The Earl Returns (Ocha & Diana)

[Diana]

The Countess Ismeria of Calyber was a woman of unlimited patience and grace - but this day was trying on her very last frayed nerve.

Her morning had started with an unexpected letter from the Prince himself stating his intent to visit the Earldom that very weekend, which gave her so little notice to prepare that Ismeria was certain he'd spend his weekend complaining about the quality of his accommodations and evening meals. But, Ismeria had grown used to the Prince's need for personal attentions and learned well how to dance around his ever-changing moods. This she could manage.

Come early afternoon the Lord Fernsby had paid her an impromptu visit, once again singing songs of her good nature and rare precious beauty - all in the name of old family friendships of course. The man thought he was subtle in his courtship, of which Ismeria might have found amusing if he weren't a renowned troublemaker. In fact, if it weren't for his awful reputation Ismeria might've tried to guide him towards her dear sister-in-law, who was yet still unmarried and eagerly looking for a husband. This too was something she'd managed, making enough of a social gesture to respect a family friend, but sending him away as soon as she could.

Ah, yet her dear sister-in-law. The girl herself wasn't a problem per-se, but ever since the Earl died, Ismeria had taken the brunt of the blame. No matter what the countess did, no matter how hard she tried, nothing seemed to warm the girl to Ismeria's presence. It didn't matter that Ismeria had only known the man for three days before their marriage, nor that he'd left immediately with the King's eldest son on a mission for the crown. Ismeria had been the girl's personal villain for the past five years. The girl had refused to come down to dinner that evening, and was likely still up in her wing brooding.

Finally come past sunset, when most of the manor was bedded down for the night and Ismeria herself had even dressed to turn in for the evening, one of the maid servants came frantically bursting into her private rooms. Babbling incoherently that "He's here!!" and "It's him!!", Ismeria could only assume that the Prince had decided to come even earlier than expected. She rushed to pull on a heavy robe that was appropriate enough for an unexpected royal visitor and slip on her slippers.

Thus the Countess Ismeria left her rooms to descend the grand staircase to greet their near-midnight guest. Her dark hair still wound in her messy bedtime braid, and her violet sleeping robe dragging down the steps behind her.

 

[Ocha]

"War is hell."

Those were the words Aurthamin recalled his grandfather saying once. He did not think they were untrue, but he did not understand the depths of meaning until much later.

Later, when he was Earl, when he had chosen a wife, when he thought he knew what his future would entail. Long after he heard the whispers of invasion by the Esteum into Kormer, their neighbors to the East. Soon after the King's heir arrived, late for the wedding because he was collecting his forces to go and support the Kormer, not just their allies but the Queen's countrymen.

Now, five years later, Aurthamin understood war. Yes, war was hell, but the hope is to come home and he finally had.

The score of men on horses had been riding hard all day. The thought of real beds and secure walls pushed them on passed when they normally would have made camp for the night. Yet once they hit the cobblestone streets of the town they slowed down. Partly due to the peace of being among people that did not know the violence of invasion but also out of politeness. Twenty odd horses galloping well after nightfall would cause a disturbances.

Still though Aurthamin was surprised when he reached the gates to his own home and was not expected. Sure he now wore a dark beard, when he left clean shaven, but his horse was miraculously the same and he'd purposely put on his most formal attire for his return. Despite how many times he considered it excess weight best to be tossed.

The Earl of Calyber was just about to explain, with a demonstration, just who he was to the night guard when there was the exclamation. "My Lord is it truly you?"

Aurthamin turned with a grin to the older guard who had probably been called upon when a group of armed horsemen were seen at the gate. "It is I. My companions have traveled with me for a long while and we all are in need of rest."

There was a small amount of commotion as the gates were unlocked, but by now the Earl had dismounted and the first person he saw once he passed through the portal he gave the reins of his horse. It wasn't intentional but the moment he stepped across that threshold he felt such a sense of relief he just kept going. Across the courtyard, up the stairs, and through the doors he'd crossed thousands of times before.

Aurthamin was home.

And as his brown eyes took in the wonder of the things he'd missed and dreamed of, that which seemed most unreal entered his field of vision. With more haste than was called for Aurthamin went acrossed the floor to where his bride entered. He did not say a word to Ismeria as he looked down at her. Then he fell on one knee, surprising even himself. "I have finally returned home."

 

[Diana]

This was most certainly not the Prince.

Travel-worn and bedraggled, it was difficult at first to recognize who had dropped to one knee at her feet. His unkempt beard masked half his face, and dark circles and lines marked his face from years of battle. But the eyes! The same warm brown she remembered from her wedding day. The same eyes on a youthful painting she'd pass in the grand hall every evening.

