[House Doni] Because it was meant to be... (Pala, Tarot Please)

[J'lyara]

...continued from The Marquis & Spider

♥♥♥
The Tenth of Cryxatum, Summer, Era XIV
Second Era in the reign of Milo L'Evienne


It was his eyes that sent her back. Those same blue eyes that she'd starred into so many darkenings, her head laying only inches from his. J'lyara stood still looking up at him, a warm breeze blowing through the red waves framing her beautiful face. She'd known who he was before he'd said his name and she exhaled because she realized also that she shouldn't have doubted he'd come.

She could tell he was nervous, just as nervous as she and the thought of it filled her with a rush of unexpected emotion. She should have been able to rush into his arms and never leave them again, but she couldn't. Swallowing back the tears that had sprung to her eyes, she managed to say the only thing that came to her heart broken lips to say, “You...remarried...”

Her large, hazel eyes were moist as she peered up at him and moved a step a closer, her soft, smaller hand closing around the stems of the flowers he was holding, brushing against his skin. She pulled them down to her nose even as his hand still gripped them and sniffed, lowering her head a moment before looking back at him with the intense gaze of a woman who loved him and now didn't know what to do with that love.

And then she did stroke his hand, taking the flowers from him graciously with an unspoken thank you on her softened features, a sudden possessiveness coming over her that caught her off guard. This man was her husband. She wasn't dead....far from it. Why should she have to make it easy for the woman who had taken over her life? Was there any rule written that said she couldn't make her own husband fall inlove with her all over again?

J'lyara had never signed any parchments giving up her claim to being Lady Jones and judging from the way her heart was pounding, she wasn't going to. Something would have to be done for she didn't think she could let him walk out of her life again, leave her to fend for herself while he returned to his new wife. She didn't have it in her to be so self sacrificing, and this was a side of herself that had always been. It was that she was only just now remembering. She could tell by the way his gaze fell over her face affectionately that his love for her in return had not died when he'd thought she did.

Moving forward, finally, she crushed her slender curves against the wide, solid expanse of him and waited for his arms to close around her. With her face pressed against his chest, she spoke again, “Come with me? There's a place I want to see not far from the Porto...a mansion that belonged to one of the old noble families of Chelseanna. Supposedly there's a special statue inside and I'm curious.” Her eyes lit up in that special way that was so automatic for her when she was excited about something. It was something he might remember about his wife.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

So much to say and so few words suitable to say it all Palacrisis could do was look down at J’lyara with wonder and relief in his eyes. The months of searching for her seemed a distant memory as he gazed down into her hazel eyes. The lonely hours pacing the floors of offices and empty rattling houses thinking scratching his brain for a solution to the mystery of her disappearance all that anguish melted away as he finally looked into her beautiful face. He wanted to hold her, to press her to him,to comfort but all he could do was stand close to her and smell the sweet fragrance of her.

Her first words cut into him scratching at his soul and he had nothing to defend himself with. Explanations could come later if she was prepared to listen but for this first sweet moment of reunion with his greatest love all he could do was to nod and whisper

Yes J’lyara I am but it was a mistake a dreadful mistake.

The flowers lay between them a wall of soft sweet colourful petals but for Palacrisis those blooms could have been steel and iron he dared not touch her ,not yet .That first contact of skin and heat would be too sweet to rush and any contact was her right any crumb of comfort that she could offer him would be accepted for what it was.

He was weak at the sight of her and as she brushed his hand he trembled like a man with the ague relief and love flooded through him at that brief touch .the pretence of Katherine was gone finally gone, he had made a mistake and he would pay for that mistake one way or another but the price was worth it because the fates had given him another chance.

The magic of their relationship was not dead it had not died as he had so mistakenly thought she had, it was alive a flickering ember that time and care could ignite.

As she folded her body close to him he slipped a hand around her shoulder and held her close and simply nodded as she suddenly broke the mood with her request . Strange to go house visiting at a time like this but could he deny her anything at this time ….no…this was her moment and as the spirit and enthusiasm sparked her eyes he smiled down at her.

