I'm Coming Home

[Odessa Andaris]

For once, Odessa had little to say, and even less to complain about. The trip was tedious and boring, and so Odessa occupied herself with Zedarius. She'd never utter it aloud, but she was enamoured with the large man and his gentle, patient ways. She'd cushioned her head against his shoulder, drifting her fingertips over the hand he had rested on her thigh, tracing patterns up his wrist and onto his muscled forearm. The trip was only worsened by the fact that Odessa didn't quite feel herself, she was more weighed down that usual, tired and slow. She wanted to sleep, to sneak in a quick nap before they arrived, but refrained, lest she somehow make a fool of herself in front of her fiance, or worse yet, the dinner guests. She sighed softly into Zeds shoulder, content to twist her fingers with his own and relax against his side for the time being.

Until, of course, her gaze wondered across the carriage to her older brother. It was of little surprise that he was on something. What exactly Odessa had little care for, she was merely thankful that, for those who didn't know him, it was difficult to tell. There was some convenience to Damon coming with them at least, as his presence could be taken as an escort for his younger sister. Her stomach turned at just the thought of the rumors that would flourish, especially if it where her aunts who got wind of Dessa travelling alone with Zed.

Finally, the carriage stopped, and Odessa sat up, gathering her skirts around her as Zed stood and exited the carriage, moving to help the driver with the steps. As she stood, a wave of nausea came over her and she paused, leaning a hand against the walk of the carriage and pressing the other to her stomach, breathing deeply through her nose as she willed her stomach to settle. Damon paused and held out a hand to her, offering to help her out of the carriage, and Odessa turned her frown on him, her brow furrowed. "I'm fine." She snapped, settling her stomach through sheer force of will, her gaze steely and much like their mother's as she watched Damon hop out, forgoing the stairs completely. Odessa shook her head with a sigh, taking a brief moment to clear her face and compose herself before she moved to the open, where anyone could see her less than noble reactions.

At the door, Zed offered his arm, and Odessa took it gratefully, back straight and head held high as she smoothed out her skirt with her free hand while glancing over Zed's clothing, a soft, approving smile gracing her lips for a moment. He almost looks like a born noble. She thought to herself, pleased by the effort he'd put into his appearance. Slipping her hand into the crook of his arm, Odessa leant up on to her toe tips to press a soft, fond kiss to her fiances cheek. "Thank you, darling" She murmured, her voice soft and warm, without any trace of snarky attitude. A last, satisfied look over the both of their outfits, and Odessa was happy to join her brother by the front door.

[Malcolm]

A moment, all he needed was a moment to gather his thoughts and fix the mask. Nothing was wrong, that's what his easy smile and bright eyes told the world. Inside he was dead, inside everything was dark and he moved as if walking through fog.
“Malcolm,” Benjamin’s voice saw him look up. “There's someone at the door, do you want me to get it?”
“No, please, go out back, enjoy yourself.” Words packaged up and delivered with another one of those charming smiles.
Violet saw through him, they both did, but each were kind enough to let him be, at least for now. “I'm fine, Violet, it's just the stress,” he lied. “I thought I would die on that mountain, more than once… it's a sensitive subject,” Malcolm admitted, as if this had been the topic of his discussion with Vakhanor. “Will you help Benjamin take more wine out to the table? I'll come and join you soon.”
The warden watched his comrades go, eager to join them. Duty called him to the front door, however, and he answered, not expecting to find a young woman and two children. He thought back to the guest list Elyna had gone over with him that morning, and smiled. “Lady Warrick, its an honour to have you visit our home.” Malcolm bowed and pushed the door back against the wall to make way for them. “I'm Elyna’s,” Malcolm paused, they weren't married, not officially. Would Elyna scold him for the lie?
He changed his mind.
“My name is Malcolm Krome, please come in, Elyna and the other guests are in the garden, straight down the hallway,” he gestured. “I'll be out in a moment to speak with you all.”
Malcolm grinned at the young teen, and the small child in Lei’lira’s arms as they passed, and was just about to close the door when he spotted a familiar face. The warden stepped outside and strode down the steps to greet Zedarius, a quiet, well respected knight he had crossed paths with a handful of times over the last two or three arcs.
“Zedarius,” he called, and greeted the man as some knights do, his hand closed against the man's forearm. “Welcome to my home.”
He smiled as Zedarius introduced lord Damon and lady Odessa, and sure he had seen them both before at previous noble events, Malcolm was surprised to see how much they had grown. In the last forty arcs he had spent as a noble, Malcolm had aged no more than ten arcs at a glance, but his most recent escapades had seen him sprout the odd grey hair around the ears.
“M’lord, lady Odessa,” he bowed again at the hip, the action shallow, made out of respect for their titles. “Thank you for joining us. I hope you'll excuse the mess, we've just moved in.”
Of course, there was no mess to be found, Malcolm kept a very tidy house, everything had a place, and upon walking through the front door they would be greeted by the smell of dried lavender, hung always above the entranceway, perhaps out of superstition or some old tradition he hadn't yet grown out of. A short hallway led past the study, bathroom, stairs and kitchen, and beyond the back door they would find the large garden where the meal was arranged neatly on the table and ready to serve.
“I hope you'll join me for a drink?” Malcolm asked. “Captain Beaujeu (Benjamin) is here, and my partner, lady Elyna Burhan,” who Zedarius already knew as a captain of the skyriders, “and my son, Vaughn Krome.”
He led them through to the garden where everyone else was and introduced them to the group formally. They had a noble in attendance from every house other than Gwayne and Endor, a good turn out for any small event. After Malcolm fetched them all drinks, he insisted that they take a seat at the table and start mingling while he slipped away to clear the air and offer his apologies to the man he had struck not half an hour before.
“Vakhanor,” Malcolm extended his hand to the man, “please, join me at the table for a meal, I'd like to talk.” And this time when the warden smiled, he meant it.

