PM to join [The Main Gates]Farewell to Ironhorse{Hadyn}

[Ethan Ironhorse]

7th Bell Winter 91st 513 AV Main Gates Ethan yawned as he placed a stack of feed in the cart. The cart bounced slightly as feed landed and Ethan checked the load to make sure it was still front heavy. It was rare that Ethan had to drive a horse and cart for major distances. Most of the times he merely took a beat up old cart with his farrier’s tools and shoes out for a couple of days and back again. The load wasn’t nearly as large as what he was packing away for his trip to Zeltiva. Foodstuffs alone took up a large weight of what the horse and cart was rated up to. Besides that he had purchased an anvil, one pair of tongs, and a hammer from the Ironworks to start smithing in Zeltiva if he ran short of mizas. With those three things and a bit of iron, Ethan could make more tools or start his own shop. Besides that he had packed a locked coin box to take his saved coin. Looking in the back of the cart, it had it’s extra axle an wheel packed to the side to even out the load. Looking over the whole cart he bit his lip, the weight was going to be a problem up front on his journey, he was going to burn through feed and towards the end of the trail, if the Zarvian Stallion held up, he could be a little easier on the feed and work load. He looked around the merchant caravan that was starting to form up in the early morning, though their carters were more experienced and better equipped with teams of two and four horses, it took longer for them to gather supplies and get everyone organized. Ethan hoped to spend most of the journey just slightly ahead of their train. That way if he broke down in the wilderness, was robbed or even killed, they would stumble across his belongs, and in such a case Ethan made sure there was a letter in cart explaining his thoughts and feelings about her. Ethan looked around in the activity for Hadyn. He had asked her to be here this morning to see him off. Like a man who foreswore drinking, he needed that one last cool clean taste of ale before he gave it all up. He wasn’t sure what Hadyn, would say or do, if she would ask him to stay and be with her, would he just unhook the cart and plead for his job back at the Ironworks? He knew he would do it in a heartbeat, just drop everything and beg Ros. Yet he knew that she wouldn’t ask it, that she wouldn’t want to. She wanted him to be happy, to find a woman that could do all the things that she couldn’t, and every time he thought about another woman it was Hadyn’s face that came in view. Ethan looked around for her and his own family. He had told his mother and father about his departure. His father had simply stated that him and Erik would be out at an outpost so they couldn’t rearrange his plans. So Ethan had hoped that his mother would turn up, but she was likely already down in the Soothing Waters starting the first load of laundry. No, the only family likely to see him off would be the Skellig’s Daughter and her son. A cold blast of air came through the gates and up the avenue. Winter’s last howl was retreating as the icicle’s melted and the bare patches of earth became muddy. Ethan had chosen to wear his fur lined leather armor this morning as to keep him warm in the cool to cold pre-dawn air and to be ready to finally break in the armor. He had sparred in it and worked out in it, but he had never worn the armor day in and day out. Ethan looked at the slightly darker color streaking down one side of the armor. Blood from the Reimancer victim had soaked into the armor and had slightly stained it no matter how hard the washwomen and men had worked at it.

[Hadyn Skellig]

"Move out of my way, you blasted oaf," Hadyn nearly yelled at the large wainwright as he stood doubled over in the middle of the lane to replace a cart wheel. He looked up at her with raised eyebrows as the woman, eager to continue down her path to the main gate, was hindered by his rotund form. He blocked the narrow street with his bulk at the broken cart and had refused to move several chimes earlier, aware the weaponsmith was in a hurry.

"What'sa matter, Skellig? Can't call your brothers t'fix yer problems?"

"You'll wish I called them if you don't stop dammin' the whole petchin' street."

"An' I thought motherhood was supposed soften women," he muttered as he hoisted himself up with an exaggerated sigh. Wiping his hands on the towel tossed over the broken cart he eyed the impatient woman. He was familiar enough with both Hadyn and her family that their familiar banter didn't rub either the wrong way. He was none too fond of the Skellig brood, finding them more of an annoyance. But with eyes rolled to the sky he moved with ponderous grace to the side, giving the brunette enough room to slip between him and the wall. Squeezing out the other side the weaponsmith grunted her thanks as she rushed down the street, leaving the wainwright with a sour expression.