“Lead on my darling just to be with you again is enough for me

The time for words would come but for this candlemark Palacrisis was happy, really happy for the first time for eras.!

[J'lyara]

A dreadful mistake. He'd called it a dreadful mistake and those words were exactly what she'd needed to hear. Pulling away from him some and looking up at him again she was overcome by how comforting his presence was to her, even though she could scarcely remember their life together. She just knew it, that there hearts were beating in unison despite their differences from one another, despite the complicated situation they were in. She could feel why she'd married this man. But she wanted the memories back too.

Of course it was an odd time to go lurking into an old mansion that had practically been turned into a museum but J'lyara's mind was that way. Though she couldn't yet remember it, she'd always fluttered about her husband like a colorful butterfly...he standing tall and strong, steady shoulders for her to alight upon.

She didn't want to talk about his new wife yet, in fact, she wished with all her heart that the woman didn't exist at all. Try as she might, she couldn't make herself feel sorry for that thought. Her mind already made up, Palacrisis wouldn't be leaving the island without her. She was determined, but quietly so, the challenge not yet having reached her eyes.

J'lyara didn't know how he'd manage it, but he'd have to somehow because she wasn't willing to be left behind. Her hand found itself trailing down his arm until it was firmly inside of his. Tugging on him gently, she began to walk toward the Porto. She wasn't sure of the exact location of House Doni but from what her boss had said, she knew it wasn't terribly far and that they could ask for directions if it became too difficult to find. “How did we meet? I don't remember...I want to remember...help me please...”

It was two-fold, her reasons for wanting him to tell her. Not only did she genuinely crave having the memory back, she wanted him to have it in the forefront of his mind as well. For J'lyara, having him here with her in the beautiful Eunesian islands, on the perfect non-rainy brightening, meant it was her chance to get her life back. To the beautiful red head with the sketchy memory, it was a matter of survival and even moreso a matter of the heart.

[Tarot]

There were three noble mansions left on Chelseanna - at one time, while the Duchess of the same name lived, they had dotted the landscape of the island. Then, one by one, they had all faded into oblivion. The later generations had been plagued with strange and numerous cases of infertility, physical oddities such as differently colored eyes and albinism - some said that it was because of such things that powdered wigs had become so popular. Whole familial branches had died off without heirs, their wealth returning to Port Chelseanna and financing the extravagant architecture of the town. Their mansions had since been claimed by the wilderness. Save for three. The Lordship of Doni. The Lordship of Malnaghi. And of course, the dreaded and reclusive Barony of Sciacca.

Of the three, House Doni was by far the closest to the Porto and the only one inside the theoretical perimeter of Port Chelseanna. It was an imposing limestone mansion, three stories high, tall stained glass windows hailing from the third floor and welcoming the visitor. An iron wrought gate stood open and allowing entry into the front yard. The gate was flanked by two columns surmounted by two connected statues, meaning that the visitor would have to pass below them. The statue on the left, a man dressed in a flowing toga, was holding a gem between two fingers. He was posed in the act of dropping the gem onto the cupped hands of the statue resting on top of the other column, on the right. This was a grotesque human with long, ungraceful limbs and a deformed face with prominent eyes and a contorted mouth. The two were looking each other in the eyes.

The front yard was quiet and well kept, open to the public seven months an era. Lord Doni occupied the last floor with the stained glass windows; the rest was open to the tourists, though entrance would cost ten Crowns - five for children. The obligatory booth next to the gate, manned by the obligatory Halfling, would make sure of that. A cobblestone path led to the front door of the mansion, preceded by four steps and as many columns. The Lords of the House had been important traders and lovers of the arts for many generations, and as such they had gathered an important art collection. Now that the House itself was in decline, that very art had turned into a precious source of income.

OOC: Feel free to find your way here whenever you want, and please poke me when you are ready to enter.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

Pala was confused, he was overjoyed that at long last the mystery of J’lyara was solved and that she was safe and sound but at the same time he was plagued with a guilty conscience. Just being beside her with her hand in his was wonderful but now they had found each other what was the future?

He gently squeezed her hand and decided that the future could look after its self for a few more candlemarks for once he would not plan and plot every move and just enjoy what he had recovered.

