PM to join [Roshin District]All the Pretty Horses{Hadyn}

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan lost his own smile and for a moment thought he had done something wrong. Hadyn had always been a complicated woman, almost as if she purposely trying to drive him mad, but there were moments that she was made him smile and laugh. When Hadyn had told him to leave, there was a part of him that just wanted to go and leave her to her thoughts. Instead, Ethan walked over to Hadyn standing next to her. He didn’t touch her or speak, but just stood next to her quietly. He watched the flames licking the lumps of charcoal thinking about his experience with Hadyn’s child. The babe had gripped his finger and for a moment Ethan had felt like he was connected to the child. He didn’t care whether Orion was the child’s father or that his relationship with Hadyn was about as clear as a mud puddle. What he knew was that in brief moment Ethan felt like the world had stopped and he wanted to be… better. Ethan had always wanted to do better, but at times had felt like he didn’t need to change. This had been different, this was the first time he had felt real doubt about his own strength of being. Those tiny fingers gripping his had made him feel his entire self for the first time. His personality, his true core, had been exposed at the touch of the child and for a moment he understood what was lacking in him. At times he planned and planned, but didn’t know all the things necessary to make it a success. Other times he was so sure of his rightness that no one else could be right, and that was a weakness of him. Ethan knew his strengths as well, he was a hard worker and a deep thinker, he had creativity and drive, and he loved deeply. Ethan kept his eyes off of Hadyn, knowing that she wanted time alone and he hadn’t done anything wrong. Still he was so worried about her, and there was no easy way of asking what was the problem, not with Hadyn. “What’s the babe’s name?” Ethan asked as he kept staring at the fire. He felt the warmth of the fire slowly starting to heat up his front. His nerves and skin began to tingle as the warm crept into him. Ethan kept his eyes turned from her, because he wanted to hold her and tell her everything would be ok. He had no way of keeping that promise, but the last thirty days had taught him a little bit more about the new Hadyn and sometimes the quiet approached worked, and sometimes it started a shouting match. Each time Ethan tried, never sure when was the right time and when was the wrong time.

[Hadyn Skellig]

"Liam," she replied quietly, staring intently at the steady flames. There really weren't that many people in the city who could comprehend the significance of the name. Even Orion was oblivious to it. But when the baby was laid in her arms Hadyn's reaction was immediate. "Liam Michael Skellig."

Dropping her arms the woman retreated a few steps to seat herself in the chair near the table. Looking up at Ethan she offered a vague smile, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear as she leaned back. Everything outside of Liam was complicated. Interactions required finesse and care. Frankly Hadyn couldn't be bothered. She was glad things between herself and Orion had settled down because she wasn't sure she could manage their constant extremes. But now there was Ethan.

"Y'ought to expect this by now," she murmured more to herself than the man. Glancing up at him the brunette smirked. "You have the unfortunate habit of tyin' yourself to people who don't know what they want. Brody up 'n left at the first opportunity. I'm nothing but a walking contradiction. I must admit - your endurance is impressive."

She smiled again though it was weak and hollow. Directing her gaze to the bedroom the woman waited to determine if her son was awake. When silence filled the room she sighed, resting an elbow on the arm of the chair and resting her head in the palm of her hand. It was never completely clear to her what Ethan saw in her. Most men would be long gone. Orion was still there for Liam, not her.

Hadyn relaxed into the chair, crossing her legs as she tilted her head back. Ethan was free to go but she wasn't throwing him out. The company was a change of pace. But she wanted desperately to avoid anything awkward or overly emotional. She didn't have the strength or temper to wade through that kind of mess.

"Yorick tell you?" the question was unexpected but it occurred to her that Ethan arrived knowing the baby was here. Must've been the other smith because neither Orion nor Shiress had any contact with the blacksmith. Hadyn raised her eyes to look at him, waiting for an answer.