"You're welcome, y'ungrateful brat."

Hadyn responded by turning on her heel, walking backwards and flashing him an obscene gesture before turning and picking up a jog. She was late. Ethan wanted to meet her at least half a bell earlier. Between settling up with the nanny and dealing with the petulant wainwright she was late. She hoped he hadn't taken off. Weaving through the crowd she made her way to Main Gates. Slipping out the brunette looked to the side and found the beginnings of a caravan. Good. Pausing in the early light to search for the man she recognized his tall form beside a lean horse. With a smile she headed toward them, pulling the dark jacket a little closer around herself against the chill.

"Mornin'," she called out as she neared him with a hand raised. "Sorry I'm so late. Petchin' Marty Irving couldn't be bothered to move his fat arse off the road."

She waved off the excuse, the wainwright likely known to Ethan. There were few residents that didn't know the large man for he was often found in the bars late into the evenings. After reaching the blacksmith she offered him an out of breath smile, her cheeks red with the morning cold.

"Sorry I couldn't bring Liam. He was havin' a fit this morning. Barely got out t'door, as it was." Her smile was apologetic. She knew he wanted to see the baby but it wasn't to be. The boy was fussy and she wanted to keep him warm in the final days of this winter. Besides, the nanny started promptly at the seventh bell. Hadyn was dressed for work anyhow, finally fitting into trousers, a green blouse beneath the grey jacket. She was headed to Sultros after seeing Ethan off to meet with Eanos. With a gentle punch to his shoulder the woman grinned.

"Look at you, Ethan. All ready to set off on an adventure. Excited?"