The question couched in the terms of a plea sent him back in time for a few moments to his office in Taralon the granite city of Sherian four summers ago, good memories and happy times.

Now let me think, it was summer era XI that a certain Miss J’lyara Branzel riding Whisperingfoot entered Taralon. There was an incident at the gates you were thrown and broke your arm. My agents spotted this and brought you to the thanes mansion to recover. It was there that I first saw you and it was at that moment that I knew I was in love with you.

He stopped in the busy sunlit street and took both her hands in his.

J’lyara it does not matter how long it takes but you will remember your life again and I will try and fill in your past as far as it is possible for me to do.

He meant it , as far as he was concerned they could stay here as long as she wanted, the problems of Arakmat were secondary to his love for this woman.
.

[J'lyara]

When he took her hands in his, she looked up at him and suddenly she was crying. For a moment he might think it was his fault but then she raised trembling fingers to her mouth and had a dazed, faraway look in her anguished eyes. “I remember...I can...Whisperingfoot...”

It hit her hard as she saw what happened in her mind's eye all over again, the memory of her accident was painful. That darkening her horse had been put to sleep after breaking bones when they fell. Her vision had been blurred but she'd watched as the bandits had mercifully put Whisperingfoot out of his misery while the rain pelted them all relentlessly on a muddy path in the Maevewood and she had been unable to move, rapidly losing consciousness. When she'd awakened she'd been in Abestat and she wasn't sure how she'd gotten there.

“I was thrown...and my head, so much blood. Whisperingfoot...he's gone.” She pushed silky red waves away from the top right portion of her forehead to show him the small scar that would forever remind her. The gash to her head had healed well enough but Cecilia Hollett had not been able to insure that her skin wouldn't be marred after. Thankfully, it was usually covered by bangs or wisps of her hair, but J'lyara knew it was there and now Pala would too. It was shaped similarly to a half moon and had the look of a slightly-raised bruise that no longer hurt.

“I remember part of what happened....I think I was trying to make it home. Yes...yes I'm sure I was in a hurry and it was raining. It was raining so hard and the suns went down sooner that I'd hoped. I heard the horses behind me and when I looked back, I knew I was in trouble. They were shouting for me to stop and I was so afraid...”

Her voice trailed off to a whisper and she laid her head against his chest again as she'd longed to be able to do that darkening. She'd cried for fear that she'd never see her family again and that fear had almost come true. Before she knew she it, she was clinging to him, her face buried and soaking his clothing with her tears.

If he weren't listening closely, he may almost have missed her next words, “Please don't leave me...I won't be able to bare it...”

They had stopped walking but into the distance the limestone mansion J'lyara was wanting to see could be seen, once they could figure out that it was indeed their destination for this particular outing.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

Slowly the story was coming back there would be time enough to fill in the whys and the wherefores in the brightenings that would follow but for now it was important that Palacrisis supplied enough memory jogs to help her begin the recovery. The horse was dear to J’lyara and he too remembered carefree rides to the estate in Taralon as they had grown ever closer together and a pang of sadness for her loss ran through him .

She sobbed on his chest, deep heartfelt tears soaked his shirt but he did not care the remaining sunlight of the day would soon dry it. He held her close feeling warm , stroking her hair in that old familiar way. The scar was there in her hair line but it mattered not she was still utterly beautiful and would always be so.

No and then he almost shouted as she whispered her plea not again, never, you have my word on that. putting as much sincerity into the short statement as he had ever done so before. Her sobs slowly subside and they stood before their destination. Pala wiped away a last tear and smiled gently at her.

“Oh J’lyara we were so happy in Taralon, your new family cared for you Meyra and Kallick worshipped you and each in their own way was deeply upset when you ..er…went away. They are fine Kallick is in Taralon looking after the plantation and Meyra is a sweet beautiful young lady with a mind of her own. In fact she is going to be coming here as fast as she can sail, loaded down with all of your dresses and other stuff“.

“You see there was a delivery of your clothes to my mansion in Imperia all the way from Diana it was probably lost along the way so it only arrived in the spring of this year. Inside a book was your letter to me and it was then and only then that I realised why you had left ….but it was too late by the time the letter arrived I had ,…..made a fool of myself.”

