The Weird of Rhys Valtieri

My Lady,

I will not tell you what to do, only that which I believe and that which I will do.  Firstly, I release you from the oath I made your Lord-brother.  Do as thou wilt, for my promise was not a declaration of expectation, merely a hope for reciprocation.  I knew that you were young and might yet harbor a passion for exploration - I do not judge you, who can?  After all, I know that I am a hard man to Love, much less join at the yoke.

It is true that my hope was that this exercise in personal restraint might inspire trust enough to count for comfort in the bones.  I believe in the old ways, so forgive me my friend, for this must have been an experience the like of nightmares.  A dream-like-drowning, where waking arrives in the first starved-breaths of the surface only to find despair at the sight of an endless horizon.  

And while that is not how I feel, I too am vexed.  Having found myself again utterly out-of-depth and grasping for answers I cannot even tease for reason in your words.  Perhaps I have failed you, but like the draft of a great hall, I cannot discern the fault in which it comes.

Now having read your letter time and again, permit me dear Lady to confirm a worry outlined from within.  You have indeed been a burden.  Though one I willfully bore in the pursuit of truth between us.  For I choose what burdens I shoulder and for what cause, I discern to-what cart I am yoked and the way in which it goes.  I chose you in the drawing of our season and considered the burden a joy.  Therefore I lose you from this yoke and wish you the best of sweet-comforts, in what-so-ever manner you choose to enjoy them.  However, let there be no confusion, I lack the faith for further pursuit and have no further will or desire to court you for the purposes of marriage.  This may arrive upon your heart with the weight of a flagstone and for that I am sick with sorrow.  Nevertheless, there must be no confusion, no shifting-shades of gray.  Lest you dwell upon hope one way to only find another in me.  I am sorry, but I cannot give you that which you seek.

Lastly, these implications sewn throughout your letter unveil a certain darkness the likes I wish not to believe at all.  Long shadows, cast at the feet of corporate friendships.  These shadows will haunt my faith with them if I permit it.  Therefore, I must ask you to keep these moments unto yourself.  You do not owe me an account and I do not mean to purchase one.  If I am betrayed, I will know it when it comes.  There will be misery enough for that day unto itself and I need-not steepen a bitter tincture before its season.  Lest at the last, my betrayer change their hearts and I know not for the obsessions of my wrath.

Farewell sweet Acasia and until we find ourselves again in right-season.  I have been honored by your company and forever changed by our entanglement.  And while this chapter closes in the shadows of corporate betrayal, you have given me perspective enough to believe that I might have known the Love of a woman - if only for a moment.  I will never forget you and may you find that which you are so earnestly searching for.

Your Honored Servant, ~Rhys Valtieri

My Lord Ravenwing,

I write you this evening still filthy from a day’s work and heavy of heart for this solemn news.  The Lady Acasia has implicated members of my sister’s house in a duplicitous coupe for her attention.  Regardless of the veracity of these claims, she is no longer comfortable with the classic-arrangement of our budding courtship.  I gather from a quite-difficult letter penned by her hand that it is her wish to seek the proximal comforts of physical companionship among the flesh on offer amidst my sister’s things.  I have -in this short season- come to regard your judgement for quality standards.  Therefore I assure you that through the course of this courtship, I have kept my word to you and will keep it still in prudence and respect.

Per the promise I made to you, I have returned her to your care, unassailed and with heart intact.  For by her admission she seeks after better company.  I am not her Lord, that I should forbid her - verily I say to you that I am Lord of none and only a master of one.

Therefore, I have chosen to accept her proposal and make my way in your midst as I had intended before this entangling began a gilded face and nothing more.  I have written her to confront these notions with as much clarity as I can master from myself.  Therefore please forgive me any vagary and ask not after clarity. for her confidence is still mine to keep.

Thus, I duly confess to having managed myself with fairness and respect in regards to your sister and her company.  I have carried myself in observation of the old-ways, nigh irreproachable and gentlemanly in demeanor until this very hour.  Nevertheless, if there is reason to insist upon the finding of fault in my way - I will not require the searching just to find.  I am no stranger to consequences and you are -for all your true greatness- still a man.  A better man perhaps, though still a man and subject to such things as men are.  So believe me my Lord when I tell you that I know my place and you are wise to put me from your mind, for I am beneath you like the boards at your feet.  Lest you make some reason to elevate me I would surely fade, only mistaken for dross against the sterling reputation of your House and Lordship.