Art by Anona

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan looked over his supplies one last time as he pulled the cloth tarp over the load. He felt like he was missing something, and it would nag him until he needed it and then it would be too late. As he looked over the crowd one more time for Hadyn, his Zavian gave a short whinny as it was inpatient to start the journey. He patted the horse on the back to settle down as he looked once more out amongst the busy city street and saw the dark hair of Hadyn jogging her way to him. Ethan smiled she had made it, and he was grateful. He raised his hand in greeting to her and merely laughed as she gave her explanation. Marty Irving had been known to Ethan for as many years as Brody and Ethan had been drinking in taverns. The man always seemed to be a sore and blister on the Skellig families arse but it had only come to blows once between Brody and the man. After that, it seemed both parties had a healthy respect for one another. Ethan smiled sadly at missing Liam, he knew that Hadyn was protecting her child and he knew that the cold would only make child disagreeable, but he had wanted to talk to the lad one more time before he went off to a new city. Too many people left and never came back after a journey like Ethan was undertaking. The knighthood had done their best to make sure the roads were save, but there was only so much they could do against wild djed, animals and weather. “Excited and terrified, Haddie, the roads should be fair, and I will be ahead of dis here caravan should somethin’ happen. I know that I will be delayed with the spring melts out there, and I have packed extra food and provisions. I just get the feelin’ dat I am missin’ somethin’, and it will cost me one way or another.” Ethan shook his head as if to get rid of the thoughts of forbidding. Ethan let out a sigh of excitement and terror. Ethan smiled and spoke, “Whew, listen to me, worried like a mother over her daughter’s flower. I will get there, Haddie, even if I have ta eat da horse along the way.” Ethan reached into the road pouch and picked out the key and letter. “Sorry, about dis, I know how ya hate gifts, but I couldn’t think of what ta do with it. The key is to my apartment, I had an extra chair and table in there dat I bought, didn’t want to be givin’ dat to the Knighthood, so sale dem or use dem, I just couldn’t take ‘em and den turn in da key.” Gifted Furniture : -Arm Chair, Average (4 gm) -Book Case, Poor (1 gm) -Cupboard, Average (2 gm) -Dresser, Average (2 gm) -Table Average (1 gm) “No don’t be thinkin’ dis here is some great gift. Just a bunch of banged up wood dat can still be used, and dis here…” Ethan was almost hesitant to hand over the letter. It contained all this thoughts and feelings about Hadyn in case he died. He had been half way drunk when he wrote the damn thing, and afterwards burnt the first three drafts of it. Still it contained two additional letters, one to his petch of a brother telling him that he was a heel and a knob and one to his parents. “Listen I will try to get to ya a another letter by summer ta let ya know I’m alive. If… If I don’t, open da letter and den give da other two to my mother and brother. Oh and kick m’brother between the legs for me, petcher should know da feel of a real woman between his thighs one way or another.” Ethan laughed at the joke, trying to lighten the mood of the conversation, but he had realized just how dangerous this trip was and wanted to be sure that he made precautions in case he died. Letter to Hadyn : Haddie, I am gone from this world never to see your soft smile again or hear your sweet laughter. When we were children playing in the fields, it didn’t seem like we had a care in the world and we all were a family. Brody and me would fight off imaginary slavers, monsters, and animals to protect the fair maiden often played by you under protest, waving wooden swords in the air. Liam and Ioan making sure that none of us somehow broke a limb or clubbed each other to death, and in the end we would make it back to the gates for dinner and a story from Ioan’s imagination. I ponder about those days, laughing as I once did, knowing that hardships of life have changed us. The changes were slow at first, I grew taller and began to find girls interesting, while you started your change later. It was almost as if Brody and me made some decision that we could no longer play with you one day, that the foolishness of youth and male pride said that we had to become men. We began to sneak into tavern’s and steal bits of ale. We began to curse and beat our chests like the sailors down at the docks, and all the time we chase other girls to see if we couldn’t get a kiss or feel. I had thought I was happy during those times with Brody, laughing and cursing like men, thinking that I was to become something great one day. Yet, I forgot one thing… you. Sometime during that time you became this beautiful young lady. I remember coming home with Brody late one evening and seeing you in a fit with Liam, about what I don’t remember, but you stood there tall, head raised in defiance with your hair down your back. It was that imagine that struck fear and absolute awe in my heart, it was as if every fiber of my being wanted you and was afraid to touch you at the same time. Fear. I have been afraid for so long. Brody, helped reinforce that fear in me by telling me to never go near you, and like a coward I didn’t. For so long I pretended to not care about you. It was easy in a way, every time I snuck a glance your way I reminded myself that you were Brody’s sister and a part of my family. Sometime during all this Ioan left and then Brody left in his usual vain, angry, dramatic way, and out of respect for him I stayed away from you. Really, I was afraid that all these feelings I had for you were misguided. I asked Liam about whether I should court you in a drunken stupor. He told me that it wasn’t up to him to look after who you gave your heart too. I took it to mean that you were never interested in me. I am forever the fool. So I gave up and started to dally with other women trying to find that spark of defiance and strength that was in you. What I found instead never satisfied my being and only made me ache for you more. It wasn’t till the Djed Storm, huddling in the caves beneath Syliras that I realized I how deeply I cared for you. I sat there alone huddling in the darkness, and I realized that I never told you how I felt, and that I might never get that chance. Once it was over, the fear of your rejection stopped me for a while, but then one day I saw a metal delivery to Sultros Blades and I took it. I had reentered your live once again, and we had changed. You were different than that little girl in the fields and so was I. Gone was the carefree smile, the laugh at innocent pleasure, and part of that sparkle in your eyes. I miss those things Haddie, but I found something else to replace them. What I see now is a strong, powerful woman that will survive and hurt those that hurt her love ones. It is like looking into the beauty of the wolf, ready for a fight but also ready to chase the deer through the forest for joy. Yet, there is something to say Haddie, you have forgotten the simple pleasures and how to love. I was not the man to help you relearn them, I hope your son Liam will be. Know that with my last breath I will pray to Cheva so that you may find the teachings of love again. And know that on the other side or the next life, I wait for you my love, Ethan.

[Hadyn Skellig]

"Ah, careful 'bout tryin' to eat this one," the brunette replied with a gentle stroke across the Zavian's nose, a grin on her lips. "He may eat you first. They're known for such villainy."

The woman returned his smile as she set to rubbing a smudge of dirt off the horse's narrow blaze. Hadyn was downright terrible at saying farewell. The last two meaningful goodbyes she'd attempted were atrociously botched on account of her inability to be emotionally connected. She'd geared herself up for this morning, aware of how important it was to Ethan and wanting, truly wanting, to see him off in a respectful kind manner. Brown brows rose ever so slightly as the man began an apology followed by a key. Rolling her dark eyes skyward she extended an open palm for him to deposit the items.