[J'lyara]

She tilted her head up, the tears in her wide eyes beginning to dry, as she leaned against him and starred into his blue eyes for a long while. It was as if there were no others around them and all she could see and feel was him. The flat of her left hand had made its way onto his chest and the ring he'd given her on their wedding day could be seen sparkling in the remainder of the suns' light. It had been cleaned just the darkening before so that it sparkled even more vibrantly than it might have.

J'lyara's full lips were moist with only a clear gloss covering them and they ached to be kissed but she dared not attempt...yet. Already she knew she was causing him more trouble than any man should have. She knew she couldn't put it off forever talking about the woman who was quite possibly waiting for him at home. Or maybe...and the thought made her suddenly turn pale. Maybe he'd brought her to Chelseanna with him! Swallowing hard, she backed away some and averted her gaze.

He'd promised not to leave her, but how could he promise such a thing? He couldn't very well place her in a room down the hall from the one he shared with his current wife. No, that would never work. She was experiencing so many strange feelings in such a short amount of time that it was overwhelming for her. She'd spent the last two eras being as perfect as she could be, never wanting to offend anyone...never wanting to be any trouble. But now...now that she was beginning to remember who she was, her true self was beginning to emerge. And J'lyara wasn't entirely sure that was a good thing.

For the thought steadfastly running through her head was that his new wife had to go. J'lyara wanted her husband and her adopted children and indeed her entire life back and she meant to have them. But she didn't want to upset her husband in the process...with her plotting. She'd simply have to be careful and...patient?

Even the thought of being patient sent waves of rebellion through her body. She'd lost two eras of her life. For all that was holy, she hadn't an ounce of patience to give. And then she wondered how well her husband had known her. How much had he known? Did he know that she'd killed someone? She couldn't remember all the details but she knew that she had blood on her hands and it bothered her not knowing why. But it wasn't something she dared bring up to Palacrisis yet.

“Meyra...she'll be here soon? And...my...dresses?” The adopted daughter Nell had reminded her about. J'lyara felt chords of joy rippling through her at the thought of seeing the girl's face. She wanted deseparately to remember her. And....dresses! No longer would she have to scrape by on the meager sum alloted to her as a waitress. She'd longed for more dresses but they had been beyond her means and now...now it seemed she had dresses to spare.

She thought of her adopted son, whom he'd said was in Taralon looking after the plantation and that seemed to tug at something in her mind about Taralon but she couldn't place it yet. “But I'll see him very soon also, I hope? Does he know yet that you're here...with me? That I'm alive?” She knew how long it took for missives to arrive but Pala had gotten to her impossibly fast.

They were walking again, hand in hand, J'lyara not wanting to be far from him at any point, when they found themselves finally standing in front of House Doni. She looked up at the old mansion and found she was intrigued by the architecture. Standing beneath the conjoined statues she looked up and studied them both. “Hmmm...curious. What do you think it means? The gem...that he's giving to the other one, the deformed one. I'll bet there is a meaning behind the gesture.” They hadn't gone much past the entrance but before they did, the Halfling would likely stop them seeking the fee for admission.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

There was so much more to tell so much water had flowed under the bridges of the empire since last they had been together. The details could wait for later this was time for reassurance and building the road to reconciliation . Her gestures and body language told Pala that she still cared for him and he too still loved her but that love was built on fragile ground and much work had to be done to build strong foundations again.

Pala placed a single finger on her lips and whispered softly Sssh J’lyara all is well, my marriage to Katherine L’Rodan was doomed from the moment I put a ring on her finger. She left me in the spring and went back to her parents and we have not seen each other since. My duty to the empire had to come between us and it was something she could not come to terms with .Now is not the time for details I will tell you everything later but know this J’lyara I do not see her as my wife, my wife is standing in front of me now.

Yes he wanted to pull her tight and kiss her hold her so the pain would ease for both of them but reserve and a touch of fear stayed him instead he took up her hand again and walked slowly on towards the mansion she was so interested in.