[Vakhanor]

Annoyed, Vakh ignored the ongoing drone of Elyna's voice lecturing Vakhanor on his own morality. Comfort achieved the opposite effect and a loathing hatred for the woman began to seed at the bottom of his heart. His world was turning upside down and he was beginning to care less for the consequences. Anger burned in his eyes as he turned to face the noble "Enough," the low, bitter growl of his voice grumbled "go and find your husband. He needs you." Ready to leave, the smith turned away from Elyna and dismissed her. Only to be met by the kindness of Malcolm's extended hand, reaching out to invite him back to dinner.

"Vakhanor. Please, join me at the table for a meal, I'd like to talk."

Cautious of the ease in which the stranger extended his palm Vakhanor studied Malcolm, sizing up the man. Never had he seen forgiveness paid to anyone so easily "Sure," the smith relented, easing from his fury. The knight that stood before him was a man of honour, one who had took care of Elyna long before Vakhanor had known her and for that the smith had been forever grateful. Regardless of his anger, the Skyrider was still his friend.

"Come on E, let's go in," Vakh said, releasing Malcolm's hand as he turned back to look at Elyna "You'll get cold." A serene, gentle softness returned to Vakhanor's voice, followed by a forced smile. Unsure whether remaining in a household full of people he hated and a man that smacked him only thirty bits previous to the invitation to share conversation, Vakhanor was uneasy about the affair. Regardless, for the time being he chose to remain.

Wordlessly Vakhanor stepped past Malcolm toward the dining table. A number of new guests had shown up since his arrival, Lei'lira in particular however struck him with disbelief. "Lazuli?" the name escaped his lips. Amazed, the smith stood starring at the woman dumb-founded. Great, dinner and one guilt trip after another. Why didn't Elyna tell him that she was coming?

Caught off-guard Vakhanor became nervous by Lei'lira's presence and lowered his eyes to the floor when he realised he was starring "I uh-" a look of confusion passed over his face "Hi." The smith had not seen the girl since the day they had stayed together with Elyna before leaving to Burhan. He didn't realise she had kids.

[Vaughn]

It appeared that whatever it was that had caused the altercation had wound down, just in time for the next round of guests to appear. Vaughn didn't know whether to be disappointed or relieved. He turned his attention back to Elsie.

Elyna had handed him a damp cloth, "For the inevitable," and though Vaughn compared to most of the others was sorely underdressed he seemed almost to pale. This was getting a bit out of the area of his expertise. He had held children before, but fed them?

He looked doubtfully at the little girl and said, in an earnest voice, "You wouldn't make a big mess, would you?" Prompting her to laugh, the cooked carrot held smashed in her hand waved around excitedly. He winced, but kept his hands firmly under her armpits so she wouldn't fall. "You can feed yourself, can't you little lady?" he asked her, but of course the child wouldn't answer, she was just approaching talking age...

