Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

Andráska had sent the morning showering his nephew in kisses, dreading Faith's arrival with a lump in his throat. Hearing her... Seeing her before him now, he was blown away by how different their lives had become since their first meeting and offered a meek smile, "Very beautiful," he said softly, watching the servant take the child away, and thought briefly to Zvezdana. Would Alzorn become like his sister, or reflect his father's appearance?

Andraska had never met Veljorn but could see faint reflections of his sister in small ways the child behaved. It gave him a sweet mixture of fierce love and deep dread. Dread, because as much as he wanted to see those subtleties and to watch the boy grow... he feared it would be a selfish interest.

"Thank you for coming, Faith," Truly, he meant it. The woman was a saint, or as close to one as he'd ever met. She had been a slave of House Venora and yet held no ill will against them. She delivered his sister's first born and now returned, offering her services as a mother. "You're a marvelous woman."

Andraska swallowed and reached out for a small end stand to his right, where papers were stacked high. He grabbed the first sheet, and after giving it a quick glance to make sure it was the right document, he slid the paper to the free woman, "I want my family to be safe," he began, nodding towards the sheet with some reluctance. Upon the paper was a list he had accumulated from the city records and first-hand accounts of riots, assassination attempts, sightings of The Alliance, and potential ties to the RCA, "If that means placing Alzorn under your care... I will do so." He waited quite professionally, green eyes searching hers for some sort of reaction. Faith was an enigma now.

He continued smoothly, hoping his decisions would sound strong and unwavering, unlike the nights he had stayed up with Alzorn, soothing him and debating the decision. He glanced towards the door, and lowered his voice to a more careful tone, "My sister's will was very clear. She wanted her son raised in Venora, but with the current tide of danger, I'm not sure that's realistic. Maybe my house is in danger, maybe it's not... But I never want my pride to be the reason I allow an innocent to suffer, you understand?"

Venora wasn't safe - had never been safe for him and he held those fears close as he considered the child's mental and physical health, "I want-" he tried to answer Faith's question about adoption, or visitation clearly, and chewed his lip, eyes briefly going to stare at the floor between his feet, "I want what's best for him. I... love him very much." Emotion threatened to pull him away as he balanced the magical scroll in his hand, "Which is why I'm afraid a short term arrangement... might not be possible. I would like... to try that, but... If I can't soothe the angry - if I can't guarantee Alzorn's future, I would like him to be somewhere where he can enjoy his childhood... Away from all the chaos Rynmere carries like a dark cloud..." His next word was said softly, tinged with sadness, "Permanently."

He didn't want to say it... Didn't want to admit that he might not be able to keep those he loved safest, "Alzorn's a good child. Would you... like to spend some time with him?"

Faith asked if it had always been like this, and he thought for a moment, not quite sure how to answer. Since the war, the people had been looking for a force to unite behind, and unfortunately, Cassander had not fully been the focus of the endeavor. Andraska shrugged, "So openly? I don't believe so. Nobles and commoners alike have their secrets, but such open violence... I don't recall it threatening my youth or livelihood. I understand why the people are upset - why they feel cheated - it's just... difficult knowing there is a problem and being unable to fix it."

In fact, Andras could only look at a very small expanse of land in the grand scheme of things. He had his barony that he could rule as he wished unless the King or his father said so, but that left entire cities - masses of people struggling or frustrated. Even his own time and dedications were split between serving the kingdom and ruling his own portion of it. How was he to focus on the most important things and do them justice? How could he give Alzorn everything he wanted? Needed?

Andraska stood slowly and moved to the closed door, opening it a crack and extended a few fingers and a smooth whisper. He returned ticks later and attempted another reassuring smile, more for himself than for Faith. She seemed to be doing just fine, and he hoped he looked relaxed. The door opened more, revealing the wet nurse and the child sitting up in her arms.

The nobleman seemed to take a step back with each one the nanny took and he motioned her towards the ex-slave. He looked like a man too scared to get close and was almost attempting to blend into the room around him, but the great blue eyes of Alzorn were inescapable.

The child blinked, a momentary recognition creeping into his bright orbs before he smiled and made a babbling sound, reaching for the young lord. Andraska wanted to recoil, not because he disliked the child, but he knew... knew that the whole situation was going to make him question everything, "Alzorn" he meant for his words to be firm, but they were as soft as a lullaby. The wet nurse carried the child over and smiled when she held him out. Andraska swallowed the lump in his throat, but tucked his hands under the child's arms and held him. Immediately Alzorn opened his mouth and leaned into his uncle's cheek, slobbering all over Andraska's face, and the nobleman squinted one of his eyes closed to prevent getting poked. He dismissed the servant once more and looked at Faith, feeling the babe lean slightly only to press his wet lips back to his skin, "meet Faith. Faith meet Alzorn."

Andraska tried to move closer so that the dark haired woman could get a better look at the child she may be adopting, and he tried to continue on with business before he lost his nerve. Meanwhile, Alzorn was babbling, and blowing against his skin, creating small pockets of air that rumbled playfully into the air, "Very few people know of him," Andraska muttered, "The Lightening Priestesses, of course. But in Venora, the only few to have knowledge are his wet nurses and a few of the guards. Even still, I don't think they realize it is Zvezdana's child..." He wondered how that sounded - keeping a relative hidden like a disgrace. That wasn't the case at all, but... "My family can't be trusted. Not all of us, at least."

Andras tried to detangle Alzorn's fingers that had found his wild hair, and bounced him gently, without notice, as he talked, "My parents can't be trusted. My father especially," he didn't go into details, but the there was a seriousness - a desperation - to his voice, and he looked into Faith's eyes, "I can't predict the others, but... even Alistair," his name was brief, and some pain flickered across his face, "I don't know your relationship with him, but please understand that he is a politician firstly. A friend second. A brother third. I haven't told him."

Alistair left him. Left him to pursue a life, and now claimed he sacrificed for this family when all he's ever done is shut down or run. He wasn't sacrificing anything for the family. He hated the family. He was sacrificing his family to save himself.

Andraska realized the solemn expression he must have been wearing and took a deep breath, kissing Alzorn's forehead with a fierceness, and gently pulled him away, extending his nephew to Faith. The child finally turned to look at her and appeared as apprehensive as he felt, "You want to hold him?"