He chuckled slightly as she exclaimed in joy about Meyra and the dresses she had always loved pretty things and it had been a pleasure to indulge that fancy,

if this island had a dress shop they would have a customer and her beau and a very large order he promised himself.

He talked quietly as they walked telling her of the white kitten who was now a dowager duchess of a cat. Of the estate in Taralon now called “Kallimeyra” which would shortly begin to grow high class tobacco under the banner of “The Black River Tobacco Company” .He spoke of Kallick and his time in the knights of Aslangard with Raliric and how the reticent Dorin had become a confident Dorin who promised great size in later years and was managing the estate in Taralon. So much to say so little time to get it all out .

Their destination loomed and he dug into a purse for the coins the Halfling needed and stood slightly puzzled in front of the statue. He scratched the beard that he had grown to emulate the customs of Arakmat and looked intently at the two statues.

It’s a very strange piece of art I agree, perhaps it depicts some local legend. This chap in the toga looks as though he is giving a present of the gem to this strangely deformed fellow, could they be father and son? The gem possibly represents some form of apology for breeding a deformed offspring, lot of inbreeding in these islands I read once.


To be honest Pala did not think much of the art it was disturbing and he was more a of a pretty girl with few clothes on sort of statue man.

[J'lyara]

As they'd walked leisurely together toward the Doni mansion, J'lyara found herself remembering more of her former life and she quietly marveled about the fact that what she'd needed most of all after her accident was those who'd known and loved her. She knew now that her memory loss wasn't permanent. In time, she would remember it all. Already, it seemed to be coming back at an almost alarming rate.

“Sage...her name is Sage yes?” Tears had once again been in her eyes as she remembered the gorgeous white kitten Pala had given her in Taralon. “I missed most of her kittenhood...I was in...Paxia, right?” At times she would exclaim with excitement as she remembered another small detail here or there. Thinking of Paxia brought the memory of having had an office there...of beginning to practice law...of being fired because of her need to put her family and the....orphanage first.

“Sweet Diana...the orphanage...” She'd turned to look up at him with a wild look of concern in her eyes. “How does it fare? The children...I've not been back in so long...” She'd fretted the entire rest of the way to their limestoned destination, trying to get reassurance from Pala that all she'd worked for hadn't been impossibly set back by her memory loss. With crushing clarity she remembered that the theater had not yet been built and that said theater was supposed to be instrumental in the upkeep of the orphanage as well as aiding the funding of other projects.

“Kallimeyra...it's, I don't remember that being...” And then her face lit up as if the brightest idea had reached her jumbled mind. “You changed the name yes? That's not what we called it before is it?” She seemed vulnerable as she looked to him for approval over what she thought she remembered. She seemed also a woman inlove with her husband.

Revisiting what he'd said, she whispered up to him just as they were passing under the statues, “We were happy weren't we? I loved you very much. And I love you now.” The words were spoken before she could think to stop herself from saying them. But she was no longer worried, he'd confirmed what she knew in her heart. It was she who belonged at his side, no other.

After he'd paid for their full entry, she nodded pensively still studying the conjoined statues. Reaching up, she ran her hand along the base of the statue touching it curiously , still wondering about what the artist had intended. As she slid her small hand into Pala's hand again, her eyes surveyed the rest of the grounds and even toward the doors that would see them entering the house before looking down at the Halfling again and smiling softly.

“Is there anyone about who could perhaps give us a tour of the grounds? We'd pay extra for the service of course if there is.” It was interesting that she'd already gotten back comfortable spending Pala's crowns, even without realizing she had but with a little more time he'd have that pretty girl with few to no clothes on...only she wouldn't be a statue. Far...far from a statue and most delicious was that she'd be all his to enjoy.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

The conversation rambled as it often does back and forward snippets of information bringing back memories forgotten or suppressed. Pala did not know what it was that was blocking J’lyara’s memory but it seemed that all he needed to do was to remind her of the details and then her own brain seemed to be able to fill in the details.

