Of Power and Principles (Ady please)

[Karo Sa'Nepenthes]

Timestamp: 42 Aperitus, Spring of Era XIII PF.



The spring morning was pleasant, and Karo's heart felt lighter than it had for quite some time as he wandered leisurely through the Tawnleaf. His mind, true, was often still occupied by dark thoughts and feelings resultant from the travesty his brief Governorship had become, but time, distance, and the acceptance and even admiration of the elves in Syl'rosya had mostly healed that wound, deep and grievous though it had been. Yet Karo could not completely shake his bleak mood and outlook, despite the continual joys of living in the Elfhame and having his House and family close by.

It was time to change that, he had decided.

Karo felt a little as if his identity had slowly been slipping away from him the past eras. His one greatest passion, Elementalism, had slowly become a rut. He had been constantly busy with other things, and unable to submit to the sort of time and dedication that the study of Arcana demanded. True, he had been able to keep in practice, but with apprentice-level skills that was not terribly difficult to do. Yet Karo had felt keenly the limitations of his Arcane ability in the disaster that befell Imperia and the upheaval afterwards. It had been all he could do to provide enough water for even a portion of the city, and raising a cistern to put it in had taxed his ability nearly to the limit. He wanted more.

And now that he had no job and no pressing business ventures, quests, or other demands upon his time, he could focus on what he wanted and do it right. Therefore he had come here, his destination, to pursue his passion with one of the most famous elves ever to follow Elementalism, and one of the most powerful mages in Syl'rosya.

Confidently yet not arrogantly, Karo strode up to the dwelling place of Aderyn and Elle Lothain. He knocked upon the door, amused privately at how many messengers he had sent to do the very same thing, not all that long ago, and waited for whosoever might open it to explain to them that he sought to study under the Lord of House Lothain.

[Elle Kaldres Lothain]

Spring had finally arrived at Kard en'i'Uial. The front gardens of the estate were abloom with roses in the colours of red, white and black. Each bush was lovingly trimmed and cared for; and the very air hung heavy with the sweet scent of the petals of the Lothain Rose.

The motif of rose continued, the door carved elegantly with the blossoms in a style so realistically, only the colour belied the ruse. The door remained closed and unanswered.

On a lovely spring brightening such as this, who could remain indoors? The faint sounds of laughter and speech drifted on the rose-scented breeze, consisting mainly of a familiar female voice chattering happily to her twin children. It would take a bit of searching on the part of Karo; requiring as much effort as it takes to walk around the back of the house, to find the Lady Lothain seated on a spread blanket, with both Little Ones beside her. A shade was erected to keep the bright sunlight away from the sensitive skin of the children, but Elle was basking in the sunlight eagerly after the long season of winter.

Her hair hung long and unbound down the back of her simple pale yellow gown. Long, slender arms reached forward to tickle her son as she laughed happily. The woman paused, her head turning toward the movement of Karo near the House. Her expression was one of surprise, but not alarm. After all, had there been anything to be alarmed about, Neorthyin would have made it known. Her expression was mostly at seeing an elf not Aderyn on the Estate.

Folding a corner of a light blanket over the two children, she rose gracefully from her seat on the blanket, and smoothed out the folds of her summer dress. She waited for the elf to approach and let it be known what it was he desired at Kard en'i'Uial this brightening.

[Aderyn te tuin Lothain]

Smiling sleepily, Aderyn's jade green eyes percieved the world from a slightly skewed angle as he lay on the ground near the table and chairs. His feet propped up upon one of the chairs and an arm resting at an odd angle behind his head. The other lay across the Elf's lap, cradling a green leatherclad book that was openfaded upon his stomach. The spring weather however really wasn't the best place for light reading let alone heavy, and the ever splendid distractions of his Beloved and their children had all too quickly left Aderyn considering the text a secondary concern.

Trusting Neorithyn not to allow some stranger upon the Estate however wasn't quite granted with the same belief after the Justicar of Arium had make his presence known. Rather, Aderyn's trust lay purely in Elle's expression as he watched the apparently upsidedown Elf knock on their front door. Well, that, and a niggling suspicion that he should probably right himself properly and take a seat at the table rather than watching Karo's boots.

Garbed rather simply, Aderyn's ebon hair lay unbound and had gathered a small collection of leaves from his chosen resting place. A silver embroided tunic of dark green and black brigga were the limit of the Elf's decision for informality this brightening.

[Karo Sa'Nepenthes]

Hearing the soft sounds of an elven voice, Karo looked around him just in time to see the Arwen Elle stand up and watch him. Deciding that he might as well skip the formalities, the young Celerrond approached Elle, only noticing as he got closer that her husband and their two children were there as well.

Perhaps he had chosen a poor time after all, but it was not sufficient reason for him to stop. Continuing closer, the former Governor stopped a respectful distance away and bowed to Elle and Aderyn. "Good brightening, heru ar'arwen Lothain, he said politely. "Please forgive my interruption. If it would be more convenient, I can come back at a better time...?"