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan smiled at the mention of the name. Liam Skellig lives again, he thought. Ethan wondered if it was because Hadyn had seen the same patience and quiet strength in the child as he had when Liam first opened his eyes. Ethan thought about that first day meeting Skellig family, Hadyn had hidden behind her mothers blue dress, her hair done up in a braid. Brody, sneaking up on her and tugging it, the screaming and shouting as the two chased each other. Ioan playing with chalk on the stone walls, as both of them running around, and then came Liam out of the bedrooms. He had been so impressive and intimidating, shouting at the bunch to stop. Ethan had been so scared and shoved his face back into his mother’s skirts, the old washworn fabric covering his eyes. He had been afraid that Liam would turn out to be like his older brother Erik. A bully and always getting Ethan in trouble for the smallest of things, it wasn’t till much later that Ethan had began to trust Liam, and even look up to him. “Aye, he did, acted like he was ready to size the boy up for an apron and tools. Tell m’bout Liam’s eyes and grip, saying that there be as much steel and fire in his blood as in any sword forge. Careful now, I think he’s sizing up a space for the crib in the shop.” Ethan turned for a moment and looked down at Hadyn with a smile. “Tis a good name Haddie, dat ya choose. The boy will do it justice, I said as much when I saw him. His got the patience and quiet strength ya brother had.” Ethan gave her a sad smile, “Told him dat I would make him a gold or silversmith, because have to have patience for the softer metals. Even told him dat I had the fairer hand at them, then ya, Haddie.” Ethan turned his head back to the fire, letting the comment settle in silence for a moment. The only noise that seemed to be in the room was the soft crackle and occasional pop of the charcoal burning. “Been thinking about everythin’ lately. I love Syliras as a city, but… somethin’ is wrong here. I dun feel like I am waitin’ fer Ros’ to die before I get a chance of bein’ a true smith. I could work at Blades…” Ethan turned his head to Hadyn, “But I might be a bit distracted by the lead smith. I just feel like the only thing that is holdin’ me to dis here place is…” Ethan stopped suddenly as he realized what he was going to say. He was going to tell Hadyn that she really was the only reason why he hadn’t left a season ago. That for some reason he held hope that some final gesture would make her love him. Ethan finally spoke back up,”… family. Anyway, I’s was thinkin’ that I would head down to Zeltiva. Learn some fancy idea’s from their university for a season or two and then come back.” Ethan grew quiet again. He wanted to tell Hadyn all that he was feeling and that he was sorry for betraying her and Liam by going way. Instead, he waited for Hadyn’s own words and feelings.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn chuckled at the ridiculous thought of Yorick moving things around in the smithy to make room for a crib. He'd been surprisingly interested in the baby, checking in on Hadyn and Liam every other day since the boy had been born. For all his faults the redheaded weaponsmith was exceptionally kindhearted and gentle, especially around the newborn. The woman couldn't be luckier with the folks in her life who'd made time to visit and help since Liam came into the world. Before she could respond, however, Ethan mentioned the boy's namesake.

The brunette shared his sad smile, avoiding his gaze as she nodded silently. The elder Liam Skellig had been on her mind more than she cared to admit, his memory somehow heavier now even though years had passed. Perhaps it was that she was finally moving on with her life in a bit and unplanned manner. Maybe she could put him to rest now. With a difficult swallow the woman felt tears prick the back of her eyes as she blinked them away, brow furrowed with this sudden rush of sorrow. But Ethan was speaking again.

Returning her attention to him the weaponsmith tried to catch up to his words, hoping she hadn't missed some critical information in her momentary grief. He was leaving. Eyebrows rose now with the surprise but her expression softened. He'd mentioned this before. Nodding slowly she waited a tick before speaking, considering his statement.

"Zeltiva would be good for you," she agreed solemnly, finally raising her eyes to meet his. "Sides, you were always better off strikin' away from your family." Unsurprisingly the woman misinterpreted his hesitation for uncertainty at leaving his blood. Smiling reassuringly she continued. "Who knows. Y'might run into Brody over there."

Another smile as she rested a hand on her crossed leg. The thought of seeing her brother and his friend reunited was pleasing. No doubt they had much to catch up. A part of her wondered if Brody was even in Zeltiva any more. It was possible. But having lost touch with him - a fact that pained her - there was no way to know where the youngest Skellig son might be.

"When would you leave?"

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Zeltiva would be good for him. It wasn’t the response that Ethan wanted. Ethan somehow held out hope that Hadyn would have asked him to stay or accuse him of leaving her and the baby. Yet that was never going to happen, Hadyn wasn’t some virgin maiden waiting for Ethan to pluck her flower. She was a strong woman that didn’t care if a man in her life came or went, he realized that about her, even though he was disappointed at her reaction. Hadyn was a fighter, a warrior, a woman that if hurt again would end the person who tried to hurt her because she would end the fight. Ethan leaving or coming back would have no bearing on her feelings, because she had harden herself against that. So why do I love you, Haddie? And it was simple, because she had the strength that could move mountains. He knew that Hadyn, would kill anyone that harmed her or Liam. He knew it, just as he knew that as she would always find a way to make sure that Liam was cared for. Unlike Ethan, she just didn’t know what to teach Liam, whereas Ethan devotion would be complete. Ethan smiled at Hadyn as she mentioned Brody. He wasn’t completely sure if he wanted to meet up with his friend. Ethan was so different then the wild child that he had been. Brody and him would go out drinking and seeing what lasses wouldn’t mind a petching or two. More often than not Ethan or Brody would end up fighting some sailor, cartwright, or farmer about pawing over their girl. It felt like half the time they were being chased away by knights or down alleyways. Yet they always laughed it off. Then of course, even if Brody had changed like Ethan had changed, how would he react to the fact that Ethan was in love with his sister? During their teenage years when Brody had caught the occanisional glance the Ethan gave Hadyn there was always the threat that he would cut off all of Ethan’s important bits. Ethan turned around for a moment and looked at Hadyn in the chair, her hand on her shapely leg. For a moment he openly ran his eyes down her once again not ashamed at the thought of tearing off her dress. A moment turned into two and before he knew better, his own pants had grown tight about his crotch. Ethan peeled his eyes way from breasts and legs, realizing that he own lust for her was interfering with the conversation. He wanted her, to a point that he wasn’t sure if he could control himself if she showed even the slightest of interest in him. Ethan focused on Hadyn’s eyes, and it felt like his heartbeat was thundering in his ears. He needed to get away, now and forever from Hadyn, with a look of her body Ethan had almost turned into some kind of uncontrollable animal. “First melt.” It was all that Ethan could manage to say as he looked into Hadyn’s eyes. It took all of Ethan’s control to look at Hadyn in her eyes and even then he eyes would quickly look to what he was interested in.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn smiled at him with a nod. First melt. Made sense. Spring was usually a good time to travel in Sylira. Most merchants came by foot or horse in spring and fall. The mild weather made for safe journeys. Ethan would have a sound trip provided nothing out of the ordinary hindered him. Tilting her head to the side she regarded the man before speaking.

