. “It’s cold around here.”

“I have my means, thank you.” Kaili said with a shiver and got in the carriage. “You said Northmark wasn’t far, right?”

“All in good time, all in good time.” The man chuckled and set the wheels in motion. “Just relax and take in the scenery.”

And take in the sights she did while lying hidden under a thick blanket that could have put her to sleep with its warmth. The snow grew thinner as they went further and further into the lands but the snow certainly did not. Kaili felt her eyelids close under the comfort of her blanket until the driver’s voice boomed at her with a question.

“So what bring you here?” He asked and turned around to see Kaili shake herself awake. “Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you there.”

“No no, it’s- it’s alright. I am here to see a friend.” Kaili said and rubbed at her eyes before she realized they were starting to see small hamlets up ahead. “Theodred Heavenshield.”

The man seemed taken aback. “Does he know you are coming?”

“I sent him a message a few days ago.”

@Théodred Heavenshield

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Norvegr-fen the capital in the Northmark had grown to capacity over the years from when it has established. Now a thriving city for all it's inhabitants with natural wealthy all around it, the peoples of Norvegr-fen enjoyed a full life and wanted for nothing. The trade of lumber was the most sort after commodity across all the Marks and constantly the long boats set sail along the river baring their heavy loads. Théo had established the industry of plantations and regrowth in the old forests not wanting to destroy the natural environment or keep it to a minimum and there were areas of forests that were off limits to deforestation because of rare trees and shrub only found in the Northmark. It was through one of these forests that Théo sailed, along the river Whitwandal Run that cut through it winding it's way south.

He had departed two days ago, on his way to meet up with an old friend he had thought lost to him in the sense that she had simply vanished from contact. Théo was to meet up with her down river in one of the smaller villages of the Northmark that had sprung up along its path in recent times, it was the last port of call before the need to travel by boat into the capital. Although travelling to Norvegr-fen is possible by foot or hoof it is more dangerous and time consuming.

The traders boat turned the bend in Whitwandal Run and up ahead Théo could see the village, morning mist clung to the surrounds, spirals of smoke issuing from the fires of the houses as the days cooking was underway and the morning business had began as people of the docks loaded and unloaded their wares for transport, the pitch of chatter echoed up the river as the mist carried it to his ears. Théo pulled his long black cloak around his body, the morning mist seeping the damp into his bones, and soon the boat pulled up alongside the dock and he jumped out.

Théo had sensed [member="Kaili Talith"] on planet, and he could sense her now and she was close. After receiving well wishes from the locals, Théo found a place to sit on the docks and waited for her arrival.

 

[Kaili Talith]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

They had a small talk in the carriage before Kaili inevitably fell asleep again under her thick blanket. The driver was a man from a small hamlet just outside Norvegr-fen where he lived with his family. As sturdy as the rest of them he was the most gentle of giants that Kaili had ever had the honor of meeting. Calm, reserved and just a little bit dim. Though what he might have lacked in brains he more than made up for in personality. To a greater extent it was actually quite endearing.

As she slowly came to she found herself in a city. Rustic buildings surrounded her on each side with their stone and wood facades. It reminded her of Kilia almost. Now that was a memory that seemed to be oh so distant at this point. As they stopped she paid the driver in full with something extra for his company. He took it with a great big smile on his lips as he set off into the streets to pick up his next customer.

Kaili would make no assumptions about where Theo was.

Not that it was needed, he was right there. Sitting, waiting, looking at her.

She gave him a wave and hurried on over to hug him as a hello. There was no need to beat around the bush. The tall woman squeezed the even taller man tight before she let go and backed off.

“It’s good to see you again, friend.” She said and chuckled. “It’s been a while.”

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He started to smile as the cart pulled into view and up popped a head in a cloak and he knew it was her. There was a mild satisfaction in his mind and a curious thought about how she enjoyed or maybe not, her first experience with Midvinter and her culture. From what he could see of her, she fared well enough for it.

