The day had been dreadfully long. Too long, and in fact, was only partially over. A lord's duty was never done- even if he so wished it was. The exhaustion wracking through Loxley's body made him feel as if he had run all over creation itself. Twice, even. The lectures, the lessons, the paperwork, the problems- they all started to run together, blurring at the edges to become one enormous burden the young lad simply couldn't shoulder on his own. Sure, there was Gabriel, the guards, and the staff but if they were really there would he feel so completely and utterly....alone and overwrought"
Loxley hadn't even bothered to change when he collapsed into his bed. There was no point really, as the respite would be short lived. Then there would be another seeking him out, there would something else to do. He had on his shoulders more to bear than any fourteen year old ever should, but could he really complain" There were so many others in such worse states than he and all he did was....complain. He longed for the freedom he saw in other children, for that right to be so carefree (not that he'd ever voice such a thing). But he had a shelter, food, clothing- necessities others did not.
Still, rational thought was not the forte of many fourteen year olds, if any. Loxley could try and think as logically and reasonably as he wanted. He could try to rationalize things, but it didn't change the fact he'd still rather be anywhere else than where he was at right now. Riding Cheska through a field far away from it all. At the Duels with people he could almost consider friends, who treated him as one of their own and not as if he were on a pedestal above them. Or maybe even with-
"Loxy!"
The shrill, melodious and familiar shout jolted him from his near sleep. Sitting up he rubbed at his eyes briefly before peering around his room to seek out the source. There was no one else there though, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Frowning and shaking his head, Loxley was just about to try and lay back down before hearing what sounded like tapping upon his window. What could have climbed up the balcony" To his feet, the young lad cautiously wandered across his bedroom and towards his drape covered windows.
Then came the tapping sound, more furiously this time.
For a moment Loxley contemplated retreating his room to seek out the aid of one of the many guards on duty. Or perhaps even Gabriel....but there was no one in Rhydin that would seek to do him harm was there" No, only in Asteria. It would be such a waste of time and resource for anyone to be sent to kill an exiled lord. Besides, if he wanted his freedom he could not act as a child. He had to be more assertive. So with a sharp exhalation of air he grasped his drapes to pull them aside and peer out at-
-nothing"
"Loxy!!"
The voice sounded yet again as the small pixie flittered aside in front of his window. Beaming smile in place as always on the familiar red head, she lifted a tiny hand to tap upon the window again. "Are you just gonna stand there or are you goin' to let me in?" Hands moved to rest on her hips as quick wings kept her afloat, then the pixie regarded Loxley impatiently.
Loxley hadn't even bothered to change when he collapsed into his bed. There was no point really, as the respite would be short lived. Then there would be another seeking him out, there would something else to do. He had on his shoulders more to bear than any fourteen year old ever should, but could he really complain" There were so many others in such worse states than he and all he did was....complain. He longed for the freedom he saw in other children, for that right to be so carefree (not that he'd ever voice such a thing). But he had a shelter, food, clothing- necessities others did not.
Still, rational thought was not the forte of many fourteen year olds, if any. Loxley could try and think as logically and reasonably as he wanted. He could try to rationalize things, but it didn't change the fact he'd still rather be anywhere else than where he was at right now. Riding Cheska through a field far away from it all. At the Duels with people he could almost consider friends, who treated him as one of their own and not as if he were on a pedestal above them. Or maybe even with-
"Loxy!"
The shrill, melodious and familiar shout jolted him from his near sleep. Sitting up he rubbed at his eyes briefly before peering around his room to seek out the source. There was no one else there though, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Frowning and shaking his head, Loxley was just about to try and lay back down before hearing what sounded like tapping upon his window. What could have climbed up the balcony" To his feet, the young lad cautiously wandered across his bedroom and towards his drape covered windows.
Then came the tapping sound, more furiously this time.
For a moment Loxley contemplated retreating his room to seek out the aid of one of the many guards on duty. Or perhaps even Gabriel....but there was no one in Rhydin that would seek to do him harm was there" No, only in Asteria. It would be such a waste of time and resource for anyone to be sent to kill an exiled lord. Besides, if he wanted his freedom he could not act as a child. He had to be more assertive. So with a sharp exhalation of air he grasped his drapes to pull them aside and peer out at-
-nothing"
"Loxy!!"
The voice sounded yet again as the small pixie flittered aside in front of his window. Beaming smile in place as always on the familiar red head, she lifted a tiny hand to tap upon the window again. "Are you just gonna stand there or are you goin' to let me in?" Hands moved to rest on her hips as quick wings kept her afloat, then the pixie regarded Loxley impatiently.