Sare'wen; The White Lady of the Crescent Hills

The parcels were left by Hawk, just outside the door of Sare’wen’s apartment. They were wrapped in plain brow paper, but tied with beautiful lace ribbon. Tucked under the ribbon, was an envelope sealed with the shimmering silver wax seal of Anor’thalas and inside, a letter.

“Sare’wen.

I know you said you do not want hand outs, so do not consider these as such. Consider them a gift, from one friend to another, in times of hardship. I guessed your size, but Iiloridan would gladly tailor them to you if they are ill-fitting. Please, enjoy them; I look forward to seeing you in them when you visit the Court.

-Avie.”

Within the parcels were clothes of every kind. Dresses, trousers, shirts and jumpers. Even underwear and hosiery, nothing too scandalous but all of high quality. She had even thrown in a few accessories, scarves and some of her own jewelry. Avie had thought of almost everything, delivering an entire wardrobe of interchangeable outfits in a modest number of items. It was by no means a show of extravagance, but one of rare kindness. She had clearly thought about what sort of things Sare’wen would like, and packaged each with care. It was the least she could do.

Va’miran slowly sat on the edge of her bed with a large parcel in hand, gently he placed it by her feet as his hand slowly ran over her back. “Hey you...” He started but his words trailed off. 

Sare’wen’s eyes fluttered open and she sucked in a slow breath as her body leaned into the warmth of his touch. “Is it morning already?” Her voice was raspy and throat dry. Fingers moved to pinch the bridge of her nose as the pounding headache beat like never ending drums. 

Va’miran couldn’t help but smile at her words, “No, late afternoon. The girls wanted to bring your breakfast but I told them you were up late and needed to rest.” Reaching for the glass of water by her bedside he brought it to her lips, “Here, you need to drink.”

“What a night...” She muttered under her breath taking the glass in her hand slowly sipping down the contents. “What’s in the package?” she asked rubbing the sleep away from her eyes.

“What makes you -” His words were cut off by the flat expression she offered him in response. “Clothing, and some Jewelry.” He quickly finished. 

“What?!” She asked quickly sitting up to reach towards the parcel. Instantly the room began to spin and she regretted even opening her eyes. “She...”

“You were pretty convincing last night.” He admitted, “Even I almost believed you had I not known the truth.”

His words were only met with a silent glare which only played off his own temperment. “Does it get any easier lying?”

“I wasn’t lying, that was our home and everything we earned on our own. Without that income we now belong to the nobles who keep trying to pull my strings for their own political gains. Is that what you want for us? For our girls? I can’t go around dressed in the ridiculous clothing they give me and continue pretending to not be an Indaris dressed like that.” 

“I should sign you up for the next audition at the theater, you’d make the perfect lead in one of their performances.” He quipped back at her. 

“You’re insufferable.” She huffed back at him

Her words couldn’t help but bring a playful smile to his lips. Leaning forward he placed a single kiss to her temple which instantly washed away her growing frustration from their playful banter. 

“You should write her back soon.” He said as he made his way towards the doorway. 

“I will, thank you.” Reaching for the letter that came with the parcel leaning back against her feather pillows to read the words so carefully inked. She laughed, and cried as the words lifted up a flutter in her heart. “You old sour puss.” She teased.

Avie,

Thank you so much for the beautiful pieces of clothing, I will cherish each and everyone of them that you carefully picked out. I am to strong to ask for help so I want to thank you for realizing that I was in desperate need. 

I can’t wait to come visit you all and look forward to our next visit. It was a pleasure to meet Kalyanar, he is very charming and passionate. I’m glad you found happiness within him, I can tell you both have a deep care and fondness for one another.

If you still feel ill please come see me and I can give you a physical examination. I did not want to worry your partner anymore then he already appeared but I am worried about your health. If the illness manifests to physical symptoms please send for me at once. 

                                                                                       Your Friend

                                                                                       Sare’wen

Sare’wen’s home for the last several years was in a hidden gem called the Summerglen, where the sun’s light offers a homely warmth to all those that bask in its cleansing rays

Running a business on one half and her private housing the other half of the property was the families residence.This place was not just her home but her livelihood. 

Farming the land she would use those goods to produce products to sell in her shop. At the back was a small infirmary for any who wished to be treated by a Shadow Mender in private. Then in the back was a kitchen where food, baked goods, and desserts with drinks were served in the outdoor cafe.

The news of its loss has not reached the young priestess yet, last heard there was an attack was looming and her adopted daughter was back in their family home awaiting her return. 

Since the last battle Sare’wen has not left the bedside of her brother unless to attend to her scheduled duties as a Dawnmender in the Sunguard. During her off hours she has found little sleep as the stresses from her own actions once he fell haunt her. 

Sare’wen for @airiannagrace - this was lovely to work on!

Sare’wen for @airiannagrace - this was lovely to work on!

47. What is your most expensive piece of clothing?

“Clothing? I … Oh… Well Lord Indaris recently had a dress made for me so I could attend his ball… Naturally I took it away afterwards and altered it to appear a little less snobbish if that makes sense? I mean who puts jewels in fabric, you should see all the ones I found on the floor that night! Gosh what an event that was, I had nearly every lord in the lands thrust their sons on me to dance, each one of course was dismissed just as quickly. So I guess that piece would be the most expensive, then I have my armor which is very lovely. 

I found it on a dead enemy and it seemed like a waste to let it burn so I took it off them.. Which is hard, three hundred pounds of literal dead weight! Anyways I’ve collected a few over the years and made what I’m wearing today… Armor is expensive, and good armor is just out of my price range so I have to repurpose what I do. Most of what I have is either a gift or a hand me down so I guess those two pieces are the most notable.”