Théo stood, approached the cart as she jumped down and they hugged, he held her for a moment longer than required for such a greeting but it was with great relief that he clung to her and he hoped she knew just how much he valued her friendship. "It has indeed, been a while", he repeated her greeting, "And I am very glad you are here", he added, very glad to see she was alive and well. Of course he wanted to know everything, where she had been and doing what? But that will come later.

"You must be tired from your journey?", he asked and if she required rest before they would set off to Norvegr-fen, then he would be more than happy to find them somewhere to stay. Théo turned and signaled the captain of the long boat to wait and if require they would find a transport up river come the morning, there was always boats on the river so that would not be a problem.

After sitting in a cart for hours on end, Kaili probably wanted to stretch her legs, get the blood flowing again, so Théo led her to a small tavern on the edge of the docks which was frequented by fisherman and woman, a lively place indeed. He pushed open the door and allowed her in first before following behind into the dimly lit room, most of the tables occupied but there where stools at the bar. Théo caught a glimpse of the barman whispering to the service maiden and shooing her away before turning to Théo with a broad smile. "Mi'lord 'avenshield, wat'an 'onar", a flourish with the bar rag followed the greeting.

"Jinx, good to see you are well. Business is good I see", he greeted the keep with a hearty hand shake. "Can't complain Mi'lord, can't complain. Wot can I do you for". His hands working feverishly toward the service maiden once more, issuing her over with a tray of cold cuts, cheese and bread after she had 'evicted' the patrons at one of the tables.

"Ah, err .. two pitchers of honey mead, thanks Jinx", he turned with Kaili hoping that was alright, in fact there was not much else but mead to choose from. "Very good mi'lord. Sigrid take m'lord to 'is table". Maybe coming here had been a mistake, but at least Kaili could relax before they set off again. Once settled in and the mead on the table, "How are you Kaili?", he asked his first question in a long line of questions.

​

[member="Kaili Talith"]​

 

[Kaili Talith]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

Though one could have expected Kaili to be tired she had still managed to get a small amount of rest in transit. Though the jacket that kept her warm didn’t look like much she was very capable of utilizing the force as well. Kaili shook her head at the man’s question and proceeded to follow him towards the tavern. Her legs did appreciate the stretch, but soon enough they were sitting down again, in no small part due to the way the people around here seemed to cater to Theo’s needs. Not that she was surprised, the Heavenshields were well-known to hold seats of power around here, but perhaps from their former interactions Kaili would not have expected to see this sort of treatment from the locals. Not that she would complain, it was just unexpected.

“Uhhh…” She scratched the back of her head at his question. “Good question, really.”

“Overall pretty good.” She ended up smiling at her response, not she had expected. “I mean, I don’t know how much you know or heard, or how much you have been to the Silver’s Rest as of late. You might have seen Allyson around there with someone named Jyoti Nooran.” The smile faltered for a second but with a slow sigh she found the measure to bring it back again. “We broke off and I disappeared not too long after that.”

“... Sorry about that, by the way.” She said and took a sip from her honeyed beverage. “I didn’t mean to cut everyone off, but I had a few things I needed to attend to.”

“I came back all the better for it though, I think.” Kaili’s smile grew wider again as she felt the effect of her drink hit almost straight away. “What about you? How have you been doing?”

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

"Cheers", he raised his own tankard of mead before taking a long draft of it. Théo sat listening to Kaili tell her tale, and he frowned at the news that his friend was now alone in the galaxy. He never really met Allyson nor saw her at the Silvers but he had not been there in some time, years in fact. Théo knew how much Kaili had loved her, the state in which he had met her so many years ago when she was so heart broken when she believed Allyson dead, at least with death you have a conclusion, you miss them and ache for them but you know where they are. But the grief behind a break up so much more painful in some ways. And this story was complicated more by the fact that Allyson had 'come back from the dead', only to be lost again.

"I am sorry to hear that Kaili, truly I am", he did not have words for her, it was not something or an experience he had had in his life to be able to pass on advice. He could only hope that one day she would find love again. "I understand you need time to yourself, clear your mind and heart I suppose. I did worry though", he grinned at her his only form of chiding his friend.

