Topic: Reeling in

Gaerwyn Caisson

Date: 2007-03-09 15:27 EST
He had taken his rest on his ship, because he sure as tack wasn't going to go through that portal. If he had to travel to that Rhydin to talk to his cousin, he was going to do it his way.

The sea had been too smooth and easy going for his liking. He wanted it to rage in chorus with him. The men took his grumblings in stride, and they were all too happy when they anchored at the harbor of Rhydin town. Most had heard from the naval crews that the ladies around these parts were easy and free flowing as the ale, and neither the ale nor the lady charging a fee. They were eager to find out if it was true. Gaerwyn didn't give a hang, his Lera was home with his young boy and girl, and he hadn't strayed since. Well, his body hadn't strayed since, but his eyes went many places.

No, today he was striding up the docks with a powerful urge to box his younger cousin's ears, if he didn't think he'd end up on the ground with a broken leg for doing so. Words would have to serve in place of that.

Evening was coming on, and the man asked passersby for directions to the infamous Red Dragon Inn. The Baron had told him that was the best place to start his search, and as it was on the way towards the manor anyway, that's where he went.

Ewan Corinsson

Date: 2007-03-10 14:58 EST
A ruckus outside his room woke Ewan cleanly and clearly from the first pleasant dream he had in a long time. He accepted the torture of waking only a few hours after going to bed because he had felt the dream was going to turn unpleasant soon enough. Pulling some breeches on quickly, he stepped to jerk open his door to find his cousin about to knock hard upon wood that was no longer there. Quick movement changed the blow from a clout to the breastbone to a harsh collection of knuckles hitting his shoulder. ?There, glad you?re finally awake. Lazy clod, what do you do with your time here? Woo women at night and sleep all day?? Gaerwyn blustered.

Darian drew a knife, ready to defend the honor of his commander, ?Master Corinsson spends his nights patrolling the streets of this wretched place to keep us all informed and to help where he can.?

?Peace, Darian, my cousin is a boisterous wind that means no ill,? as much to convince himself as the young, upright soldier. ?I will deal with Gaerwyn. Go about your duties.?

Darian nodded and stepped away as he sheathed his knife. Gaerwyn watched the lad go and then looked to Ewan, ?Well, at least you?ve not lost your touch in inspiring loyalty.?

?Gaerwyn, you have an entire stone on your shoulder, and if you will allow me to dress first, I will chip it away.? He turned back into his room, Gearwyn following and closing the door. He leaned back against it as Ewan went about getting dressed and ready to face the early day.

Amazingly, Gaerwyn managed not to say a word while his cousin prepared, but that was because he was remembering days gone by, when they had played pranks as callow lads, Ewan much younger but just as willing and skilled as the others. He was stirred from the memory by a nudge at his foot and Ewan smirking at him, ?Maybe you got up too early as well.?

Gaerwyn shoved his cousin out the door, ?Out with you, lad, and find us a place to talk and walk.?

Ewan Corinsson

Date: 2007-03-10 14:58 EST
They left the barracks in silence, each stealing glances at the other as they walked to the forest behind the manor grounds. It was a popular place for conversations that might include yelling. The snow had melted, but recent showers combined with the snow melt had made the creek run high and dangerous as well as turn the ground into muck reaching the ankles of their boots.

?Before you go off raising gales with half thought about affronts to your loyalty to our homeland, let me start with this: What the swords and arrows are you supposed to be doing here besides accosting me in front of people?? Ewan folded his arms, showing in one stance that he did not fear his larger, older cousin.

Blue-green eyes keen in sight studied his cousin, ?I was sent to ask you what should be done now that Cathal Finlasson is dead going about on a mission that should have been yours.?

?That was not my idea, Gaer, so you can just stop right there. I can tell you the people you should contact in this case, and I would definitely start with the Circelus. If the Baron felt it was time for me to come back, he would call, and I would go.?

?Would you?? Gaerwyn started to pace back and forth, hands clasped behind him and fidgeting. ?What of your friends here? What of your new found duties here??

?I hold my homeland dear and the loyalties and vows I have made to it as well as the family and friends I still have there. I will go when I am called. My friends here know it.? Ewan watched the pacing and kept his voice calm and smooth.

?All your friends?? But he turned to confront his young cousin, ?The one you were speaking with last night. She?s different.?

Ewan seethed inside, but managed to ask in a casual manner, ?Different??

?I know the look of those that are other from us. I can smell it like spoiled water of the ocean. Even the Changlings have their feel and look to them. She?s other. How do you think that will work, cousin??

He did not want to think about that right now. ?You are jumping to conclusions, per usual.?

That did not stop Gaerwyn who was doing his best to convince the young man to return home. ?Do you see her taking care of a home and children? Do you think that is even what someone like her wants??

