#dadamar

Adamar groaned as the blissful silence of sleep was shattered at the deafening announcement of morning by the rooster nesting just outside his window. “Gods I hate that bird.” He growled as he squinted his eyes shut tighter as if he could will the bird to silence by sheer spite. Then another groan sounded as the tiny bundle burried under the furs beside him stirred. Adamar gently lifted the covers and smiled as Gale rolled over in protest to the sudden rush of cool air. “Morning buddy.” Adamar said, ruffling the child’s white hair before forcing himself out of bed. “You know, one of these nights your gonna have to learn to sleep in your own bed.” The boys response was an annoyed groan as he rolled himself up into the now vacant furs. “C’mon, it only gets harder the more you fight it. Get up.” He scooped up the little child burrito of furs and slung it across his shoulder which prompted a tired fit of laughter. “Noooo! The suns not even up yet!” Gale protested, wiggling around like a cat caught in a pillow case. “Early bird gets the worm. Which in this case, we get breakfast. So stop wiggling and go wash up.” Adamar said, strolling out of the bedroom and into the main interior of the simple rustic farm house. He smirked as he set the bundle of furs down on the ground and firmly grabbed one end and forcibly rolled gale out of the bundle. “Waffles, or bacon and eggs?” Adamar asked, hoisting Gale to his feet and thrusting those furs into the boys arms. “Both!” Gale said, waddling back into the bedroom to toss the furs onto the bed. “Alright, both it is. Now, wash up and get dressed. After breakfast we got chores.” Adamar said, already working at stoking the flames of the fire place.

Just as the sun was beginning to crest the horizon, Adamar ushered Gale out the front door, little wooden sword in hand. “Alright, go round them up for feeding.” Adamar said as he began to make his way towards the small shed adjacent to the large fenced field besidet the house. “Bruuutus! Cmere boy!” Gale shouted as he began to run towards the large gate leading into the pasture. The boys yell was answered by a distant ‘baaah’ and the sound of a bell quickly approaching. Gale climbed between the fence just as the large Goat came jogging up to him. “Good morning Brutus. Wes got responsibility today!” Adamar watched from the doorway of the shed as Brutus laid down on all fours and allowed Gale to climb up onto his back, a wide smile on his face. Brutus rose as soon as Gale hand a firm hand on the chain that held that large bell in place around its neck. “Okay Brutus... Chaaaarge!” Gale pointed his wooden sword towards the open pasture and the herd of goats that were all sleeping in a large group. Brutus obeyed with a mighty “Bleeeeaaah” before moving to round up the pack and herd them towards the feeding pens. “Remember, we don't smack the goats with our swords!” Adamar yelled after the two.

Westfall has earned itself quite a bad reputation over the years. But Adamar couldn't see himself living in any other place now as Gale and himself walked the main road leading into Brushwind. “Morning, Sir Adamar!” Called a wrinkled old man, adorned in a set of overalls pushing a large oxen pulled plow. “Morning Henry. And how many times do I have to tell you, were neighbors so you can just call me Adam.” The old man spat into the dirt and grinned. “I’ll call you whatever I damn well please. But since yer keen on bein so neighborly.” Henry pointed off towards the barn in the distance. “Termites done mah loft in finally. Came crashin’ down two days ago. Think ya give me a hand?” Adamar stopped and leaned on the fence for a moment as Gale continued to fight some imaginary monster with his wooden sword. “Your wife bakes up a couple loafs of that honey oat bread and I’ll bring my tools over tomorrow morning.” Adamar said, already tasting that delecious bread. “Ohh! Ohh! Can we bwing some honey bread for Kaira?” Gale asked as he ran up and tugged on Adam’s pant leg. “Of course. You can share your loaf with her when I take you to Southwatch tomorrow. I think she will like that very much.” Adam said as he once more ruffled the boys white curls and gestured that they continue down the road. “I’ll make sure to throw in some pumpkin spread for ya and the boy. Thank ya, Sir Adamar. Light bless you and yours.” Henry said before going back to his plowing. “Light Bless, Henry. See you in the morning.”

The cargo trains had been loaded and everything was ready to be hauled away back to Stormwind. Adamar rubbed at his tired eyes as he watched the villagers disperse back to their homes. He stood there at the main gates for quite some time, just staring at the twinkling lights of the village below. Amazing how in such a short amount of time, one can grow attached to a place. With a sigh, he turned back to the keep and slowly crossed the courtyard. On one side, an entire families goods were being boxed up. The other side, weapons, armor, rations and everything else that would be needed for the fight that was to come were being loaded into wagons and carted down to the harbor. So much, in so little time.

Stepping through the grand doors into the keep, he was greeted with the all to familiar wails of his son. This was beginning to be a nightly task as the nanny waited ever so patiently against the railing on the floor above. Her face was kind, but she knew she had no stake in winning a battle at calming the boy. “I'm sorry, Sir. He’s just not having any of me again, tonight. Should I bring your supper up to the nursery?” Adamar chuckled as he began to move towards his living quarters. “I’ll be up in just a moment. And dont fret over me, the cook has enough on his plate. Dont think I could eat a bite right now as it were.” She seemed to nod in quiet understanding as everyone was rather on edge. “Very well, Sir.” She said, stepping back into the nursery to try and console the wailing baby boy.

Adamar took a few moments to himself after closing the door behind him to his quarters. Everything he owned was already packed... which hardly filled a single chest. He cleaned his face and hands in the wash bowl that had been left for him and changed out of the dirt stained clothes and into something he would have no trouble sleeping in. Finally, he opened the chest and smiled. Fingers tracing over the portrait he had carved into the inside of the lid. His chest ached some as he thought back to Stormheim. How he missed the touch of his wife during the night, and her warmth in the chill mornings.

Gales high pitched scream pulled him out of his dreaming and couldn't help but make his chuckle. “Im coming, Im coming.” He rubbed his hands together as he looked to his newly finished project. He wrapped his fingers around the neck of the acoustic guitar and gave its strings a few plucks.... perfect. Without a moment to lose he made his way up to the nursery and quietly stepped inside. “Thank goodness. I thought he was about to scream his little voice right away.” The nanny said as she moved away from the crib and let Adamar get to work. “Thank you for watching him. I’ll be with him the rest of the night, go... get some sleep.” Adamar said, receiving a smile and bow from the woman in turn before she departed. “Whats all this noise about?” Adamar said as he moved to the crib side to pper down at his white haired son. Those piercing blue eyes met his, and for a brief moment the boys wails stopped. A wide smile beamed on the boys face, revealing that single tooth that was growing in before the boy went right back to crying. “I know... I know what you want.”

Adamar settled down into the large, cushioned chair that sat beside the crib. Gale in one arm, and the guitar in the other. “You get to see if mommies lessons stuck.” He said, leaning down to kiss the back of the boys head. “Shhh now, lets both dream of home, hmm?” He brought the guitar to his chest and gently draped the blanketed boy atop it, making sure he wasn't going to go spilling off into his lap.