Raserus Tal'therin

A letter came in the night, sealed with red wax.  It was stamped with a sigil that was unknown to Raserus.  A trident engulfed in flame.  Leaning back in his chair, silence descended upon his study as he began to read.

Lord Raserus Tal’therin,

This is a declaration of sorts.  I, Taoth, sever myself from House Tal’therin and our family.  Now, the shame of having an Oathbreaker in the family will be lifted from your shoulders.  In the night, my loyalists departed your lands.  You will find many vacant homes, do with them as you wish.

Yes, I had many agents still within your lands and the House itself.  Don’t feel bad about it, no one could have rooted them all out.  As of right now, all that belongs to me, that yet remains, is my son.  I will be coming for him within the week, and if you keep me from my heir, I will take yours from you.

Not a threat, dear brother, but a promise.

A new power manifests on this day.  House Shadowfall has been born, and with it all my hopes and ambitions have been realized, and have been brought to fruition.

Don’t stand in my way.

~ Lord Taoth Shadowfall

Slowly, Raserus lifted a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.  Of all the times for something to occur, of course it would be now, and of course it would be his brother at the helm.  Though his irritation was great, there was a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.  

Could he simply shrug this all off?  Was Taoth for real? 

There were a great many questions to be answered, now.

Word traveled so fast. 

She had always been there for him, whether his issues were large or small.  Tended to his injuries, minor or severe.  Cere’thien saved him from many things, including himself, even when things had all seemed so very hopeless, where others would have deemed him a lost cause.  She tended to the spark, and helped it grow.  

He owed her so much, and so many words had been left unsaid.  

Life was immensely cruel, and this night... His faith, in the Light, in all things pertaining to such that were beyond mortals, lay broken and scattered to the winds.  He never thought he’d be without her, he always thought she’d be there forever, childish as that thought may have been.

His thoughts were a chaotic whirlwind as he stood in his washroom, hands gripping the edges of his sink so tight his knuckles where white, and the surface of the stone began to crack.  The sounds traveled through him, and gradually, he let go, took a step back...  And felt something touch his leg.  Immediately, his head snapped to the side, and found a child.

“Cere’sai, what are you doing awake?  It’s so late, my goodness...”

He knelt down and scooped her up in his arms, then very gently brushed the blonde bed-headed curls from her face.  “Ann’da, you so sad,” she said.  Though her voice was so very soft and quiet, it cut through the silence around them.  A tiny hand placed itself on his forehead and she gently patted him.  “Please, no sad.  I feel it, makes me sad, too.  Woked me up.”

For a moment, he gazed at her in wonder, but then, tears welled up in his eyes and he held her close.  “I’m sorry,” he whispered.  Her little arms curled around his neck as much as she could manage, and she gave him the best hug she could.  “It okay.  Love you, ann’da.”

Raserus couldn’t help but laugh, even though it was very brief.  She was a special child, definitely.  “I love you, too.  Come on, let’s go to bed.”

He carried her back to her shared room, where little Dristan lay sound asleep, oblivious to the world in his crib.  Raserus sat Cere’sai back in her bed and tucked her in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.  “Try to ignore my sadness, little one.  I’ll be fine in time.  You need to sleep, because you have to grow big and strong.  Sleep is very important.”

“Don’t need sleep...”  And then she yawned wide.  After she had finished, she wiggled under her covers and closed her eyes.  “Okay, maybe sleep.”

Quietly, he laughed again, and moved to depart.  “Sweet dreams, Cere’sai.”  She was out before his words even reached her, and he took a moment to pause, just... Watching.  Some of the books he had been loaned while healing, and this child he bestowed her namesake upon...  It was all he had of her.

Tears welled up in the man’s eyes once more, and he quietly left the room, disappearing to the darkened halls where he could pace, and think.

There would be no more warm summer afternoons with delicious tea, there would be no more random chats in the middle of the night, and there would be no more guidance.  The comforting hand of yet another friend would be gone, and though he had so much around him... His children, his wife, so many family members...  

He couldn’t help but feel so alone.