Farewell my Lord and may only that which is good come unto you and always.

Your Humble Servant, Rhys Valtieri

My Lady Acasia,

I pray this letter finds you well and in good spirits.  May you contend with these tidings in joy and cherish them for your merit.  It is with a measured sadness that I must briefly take my leave of your side and tend to a matter of import and pertinence.  

Firstly, permit me to confirm those deep concerns, I indeed have found myself unprepared for the cost of this new season with you.  It is true that I am befuddled and out of sorts - as one rightly might be in the pursuit of one’s wholesale reconstitution.  Nevertheless, I must inform you and with some regret, that I will be unable to join you in the pursuit of your duties for a time at the tending of some distant responsibilities.

Nevertheless, my attention is only briefly required and I will soon return to this exercise of entangling worlds.  At present, my mind teases for answers that my tongue cannot taste.  The intoxication of your company makes for a powerful distraction.  May this brief absence be a boon.

Lastly my Lady, I pray your invitation yet remains upon my near return.  I am quite excited to come better acquainted with those matters which you find most important.  Patiently yours, ~Rhys Valtieri

My Lord Ravenwing,

When you look into the night sky it is full to bursting yet still and silent, empty but for the twinkling of so many stars.  But there, within the silence one senses the truth in the knowledge that there is merely more there than one can see.  This foundation sets the example for that work which is perfected in mortals, especially we old-kind.  And but for the scope of one’s own regard, does he find another - simple.  My Lord, please permit me to lay a foundation that you might clearly see me and the roots of my here-written request.  

I did not come to Stormwind to find love.  In-fact My Lord, upon the eve of my first encounter with Lady Ravenwing, my soul had not breathed after the love of a woman since I abandoned the trappings of my blood for the pursuit of this way and those meaningful disciplines in which it profits.  Self control, prudence, understanding and faith.  Above all faith.  For it is faith which carries every moment to the next on that choice in which we believed.

Therefore and firstly, please accept this letter as a declaration of faith.  I Rhys Valtieri hereby announce my will and desire to court the Lady Acasia Ravenwing in the old ways, with respect and dignity and a patient, guiding hand after a hope in understanding in lieu of pleasures.  For a bond the likes I find in her eyes requires a masterful attention.  I pray that mine will do.

Lady Acasia Ravenwing,

Madam, I do hear you and know that I have pained now for hours over these words that you have written me.  I must confess that I am troubled for these thoughts of yours and harbor reservation at the doorstep of their hungering implications.  Nevertheless, in the hope of mutual revelation I delight in the answer of your questions.

Hunger serves a purpose, it is we beings of appetite who make-perverse the herald’s call.  For in what measure we temper our flesh, in that same measure do we master it.

Therein rests the trouble of my soul these last few hours, contending with such notions long relegated to vapid ash.  That which troubles me is by choice and I am troubled over you.  Your eyes, they haunt my thoughts.  Like cold-fire, they pierce my soul for doubt in your conviction.  

Please forgive your servant this humble complaint; I do not believe you.  As you said yourself these dreams of fire and fancy are the notions of a child, naïve and wistful, consuming.

Nevertheless, I have taken up residence in The Rose Garden Tavern of Red Ridge.  If what you have said is true, come and slake your hunger at the source of that knowledge.  Come and break this calamity of thoughts against the shore of truth.  Ask these questions which burn on your lips and whatsoever is mine to give you, shall you receive.  I will never lie to you.

Dear Lady Ravenwing, Please forgive my parting-haste at the outset of this season together.  I pray that destiny will see it fit to bring about our mutual company again very soon.  Nevertheless, In the meantime I beg to offer some solace for my folly in these simple answers. You asked of my household, my sister, marriage and children.  In simple terms, I hold no titles and master no households.  Long ago did I forfeit the right and privilege of my grandfather’s mantel and have come to regard Aredhele as its rightful bearer.  She more than I, has shouldered the weight of it’s burden since his passing and before it since the void. Therefore I have come to master merely that which the God of destinies has seen fit to bestow upon me in season.  So, per the requisites of aimless pursuits, I never married and therefore, never fathered any children.  Most of the life that I have lived was not suitable for the demands of an equal partner much less the needs of children.

My Esteemed Lady,

The notion that my name found your pen for a place within you, stirs a place within me.  Furthermore, your favor curls like comfort deep within and you draw me well beyond the elaborate wealth and ancient vineyards of Suramar City.