A gasp slipped out as Ismeria clutched both of her hands against her chest.

"They claimed you dead!" she whispered with surprise, still unsure if perhaps she had climbed into bed already and fallen asleep only to be dreaming of his return. Sweet dreams and terrible nightmares - when you'd only known a man for a few short days before he vanished, leaving you with nothing but the tales and opinions of others, it was easy for one's imagination to run wild. After so many years she had long stopped worrying about what sort of life she'd have with her stranger husband.

Oh! But what a terrible impression she was making staring at him in complete shock with her own wide green eyes. The man was back from the very dead, he deserved more than her confusion.

Ismeria immediately launched herself into proper hostessing - although! - it wasn't hostessing at all when it was his own home!

"Please, get off the floor - you must be exhausted!" she exclaimed, reaching down to grasp his hands to urge him back to his feet. "I will have someone draw you a bath and bring you something substantial to eat. After, you may go straight to bed, of course!"

 

[Ocha]

Dead? That would explain a few puzzling things, but caused even more questions. When was he declared dead? Who made such a claim? How did it even come to be?

Aurthamin knew by the nature of what he ended up doing he lost any direct communication with his household, but that they all thought he died was not just distressing but worrisome as well. What other falsehoods had spread?

All worries though melted when her hands touched his. It shouldn't have mattered so much, and yet when he felt the warmth from her soft hands and looked into her eyes as he slowly rose he felt his worries lift from his shoulders. An uncommon ease descended onto him and he was half willing to agree with whatever she was saying.

"My bride, thank you. I have long stopped even dreaming of a bath." He paused long enough to lift her hands a little higher so he could quickly kiss both of them. "There are others in the court yard that…"

"Yo, Calyber, this is some fancy house you have here," called out a voice from the other side of the foyer.

Reluctantly Aurthamin took his eyes away from his wife, though he did not relinquish her hands. Trickling in was not just the owner of the voice that interrupted but the rest of his small group.

"Aye," he agreed in a more casual tone than he'd taken while talking to Ismeria. "And I should be dead too."

"Ha, shouldn't we all," laughed another of the group.

It was a motley group. Not the clean cut knights that the Earl had left with. In fact there was no way that all of the were knights at all.

Aurthamin glanced back at Ismeria. "As I was trying to say, my company needs to also rest. I will of course make proper introduction in the morning but in the mean time all that matters is a warm bed. No need to worry about titles and such when placing them in rooms. "

The last but he made sure to say loud enough so that his companions or perhaps the household staff that was up heard his decree.

 

[Diana]

He'd kissed her hands as if they'd known each other their entire lives. There was no time for Ismeria to feel silly about the flushing in her cheeks, however, as it seemed her returned husband had not returned alone. By the look of them and sound of them, they were a roguish looking bunch.

Well! His royal pain in her arse was certainly going to have an exciting visit over the weekend.

There might have been a dubious look cast at the Earl over his ruffian entourage, but Isermia didn't miss a beat. She pulled her hands away from Aurthamin, snapping her fingers and pointing to various curious spectators - staff that had heard the commotion and roused out of bed to see what was about - and barked out orders with the authority of a Royal General.

"Maron and Ginny, take this section of guests to the east wing," she started, seeming to very specifically point out which guests she meant, seeming to make a quick judgement call based on the look of their age and temperaments. "They'll need the softer beds. Timothee, escort the rest to the west wing and double them up if necessary. Give enough distance from the suites so our weekend guest may have some privacy."

Ismeria gestured towards the tall and stoutly butler next, "Assist the Earl with a bath and I shall be there momentarily to take over. I'll be going to the kitchens to have Chef fire up the pots and kettles to have a good meal sent up to everyone."

Chef was going to be in such a fury about his beauty sleep, but he'll quite appreciate the excitement, Ismeria was certain. Dinner parties and royal guests were often boring culinary affairs, but having to slap together a sustaining meal in the middle of night for a bunch of strangers was sure to be a challenge.

 

[Ocha]

The efficiency of his wife impressed, and even surprised, Aurthamin. After five years though she would have had to learn how to take charge of the household, or have others do so. He was glad to see that was not the case. He'd remembered Ismeria to have a quick wit and insightfulness, but he had not gotten to know her well enough to know what kind of support or guidance she'd need in her role as mistress of the manor. It would seem whatever she might not have known then she did now.

The butler that she'd called over to run his bath was a man that had been in service in his father's day. He'd always seemed old to Aurthamin when he was a youth but now he felt much closer in age to the man. There was a stilted politeness as they walked however, that had not existed before.