"S'ppose I should've anticipated you'd go," she murmured after a moment, more to herself than him. "Brody was the first t'leave. Then Ioan. Should've figured you would too. Syliras isn't big enough for you boys."

The woman smiled again though grief has settled in her eyes. Men left her. It was just the way it worked. She'd stay rooted in the same place for the rest of time while they came in and out, stopping to make marks on her memory before leaving again. She was used to it by now. No sense fighting what was clearly a pattern. Hadyn absentmindedly wondered if her son would be the same. Looking away from Ethan her dark eyes stared at the wall next to her chair, biting her lower lip as she rehashed consistency of abandonment.

"Sorry. I'm not much for words," she mumbled. While it would be easy to sink into self-pity the weaponsmith wasn't fond of the feelings attached to selfish wallowing. She accepted her solitary life. But momentary surges of sorrow and lonely came about from time to time. And hearing Ethan proclaim he was leaving brought them back again. Admittedly his announcement was less bombastic and emotionally charged than Brody's. But the feeling remained the same.

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan wondered why she should have anticipated him going. Ethan hadn’t really decided the whole thing a couple of nights ago, when winter had finally set in and he felt as if the very walls of Syliras was choking him. He had a dream of Hadyn, all he could remember of it was that everytime he reached for her, she was just out of reach, or something held him back. Ethan sucked in breath as Hadyn turned her head away from him. By Cheva, he loved this woman, his heart was in this room and she didn’t want it. Ever since their fight in fall, Ethan had been waiting for Hadyn to tell him to stay, that they belonged to each other. That ownership of each others love was ok, not because you would take advantage of it, but because you would do anything for the other. Love, for those it was the chains of slavery to forget ones self and think only of the other, for others the shackles weren’t a burden because they were bond to another that helped in their daily toil. Ethan turned away from Hadyn to look back at the fireplace. “Aye Haddie, Syliras isn’t big enough for us. Down every hallway and street lies the ghosts that haunt our past. Brody lef’ because of his own fear and rage, Ioan lef’ ta escape a world without sunlight, and I need to leave for a time ta grow. They say that Syna and Lhex are both needed for the wheat ta grow, Haddie.” Ethan motioned for the small skylight, “Ya found your light, I need ta find mine.” Part of him wanted to share Hadyn’s light, share her life as it would forever provide light for him and his soul. However, he knew he couldn’t and it hurt almost like cutting out a chunk of his own flesh. Set her free, set her to love Orion… Ethan felt like the world was ending. Stuck down in the caves below the city during the djed storm of 512AV Ethan felt scared and frighten. Now he felt like he was hallowed out, as if the only keeping him up was his skin. “I could find Brody, tell heem about Liam and give any message ya have for heem. He might want to come back and visit with ya for a while.”

[Hadyn Skellig]

Something Ethan said caught her attention, a sharp gaze adjusting on his face as he spoke on, unaware the particular comment piqued her interest. She let him finish, mulling over his words as he mentioned Brody. She sat up straighter in the chair as if ready to spring up. Tilting her head to look at the man Hadyn wet her lips before speaking.

"Ethan," she began quietly, brows furrowed. "Y'can't escape the ghosts by movin' away." The brunette hesitated, not sure how much of this was any of her business but deciding to say it anyway. "Reckon that's what sent Brody hightailin' out of here. I don't know if he ran far enough but... those ghosts'll haunt you whether you stay or leave."

Hadyn fell silently, expression pensive. Truthfully she had no business offering wisdom on this particular matter. It's not like she'd ever been out of the Sylirian territory. And she wasn't known for overcoming her past. But she looked her demons in the eye every day. If she ran every day for the rest of her life fleeing the damage Syliras wrought on her she'd never really escape. For all her faults she knew this much to be true. Returning her gaze to the blacksmith the woman shrugged.

"Least that's how I see it. I'm not tellin' you not to do it. Just... don't go thinkin' it'll set your troubles right." She shrugged again, her gaze shifting to the bedroom where her son slept within. "But if you see Brody you can tell him to come home. Don't imagine he will. But you can try."