She quickly turned the topic of conversation back to him, and he could not help but smile into his tankard as another mouthful passed his lips. "Well, I am back on Midvinter full time really. I am married now, not long ago actually and I have two children. A young boy I adopted and my daughter, she has two seasons three coming up this winter".

"I guess you could say I have been busy", he grinned with pride he could not help. There was much much more he could have told her, but that would do for now, she would soon have the opportunity to see Norvegr-fen.

​

​

[member="Kaili Talith"]​

 

[Kaili Talith]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

There was a slight shrug as Kaili half-heartedly shook off the comment. Sometimes love didn’t work out and sometimes people just weren’t right for each other. As painful as it was to learn after such a long time they had both known when it came around to it that it was the right thing to do. In that regard Theo wasn’t wrong, it took time to clear your heart and even then after all this time it still hadn’t gone away. With time, she figured, it would undoubtedly go away.

And then, the bomb.

Kaili blinked and leaned back in her seat with a surprised, disbelieving look at her friend. Was this when it started? Mid-to-Late 20s and suddenly people were having kids? She felt her lips thin out as she tried to think of a response, the mead quite clearly getting to her head and making things just a bit more slower than she wished it to.

“Holy drek.” She uttered and laughed before she happily exclaimed, “I am so happy to hear that!”

“Who is she? What does she look like? How did you meet? Tell me everything.”

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He nearly choked on his mead as she burst out with happiness for him, and loaded up with questions all at once. Théo laughed as mead dribbled into his beard as a result which he tried to wipe away with the back of his hand. "Sorry about that", he offered by way of excusing himself. He went into a moment of thought, how to describe Ylva that was something that he had not considered before and even though her face was forever itched in his mind he still had to find the right words.

"Well, she is Valkyri, tall and strong. Long red hair like fire with a temper to match. Her name is Ylva, and she is beautiful". His eyes glazed for a moment, with the picture of her in the forefront of his mind. "We met when I was with the Iron Empire, I found her on an isolated planet in their territory, she was hunting. Lets just say that first meeting was dangerous, she nearly killed me for taking her hunting knife off her without asking". He grinned remembering the cold blade against his throat. "Eventually she came to Csilla and from that moment our friendship grew and developed into something more deep".

"We married a couple of years ago, and in that time we had our first child", Boo was already within the family unit as his adopted son. "Her name is Thora, she is two and half seasons gone". His eyes sparkled again with the mention of his daughters name, and the love for the little one very evident in his words.

"When you feel up to it, we should get moving up river to Norvegr-fen. Thora wanted to come with me to meet you but the trip would have been too much for her, besides I wanted to see you firstly", Théo knew Thora would be anxious for their return, excited to see and meet someone new.

[member="Kaili Talith"]​

 

[Kaili Talith]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

Tall and strong together with tall and strong. Red hair and with a temper, name of Ylva. It wasn’t how she had expected Theo to met someone, but truth told she hadn’t really put much thought into it at all either so it balanced out. A small lopsided grin spread on Kaili’s lips as Theo mentioned almost getting killed for taking a knife. The more she heard about this Ylva the better it seemed, as if Theo had someone with a strong will and the ability to show it.

“Sounds like a good woman.” Kaili said and her grin faded into a meager smile. “And Thora, you say?”

Kaili looked at Theo and tried to make a picture for herself of what a redheaded, bearded, female Theodred Heavenshield would look like and it almost made her laugh out loud. She kept the smile, tried not to make it grow all too big before she leaned back in her seat again.

“Up the river, you say?” Kaili asked, her mind racing once more about what kind of place Theo would even live in. “I could go,” She eventually said and put down her mead. “And if children are involved it will be a good time to sober up.”

Not that she was drunk, but buzzed around children was no way to be.

“Is it a long boat ride?”

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He watched her face as she mulled over her thoughts, and it was not lost to him the amusement in her eyes which only made Théo grin. He really liked his friend, she was so able to look right through him and any situation to get to the point of it, and found fun in everything. At least that was how she was in his company, Kaili had not lost her ability to tease him even though a word had not been spoken. But when she spoke Thora's name he could not help but smile, his daughter much like her mother in determination over anything when her mind was set on something. "Yes Thora", he repeated, "I have told her all about you". And he let it at that as he stood up to drown the last of his mead, no need to waste good mead.