"Chelb, the household seems to be running smoothly," Aurthamin tried to initiate some small talk, but the butler only answered in the affirmative without elaborating. It seemed pointless to try for further discussion.

For now it was best to look forward to the bath. He could interrogate his staff later.

No, not interrogate.

Aurthamin gave an unintentional shutter as the butler, Chelb, started to run his bath.

Having someone assist him in stripping nearly caused Aurthamin to send the man away, but he reigned in the instinct to tug his shirt away from the man and allow him to do his job. Adjusting back to civilization was going to take a while.

"Thank you,' he finally said, once he was fully submerged in the warm water, hoping he'd put enough gratitude in his voice, because Aurthamin was grateful.

Closing his eyes, Aurthamin rested in the bath, his arms laying on the edge of the bath. He felt his shoulders and back slowly relax. It felt amazing.

Even as his body relaxed, his breathing gentle, and his eyes still closed, Aurthamin's mind started racing once more. He was declared dead. By who? Was it some bizarre miscommunication or something else?

Also Ismeria mentioned a weekend guest. Who was coming over? Why? And should he be concerned for any of his companions?

Speaking of his companions,…

Relaxed body, mind racing, and senses on full alert.

 

[Diana]

Rousing the Chef took little time at all, and though Ismeria was tempted to lurk around in the kitchen organizing the household troops to care for their unexpected guests, she knew they were more than capable of handling it themselves and that she was simply using it as an excuse to procrastinate heading upstairs.

Aurthamin was alive! How could they have made such a terrible error? Were the battlefields so bloodied and so chaotic that one couldn't even recognize a man's face? It gave a shiver down her spine to even imagine it. She'd seen plenty of the effect it had on refugees who came to their small town to rebuild a life. The ones that had to fight to protect their families and be able to flee into the night always had a glimpse of something haunted behind their eyes.

Ismeria hadn't even known Aurthamin then, how could she manage a man changed by war? Would he even be the man everyone described to her?

She couldn't very well hide in the kitchens contemplating it all night. Ismeria made her way back upstairs and to her - their - private chambers. As she entered the room, quite as a mouse, she thought he might have finished washing by now and slipped into bed. Instead she found him as naked as the day he was born, leaned back in the giant claw tub with his eyes closed and his arms resting along the edge.

Ismeria turned around quickly to set her gaze on a potted fern across the room, cursing the sudden flush in her cheeks and glad for the gentle candlelight. She gently cleared her throat to announce her presence.

"Is the bath doing you well? Should I bring more hot water? A meal will be up shortly, nothing to be excited about of course, but satisfying none the less..."

Goodness... Ismeria didn't even know what to say to the man!

 

[Ocha]

There were foot steps. Light. A woman perhaps. They paused for a moment, then they cleared their voice and Aurthamin found his lips curl into a smile as he recognized Ismeria's voice.

"No, I think I should get out shortly or I might never leave," he told her in a lazy voice. He opened his eyes and looked over to her.

With her back to him he suddenly became aware of the position he was in. He sat up quickly, the water sloshing about and he hoped he none spilled out. He'd never been one to intentionally cause extra work for his staff and he wasn't going to start now with his bride present.

"A meal, no matter how simple, sounds wonderful," he told her in a hurried manner. "Will you be joining me?"

What was that! Of course she wasn't, it was well passed dinner for all but those that took first watch.

"I mean," and he took a deep breath before he kept talking in a rush. "I understand if you're tired and wish to retire but if you're willing I'd love your company while I ate."

Did he sound too desperate? He wasn't sure. He wasn't sure of much all of the sudden other than he'd like her company.

 

[Diana]

Her hand went up to cover her mouth to stifle a soft laugh. As strange and awkward as this was for herself, it did seem her husband might've had the same feelings.

"Of course I will join you," she responded with good humor. Relaxing her stature she moved, careful not to take a peep at her naked husband (as silly as that was, did she not have the right to look?) and grasped the edge of a folding screen to pull it along and grant him a bit of private modesty.

"With so much sudden excitement how could anyone sleep," she went on. Ismeria made her way over to a comfortable looking setee and gently took a seat.

"I imagine you have quiet a few stories to tell... and questions too, to be sure!"

 

[Ocha]

"If it's all the same," he said as he carefully got out of the bath and toweled off, "I shall save the stories for daylight hours."

