#tyraeltheapprentice

Bedroom 

The bedroom was underground, the natural heat of the earth surrounding the bottom half of the cottage bad you feel like a blanket was being wrapped around you as you descended. It was as simple room, with a writing desk, chest for clothes and a bed. But the one highlight of the room, was the crystals, imbued with magic, that hung along the rafters above the bed.  “I learned that trick from Asra, in passing in Zadith during my travels. One of the rare times we crossed paths,” the redhead giggles. “I can set the brightness and change to color if need be, and solved the light issue for having the bedroom underground” 

Garden

“Now then,” Heading up the stairs and back through the kitchen, “A witch is only as good as their resources they say” she hummed, opening the back door and letting you go through first. Before seeing the overgrowth part, there is a set up right outside to door, clearly for plants to be harvested and prepped. “This is sort of like an herbology room” the redhead air quoting the word room, since it was outside, the only form of roofing set more for drying plants out. “But to the right is the wild growth.” 

Flowers all over, bushels of herbs plants, all coexisting together in patches along a small path that lead deeper into the woods, “I keep the plants from my travels that are used to other soil closer to the cottage, so I can keep an eye on them. Anything natural to the area I can just go foraging in the woods for. 

Just my luck, Tyrael huffed. And it was usually her luck; storms and weird weather happened rather often when she traveled. Not even the thick lush of the forest could hold back the rain drops or icy winds that bombarded her. No, there was no traveling in this kind of weather. “We need to find shelter, and fast.” she groaned to her two familiars, who were unseen if any other were to come across her, but their presence was felts. 

Trudging through the woods with both hands to her hood to keep it in place despite the battle with the wind, through the bramble and the bush that was lessening,  seemed to be a small clearing. Normally the opposite of shelter from a storm, the small cottage that was giving off light and smoke made said clearing much more appealing. The woman lowered her head to push through the storm challenges and made her way to the door, banging on the wooden circle since someone had to be home if there was a fire going. 

“Coming!” A lighthearted voice came from the other side as the sound of metal latches and the creak of the wood followed suit. “Hello, this isn’t the best weather to be out in- wait! Tyrael?” 

“Eva?” Her golden eyes widened as she looked down at the redhead at the door. This was the last person I was expecting to find

“Oh my gosh get in here!” Eva’s small hand reached out to grab Ty’s wrist and bring her into her home, “Get in front of the fire, quickly” the shorter woman kept pulling deeper into the home and right to the fire. “You are soaked to the bone!” “I-Uh, yeah. The storm hit pretty hard,” Ty honestly didn’t know how to handle the other woman’s attention. Not that it wasn't appreciated of course, but it was just not the common treatment she expected from the former apprentice of her mentor. Heck they had only met perhaps a handful of times when Eva would come to the shop looking for Asra or drop off something. 

“Wrap up and then have a seat,” The redhead instructed, gesturing to her blanket and chair by the fire before stepping away to another room.

“Oh uh, thanks” Tyrael mumbled, wrapping the blanket around herself before sitting as she was told to. Looking into the fire as she scooted closer for warmth, a small smile touched her face as the salamander rolling around in the embers looked up at her in a brief pause before continuing its play, “hey there little fella.” Perhaps it was how tired she was, or the focus on the little creature in the firepit, but the traveler didn’t expect the warm fluffy towel that was dropped on her head. “W-what are you doing?” Eva’s hands started working the towel through her hair, gently patting and ringing out the water trapped in the strands, “We need to get you dry, or you could catch a cold” The other woman’s tone gave off the feeling that this was the most natural thing for her to do. 

However it was far from what the blue haired sorceress in training would say was natural. Such kindness, and unabashed care…. A small blush formed on her flustered cheeks as she sunk deeper into the cozy chair, wrapping the blanket tighter around herself. “T-Thank you.” she stammered, eyes going back to the little critter in the fireplace. 

“Not at all!” Eva hummed with a smile, patting and gently floofing Ty’s hair. “Hey Sausage, would you be a dear and go heat up the bathtub? I bet our guest could use a nice hot bath to get the cold out of her bones.” 