"Gods among us, Ethan," she answered with mock exaggeration, a smile still shadowing the corners of her lips. "Y'keep givin' things away to me an' I won't have nothin' of my own soon enough. But alright. I'll see what I can do with a bunch of 'banged up wood.'" Hadyn smirked as she pocketed the key in the pocket of the trousers. Brushing the dark braid over her shoulder she looked down at the letter. This was where it got dicey. She knew what the letters were. You'd have to be dumb or completely bereft of family members not to pen your final thoughts before a journey like his. She'd received more than one of these letters in her time and they were never easy to accept. Raising her gaze to Ethan she let him speak, a half hearted grin following when he mentioned his brother.

"Wouldn't be the first time Erik's felt the toe of my boot in his crotch," she replied mildly, hoping to keep the mood light. "Though I'm fairly certain the last time had more t'do with me being a brat."

Hadyn fell quiet as she held the letters. Worrying her bottom lip a moment she looked down the line of caravans. He'd be safe. The roads though dangerous were better traveled in a group and Ethan was far better equipped with a weapon than most folks making their way between cities. Looking back at him the brunette sighed.

"I have a letter for Brody," she murmured almost as an afterthought. Reaching into her blouse down the front she retrieved a thrice folded piece of paper stuck tightly in another piece of paper. Red wax sealed it though it appeared to have been done with haste. "Y'might tell him not to read the first bit if he's in a bad mood. There's a fair amount of swearin' and complainin'."

The woman smiled again, extending the letter to Ethan. She had no idea if he'd run into Brody or even if her brother was still in Zeltiva. But it was certainly worth a shot. And she knew Ethan would keep a letter safe and make sure it got to Brody, if ever they met up. Another pause before the brunette seemed to remember something. Crouching down she pulled something from her boot before standing up again, extending a small sheathed weapon.

"Ain't much. Figured you probably had all the weapons you need but... a dagger in the boot never hurts." Hadyn smiled as she offered the small blade to him. The sheath was narrow, containing a strong thin blade able to attach to the inside of a sturdy boot. The hilt was fairly simple, a delicate sweep of scrolling of iron running across the crossguard the only flourish. "It's not much," she repeated with a shrug.

Art by Anona

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan laughed slightly as Hadyn reached for Brody’s Letter. The reason why it was so funny was that it was just what Hadyn did. As if she would have brought the letter in hand, or had a small carry pouch. Of course not, it would have never occurred to Hadyn to have those things, instead putting the letter down her shirt was just a perfect expression of who she was and for some reason Ethan loved it and loved her. He would have given anything if she had just said to say and be with her, but as Ethan took the letter, he knew that perhaps when he came back things might change and Hadyn was notorious for changing her mind. Ethan took the offered letter and placed it in his traveling pouch. Buckling the pouch, Ethan nodded at Hadyn’s words about Brody and his bad moods. He wondered if he would find the Skellig brother and what had become of his lift. As Hadyn crouched down he took the moment to look down the front of her blouse, hoping at least that if he was caught that the armor would protect him from another hit. It was then that his eyes shifted to what Hadyn was doing and realized that she was removing a dagger strap in her boot. It surpised Ethan when Hadyn had decided to extend the dagger to him. It was the first gift he had ever received from her, besides the one time they had spent the night together, and for some reason Ethan’s vision blurred slightly. As his hand reached out and took the dagger, Ethan blinked rapidly to clear his eyes. Removing the dagger, Ethan felt for the balance of the blade, finding it placed about an inch about the handle to provide the most power in a stabbing motion Ethan nodded. He could tell that the dagger itself was of good Ironworks steel, and would puncture anything short of plate. Clearing his throat, Ethan smiled and then spoke, “Thanks, Haddie, I know now dat I have good Skellig steel backin’ me on da trip, and with a Skellig in me corner I will always be a’right.” Ethan unbuckled the two lower buckles on his breast plate to open it up. Carefully Ethan stuffed/wedged the sheath dagger close to his spine, that way should he be captured or bound with his hands behind his back he could access the weapon. Placing his left hand over the armor and using his right to buckle back up was interesting, but he managed and then he realized that he was staring at Hadyn once again. Unsure of what to say or what if any kind of kissing, holding, or hand shaking was acceptable. Ethan took his glove hand and rubbed the back of his neck. “So, I know it’s about time to start, and here I am thinkin’ do we embrace or kiss?” Ethan laughed a little nervously. “I…. Petch it!” In one breathe Ethan realized that he may never see Hadyn again, never hold her or see those brown eyes. He went in with the intent to hold her and kiss her for all he was worth. If she stopped him, he realized that he would be ok with it, but if she allowed it then for that one moment Ethan gave up all his fear and expectations. Blood was roaring in his ears and Ethan knew that he felt confident and self-assured that no matter want happened he had tried and pursued. With his expectations gone and his fear subsided because he had decided to act, Ethan knew that if the kiss happened animal desire, heat, passion, and the need to have it last as long as possible would come through. For once Ethan, didn’t feel like he needed Hadyn to love, value, or cherish him and unlike his first kiss Ethan knew this would be filled with innocence and trepidation. However, like his first kiss Ethan could feel down in his bones that if allowed to happen it would mark his soul forever as a kiss to be compared to.