“Is it a long boat ride?”

He reached down to scoop up her packed bag and slung it over his shoulder to carry for her, not that she couldn't, Théo was just being gallant. "Both", he grinned and opened the door of the Inn for their departure. "It is a long boat ride cause it is the only means of transport up river in these parts and... it will take us over night to get to Norvegr-fen. We should arrive early morning".

They got to the long boat quickly, the village set along the shore of the river and the boats lulling gently on the current. The boat on which they would travel laden with goods from cooking pots and pans, to lengths of cloth and everything in between. The 'captain' securing the load with rope so it would not move in transit too much, looked up from his work to take note of their arrival and soon they would be underway.

It was a clear day and the trip would be pleasant for the most part, although the wind would bring the cold air with it and after a good hour sailing upstream, the vegetation along the river would change very dramatically as they would enter the winding fens. It took experienced hands to navigate through the fens, which made it very difficult for anyone to enter and find the capital. Théo found a good spot on the boat for them both to be able to rest once night comes in, and placed her bag among the bundle of fur he had left on board.

"Make yourself comfortable", he said untying the fur and laying it out to sit on. A shape snap over head as the mainsail unfurled and filled with the wind.

​

​

[member="Kaili Talith"]​

 

[Kaili Talith]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

Traveling by boat, although regarded as somewhat primitive in some parts of the galaxy, was something Kaili had gotten used to with her stay on Kiara. It worked, it was efficient, and it only had a very small chance of capsizing or sinking depending on who was the captain. With her bags quite literally out of her hands she glanced at Theo with a questioning glance as he took on the role of her personal assistant. She had people for this on Kiara too, was this just what people did around her?

When situated on the boat the blonde would waste little time to sit down on the fur and look towards the sails as they expanded in the wind like a bunch of plastic sheets stuck to a tree which was in a sense as accurate of a description as ever, minus the plastic part. Times like these made her think of home and how amusingly polar it all seemed. She grew up with winds, but those were the warm winds of a tropical paradise. This was just cold.

Kaili shivered for a second, her line of thought gone in an instant.

"I ever tell you where I come from?" She asked Theo and looked at him as he too took a seat. "I think I have, but I am not sure."

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

If only for a few hours, Théo was not in charge of anything, the captain of the long boat did not need his help and so he could just relax and enjoy the trip with his friend. He settled down opposite her, crossed his long legs and rested his elbows on his knees cupping his face in his hands, "You know I don't think you did", he said with a smile trying to recall all the times they had spent together and he could not bring to memory her ever telling him.

"Most of the time we spent together was us trying to get out of a mess, or evicting spirits in a bloody ice cave", ah, Ilum they were good days but now they have a new master, and he hoped a honest and just one. "So tell me, where do you come from?". He looked her over but not in any creepy way, but to ascertain her origin which honestly could be anywhere, but there was something in her features that told him of something more high brow, highborn as Ylva would call it. So he had a bet with himself to see if he was right.

Behind her, the captain spat words to the crew, ordering them to heave ho and send the plumb to the depths, seems they were navigating a narrower and shallower part of Whitwandal Run and already the mists began to seep into the air. There was a rich organic scent, although slight and not offensive to the senses, it told Théo they had entered the fens proper. He actually really liked it here, the fens so filled with life of every manner and the sense of them around them now, provided him with ease. Life getting on with business.

Théo turned to the side and grabbed his bag and from it he took a bottle and pulled the cork out with his teeth and spat it out. "Ladies first", he smiled offering her the bottle and a much stronger drink than mead which would warm her body and keep the cold at bay. There was no glasses, they would have to share spittle.

​

​

[member="Kaili Talith"]​

 

[Kaili Talith]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

A small chuckle burst through her nose as she looked out over the waters and the increasingly distant land. They did have a history of meeting under less fortuitous circumstances, usually something heart crushing or otherwise devastating. Not so much this time though, this time it was just two friends on a boat with a drink sitting on a fur piece as the temperatures grew colder. Under many circumstances, most likely the devastating teenage dream of many a valkyrie. However, for Kaili, not so much.