“Oh, uh, you don’t need to do that,” The guest tried to say, “I’m okay.” “You sure? I don’t want you to get sick, and your face is a bit flush,” Eva knelt down in front of the chair, gently pressing the back of her hand to Ty’s forehead to check for a fever. 

“I guess...That would be nice” Ty’ felt her face heating up even more at the gentle touch. Normally she would say she could tough it out, but the soft doe eyes staring at her.. It was hard to say no to. 

The salamander with a small gurgle of a noise crawled out of the fire, steam coming off its body as it made its way across the stone floor to the bathroom in the back of the hut to do the task. 

The redhead’s smile grew, “There we go. Now, how about something to drink, I was just stirring up some caramel apple cider. Definitely will warm you up from the inside out.”

“Oh uh,” but before the other woman could ask about what exactly *cider* was, Eva had scurried into the kitchen to get them some mugs, as well as a bowl of hot oatmeal for her guest. Ty arched her neck to look over the chair to try and see what was going on in the kitchen, hearing the shuffling of dishes and the hissing of a teapot. “Everything okay in there?” 

“Huh? Oh yes yes, I was just getting something warm for you to eat too. It’s just oatmeal, but I have honey and stuff I can put in if you want.” "Oh you don't need to add that for me. I like it simple.... Do, uh... Do you want to have some too?" She would have felt a bit odd eating alone in another person’s home. Besides, eating together and talking sounded rather nice. 

“Well I think I could have a little.” Eva chuckled, adding an extra spoon to the bowl before bringing it all out on a tray. “It will still be a bit hot, so careful not to burn your tongue, okay” She winked, pulling one of her bean bag pillow cushions to sit beside Ty. 

“I’ll be sure to be careful,” Ty chuckled softly, a soft hum spilling out with her exhale as she took a deep whiff of the cider, enjoying the mix of slight sweetness and spice, as well as the heat that was spreading into her fingers. 

“I gotta say I am so relieved you found my place,” The redhead said between small sips of her drink, “If I found out you were in my neck of the woods and had been out all night in this storm I would have felt so guilty.” 

“It wouldn’t have been your fault though, you didn't make the storm happen,” Ty raised a brow, a rather amused smile on her face at how… well, coddling and doting on her. It was rather confusing to try and comprehend why the girl was doing these things for her, but also it warmed her heart to see how caring and adamant she was, rambling on about how Ty could have gotten sick or lost and so on and on. “Well I didn’t, I am here so we don’t have to worry about that.”

Both the women chuckled a little and decided to change the topic of conversation, whilst sharing in the oatmeal, which Eva had thought had cooled down enough, but the sudden huffing and fanning of her mouth proved that wrong. “You okay?” Ty asked, sitting up in concern and reaching a hand to touch Eva’s shoulder. Getting a small thumbs up and a half smile, Ty chuckled a bit with a sigh, “And here you are telling me to be careful of my own tongue. Seems you need to be careful too.” “Hehehe, w-well I thought it was cooled enough for a little nibble” Eva giggled, “Now anywho, I was gonna ask, what were you doing out in this crazy weather anyway? You are a bit of a ways away from the shop, needless to say” The question brought a small frown to the taller woman’s face. Well, not so much the question, but the answer to said question. The memory of the argument, one of many, she had gotten into with Asra before storming off, not caring where she went so long as it was away from him. “Hey” Eva put her hand on top of Ty’s, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have pried. We can talk about something else if you want.” “N-no.. no it isn’t that it is just…”She let out a deep exhale, trying to quell some of the frustration that was growing in her again just by remembering the fight. “Asra. Let’s just say Asra…” “Awe geesh, I could have expected that” Eva rolled her eyes, patting Ty’s hand before leaning back in her bean chair, “That man might know a good collection of spells, but the way he talks to people is not as charming as he thinks it is.” “No kidding,” Ty tsked, but a small smile came back to her face knowing she was sharing her grievances with someone who could relate. 

