Inside he stood for a moment, letting his surroundings sink in. A main floor room, large and open stood before him. A staircase along one wall went upward hugging the curve of the wall itself, disappearing into the second level. There was no dirt, dust or other indications that this place had stood empty for any amount of time. It smelled fresh, as if someone had just opened all the windows to allow a breeze access.
He stepped farther inside, his boots silent on the hard floor. Some cats circled him while others watched from various perches. Furniture and other details seemed at once familiar and oh so strange. A dining room table, carpets, a fireplace that he just knew was enchanted, a picture on the wall .. these and more haunted him. He moved toward the wall holding that image and he found himself smiling. It was a landscape and for some reason, he simply knew it was of this land.
Toren turned away after a moment to seek further into the House of Light. Up the stairs he carefully moved. He could see that although the staircase seemed to even out on the second level they still continued upward after a few feet still hugging the curve of the wall. He simply knew that they went all the way upward to the very top. He also knew that a couple of floors higher he would find private chambers - beds and study rooms. There would be a library. He caught his breath as he continued upward, the second floor largely empty except for windows scattered throughout.
His chest tightened when he reached the next level. It was indeed a more private area. He did not immediately notice many of the details. His eyes focused on the large ornately framed picture. It was of a woman smiling, holding a child while nestled up against a man. Her hair was a strange mix of colors and her eyes were so silver they almost gleamed. The man was strong and tall, smiling as well and had his arm around the woman holding the babe. A babe with red hair. A babe with one green eye and one brown eye. A babe wearing ...
Toren's hand lifted unconsciously to touch the amulet he wore. A flicker of a frown passed over his face, head tipping slightly. Then the frown was gone, replaced by a smile.
"Mother. Father." He blinked away the wetness in his eyes, tried to breathe around the tightness in his chest. "I'm home."
