5th Day of Fall, early morning
There was nothing left for her eyes to cry. Nothing left for her heart to break. Nothing left of her soul to tear apart and destroy. Every part of her felt numb, and her throat hurt from sobbing. It was early morning, or dusk...she didn't know anymore. her golden eyes stared into emptiness as heavy and as deep as the void in her heart.
He was gone. Vanator, was gone.
The reality of the thought sent a wracking sob through Khiara, and painfully she pressed herself closer to the furs they had shared in marriage. Goddess, they smelt like him. Achingly, the vantha prayed she was asleep. Prayed for a miracle. But as the minutes ticked by, the young woman knew it was real. And he was never coming back. Weakly, the brunette dragged herself from the bed, drained. She wanted to close her eyes and never awaken. The grief had taken a toll on her body, and with painful bleeding the infant that had begun within her womb had followed its father. Alone, grieving and afraid - Khiara's mind couldn't deal with that hurt yet. Not the father and the child. Her chevas mark had changed - showing a snowflake and a spear, reappearing on her sternum as a lacun mark was a flowing filagree, reminiscent of the beauty and love she shared with the golden skinned drykas.
By the Goddess, she couldn't be here any longer. Everything reminded her of Vanator, everything smelt like him. Kashik might try to stop her. Even the rest of the Saphirre Clan. But she had to leave.
Packing her travelling bag, the vantha didnt feel the tears on her cheeks as she carefully put away the gold and white dress of Riverfall, and her soft white wedding gown. Her leggings and parka were placed in also. Tenderly, she folded up her grey sheer riding dress and saphirre belt. Reaching out, Khiara picked up a familiar item. A blue tunic, one of Van's. Closing her eyes, the brunette held it tightly, before putting it in her bag. Packing travelling food, a canteen, rope, fire starting kit, knife and bow that Vanator had given her, the young woman looked around the pavillion she had called home for nearly two years. It was darker. Empty.
Leaving, she moved quietly through the city, wearing her leather riding dress and furlinned vantha boots. Her long hair shimmered gold and violet in the dawn lighting. As she reached the corral, Vsenri nickered at her, followed by Adelita. Khiara petted the strider as she reached the fence.
"You could not survive the cold, I fear." She said to the mare softly, A stern snort came from the horse, as though she challanged the woman. Khiara felt tears rising rapidly. She couldn't force the mare to stay, and the winters in Endrykas were always severe. If the mare wanted to follow, Khiara would not stop her. Taking up Vsenri's saddle and bridle, she unhooked the gate and called him and Adelita out.
"My old friend, it's time to leave this place. This whole city is haunted by memories and pain." She spoke in vani as she prepared him for riding. Adelita's ears flickered, her knowledge of Vani having improved with hearing it daily. Finishing the straps and trying her bag and sleeping roll to the saddle, the olive skinned woman climbed up. Without hesitation, the mare followed her as they walked. It was a long way. A long walk. But it was a familiar one. There was a caravan heading out, moving north, and quickly Khiara moved to join as they left the city. Looking back on Endrykas, she sent a silent prayer to Morwen to keep her family safe, before turning swirling gold and violet eyes back.
"We're going home."