Their talk went on, Ty sharing the details of her most recent argument with her mentor. Which led to Eva’ sharing her own issues she recalled when being an apprentice. Back and forth the women shared, finishing their bowl of oatmeal and going through two or so refills of warm cider as they laughed, groaned and confided in each other. Their latest bit of chuckles interrupted by a little gurgle of a noise.  

“Hm? Oh Sausage,” Eva reached and collected the salamander, who was now a few shades darker than he previously was to signal he was cooled down a bit. “That is right, your bath must be ready. It would have been painfully hot if you had gone in before, but you better take the chance before it gets too cold.” Eva set the little creature on the hot brick that bordered the hearth, “I can get some kind of pillow bed set up by the fire for you. Well, unless you want to share the bed with me. It is downstairs so it is nice and warm.” 

“Oh, no thanks I am sure out here will be fine” Ty shook her head and let the blanket around her fall off her shoulders.  “You sure? I mean I want to make sure you are comfortable” Eva started collecting various pillow seat cushions she had and a few blankets from a chest, “I don’t mind cuddling and Persephatta actually loves the rain so she won’t be coming in tonight, so it won’t be too cramped.” 

With a soft smile, the tanned woman shook her head again, “Maybe next time, but I feel I will be pretty comfy out here. And maybe Sausage can keep me company.” She looked down at the salamander that was already starting to get a little brighter in color from the hot bricks. 

“Well he does make a very good hot water bottle,” Eva chuckled, “Okay then, I will see to a nice makeshift bed. Should be ready by the time you are done. And feel free to use my robe in there, it should fit you as a nice thing to sleep in for the night while we have our clothes taken care of.” With a small nod, Tyrael found her way to the bathroom, which wasn’t very hard considering the small size of the cottage. Dipping her finger in the water to check the temp one more time, she went about adding a few of the bath salts and herbs that were set on a shelf for cleansing and calming purposes. For a while she let herself soak, sinking down till the water was just past her chin as she closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift. What a crazy day it had been indeed, but not without a happy ending. Her thoughts drifted to Eva’s kind words, and how they made each other smile. 

I could get used to such conversations... this feeling.... I hope we can meet up like this again. okay maybe with a little less storm. 

“Unchiule! What is going on?” Eva huffed as she was tugged by the wrist through the throng of yurts that the family and allies lived in. “I need to get this powder to  Can you at least let me do that?” She demanded as her uncle kept silent and pulled her towards a yurt on the outskirts of the rest... the black yurt... “T-This must be serious...” Eva mumbled.  Gabriel as an older man, with grey strands peppering his side burns and in a few wisps of his almost pitch black ruby hair. Wordlessly he pulled his niece into the punishment yurt, only then releasing her wrist. He stepped aside with arms folded, his piercing green eyes staring at the one accused, who was currently tied to a chair, a guard at either side of him.  “Micharu!” The young woman gasped, running to kneel in front of him, taking his face in her hands to examine is already swelling eye and broken nose. With a throaty growl, Eva stood and turned to her elder, “How dare you? What could my betrothed have possibly done to find himself in the shadow yurt?! Untie him right now!”  “I cannot do that, little bird” Gabriel’s deep tones came out soft, full or remorse, though the hate in his eyes grew every brighter as he continued to stare at the young man tied up, “He has broken a bond and must be punished.” “And what bond is that may I ask?!” Eva’s own arms folded to match her uncle’s posture. 

“...Yours little bird...” 

Those words hit like a tidal wave of ice on Eva’s anger, filling her chest with stabbing pain... hers? her bond.. how... “T-That’s not true...h-he and I.. we are to be married in the spring and-”  “Seems he could not wait till spring to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh,” Gabriel cut her off, “The two men there? they are witness of what he is accused of...” Slowly turning herself back to face Micharu, it was hard for her to take her eyes off him enough to look at the two men standing on either side of the chair... Togda... and his son Varu... Emarie’s father and brother. “They caught this fox in the hen house so to speak. Laying in bed with Emarie after weaving lies of calling off your engagement and ... and marrying her instead....” 