Not all his stories were of horrors and in fact he had no intention of telling any of those unless absolutely necessary. Still though he did not want to think about anything that had transpired until he had a chance to settle back into his home. With his lounge ware on and a robe tightly tied, Aurthamin walked around the screen and joined his bride, sitting beside Ismeria. He'd barely turned to her when the door opened and three servants, including the butler Chelb came in with dinner service.

While food was placed and served in a quick and efficient manner, Aurthamin could almost feel the excitement from the other servants, not unlike what Ismeria expressed. It was likely those that slept through the chaos of tonight would be bewildered and add more excitement in the morrow.

Once the door closed once more Aurthamin held up his goblet. "Your household runs smoothly," he said in a way of a toast to his bride before he took his first bite.

"I do have many questions," he agreed to her point from earlier after enjoying the taste of a freshly made meal. "Many I imagine will take time to discuss. However, I am curious, whois coming this week?"

He took another bite, wanting to enjoy his meal he'd waited too long to have.

 

[Diana]

Ismeria certainly understood the desire to wait until morning to discuss the details of his long travels and the events of the war. She cast a small smile at the comment of her household running smoothly. Of course it did! She'd had to fight and struggle and earn the respect of his household without his aid. ...that was nothing she needed to comment on for now.

As it were, Isemria found herself distracted in watching him eat. So much so that she nearly missed his question! Flushing just a small bit, she explained.

"The Young Prince himself will be paying us a visit. He has taken a great interest in being a... An un official guardian for myself and of Calyber. He should be quite pleased to see you."

 

[Ocha]

Aurthamin paused mid-chew to look at his bride in surprise. He then finished the morsel in his mouth and took a moment to dab the corner of his mouth with the napkin. When was the last time he had a proper, clean, napkin and not just his sleeve to use?

"He has? I must say while I'm pleased the Crown has taken to ensure all is well here, the Prince never did venture to my door while I was here. Perhaps you are just better company though." Surprise turned to puzzlement as Aurthamin took another bite. A thought came to mind and he did not want to say it out loud, for it could indicate things he'd have to be more concerned about.

"I know I much prefer your company to my own." Oh so we're just going to say weird and awkward things like that? Better than wondering if the Prince started to come around before or after he was declared dead. Also there were some in his compam that would need to know about royal visitors coming soon.

 

[Diana]

Though it had drawn another bright flush to her face, Ismeria laughed softly. It was quite a marvel to watch the man - both a stranger and a husband - as he struggled to acclimate back to civilian life. The awkward movements as he ate and spoke, in where she could see his upbringing coming through in stilted bursts. A feat for sure, the man must've gone feral out there fighting for his life.

"Indeed, he has been a regular visitor. Amongst many others..." The Lord Fernsby came to mind, and his constant lack of subtly in his attempt of courting. My, wasn't he going to be quite surprised to find the Earl back at Calyber! Isermia almost hoped that none would tell him, so he could show up at the manor home and find himself face to face with the Earl himself. Let him explain his attempts to steal a man's wife!

"It is of course, all worries that can be saved for the morning after a well deserved rest. I gather it will be easy enough to make accommodations for your guests where needed. They certainly seemed an... interesting bunch!"

 

[Ocha]

There was a raised eyebrow, a question he did not voice, about others that visited, but that question would be saved. Instead Aurthamin continued to eat as his bride spoke. He grinned as she spoke of his companions. "They are indeed an interesting group, and I look forward to making proper introductions in the morning."

His dinner was complete and Aurthamin found himself somewhat disappointed, for he was enjoying the mere company of Ismeria. Yet, with both a relaxing bath and a full belly, not to also count just the fact he was home, Aurthamin found himself suppressing a yawn.

"My apologies," he muttered for there was no denying his obvious exhaustion. Nor should he, he'd been riding since dawn, knowing home was in reach. Ismeria probably understood even if she didn't know the particulars of his most recent travels. Yet he desired greatly to be in good standing with her.

Obviously his exhaustion was making him delirious. There was no other explanation, right? Right!

"The night is late. We should retire."

 

[Diana]

"Yes, that we should," Ismeria agreed with some amusement.

As she slipped from her seat to lead the way to bed, she realized quite quickly to retire meant together in the same bed. And though they'd been married for years, they never even had a chance to spend their wedding night together. This would be the first time Ismeria had ever slept in the same bed as a man, and with that warm flush to her face she was rather grateful that he appeared to be too exhausted to even think about the fact they'd never had a chance to consummate their marriage either. She wasn't quite prepared!

But she was the lady of this house and wouldn't it be silly to be afraid to slip into bed with her own husband. Regardless of the rumors about him, Ismeria had no intentions of appearing easily frightened or intimidated by the Earl. Thus, ignoring that warmth in her cheeks, she slipped her robe off to lay on a nearby chair and climbed into the side of the bed she'd claimed for herself.