[Hadyn Skellig]

"Dunno about always bein' right. Y'got a Skellig in your corner you're askin' for trouble, that much is written in stone." The brunette smiled as he received the weapon. As far as she was concerned it was an offer of friendship and a necessary on the road. Besides... what good was being a weaponsmith if she couldn't offer a something useful for his journey. Cocking her head to the side Hadyn realized he was staring at her with as much awkwardness as could be managed. So this was it. That uneasy moment before he departed. With a glance down the line of carts she figured she ought to make the first move. He was speaking and she was nodding and, without so much as a by-your-leave he closed the distance between them.

Her every instinct shouted to knock him violently on the side of head for this invasion of space. Her muscles tense as his lips found hers, her face still in the motion of turning to look at him. Her eyes stayed open momentarily as her body remained paralyzed. This went against everything. Despite the urge to knee him in the crotch Hadyn forced herself to relax. He was leaving. Don't make a scene. The tenseness in her frame melted away (though it took a bit longer than was appropriate) and she permitted him to continue. The practical side of her mind quelled the roiling indignation and kept her in his arms. This was how Ethan needed to say farewell.

With the halting hesitancy she raised her hands, setting them on his arms. She wouldn't go so far as to embrace him as well. That took too much thought process. She was focused on the kiss he was planting on her mouth. Softening her lips she tilted her face gently. After half a tick she rested on hand on the back of his neck. It was a kiss she allowed to linger if he needed it to. Entirely out of character this act of decency surprised her as much as it likely surprised him. But she was trying not to over think it. If this is what he needed - let him have it.

Art by Anona

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan felt Hadyn tense under his kiss and his heart sunk. He had dared to hope that Hadyn would someone recognize that at the last moment she cared for him, that she somehow loved him. As Hadyn relaxed into the embrace; Ethan, for a moment, allowed his hope to overwhelm his mind and held the kiss feeling his hands placed on Hadyn’s hips as her hand cradled the back of his neck. And then it was gone… the delusion of being loved, the idea of Hadyn. Ethan slowly and softly pushed Hadyn back from their kiss. This is a farce, was the only thought that Ethan let go through his mind. He felt hollow, not because he never loved Hadyn or was willing to accept her for who she was, but because all his love for her would never be returned. Ethan stood there quietly looking at Hadyn. His eyes looked into hers as he wanted to tell her everything on the letter and more. Yet he realized it wouldn’t matter, and for Hadyn, he needed to let go. For baby Liam, he needed to let her go. “Goodbye, Haddie.” Ethan turned around and pulled himself up on the cart. The two wheel cart squeaked briefly as it took a moment for his weight to settle. Ethan lightly took up the reins, for a moment he ran his hands over the leather reins. Ethan closed his eyes and thought about the taste and feel of her lips. Ethan looked at Hadyn from the cart and smiled. He reached behind him and picked up a helmet, placing the helmet on his head he buckled the strap. He waited for Hadyn to say any last words to him before he started on the journey.