At that, a strange look crossed his face, confusion almost, and then his expression smoothed. "Um, Elyna?" he asked, in a voice purposefully hesitant, but his eyes were much sharper. "How old is Elsie, exactly?"

Here he was socializing most with a child but he couldn't bring himself to care much at the moment. He shot his father a calculating look where the man was apparently making peace with the smith he had punched earlier. How old were children when they talked? Had to be over a year, were they not? He didn't exactly know.

He remembered his mother, upset last arc in Ashan, right around this time. That was when she and Malcolm had split up, and now Vaughn thought he knew why. Logically he had known before, obviously Elyna had always been the reason, but he was now holding the evidence in his hands.

Wasn't his father supposed to be a demigod of fucking Devotion?

He was angry, very angry, but he couldn't be because he had Elsie. He wondered if true parents felt this frustrated all the time, unable to vent their feelings because their kids were around?

What he wanted to do was find some way to ruin the party, perhaps even start a shouting match, but instead, for his half-sibling, he plastered a smile on his face and bounced her some more, cooing to her as she shoved the mushed vegetables in her mouth and, as predicted, made a general mess of herself and the area around her. Every once and a while he wiped, cautiously, at her cheek with the wet cloth, not that it made much of a difference.

The food for the rest of them was soon set out and people began to drift towards the table. By this time Vaughn was so hungry he could have eaten an entire jacadon, but now he stubbornly, almost like a child himself, refused to eat. He had gotten used to using his own hunger as a weapon in fits of anger against his mother and Marcus, making them squirm, though he doubted his father would ever have cared nearly as much.

[Elyna]

Elyna watched Violet vanish into the kitchen, and cold fury stirred with jealousy. But wasn’t it deserved? She bit her bottom lip and looked back to the tall man. If anyone else had spoken to the noblewoman, the way that the red-headed smith had a tendency too, she would have put them in their place. As it was, Elyna realised that she had almost, quite literally, made her own bed in this case. When it came to Vakhanor she allowed him certain privileges and excused his coarse behaviour. She had always accepted him as he was, as a friend that she valued and loved. Even if sometimes, perhaps wrongly, that meant she let his anger wash over her, like waves of advancing lava. Flushed from the neck up, the woman rubbed her hand over her collar, fingers vanishing into the hair at the nape of her neck.
Malcolm approached, breaking the tense silence. Elyna folded her arms across her chest, unsure if she was willing, or required to defend her friend. Then Vakhanor softened and turned to her like an old friend.
"Come on E, let's go," he had always been a wild sea. Dangerous undertow beneath the smooth polished surface. She should have learnt already, not to let her guard so far down, because that was when the tempest would strike. It was relief that the young woman realised that his temperament had mellowed in Malcolm’s presence and he led the way back to the outside table. With space to breath, Elyna risked a glance at the mortalborn. She wanted to reach out for his hand or wrap her arms around him. With guests filling up the table laid out in the garden, and the last of the spring grey-light fading to stars, she wanted to hide behind her lover until everyone left again. However, with her heart thumping too hard in her chest, as she had been the night that Malcolm had been abducted…Elyna found herself afraid that if she reached out for him; he would deny her.
“Lazuli?” Elyna heard Vakhanor’s surprise and frowned. Unfortunately for the skyrider, it would be rude to hide from her own guests. Her gaze grazed Malcolm’s profile without meeting his eyes. Theirs was not a conversation nor an apology for the public domain.
“Oh,” spying the Lady Warrick, Elyna spared a final, longing glance at Malcolm’s boots before approaching the table. So she gathered herself, pushing her shoulders down and lifting her chin. “Vakhanor, this is Lei’Lira, she is Lazuli’s sister. Lei’Lira, this is Vakhanor, a Smith here in Andaris.”
The young woman offered a genuine smile at the blonde Lady, but resisted the urge to hug her. Neither of them were the overly affectionate type. Instead she bent to greet Teirau, “my goodness!” she exclaimed, “Aren’t you wearing the prettiest dress?” She extended a hand to brush the fabric, giving a knowing nod. It was then she straightened and greeted the teenager with a shy smile. “Please would you all take a seat? Dinner is just about ready, the vegetables are out, there is pie, bread, butter and I’m sure Ben will be carving the venison shortly,” she peered at the large fire where the animal turned on a spit.
Spotting Zed, she offered the man a cautious wave of recognition. Surely she had seen him around the Iron Hand training grounds? She approached the small party, “Lord and Lady Andaris, a pleasure to meet you both.” Elyna was also certain that she’d probably seen them around before as well, though her memory of various noble or courtly functions were vague. “Would you please join us for a seat?”
The noble woman sank down on one side of the table and grimaced at poor Vaughn. Elsie had continued to watch her brother with devoted adoration. It was then that Vaughns quiet question reached her and she felt the blood drain from her features. She reached, without thinking for the nearest glass of wine, and had raised it to her lips before realising her mistake. The wine was traded for a glass of water and elderflower cordial and she took a sip. “Vaughn,” she met his gaze, her own eyes dark and desperate, “you know better than to discuss the age of a lady so openly,” she teased and set the glass down.
It seemed as though most of their guests had taken their seats and Elyna extended her arms towards the blonde Smith, resisting the urge to snatch her daughter from his grasp. “You must be hungry? I’ll hold her or you won’t manage more than a bite…”
She watched his gaze moving over the table, “Elsie is very advanced for her age,” she told the young man, trying to hold his gaze and trying to warn him off the conversation. “I heard that you’re also a smith, Vaughn? And that you have a love of good horses?” The young woman offered him a wary smile, “maybe one morning you can join me at the stables? I could always appreciate a good eye…and an extra pair of strong hands.” It was harder to carry out her duties with the growing bump. Hopefully though, it would give Vaughn and her the chance to speak.
“Do you have any interest in horses, Lady Warrick?” Elyna looked hopefully at Lei’Lira.