...goodness she hadn't even considered if maybe he had a side he preferred himself!

 

[Ocha]

Aurthamin did not have a preferred side of the bed. Before he had been the type to take the whole bed, sleeping in the middle. Since he'd been gone he had learned to sleep lonely in just his clock, or forced together with four or five others in a hay loft. If anything "his side" was that most vulnerable to attack. As there were windows on both sides of the bed there wasn't one side versus the other he felt was more at risk and thus easily took the side that Ismeria did not.

He no sooner took off his robe, whispered good night and placed his head on the pillow before he was sound asleep. A miracle he'd ponder in the morning.

A morning that came quickly, for as the sun started to touch the horizon of the mountains to the east several hours later he was instantly awake. Sitting up he looked around. He really was home? It wasn't a dream? Aurthamin felt like weeping for the joy he felt was so strong, but then he heard her light breath, and Aurthamin looked down upon the resting face of his bride. He'd never gotten to know her well. He was sure he came up with a very idealistic idea of the woman she was. However at that moment he could believe every single one of his foolish dreams about her.

He wasn't sure how long he was looking down at her, admiring just the simple joy of watching her sleep, no worries of war and death hanging over her. With a reluctance sigh he got ready to leave bed. Some of his companions would already be awake and eventually everyone would be shuttered to the smaller banquet room for breakfast.

 

[Diana]

What Aurthamin found when he did head downstairs was one of his traveling companions already awake and milling about the small banquet room admiring the paintings that hung on the walls. Tall and lithe in stature, the older woman had a wild look about her that made he stand out in stark contrast to the lord's house. There were rumors that she wasn't fully human, but when anyone would ask she'd only ever smile in a dangerous sort of way and countered by asking what could she possibly be other than human?

Only wearing a fresh set of her travel clothes and no armor or weapons (aside from the ones he damn well knew were hidden on her somewhere), she turned when she heard him approach.

"What a fine home you have here, my lord. I, for one, didn't believe it would still be here when we arrived."

 

[Ocha]

Aurthamin smiled with ease, which probably was a bit surprising. He wasn't all scowls and moody as they traveled, but he'd been a sober commander who hadn't been so free a grin.

"I had those fears from time to time," he admitted. Now a bit more sober. He looked up and around and the moment passed. It was as though he couldn't help but be cheerful.

"I'm assuming you bunked with the sisters?" He asked in a more conventional tone. If there were not other company coming he could imagine the women in his party might have wanted their own space. Well, nearly all in his party really.

The doors into the banquet room swung open and three more came in. "I heard there was breakfast," one of the men announced loudly. Too loudly in Aurthamin's mind for the morning.

It must have caught the attention of the servants because a pair materialized out of almost thin air, letting the "noble companions of our lord" know that they would bring fresh bread quickly and that a proper breakfast was being prepared.

Fresh bread was a rarity in the field.

Aurthamin glanced at his tall companion to see if she was as amused as he was.

 

[Diana]

"I spent the evening on the roof. They snore, my lord. Give the sisters a bed of feathers and they sound of old boars in the forest."

The tall woman, known as Aestel indeed seemed to twist her mouth into a small frown at the boisterous entrance of their companion. She'd always been a bit sensitive to the ears. Otherwise, there did seem to be an air of lighter mood and a twinkle of excitement about this new adventure they were on. A lord's home was a far cry away from the mud, sweat, and tears of trying to survive.

"Mind your manners, man. There is a lady in this fine house. I'm quite curious to know how the evening faired for our returning hero. The man left here in all the lord's finery, and now he's returned a grizzled beast. Did she make you sleep at the foot of the bed, I wonder?"

 

[Ocha]

"Grizzly?" Aurthamin asked sounding slightly hurt. He stroked his beard. "Does it really look that bad?"

"You've finally done it Aestel, you've broke him," the loudest of the trio said to her. His eyes sparkled with mirth as he spoke in jest. "He's going to be vain now."

Aurthamin smirked as he looked at their companion. "And you would know about vanity, wouldn't you Timmoth."

"Just because you can't have as beautiful face as I…!" It was a regular passtime among the knights who'd originally come from Gemmin in aid to Kormer after they'd snuck into Esteum. The fresh faced Timmoth did not look much like a knight however.

"I don't know, I think mine might be prettier," muttered another companion sitting nearby in a Kormer accent. His beard was most impressive and hid most his face. With a patch over his left eye only his right showed. He was the only one visibly armed.