“Borleias.” She said and took the first swig from the bottle. A cough parted her lips and she handed the bottle back to Theo with a trembling hand. “Long beaches, palm trees, monsoon seasons and tourism.”

“My mother is Kira Talith, she used to be part of the Republic back in her days. A jedi master.” Kaili explained, her smile warming up as the drink in her stomach began to burn through her system. “My father is…”

And right there, for a mere second that lasted longer than it had any right to, she hesitated. Soliael Devin Talith, her father, was a man of both fame and infamy depending on who it was that you spoke to. Looking Theodred in the eyes she tried to seek some measure of understanding or calm. She didn’t like to talk about them all that often, didn’t want people to think she rode on her family name or history. Or let others try to use it against her for that matter.

But Theo, he was not one to do that. At least so her gut told her.

“Soliael Talith.” She eventually whispered as if the captain was not to hear it. “False god of the Moross, son of Darth Moridin.”

A silence fell between them as Kaili considered what that would mean. The silence as to who she came from, and where, was something that had been on her shoulders for a while. Her parents had raised her to keep it a secret.

“My name is, technically…” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “Nohei Shamalain.”

Supposed to be a secret, that one.

“My great-grandmother used to be the Queen of Kuat, up until she... Died.”

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

"Sounds like a dream", he said as she described her home planet, such a difference between that world and this. Théo took a long draft from the bottle as Kaili handed it back, it didn't effect him like it did her, considering his brewery produced he waited for the effects of the hot spice to kick in in her stomach. His attention did not waiver and he took in each and every word.

"My mother .. the same", in the republic that was and he estimated they would have been there at the same time, maybe they had crossed paths at one point, although her mother went by a different name. The Talith name however, was more known by Jedi and Théo had guessed there would be some connection when they met but he was never one for judging someone by that method. Always, the deeds of an individual far out spoke that of reputation for good or ill.

When Kaili spoke his name and the title by which he was best known for, his eyes locked on hers. He had never met the man or any of her family for that matter but there was a connection between him and Midvinter. Nothing directly associated with the Heavenshields or any event that transpired on Midvinter, but the legend of the shield maiden of the Southmark was well documented in the Dawnguard Library. Aerin Firebrand had been his apprentice before she returned to Midvinter and vanished soon after the great battle that took the life of his grandfather.

"Shamalain", he repeated but that name did not ring a bell, and he supposed it should have.

Théo's lips pulled into a grin, "I knew I was right", he simply said, "Nobility", he raised a pointed finger and circled it in the air as if drawing a line around her face, "It is written all over your face".

But his face dropped somewhat more serious, "Is that what you are running from?". He was always under the impression that Kaili was running away from something, naturally he could be completely wrong, but he cared for Kaili and he wanted to help .. if she needed it.

​

​

​

[member="Kaili Talith"]​

 

[Kaili Talith]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

It was in some regards a relief to see the indifference that seemed to fall on Theodred’s face as he regarded the Shamalain name. Perhaps it said a lot about the way the galaxy shifted in its turmoil, or maybe it said even more about those in Kaili’s family tree who seemed to care almost too much. If Theo’s reaction was anything to go by it seemed more like that latter, and with that realization Kaili felt a small rock drop off of her shoulders. But that weightlessness did not last for long.

The precision strike that tore at her nerves in an attack she had not expected caused her to recoil for a second. For a moment she looked at her friend in utter disbelief before her brows furrowed with anger as she raised her finger towards him as if to point straight at him, scolding him for even assuming that was the case. Yet as she tried to speak and defend herself she felt as if her tongue had been tied up into a thousand knots. Swallowing air she felt her finger start to tremble as the frustration built up until she finally…

Sighed.

Her pointed finger fell into her lap as she took a deep swig from the bottle in her other free hand. Slender shoulders slumped over her knees and with another sigh she felt out of breath as if she had just screamed at her friend without uttering a single word. A growing sense of dejection and defeat began to spread around her and she knew that for all the intents and purposes of her lies and facades, Theo had managed to hit where it hurt the most.

