"Yes." The sudden subject change was an obvious sign that the previous was getting too depressing. It was better to continue with the original conversation, only bringing up Nai'a and Valo again if the situation called for it. Now, it didn't. So the red-head from the ball is the father. He seemed like a decent person. I doubt Nai'a would have any troubles with him, but I've been wrong before. "A brother, almost two years younger than me." And built like a siege tower. "Although, I haven't seen him since I started travelling. We've exchanged letters when we got the chance, but that always required me to stay in one place for long enough. Unfortunately, that hasn't been as nearly as often as I would like." "We'd always use to spar when we were younger, if you could call it that." Erekez smiled at the memories. "More like fights with a mutual agreement to not aim for the head or between the legs. Everywhere else was fair. We were fairly evenly matched in skills, but he decided to become a swordsman and carpenter, whilst I became an archer and a writer. He prefers to use his hands, I use my head." Erekez and his brother were different in so many aspects, but similar in so many more. There had never been a time when he hadn't thought he'd be able to trust his brother, even after any massive arguments. Any bitterness towards each other was usually gone in half a bell. He missed him. "My brother's name is Ishtvan." Erekez held back immediately asking Nai'a the same question. He remembered that she had told him of her time as a slave, and any family she might've had before that either disappeared as she was taken, or suffered the same or worse fate. Erekez pursed his lips, considering asking the question anyway. He knew about her former bond mate, but not of her family. I don't want to risk upsetting her. Maybe another time, when the bond has strengthened, I'll ask. Unless she feels the need to get something off her chest again as with her pregnancy. Erekez decided to try and keep the conversation in a happy mood. He smiled at Nai'a. "How did a pink dolphin come to be marked by Rak'keli then?" |