39. Do you have any scars?

Sare’wen giggled bringing a hand to her painted lips, “Doesn’t everyone? Anyone who says they don’t have a scar is lying or magically altered themselves somehow.” Her Emerald gaze shifted towards Aurelian for a moment as she sat around a fire in the encampment with those fighting under her banner. “I used to have several ones from when I learned how to cook, but those faded away to nothing over the years. I have one on my inner thigh from a riding accident, and several on the bottom of my feet from another. I couldn’t walk for two weeks when that one happened! I have some more smaller not really notable ones… But those are my big ones.”

2. How old are you?

Bright emerald eyes blinked several times towards the question, it wasn’t something asked so blatantly nor expected from a stranger. “Nearing my sixth century.” she said proudly raising her chin ever so slightly. 

The man just stared at her, she appeared to be several centuries younger and her age did not match such a refined beauty. “It’s not polite to lie miss.” he said firmly waiving his hand dismissively. 

22. Have you ever got in trouble with the law?

Sare’wen placed down her teacup small hands frantically waiving towards the woman who sat across from her, “Never!” She shrieked leaning back into her seat melting into the plush cushions. A fierce warmth blossomed over her pale cheeks to the tip of her ears. Never having been asked that questions the younger woman had no idea how to react, were people commonly involved with the law? 

The elder woman who sat across from her held her cool composure for a minute as a still silence hung in the air before the corner of her painted lips cracked into a small smirk. “Do you always make such a spectacle out of a conversation or is that just something you’ve come by in your childhood?” 

Never had Sare’wen felt so small, “Well… I…” As her emerald eyes grew wet she looked up at her governess searching for answers. Elegant long eyelashes fluttered open, “Does your husband know that you are seeing the librarian here at the house?”

The governess’ eyes shot open and the cocky smirk that laced her lips previously disappeared as her mouth hung open ajar “I beg your pardon?”

Sare’wen smiled thoughtfully, “I’m glad he makes you happy.” She said her little legs kicking in the air before hopping down from the chair. “Don’t worry… You won’t have to resign, it can be our secret.” 

Emerald eyes fluttered open as Sare’wen looked down at the blank parchment in front of her. It had been centuries since she was that little girl in the room and her guardian’s soon learned what she was capable of. It was nearing their tenth year apart and soon they would close that gap and meet for Winter’s Veil. So many questions she had for them about her youth and how they handled her abilities. 

Dipping her quill into the blue inkwell she pressed the tip to the edge before placing it to parchment. “Dearest Guardian’s…”

35. Have you ever tried archery?

Long slender fingers ran over the leather bind in the center of the bow. “I have, I hunt.” She said dismissively barely paying attention to the clerk who was watching over her carefully. The hand crafted piece was simple but beautiful, the ashen wood was soft with red leather binds around the center. “How much?”  It was simple with no defining notes but to her it was everything she dreamed of until the price came back. “Fifteen pieces of gold.” he said with a stern tone.

A pained lurch hit her stomach, that was most of what she had for the month and that was meant to go towards a book she had been eyeing in the shop window for months. “Fifteen?” She asked as her tone nearly squeaked. 

“The bow was ten when I came here the other day but it is only worth eight including inflation.” Sare’wen said, the Emerald hue of her eyes dissipating into an Amethyst glow, “Since eight was the price you offered to the man who was interested in it earlier today. I will take it for what you offered him and nothing more.”

The man stood there with his mouth hanging ajar, there were no words that could escape. How could she possibly know… He was trying to impress his master since he was new but he chose the wrong woman to do that with it seemed. “Eight is a fair offer.” Was all he could say through gritted teeth. “Let me package this for you.”

99. Color of your bedspread?

Sare’wen stared at Va’miran who held her sheets in his hands, “If we’re to blend in we should replace these colours. They may believe we are still loyal to the prince.”

Rolling her eyes Sare’wen snatched the pale blue fabric from his hands. “They’re just sheets Miran, that would be like looking at a woman’s undergarments and believe she is loyal because of some blue lace.”

Now it was his turn to roll his eyes, “You’re not taking this seriously Are’wen.” 

“It’s sheets! How can I take this seriously. This is perfectly good material and I will not see it wasted because it’s not in that awful red everyone wears to try and make a point. If we allow others to rule us because of a colour then what did we fight for? The sheets stay.” She said firmly marching away from Va’miran and into her room.

She was right and he knew it, “Are’wen…” he said softly walking after her.

“I know why you’re saying this, but it’s ridiculous. If they want to question our allegiances then let them come and we will reassure them. The colours of our clothing, the upholstery of our furniture, and the colours of our sheets should not matter. While others like to spend in excess I rather we save that money for your children’s future education.”

Rough fingers caressed her smooth cheek, “I know, I just…” Emerald eyes drank in his own that were laced with worry. Then there it was the lurch of pain that came when guilt filled her. “I…. I know…” She whispered out to him and they stood there for minutes in silence looking into each other’s eyes. Sare’wen didn’t need to read his mind to know what he was thinking. They knew each other’s thoughts from a mere glance at the other. “He’s not going to find us because of the colour of our sheet’s.” She whispered out finally breaking the silence. 

Leaning their heads together for a moment he pulled away taking the sheets from her hands. “I’ll help you make the bed.” he replied with a soft smile over his lips. “It’s a beautiful blue, reminds me of the necklace you wear of your mothers.”

Sare’wen felt the ire that took hold of her minutes ago wash away. “It was her favourite colour.” she said softly taking a corner of the sheets. 

gift headshot for @airiannagrace for all the hard work she put into the charity stream yesterday (and all the hard work she continues to do in gathering donations for a country that isn’t even hers)

Wanna see what happens when you put golden cake sprinklers in your tea?