[Lei'lira]

Lei'lira tried not to flinch when she was addressed as "Lady Warrick" by the man who opened the door. It was what others would see her as, after all. She should be used to it. Except for the fact that she rarely ever spoke to anyone other than her neighbors, and her children. Her neighbors had long since gotten used to the idea of calling her Lei'lira, and of her acting like the simple farmer she truly was. She would never be comfortable with being the "lady" that an accident of birth had made her.

"Please...call me Lei'lira." she said softly.

Maybe then she could get through this dinner without making a complete disgrace of herself, and fleeing at the first possible opportunity. The man introduced himself as Malcom Krome, making Lei'lira wonder just how many nobles were attending this dinner. Once again, she wondered if she was horribly under dressed for this event. But he smiled at Eri, and Teirue, giving the impression that he liked children, and that relieved Lei'lira a little. Eri flushed awkwardly, but Teirue beamed at the man, and waved happily. It was good that one of them was happy, at least.

An unfamiliar voice called Lazuli's name. Startled, Lei'lira looked around, but her twin was nowhere in sight. Even so, it took her a couple of bits to realize that the man must think that she was her sister. She was so caught off guard to be mistaken for her twin that she couldn't even begin to respond.

Fortunately, Elyna came to her rescue, and introduced her to the man, who was apparently a smith named Vakhanor who worked here in Andaris. Lei'lira smiled at her gratefully, relieved that the other woman had introduced her as Lei'lira rather than "Lady Warrick."

"How do you know my sister?" she asked the man curiously when she could gather her courage up enough to speak.

The man had a very intimidating appearance, and Lei'lira was hard pressed not to cringe away from him. He looked very strong to her. She realized that if he wanted to hurt her, there was very little she would be able to do to stop him. Fear made her want to flee his presence, but she couldn't do that. It would be rude to Elyna if she did.

Elyna asked everyone to sit down, and Lei'lira was quick to obey, sitting as close to Lady Burhan as she could. The woman was the only person that she knew at this party, and Lei'lira was nervous enough as it was. Making polite conversation with a stranger...especially one who was a man...was well beyond her at the moment. Teirue and Eri sat beside her, offering her a little cushion of space. But Teirue was more interested in the other child than in the prospect of food at the moment. She kept looking over at the girl who looked to be a little younger than she was, and waving cheerfully. She hoped that they would have the chance to play later.

Eri looked as uncomfortable as Lei'lira felt...until someone mentioned the magic word. Horses. Lei'lira looked up in interest when Elyna began speaking to a man named Vaughn about horses, and a stable. When asked if she had an interest in horses, she smiled genuinely, and nodded.

"I love them. I raise them at my farm in Warrick, and it is my hope to own a breeding farm one day. What kind of horses do you have? she asked with great interest.

[Violet]

Though Malcolm was clearly not as fine as he wanted everyone to think he was, there was a knock the door and he had dismissed her with nothing much left to say. “I don’t think you are fine, but obviously you don’t want to talk about it- and that’s fine. See you at the table.” She left behind Malcolm in his home to deal with whoever was knocking at the door. She noticed that Benjamin had left, too, trailing behind Violet out into the back yard where the sunlight was turning to dusk and creeping into night.