As to the notion of your role and required disposition, I am not offended or fearful.  However, thank you for troubling over my impressions though I have never thought you shallow.  A mystery,  a pondering prudent world, unknown to me and deep like an ocean rich with potential; but never shallow.

The season approaches and I cherish your unmerited trust - I will not forget it.

My Esteemed Lady,

The notion that my name found your pen for a place within you, stirs a place within me.  Furthermore, your favor curls like comfort deep within and you draw me well beyond the elaborate wealth and ancient vineyards of Suramar City.

As to the notion of your role and required disposition, I am not offended or fearful.  However, thank you for troubling over my impressions though I have never thought you shallow.  A mystery,  a pondering prudent world, unknown to me and deep like an ocean rich with potential; but never shallow.

I will begin preparations at once, for our season arrives on the morrow.   You honor me with trust I have not yet earned - I will not forget it.

Dear Esteemed Lady,

Permit me, first and again; to offer my gratitude for your festive invitation.  I should further wish to thank you for the grace in your merciful parting words.  They linger-still, ringing like a bell, tolling at deeper truth perhaps.  I have not forgotten them.  I am, in-fact, eager to re-visit the topic over dinner and an evening with you; which brings me to the best reason this correspondence.  Though my mind races after every morsel of divine imagination; I will refrain and purpose the remainder of this letter for your sake in as much brevity as clarity will henceforth permit.  I appreciate your consideration and attention.

Please accept this; My humble invitation to a private dinner and an evening of quiet conversation at the Greased Gears Tavern of Darkshire in Duskwood.  I have inquired for reservations over the coming fortnight with the Miss Elora Soulthorn.  If it pleases you, reply with one of these dates and I will make final arrangements;

Wednesday, Dec 18th - 7 bells

Thursday, Dec 19th - 9 bells

Saturday, Dec 21st - 7 bells

Monday, Dec 23rd - 7 bells

Wednesday, Dec 25th - 7 bells

While I am not one to rush into the notion of entangling-worlds, especially one so intentionally manifest as you appear to be - I am eager to have your attention to myself.  Nevertheless, if it offers you comfort, please do bring a second.  I much prefer your company to the sole capitalization of it.

He sniffed and wiped the snot from his nostrils with the sleeve of his shirt.  “Nobody ever believes me.” he decried-quietly to himself, huddled in a disheartened wad of filthy-boy between his knees.  He picked at the grit between the stones at his feet sniffing again for disappointment.

“I believe you...” came a ren’dorie voice in answer from the nearby doorway of Dalaran’s only petshop.  The boy looked up as Rhys stuffed a small purse back into his belt pocket.

“You some kind’a creeper mister?” the youth questioned rudely, squinting up into the midday sun and Rhys’ kindly-smiling demeanor.

“I suppose that depends on your point of view my little friend.” he teased as the soft click of gold coins tumbled in his hand.  “...tell me what you saw and the.” he narrowed his eyes searching the boy with heavier scrutiny than might have been necessary.  The youth’s eyes flit between the fist of promised coin and the man’s penetrating gaze.

“...for real mister?” the boy whined with skeptical judgement cocking a brow - he had plainly dealt with a few adults in time and harbored his own well founded suspicions.  “How I know it’s real?”

Rhys smiled and held his hand tightly around he coin. “As I doubt you are an economist, you’ll have to exercise some trust won’t you?” he chuckled then opened his palm to the boy as he stepped down and out of the pet-shop and knelt int he cobblestone walkway with him.  The young boy’s eyes widened and he smiled into the glittering golden promise of a tummy ache in his future.  Greed filled the little boys mind and he did what all little scamps would do and shot a small lightening-fast set of fingers to the task of snatching Rhys’ offer prematurely.

“Ah ahh!” Rhys teased in warning as his own deft fingers snapped shut over the coins again and tightly.  “Come now... tell me what you saw and where.” he withdrew his hand from the boy and held it to his chest smiling in practiced fashion.  The youngster pouted briefly but Rhys resolve was unshakable and the boy quickly relented the notion of half now.

“Alrighty mister...” the boy began as he resigned himself to the telling of the tale. “...you ever seen a white deer with one horn in the middle of their head?” Rhys cocked a brow and shook his head to indicate that he had not.  “... I have!” the boy’s troubled expressions washed away and he spoke in a dreaming fashion, as the re-telling stole him away for the magic of the memory.  He told his tale of wandering discovery... and Rhys listened.