Kaili hated to think she lived off of her name. She refused aid from her parents, she took immense pride in living by herself and making her own name and fortune. For as long as she had lived she felt a strong need to compensate for something but she never really knew what it was. While Theodred most likely hadn’t just fixed twenty-five years of self-loathing, he most certainly managed to pinpoint one cause of it.

“I…” She took a deep breath and sighed once more. “Am not running away.”

The truth was always going to be hard to swallow.

“I don’t think… I don’t know.” She handed the bottle over to Theo and proceeded to hug her knees. “I hope not.”

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

There would be an even more stoic look upon Théo's face as Kaili sat in front of him riding a wave of emotions from his last question. Her eyes flicked with anger at one point, toward him for the upheaval his words had produced. He said nothing for the moment, but simply took the bottle from her hand and without taking his eyes off her sitting there hugging her legs to her chest, he tilted his head and took another large mouth full.

"You don't know?", he asked her incredulously, "I think you do". He placed the bottle on the deck of the ship between them.

"I bet you have never heard of a guy named Théo Vhalorious. At fifteen he roamed the galaxy running away from the pressures of his family name and everything they achieved. What was expected of him, what he expected of himself which all conflicted with what he was and what he wanted, that and death .. the loss of someone very dear to him". He looked at her with a grin, even if she had not heard the name, which he would be most surprised if she had, she would guess who he was talking about.

"A very long story short ... he got through it, but it was difficult. Once he did however, he realised that he was the problem not everyone else and he began to take ownership of responsibility for himself. After that life changed considerably and for the better". He reached toward her and took hold of her hand gently placing it in his own.

"But that is his story and everyone is different. I understand why", he simply said and regardless of her position in something similar, she was going through this alone and it was the only way to do it. He understood that too.

"I would not be so quick to dismiss it in the sense that "you hope not", because it might be exactly what you need to do". Or continue to do until she finds her ending and at the end of that.. find what she is and start walking down that path.

​

​

[member="Kaili Talith"]​

 

[Kaili Talith]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

Teenage rebellion was not something Kaili could claim she associated the Heavenshield name with. Though Vhalorious was a peculiar last name, Kaili couldn’t really claim that Virou wasn’t as equally peculiar name. In the end it didn’t matter. She remained curled up in a ball. Her nose rested against her knees and her eyes peeked out towards her friend. As much as she would try to keep looking there was something at the back of her mind that nearly pried her attention elsewhere as the shots began to focus on her again and what Kaili was doing.

No, the problem had never been the others. She had grown very certain of that as the years passed. The problem was and always had been Kaili herself. Her eyes blinked awake as a hand grabbed at hers. She looked upon the massive valkyr hand as it held her hand within its palm before Kaili inevitably looked up at her friend again.

“It’s easier to live behind a facade of being someone else.” She said and frowned. “Amea Virou has served many uses, most of which is a complete detachment from who I am and what I can do.”

“... I could be anyone.” Her voice changed its subtle cues and mannerisms, grew huskier and deeper with just enough of a hint of Imperial to pass for someone else. With it came an almost instant change in mood, self-pity changed for determination bordering on arrogance before Kaili inevitably dropped it again and went back to being herself again. “Yet I can’t really be anyone else.”

And in case Theodred was curious. “... My mother is Lorrdian.” Kaili said and tilted her head in contemplation.

“Look, I…” She sighed, again. “I get what you are saying.”

“How did you get out of it? The downward spiral?”

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

His eyebrow arched as the girl he knows opposite changed in not only voice but attitude and countenance, just for a brief second but it was enough to show him that there was much more to Kaili than he knew. He was curious of course, but that would be for a later time. Théo sat for a moment, thinking about if he had done the same, taken on a new identity like she did, but not really, not in the same way. He had changed his name but that was because he did not wish to be recognised for his birth name but he was still Théo. He realised that he had not been anything else even when away from the family and trying to find a footing in the galaxy for himself.

