Doriandrin had left the cleaning up of the breakfast dishes to the household staff and had just finished changing into her outfit for the day ā a light green, floor-length dress that wrapped her waist and had a lace shawl collar and lace cuffs. Her usually jewelry was joined by jade today to match her dress.Ā
She turned from the mirror at a knock on her bedroom door.
The door opened a crack.Ā āYou have a visitor calling at the front door ā Magistrix Verena Wintour.ā
Doriandrin glanced at Briana who was happily kicking in her crib. There was a long pause before she replied. She had not been expecting this visitor, nor was the magistrix one she was prepared to receive openly at the moment.
āBring Lansael and some of her toys and books to me,ā she finally said before addressing the issue of the visitor.
The instruction was followed and within a minute a bright-eyed, cheerful girl with a head of blonde locks, wearing a knee-length white and blue silk dress, came into the room with a doll and book in hand. A maid followed with more distractions for the girl.
Doriandrin guided her daughter to her bed where they settled her.Ā āLansael, I need you to stay here with Briana while I accept a visitor.āĀ
Lansael peered at her mother and nodded.Ā āOkay.ā Doriandrinās mysterious practices did not faze her much, nor did she usually question them.
Doriandrin turned to the maid.Ā āIāll accept our guest in the living room. After youāve admitted her return here to sit with the girls. I want to make sure they stay in this room.ā
The maid nodded in compliance. Doriandrin kissed both of her daughters and they pulled the bedroom door shut to go to their respective destinations within the house.
Doriandrin made sure to preoccupy herself with some random, unimportant mail before the Magistrix was announced.Ā
āMagistrix Wintour,ā the maid offered before disappearing to watch Lansael and Briana.
Doriandrin casually looked up from her mail.Ā āMagistrix. I wasnāt expecting you, of all people. And frankly Iām not sure what you could possibly be calling about.ā
Verena wore a dark red, low-cut dress with gloves and a long, heavy red travel coat ā that no one had offered to take from her ā over it. The sentiment that she would not be staying long was not lost on her. In her hands she carried a small, long, thin box.Ā
She understood Lady Noviarās game.Ā āIām sure you know very well why Iām here, but in the interest of moving forward I will humbly present myself to you and offer my sincerest apologies for our former ⦠misunderstanding.ā
Doriandrin practically huffed as she dropped the mail on the table and turned to face the magistrix.Ā āMisunderstanding? You removed my daughter from me, without my consent, and against my will.ā
āThere were circumstances occurring around us that prompted me to try to make your daughter as safe as possible, but I will digress as rekindling that argument is not the purpose of my visit. Iāve come to ask for your forgiveness. Once again, I apologize.ā She held the small case in her gloved hand out to Doriandrin.
Doriandrin eyed the gift and was very tempted to reject it. But it looked like it might be jewelry and in the end she felt more curious and brave about it than offended. She stepped across the room and accepted it from the other woman to have a look.
It was a platinum bracelet with three stones. She recognized the significance of them immediately. A large diamond was etched with an embellishedĀ āAā which represented the Anādaran family ā the name she had claimed as her own until she had married Logaine. On the opposite end of the bracelet was a ruby etched with a rose, the symbol of House Wintour. Between them was what appeared to be a matching rose quartz etched with a snowflake. It was quite easy to discern that symbol was meant to represent Lansael.
The expression on Doriās face betrayed to Verena how impressed she was with the beautiful gift as she quickly inspected it, but she made up her mind almost immediately.Ā āIs this supposed to sway me to forgive you more easily?ā
Verena stepped forward and pulled off one of her gloves to reveal the rings on her hand.Ā āItās enchanted,ā she explained, pointing out her jewelry.Ā āIf you wear that bracelet, and I wear that ring, you can find me.ā She lowered her voice.Ā āAnd communicate with me.ā She stepped back and clasped her glove in her palm.Ā āThis is meant to be a gesture of good faith and I hope it will offer you the reassurance you need to allow me to teach Lansael her magic once again. I am completely confident that she is going to be a powerful mage if we lead her that direction. ⦠And this way, you never have to question where I am or where she is when she is with me.ā
Doriandrin eyed the magistrix slowly. She did not trust her anymore, but Lady Wintour was right. Lansael needed a powerful teacher, and Verena was the best candidate at present. Her eyes moved back down to the bracelet.Ā āYou got my family crest wrong,ā she pointed out dryly.
Verena nodded.Ā āI chose that one because it represents the family name you gave to Lansael. It can easily be changed if you feel strongly that it should be.ā She watched Doriandrin carefully.
Dori gave it a lot of thought. She understood the gesture. She could even acknowledge that this was a very thoughtful, well-planned gift and insurance that she would not lose her daughter again.
Finally, she looked up.Ā āIt isnāt that easy for me to trust you again.ā
Verena looked disappointed, perhaps even vexed, but she nodded.
āHowever,ā Doriandrin continued with obvious hesitance.Ā āLansael ⦠should ⦠continue her lessons.ā She laid the bracelet across her wrist to test it.Ā āI have two stipulations.ā She looked back up at the magistrix.
āYes?ā Verena questioned.
āStay in proximity of wherever we are living at the time. Whatever city weāre in, donāt leave it. And donāt ever take off your ring while you are mentoring Lansael.ā
Lady Wintour was not used to taking orders, particularly from people like Doriandrin Noviar, but she also understood that children were a particular commodity to their parents, and that she had come here specifically to reassure and make promises to the other lady. She gave a deep nod.Ā āOf course.ā
Doriandrin put the bracelet back into its case and closed it.Ā āWhen do you want to resume Lansaelās lessons then?ā
Verena smiled as she pulled her glove back on and tucked it back into the cuff of her coat.Ā āIs the beginning of the week acceptable?ā
@verena-wintour @logainenoviar @drathan-soulfireĀ @lansaela