The Shipwright's Son

Lily Pier, a port town just about halfway between Darkshire and South Watch Keep, would have never been considered a stopping point just a year ago, let alone a stopping point for her until Burrich’s dinghy made it home port. Between the attention his crew gave and those loyal to House Sunshield stationed near the dock -  the grimy place turned in time to something somewhat safe.  For now, the Cadance would house those who stopped and tonight that would be Sir Folcard, Alisena, and Sir Marric were directed to hammocks and cots while Rosemarri and Burrich settled into his cabin, safe. 

Although the cabin remained strictly his, there were small invasions. A delicate sock hung on the armor rack, proof that one of the children had in fact not had everything when told to ‘make sure you have everything' on a previous visit.

The bath, a stand-alone tub tucked into the corner now had a little chest hidden nearby and out of the way but stayed stocked with a bath liner, oils, and soaps in wait for her visits, and like tonight, she took advantage of them the moment they were alone.

“Burrich..” Water, rainbow with bath oils and scented flower petals, curled around knees, breasts, and her face. A cloud of black curls tangled and clung to her skin as she sank further below the surface until the saturated water threatened the corners of her eyes. With her ears beneath the water, she could hear her own breathing, heartbeat, and boots. Footsteps that tattled his approach. 

Wet lashes, spiked with water and black as night framed talasite green eyes. And she blinked owlishly up at him once his face came into view. Although one knee lifted and her toes found the cloth covered frame of the bath, she kept her ears below the water and the muted world it offered.

“What if..” She spoke and the words echoed in her head, his head and outloud. “It was not Holia that murdered his family or even is responsible..” 

Inhale.

Exhale.

His brow knit.

“There are some of his kind that did terrible things when they were brought back. What if his memory is wrong?”

What if he was the one that killed his own family?

The Handmaiden, Alisena Skyfall 

Melek Dy'neer done by the talented @burrichgreer

Yelena Sunshield, as done by the phenomenal @burrichgreer ! Thank you SO much, she looks AMAZING! I keep finding details I love!

Southwatch War room

“Rosemarri?”

She blinked, pulling herself from internal thoughts before she shifted her attention to the owner of the voice in the doorway.  Burrich. She shook her head slightly, attempting to shed  the clinging fingers of dread, and forced a smile.

“You can come in..” She moved around the table that had previously had her full attention. A sturdy old thing with a thick map the only responsibility that the table had. The map was of the known world, the surface constantly skittering with ticks of arcane magic beneath what looked to be chess pieces.  She waved her hand to motion to the map and the figures. “I call it the tattle tale table. Mostly in use when our people go to war. You see here? This one is Adamar and there is Yelena.” She plucked the figure off of the table and the moment she did the illuminated chess-like piece went dark in her hand.  “Each piece is enchanted.” She set Yelena back on the map and at once the figure began to glow.

“I can see where they are at all times - upon Azeroth.” A pause. “..unless they are dead.”

A movement from the corner of the room saw the youngest Sunshield leave behind her book and creep toward where the pair stood. Her arms tangled around her mother’s hips and a fair cheek pressed against her side. “Where is Grandpa?”

“He isn’t on the table; he did not go to war.”

“Where am I?”

“Silly girl.” Rosemarri’s head leaned forward, peering at Harmony for a moment before she turned her attention back to the map. “You can see they are in the ocean there.” She explained the arm not curled around her daughter motioned to the landfall that was taking shape slowly upon the living map. “And that is where they will end up today.” 

“Where is Greer?”

“He stayed home to help Grandpa - “

“Grandpa doesn’t need help.” She pressed her face firmly onto her mother’s side, refusing to look at Burrich or anything other than the map. 

“But it can be nice to have.” Araian’s voice sounded from the doorway, drawing the attention of those at the war table as he approached. He clapped one hand on Burrich’s shoulder only for a moment before Harmony’s form demanded both of his arms. “How close?” 

“They will reach land by nightfall.”

@theoldlord