"Once you reach the bottom there is only one way to go", a soft grin pulled at his cheeks. "Cliché I know, but true nonetheless". He pulled a fur around his back and over his shoulders, the dampness of the fens beginning to seep into the long boat and moisture clung to everything, he nodded toward a spare one for her to take up and do the same if she wished.

"I was younger, only a young man so the circumstances are much different to yours. I spent a few years away from Midvinter and the family and I was lucky enough to find a friend of mine who helped out a lot, without him I dare say I would not have been so lucky to fall on my feet as I did". He knew he was not really answering her question.

"I guess I just occupied my self and my thoughts with anything other then what I was running from, myself I suppose. Eventually I just started to miss my family and the time came when I should return home. Which I did, but did not stay for long. It was not long after that, that I went to the Iron Empire", that is where he truly found himself and what he could do, what he could be. And it was not long before he was promoted to the higher ranks of the Empire.

But all good things come to an end.

​

​

[member="Kaili Talith"]​

 

[Kaili Talith]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

There was truth to it, of that there were no doubts. Kaili grabbed fur that was given to her and wrapped it around her body to create a protective mound over her thin figure. The jacket that had covered her was slicked to her skin at this point, and as a hand ran through her hair she found it to be as good as soaked. With a shake she shook the moisture from her hand and huddled under her blanket for warmth.

“You know, I was there when the Alliance took shape.” Kaili mused quietly and looked down at the bottle, half her mind wanting to reach out for it and the other holding her back. For a second her hand poked out into the damp cold before she decided against it. “Yet I have never known loyalty to a cause.”

That frown on her lips returned as she closed her eyes and shook her head in disappointment. Mostly in herself and the way she kept pushing it all away seemingly afraid to commit. It was hard to deny that the drink had gotten to her at this point. Her stare grew more distant, hazier than ever as she blinked trying to catch the trail of thoughts eluding her attention. They were there right in front of her and all she had to do was reach out and grasp them yet it seemed so hard.

She focused, tried her best not to let them slip away.

“Theo,” She said while trying to think of a way to phrase herself and buy herself time. “I…”

At that point Kaili wanted to scream. Opening up was hard, talking about her issues was even more difficult for her and the idea of sharing her most intimate or otherwise personal ponderings was something that seemed outright impossible. She tried to speak, tell him of her fear of dying alone or without a cause. Her disgust for not fighting for what she believed in or having anything to believe in for that matter. Her impassiveness and outright fear of committing herself to an ideal.

Kaili's words failed her and she settled for a leaving a pained expression set across her face as she scooched closer to place her head on Theodred’s shoulder seeking comfort, one friend to another.

“I’m all over the place. I’m sorry.”

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He pulled his thick arm out of the fur and around the shoulders of Kaili resting against him. "You know that old saying, 'love yourself before others can love you too' or something like that? well, the same goes for everything else like loyalty", he grinned as he looked down into her face. "You don't have to find loyalty to a cause or ideal for that matter, just find loyalty to yourself and the rest will follow". He knew well enough that that did not always pan out that way, people will always turn against you, some will and some wont, but that is a part of life and he knew Kaili knew this as well.

"Yeah you really are messed up girl", he added in a playful way, so wasn't of course, she was being normal especially when dealing with what this galaxy throws at you to test everything you believe in.

Around the corner of the river more fen and mist and the wee hours of the night to greet them. Théo yawned with fatigue suspecting the mead was starting to get to him, that and the late hour. "We should get some rest. Waiting for us is something that with endless enegry and cant' wait for our arrival". He refers to his daughter, excited for a new visitor.

There was only one person up at this hour manning the tiller, even the captain was snoring his head off at the bow of the long boat and all Théo could hear was the lapping of the water against the side of the boat and it was starting to lull him to sleep. He arranged an area on the floor for himself to sleep and helped Kaili with hers before he laid down and covered up with the fur and looked up into the clear night sky. The stars all there to see, and he pondered on them and realised in this moment that he did not miss them, traveling among them .. now that was a strange thought.

"You warm, comfortable?", he asked turning his head.

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[member="Kaili Talith"]​