Post by kevna on Sept 2, 2023 16:29:15 GMT -5
Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth
They winked out of between, and Agureyth bugled an excited announcement of arrival. Tak’ril felt his stomach roil. Too long. He should have sent a letter, had someone write one for him. Should have sent word. Something. Instead there had just been unending silence. He felt ashamed of that, even though he was unsure whether they would have wanted to hear from him. Looking down on Tidewalk Hold, unease shot through him. His feelings seemed to leech into Agureyth, who crooned silently to him.
What is it, mine?
I’m… just nervous. It’s been so long.
They will be overjoyed to see you, and with me!
We’ll need to land further away, you are too large to land in the Hold.
But you will bring them to meet me, yes?! The anxiety was genuine, and Tak’ril patted the bronze.
Of course I will. They will be thrilled to meet you. He hoped at least. What if they felt as he had, that he hadn’t deserved such a magnificent beast? What if he had ruined their lives, acting so rashly? His hand went to his pocket, full of marks. It wasn’t a lot, but it would help relieve any burden his actions had placed on them. So he hoped. They landed to the north of the Hold, in a clearing that would easily nestle his large bronze.
“I’ll be back soon.” He promised. The sun was rising higher in the sky, midmorning by now, but there was still a substantial chill in the air. Spring was barely touching Tidewalk, and his boots his the grass with a crunch of frosted grass. He pulled his leather jacket open, and took a deep breath, feeling the chill enter his lungs. It smelled of… home. Or where home had once been.
He left his dragon sitting on the hill, hiking down into the fishing village of Tidewalk Hold, looking for the house that had once been called home. He found it, though it didn’t look nearly like how he had left it. The door hung slightly crooked, the once clean home was grungy, and the gutters hung askew. He felt shame reknew itself. He hadn’t expected it to be this bad. He opened the door, having to shoulder himself inside, and then slam it behind him. That would be fixed before he left. The small living room was neat and clean as usual, though one of the windows was boarded up, and the curtain torn.
The swinging door to the kitchen was propped open, and looked like it would hang askew if closed. His hand closed into a fist. This was him. His fault. He entered the kitchen, finding it in a similar state as the small living room, his mother stood before the kitchen sink, slowly cleaning dishes, her back stooped.
“Ma.” His voice cracked, filled with regret, grief. The woman twirled, her hair braided as neatly as always though more silver then it had once been, her face more lined as well. She dropped the cup she was cleaning, and it banged to the floor, though it didn’t break. One of the wooden cups then. Her face was pale with shock. “Taksuril.” She breathed, her hands shaking as they covered her quivering mouth. Then she reached out for him, and with two large steps he had swept her into his arms. Her sobs were joined by his own silent tears. Her cries soothed his previous fears, though bruised his guilt. Oh, he should have written.
“You lived. You lived.” She whispered over and over, her arms holding him with a strength he remembered and cherished. “I should have written.” He whispered, and he felt a breathy sob mixed with a laugh. “If you paid more attention to your lessons, you might have been able to.” She said firmly, pulling away and studying his face. “You look so well. So healthy. So strong. I had thought..” She shook her head, her fear obvious and unvoiced.
“I am. I'm good.” He said, nodding.
“What…” She treaded off, and shook her head, leading him to the living room and sitting him down in the old couch, which was just as uncomfortable as he remembered. “Tell me what came of you.” She smiled, sitting next to him, and caressed his face. He started from the beginning, and when he came to Agureyth, she had brightened and laughed, clapping her hands with delight. Just like Tasy used to do. “You must meet him. He is very anxious to meet you, and Da, and Ro.” He said, feeling Agureyth prodding him.
His mother’s shoulders drooped, and her smile softened to one of more pain… “Roleran has… not been himself, I fear. But I do have a surprise for you my son. Come.” She stood, and grabbed his hand, taking him to her cramped room she shared with his father when he wasn’t at sea. A crib. There was a crib next to their bed. He blinked dumbly, looking into it.
“Her name is Zatia. I had her a couple months after you left. She surprised us all.” His mother scooped up the small child, and without ceremony, deposited her into his arms. His eyes widened and he stiffened, holding the child awkwardly. “Oh. She’s… big.” He offered awkwardly, though his body relaxed gradually as he got the hang of holding the awkward bundle of the child. She really was something.
“She looks like Taselin.” His mother whispered, her face soft and happy, though he couldn't help but hear the pang of grief. She took the bundle from him, and put her back in the cradle, before leading him away. “She does.” He offered, his voice a little garbled with feeling.