It was cruel, and he knew it, to be so blunt about what had occurred, so straight forward. But Gabriel also knew if he did not, his little niece would come up with any kind of excuse in her head to heal her heart, and not believe that her fiancé was the filthy pig he was. 

“That’s not... h-he wouldn’t.... I....” The redhead found it hard to speak... hard to breathe, around the lump in her throat that would come back with a vengeance every time she tried to swallow it down. Her body moved, though she didn’t remember trying to, to stand in front of Micharu, “Look at me...” even her voice didn’t not sound like her own... “Look...at.. me.. now”

Like a cowering dog he did, his breath shaky and lip quivering as the pain and anger started to come off her aura in waves. Hell aura or not, those eyes spoke enough for him to know his life was in her hands. 

“Is it true... tell me by vow of your own blood, if what you are accused of is true” The darkness that flowed through her words promised pain if he lied, and anguish if he told the truth. Either way, there was no escaping the payment due for his actions. 

“I was not going to c-call it off.. I.. I just... I was a fool and....” It sounded painful for the young man to talk, probably from the cracked ribs, or perhaps the need to breathe through his mouth since his nose was smashed. He lowered his head in shame and started to blubber, words of sorry on his breathe, with some hope his pitiful state would touch on his fiancée’s  kinder nature. 

Quietly, Eva pulled off her engagement ring and laid it in her palm, rolling it around, the admiration she had for it before replaced with disgust. She brought it to the fire pit tossing it in and making eye of where it was in the hot coals, she needed to remember where it was as it was touched by the flames.  

“So you laid with another... defiled another, while your heart was given to me” She returned to in front of the accused, “You confess?” More simpering and sobbing was all that came with the shaking nod. 

Her hand tingled from the slap she gave across his head, and was displeased by the small grunt of pain she got. 

“Ține capul sus!” she barked the command with acid on her tongue. To which Varu was quick to obey, grabbing Micharu’s hair and yanking back so he was looking up at the angered daughter of the Forsyth blood. Perfect; it was a better angle.  Forehand, backhand, back and forth Eva slapped the man who she had loved with all her might. The sobs and wails of pain didn’t seem to satisfy. Even when she felt the sickening crunch of his already broken nose across her palm and the blood that seeped out of it wasn’t enough. She wanted a scream, pure anguish; the pain in her heart needed to be felt by his flesh. 

“Unchi Gabriel.” her voice was calm, low and full of a strange lull, “the tongs?” She turned back to the fire, kneeling down and hunting with her eyes for that engagement ring that she had left to nest in the coals.  Wordlessly he handed her the fire pit tool, watching with solemn eyes, and yet a proud smirk on his face.  Picking the glowing metal out of the fire, Eva gave pause. It looked so pretty, glowing like an ember of her hate. “His hand... would you?” She looked over at her uncle who gave a small nod, walking over to the culprit of his niece’s broken heart. Pressing his thumb into MIcharu’s wrist he hand his hand raise palm up. No amount of thrashing or saying her name was saving the young man as he stared at the glowing ring being hung over his hand.  “Micharu,” She said in melancholy sigh, “I am afraid I must decline your proposal.” She let the ring free to fall onto his waiting hand.  The screaming did not give her pause, the smell did not make her regret. No, Eva made sure as soon as the ring touched his hand to close his fingers around it, forcing his fist to embrace the hot metal. A sneer of disgust left her lips as he vomited from the pain, only then did she take a step back and let his hand go limp. 

“Now, he has dishonored your family...” she said to the two men who had helped keep the dishonored one from resisting, “I leave the rest of his fate to you, in accordance to tradition.” she bowed her head quickly and made a march out of the yurt. 

“Well done little bird,” she didn’t want the praise though, didn’t want any more words or touches... her feet picked up pace, faster and faster she walked away from the yurt, till it was a full on sprint away, her heart pounding and hot tears falling.