?I do not know!? Ewan yelled to stop the questions. ?I do not know, Gaer,? he composed his voice. ?But I am still only learning about her as she is about me. Yes, she is different, and maybe this may not work out, but why can I not have some moments for me? For my happiness??

Gaerwyn spat at his cousin?s feet, ?This land has changed you. You speak like one of those foppish troubadours.? He walked up close, and spoke low in the young man?s face, ?There was a time when you held your land above everything and that was your happiness. A time when you dreamt of a family of your own that could be your haven and your strength as mine is to me. We both had these dreams. I live mine. Where is yours??

Ewan could only stare at his cousin as he spoke the words with which his mind had been haunting him. It was as if his mind had drawn Gaerwyn manifest into the world to torture him. The older man, by nearly six years, stepped and turned away as he looked up to the trees just forming the buds that would bloom in spring. ?What?s become of you, Ewan? You grasp now at ephemeral happiness and have lost your way.?

?I have not lost my way,? Ewan retorted. ?The path in the woods is before me, but I can see many other paths as well. There is no harm in seeing where one may lead while keeping my eye on the first path I chose. Perhaps the new path is the better, the wiser, path.?

?You have lost your way.? Gaerwyn repeated.

?Then I will rely on you to find me should that prove to be true, but it is not true now, cousin.? Ewan motioned to him, ?Come, let us break our fast, and perhaps with food in you and good company of the people here you will shake off this gloomy manner.?

As if to contradict Ewan, Gaerwyn scowled, but he followed because he was, in truth, very hungry. He was not, however, done with working on his cousin to bring him home.

Gaerwyn Caisson

Date: 2007-03-10 16:07 EST
The kitchen where to two men set aside at a small table to have their meal was bustling as always. Mistress Ilena had her pages all at a mission for the lunch later in the day. None of this kept Gaerwyn from going about his personal goal of getting Ewan to return to Palendies. Food, in fact, just fueled his energy to keep at it. He would break Ewan down or he would clomp his cousin over his head as he slept and make sure he came home, or rather, the older man would try.

?Ewan, you?ve had your pick of the ladies at home. Normal--?

That had done it; Ewan dropped his fork to his plate and kicked at Gaerwyn?s shin.

?Ow, your wretched excuse of a family member!? He reached below to rub at the sore spot on his leg. ?Fine, but do you think she would be happy there even if she does want children??

?Will you drop the discussion of children? The relationship has just begun, and you are acting like I am about to run off and marry the woman.?

A spoon clattered to the floor. Gaerwyn saw Ewan wince, and scoffed. ?Kitchen is a great place to have news travel fast. What of young Rhian??

?What is with everyone?s interest in my life?? Ewan could accept it from his liege, but?a sigh. Gaerwyn was family. He suppose he had to expect it from him as well. He took a deep breath, held it, and then let it go before answering, ?You know her father refused, and I knew Rhian as well as I know Storm. It was the beginning of the relationship. She would have tired of me, I suspect.?

?That is what you tell yourself. You gave up too easily on that one.? Gaerwyn snarled. Ewan did not answer but watched his fork draw streets and alleyways in the scrambled eggs. Gaerwyn?s fork flew across the table and landed in Ewan?s plate, ?I am speaking to you, and you will listen to me.?

Handing his cousin?s fork back, Ewan replied, ?I am listening to you. I am just tired of defending myself when you do not listen to what I say. You have it in your head that I need to go home, and so you are using every possible method to anger, guilt, or twist me into doing as you like. You have always done so, since we were young, Gaer. And I can read people better now.? A darkness coated Ewan?s smoothly pitched voice, ?Do not risk our friendship and family on this.?

Gaerwyn Caisson

Date: 2007-03-10 16:08 EST
Gaerwyn felt his mouth drop open. His cousin had changed. There was a danger to his soul. The sailor steeled his energy for this fight, because more than ever the young man before him needed to be saved from this place.

He stabbed at the last bite of his skillet fired ham and ate while he thought on his next tactic. ?How goes your other interests here??

A quirk of a brow as his cousin lifted his rusty blonde head and green eyes narrowed on him. ?About the same as it has before. Things do not improve, and in some eyes, they worsen. But not ending can sometimes feel like a worsening.?

?Will it ever end??

?No, but that does not mean I do not try.?

?That?s a dark way to look at it. No end in sight.?

The men ate on until their plates were clean. ?Maybe I could help.?

A snicker and shake of Ewan?s head, ?Why would you want to? You hate this place.?

?So did you I recall clearly. Maybe it will grow on me. Maybe I?ll-?

A page stepped in from the hallway in a rush, ?Captain Caisson, Baroness Sylvia said this message was of great importance.? The lad did not hesitate to hand the message over.

?Thundering seas, Ewan,? he barely had the breath to say the words or the mind to form them as he read the brief message, ?Lera?s dead.? His spirit went reeling and he did not even feel his cousin reach out to rest a hand on his arm.