I would meet her as well, mine. Especially if she looks like Tasy.
It was always weird hearing her name from his bonded, and he nodded in answer. Yes, of course he would meet his… sister. His other sister. How… strange.
“Tell me… what I’ve missed.” Tak’ril turned from his mother, moving to the tiny closet his father kept his tools, and grabbing them out, as well as the glass pane that his father must have bought in order to fix the window. It was dirty with layers of dust. He headed for the door, ignoring his mother’s protests. He could do this at least. For them.
He listened mutely as she explained how his actions had harmed their family, though she never once blamed him. Not once. His father had lost their boat, the crew he had had leaving him for other positions, possibly due to Boregar’s family. Undoubtably due to Boregar’s family. They hadn’t been able to come out openly and attack his family, seeing as Boregar had lost the duel, and in so doing had condemned his own actions. That hadn’t stopped them from attacking in other directions. His father had found it harder and harder to find work on any boat, and had to take the most grueling positions that left him gone longer and longer. Roleran… Hadn’t been able to find work at all, not with all the fighting and drinking he had slumped into. Apparently his gambling had put their family in a tight spot. Tak felt his jaw tighten more and more as his mother listed Roleran’s actions.
By the time she was done explaining all that had happened with them, he had fixed the front door, the living room window, and was about to move to the kitchen swinging door, when his mother turned his face to her. “I do not blame you, Tak.” She said firmly to him. “You gave Tasy justice. She is at peace thanks to you. But I have missed you my son.” Tears filled his eyes, and his mother caressed him. “I am so proud of what you have made of yourself… and…” She paused, pursing her lips. “I want you to take Ro with you when you go. I’m afraid for him, for what he will do if he stays. Maybe… if he can become a dragonrider he will do well as you have. Please, Tak. For me? Take him with you when you go.”
He nodded slowly. This at least he could do. Remembering the marks in his purse, he pulled out the bag and offered it to his mother. “Take it.” He said firmly, when she started to shake her head. “Please.” She pursed her lips at him, her eyes narrowing. She took it hesitantly and smiled as she shook her head. “You were always so very obstinate.”
“I wonder where I get that from.” He muttered, even as he gave her a side long hug. She threw her head back and laughed, reaching up and ruffling his hair. “You scoundrel, no respect.” They spoke longer, his mother telling him of Zatia, as his fixed the swinging door. He could feel Agureyth with him, listening avidly when he wasn’t napping in the sun. His mother fed him the afternoon meal, and then when Zatia awoke from her nap she insisted on meeting Agureyth. It was quite a hike for her, and Zatia wouldn’t let Tak’ril hold her, seeing as she was entering the stage of stranger danger, adding to the burden. Tak’ril supported her as he could, and when they got to the clearing, Agureyth nearly bounded over to them, his large head lowering so his large eyes were on them.
Oh, hello mine’s mother. And little mine’s mine. The bronze spoke directly to his mother and infant sister, and the small child was looking at him with wide eyes, unsure how to react. His mother looked similar, wide-eyed. “Why, he’s huge.” She murmured, her free hand going to her chest. Tak’ril laughed even as Agureyth answered.
Oh, I am. I do wonder if I’ll grow more, it is possible. Agureyth answered somberly, looking himself over before turning back to the two females. “Well, it’s very nice to meet you Agureyth.” She said softly, giving a little cursty, and Agureyth, unsure how to respond to that, bowed his head. The baby reach out, as if to touch the bronze dragon, and Aggy moved closer, giving the child the opportunity. Of course, the baby then hit him. Agureyth drew away, surprised.
She is quite weak, mine. Is there something wrong with her? Agureyth commented and asked softly to Tak’ril. And she doesn’t look like the Tasy of your memories. I am confused.
Well, she's small still. She has some growing to do, like you did after you came out of the shell.
Oh, well that makes more sense. What is taking her so long?
That was how the meeting mostly went, laughter, questions, confusion. Tak’ril walked his mother and sister home when the sun was starting to lower, though Agureyth said he’s keep his mine’s mine if the little one didn’t oppose. It took some explaining, but Agureyth was sure he could provide for something so weak, and was a little unsure about letting the weak infant leave without him. It was all settled in the end, and once his mother and Zatia were settled at home, he set off for the taverns, his face grim and set. He would find Roleran and keep his promise to his mother. Later, when his father was home, he would see about getting his family situated somewhere safer. But his promise first.