“The orphanage hmm I am afraid I cannot tell you about that being posted to Arakmat by the regent meant I was about as far away from Taralon as it is physically possible to be. Your mother the lady Mist is still there and your grandmother Baroness Austerfield ..well I have heard no bad news. I am sure the orphanage still functions as to the other holdings of your enterprise I expect that they are still there and wait your personal touch my dear.”

“The estate was called “Taras” when I bought it but I thought a change of name might make it feel more like part of the families history, part of our history. Oh and I bought a castle in the Dolwoods it’s a bit gloomy but one day perhaps we can visit it with the kids and the animals.”

Holding hands in a mansion on an idyllic island with a woman that up to this morning he thought was probably dead was a strange experience. Pala was crumpled, his face needed a shave and he was thirsty and hungry dressed for the business of government of Arakmat his face needed a shave and he was thirsty and hungry, yet he was the probably as happy as he had ever been, The weight of worrying about her was lifted he might have kept that worry inside himself as he went through the day to day business, he might have put it to one side in the vain hope of happiness with another woman but deep down it gnawed at his gut brightening after brightening.


He gasped when she spoke the words he had wanted to hear from her sweet lips and his own eyes filled up. Yes we were J’lyara, very happy all of us, you were a good mother to the children and a friend as well. We had grand plans and dreams and together we were going to make a difference to this huge edifice we call an empire but most important of all I loved you and I still do. Perhaps my time is over ,maybe I should put aside ambitions and concentrate on you. I lost you once but that will never happen again …on that you have my word.

The tour around the mansion was a distraction he really did not care about he could only concentrate of J’lyara and anything else was simply a back drop to his wife watching.

[Tarot]

A curious feeling of balance emanated from the statues. The artist had no doubt been very skilled at his art, with a remarkable attention to detail. There was the melancholy of the inevitable in the figures, and yet the feeling that what balance had been found was still a success to be celebrated. This was probably the whole theme of House Doni; quiet resignation and embracing the future no matter what it held in store. Melancholy and hope fused together, perhaps complementing the emotions of the couple who walked past the iron wrought gates on that brightening.

There were no other visitors at this time of brightening, and the halfling shook his head apologetically. "The House is not meant to be visited with just any guide... you will see what I mean, signora." The doors stood open and welcoming, leading into a corridor flanked by rows of paintings portraying the past Lords of Doni, each described in a brass plaque. All male members of the family were hung on the wall on their right, with the women on the opposite wall of the corridor. Husbands and wives were arranged opposite one another, so that their gazes would be locked for as long as the House itself existed, and there was a strange feeling from traversing such a corridor - the sensation of these painted people watching the visitors as they walked past them was very real.

They were arranged in chronological order, as well. The ones closest to the entrance were the most recent of the Doni. They were not depicted with the bright clothes one would expect of the flamboyant Chelseannans - no, the Donis had a taste for clothing more akin to that of mainlanders. The current Lord of the House, Pietro Doni, hailed from the inside of the first painting, gazing longingly at the portrait of his wife, the beautiful Albalenga Doni. Unfortunately, the plaque beneath the Lady's name read '10084-10237'.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

Pala was not really paying attention being more concerned about J’lyara so he was following the tour with only half an ear. He idly looked at the portraits as they walked down the corridor with the chattering Halfling They were a mixed bunch in his opinion and some reminded him of the inevitable paintings of forgotten grandees that were placed in government offices all over the empire . He had lived with these grim countenanced post holders where ever he had worked all of them staring down at him with expressions of aloof disdain as if this whippersnapper could never live up to their great feats and why was he wasting his time staring into space?


He was no great art lover but these portraits were to his untutored eye well painted if a little over stylised. They might be some tradition of love but some of the earlier pictures looked as though the subjects would rather not be posing for their pictures so stiff and starched did they look. Yet they all had the same characteristic they stared at him from their flat beds of cloth and paint.

The last pair of portraits of the deceased and current incumbent of the title had dates and Pala stared back at the late Lady Doni. The paintings were of a couple who seemed to care for each other but painted in an earlier era by their appearance.

Pala sighed and clutched J’lyara’s hand The lady was a beauty in her earlier patterns and I would suspect that the old lord Doni must indeed miss his wife these past 11 eras. They look very close from their expressions.