The redhead and Elyna must have still been off in the garden somewhere, so she took a seat next to Vaughn and poured herself a glass of wine. For a while, she sat in silence and sipped at her wine, bright eyes flicking to the house and then the garden. Malcolm emerged finally with a party of guests- none of which she recognized- who joined them at the table while Malcolm went over to the garden. Violet tensed and listened for another punch, but none came and soon the redhead, Malcolm, and Elyna emerged and finally joined the guests.

Violet smiled over at Vaughn as he fussed with Elsie who was feeding herself and smashing the softly steamed vegetables in her tiny fists. She did not miss Vaughn’s question and wondered if he was trying to do the math to figure out what exactly happened. Elyna brushed it off smoothly with a joke, to no surprise. She could fit in with the best of the snakes at court. “I didn’t know you were a smith, Vaughn. Perhaps you can take a look at my knives sometime. They have to be extremely balances for throwing.”

Elyna addressed one of the new additions to the table as “Lady Warrick”. It must have been her cousin, the heirs to the Warrick name. Violet smiled and extended her hand across the table. “Lady Warrick, Violet Warrick. Victor’s eldest. It’s a shame we haven’t met before.” And she truly meant it. From the looks of it, the other Warrick, like Violet, was not too much into the pomp and circumstance of the ways and lives of nobles. The topic of horses came up, and she wondered what the more stuffy nobles would think of this get together.

The Lady Warrick seemed particularly interested in the subject of horses, visibly brightening at the mere mention. Violet picked up that the lady had her own farm and ambitions to open a breeding stable, something that surely wasn’t looked at so fondly by the stuffier nobles. She also had a little one with her but her companion was not a husband. “What will you breed them for? Racing? Combat?” The military could always use better horses to fill their paddocks. Her demeanor towards Elyna was noticeably cool, never really directing any of her chatter towards her.

“And I don’t believe I’ve ever met you three?” She questioned Odessa, her brother, and Zed. Then her gaze settled on Vak. "What do you do in Rynmere? Are you a Skyrider too?"

[Zedarius]

For all her faults, for all her bluster, deep down, Odessa was sweet and caring. She had an attitude, and she could be spiteful, but Zedarius knew that she loved him. And despite how rude and insensitive she could be, it was trials like this one that proved she was the gentle artist he would spend his life with, to wed and to have a family. He allowed the kiss with a soft smile on his full lips, leading her to the door and lifting her over the dodgier stones and muddy spots.

As the door opened, Zedarius was greeted by the familiar sight of Lord Malcolm, and relief washed over him. The large man was often quiet and respectful, and since he'd not yet actually met Colonel Elyna, Malcolm's visage was one he welcomed. As Malcolm held out his arm, Zedarius firmly grasped him by his forearm, thankful for the gesture. Zedarius' forearm flexed under Malcolm's grip, the muscles forged by hammer blows tightening into iron themselves.

"Lord Malcolm." He smiled as they completed the handshake. Shortly after, he introduced his lady and her infantile brother, maintaining an air of professionalism despite his disdain for Damon's condition. Zedarius did not know him very well, but from what Odessa had told him, he assumed Damon was under the influence.

As they entered the home, Zed guided Odessa with a massive hand on the small of her back, the path through clearing quickly for him due to his size. Odessa's body was warm to his touch, which alarmed him slightly. As small as she was, her skin was often cool, but not this evening. Determined to ask her what ailed her, he decided to wait until they had a bit more privacy.

From across the room, the big man spotted the Skyrider colonel, who saw him at the same time. They'd seen each other on more than one occasion in the training grounds, and he'd always found her intimidating, though she was quite a bit smaller physically. He offered a nod of deference, a slight smile on his face. He was amused at the chaos in the room, but naturally drew closer to the dinner table, his hand still on Odessa's back. Everything smelled great.

As they approached the table, though, they were appraised by a woman. She mentioned not knowing them, and Zed smiled. How did she not know the two Andaris siblings? They were a part of the most powerful house in Rynmere. But he presented Odessa, straightening her posture by lifting his hand slightly, helping to increase her stature.

"This is the Lady Odessa Andaris of Rynmere, and her elder brother, Damon." He cast a nod at Damon, who was already beginning to wander. Wanting to keep Odessa close so he could monitor her, he never took his hand from her lower back. Something was different, and he needed to know what.

[Damon Andaris]

Damon smiled, inclined his head at the older man who opened the door. "Lord Malcolm," he said, looking between him and Zed. Clearly his future brother in law knew the man before them; after all, he had been their invitation to the party. "Thank you for having my sister and I. It is good to see you again. I'm not sure you remember me, but we have crossed paths a few times in the past."

Damon followed Malcolm inside the house, trailing behind his sister and Zed as they exchanged their social niceties. Damon had little time or inclination to do the same, more curious about who would be at the event, and even more curious about the refreshments Malcolm had mentioned. His lightning scar seemed to itch with excitement, knowing that there would be more than enough alcohol awaiting. After all, this was a noble event.

His eyes scanned the backyard, a smirk on his lips when he saw the table filled with food and alcohol. Everyone seemed to know Zed, what with his do-gooder profession, and he kept a protective hand on his sister's back. Damon stifled the urge to call him out on it, and even more, chastise his sister for submitting so easily. She had seemed ill in the cart, and Damon was worried, but his sister was usually so independent that it worried him to see Odessa so changed for a man. Still, Damon held his tongue. Nothing good could come of it.

Damon's gaze dragged back to the present, a woman introduced herself, a Warrick. He was about to respond, but Zed responded first, introducing Damon and Odessa. Again, irritation prickled at his skin. Who was Zed to presume he could introduce them? He was not even married into the Andaris family yet, still just a knight, and even once he married Odessa, Damon would still be ahead of him in the line of succession. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Damon simply smiled at the woman.

"That's me," he confirmed, again frustrated by Zed and his interruption. "Lovely to meet you, and whatnot." He was already beginning to be bored, itching for a wine in his hand. Forgoing all civility, he excused himself, heading over to the table to grab a glass of red. Perhaps he would even steal away and have a quick smoke. But then he noticed a man, awfully familiar, with a baby on his knee.

Damon smirked. Well. Suddenly the evening had gotten interesting. Damon had not seen Vaughn Krome since the funeral for Lorena - who he now knew to be freshly rescued from the dungeons by yours truly, and not dead at all. Swaggering over, Damon plopped into the seat next to Vaughn, and waited for a lull in his conversation about smithing or some other nonsense before speaking.

"Well, well, if it isn't my old friend!" he chuckled, before looking at the grubby child on his lap. "This one yours? I thought you were pledged to die a spinster of a broken heart, after the death of our dear Lorena, and all." Callous it may sound, but Vaughn and Damon had always had a teasing relationship - brawls and barbed words, but no actual malice. At least not on Damon's side.

Patting his pocket, Damon leaned in, with a significant glance to Vaughn. "How about reliving the old times, hey, Vaughn? I come with supplies." His voice was low, and he took a draught of the wine, smiling at anyone who looked at him askance.

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[Vakhanor]

Anxious to go to where the wine was the smith seated himself into an available chair the other side of Violet. His scrap with Malcolm, although over had clearly had some kind of lingering effect over the other guests. Not that it bothered him, Vakhanor had often been the subject of scorn among his people, his family, even his friends and whenever company faltered there was always wine. Wine and a sharp knife.

His mind wandered back to the promise he'd made to follow Bjorn into the afterlife. Now Malcolm had returned to Elyna there was nothing left to hold him onto the world anymore. Sure he'd found a roof over his head for the time being with Oberyk's family and he wondered if not for Hilda that he'd have even stayed alive this long. Bored out of his wits he watched the others. He'd never enjoyed sitting around and as it turned out Lazuli wasn't actually Lazuli. She was Lei'Lira, Lazuli's sister and Malcolm's dead on look alike son who only appeared a few arcs younger than him also turned out to be a smith. Vakhanor cringed, by the immortals he hated small talk. "Ah," Vakh eyed Lei'lira with a reserved smile "the pleasure is mine."

"What do you do in Rynmere? Are you a Skyrider too?"

If looks could kill they would. Violet Warrick, the woman beautifully dressed in an outfit that he had earlier considered somewhat over the top suddenly felt more appropriate to him than ever. Wrapped tightly against her body the silks of the smooth fabric left very little to the imagination. Warmth entered Vakhanor's smile, there was a familiar darkness in those eyes he couldn't ignore. She had his undivided attention. "Wrong," he answered, sitting back against the chair "guess again sweetheart."