A long, Twisted Road Home. (Closed for HeartofCourage)

[CoSurvivor]

It had been 3 weeks since he'd been released, 3 weeks on the road with what remained of his company, the small group of 5 dwindled to three, and then finally when he'd hit the crossroads, the last two of his company men decided to travel south, instead of west. As he watched the two ragged men walk off into the distance, he looked west and toward the well-worn trail. He could have traveled by train, that'd have cut his arrival time to maybe the end of the week, but something in his gut was telling him to take his sweet time getting back home. What was really waiting for him there? Not much and not much was pushing him to hurry either. So with that in mind, Flyn adjusted his sword beneath his dusty cloak and walked.

The war was over, the treaty had been signed, prisoners were released with their own property, so long as they swore an oath not to raise arms against the unified kingdom. It was the one condition some were angry about, for Flyn he could give a damn about either side now, he’d had enough. Deciding to return to Station, he’d go back and find out how his younger brother was, how his parents were doing with their trades, Life would be simpler and he’d put all of this behind him. Who knows, he might look up an old flame or two. All these things were rattling around in his head as he walked. Day turned to night, and as it did the dim lights of an inn came into view, the smell of mead, bread, and the warmth of a fire ignited his hope for a cot, a soft bed, anything other than spending it out in the elements for just once, he'd like to sleep with a roof over his head.

So, with what little money he had, he spent the night at the Ragged goblet, an inn which was maybe a day’s travel from the main trade route to station, he’d spent the night in a simple room, washed up in the small basin of water they’d given him, and tided up his clothes for his trip back home. Flyn’s possessions included the sword he’d been given by his father before he left which was strapped to his back at the moment. A Magik imbued sword wrapped with a bright blue dyed leather strap to the hilt, otherwise the sword was non descript, fairly bland, unless wielded by someone who knew how to use it. Many a WarRock found out the hard way as they’d be reduced to pebbles.. He was armed also with a few daggers which were placed with the belts about his waist, he also carried a small six round pistol in a holster tucked behind his back. Not an elegant weapon, rather crude really but with the changing times having something like it hidden on his person wasn’t a bad idea. Most people were carrying slug throwers as such these days, so he made sure to carry one.

His clothes were mostly black, which hid the dirt, the grime and him when the need came to it. About his shoulders he gathered a gray hooded cloak which definitely had seen better times, a few holes here and there, he’d hope it might last until he returned home. So with all things his he made sure his pouches were securely closed about him, magical, they carried a lot more than what appeared to be, lastly, he carried his travelers' bag over his shoulder tucked against his side and under his cloak, it wasn’t big, well… not to the person who wasn’t carrying it.

Stepping down a short flight of stairs, Flyn made his way toward the main room of the inn, found an open bench seat where his back could face the wall and he could see the exits, it was still tough for him to drop his years of war. That’s when he noticed her, she looked vaguely familiar, had he seen her somewhere before.. Oh damn… shaking his head he took another look at her and knew where he'd seen her. They'd actually gone to school together as kids.

Flyn didn't a word, or try and draw attention to himself, knowing he'd have to try hard to avoid interaction, he called over the nearest waitress and ordered his food. Distinctly trying not to look at her his old schoolmate, but kind of watching at the same time. What was she doing here of all places. Of all the inns in northern Valliene, she had to choose this one. Sighing, he concentrated on the patterns of the wooden table he sat in front of, hoping she wouldn't notice him or recognize him.. His food couldn't come soon enough.

 

[heartofcourage]

To win a war, one had to do away with any shred of humanity that was left within them. At the end of that war, it was hard to come to terms with what exactly had happened. Signy Artiza had done just that and come out victorious on the other side. However, she was just now beginning to deal with the guilt of the hundreds that had been lost and the soul that she had sold to gain her new position.

Few in her hometown knew of what she had become. The new king's right hand, the keen strategist that had helped them to win a war. In fact, she had run away from home shortly before her eighteenth birthday, escaping from a fate worse than death and a father that would have sold her off. He was dead now, along with her mother and siblings. There was no one to really remember the girl that she once was.

She had come back home to make amends, to tie up some loose ends, and to relax before duty called her back. The inn had been the one that she decided to stop at as she knew the owners. It would be safe there and she was given a small room towards the back of the building, away from prying eyes and anyone that might have seen her.

Her clothing had been chosen to blend in, a mixture of blacks and grey with a maroon sash about her waist. It was the same cut as the other soldiers, but finer fabrics. When she got to where she was going, finally settled for a while at home, she would buy a new wardrobe. She wanted simpler things, not what a new king had bestowed upon her.

Nursing an ale as she waited for her food, Signy looked around the tavern at some of her fellow travelers. She paused, freezing in place, when she saw a familiar face. She hadn't seen him since she was a child, but he was there none the less. She wondered if he even remembered her after all of that time. He seemed to be doing his level best to ignore her, which was fine by her.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Flyn, could feel her eyes wonder over him, and it wasn't as if he was dressed in any northern fashion, he appeared much like many did after long days on the road, his cloak had definately seen better days, and his clothes, well they were the same black, gray clothes he'd had just before he was inprisoned. When the northern troops released them from their internment, All he had on him was the clothes he'd been wearing all those months on the line. Now, his clothes looked tattered, even after he'd paid a few coin for one of the inn's maidens to wash them. When they were returned to him, he'd found that they'd at least tried to stitch up any rips in his trousers, and his tunic. But there was only so much needle and thread could do to fix clothes that should've been burned long ago.

As he looked over the menu that had been placed on his table, the bar maid returned and took his breakfast order.

"Biscuits and Gravy please, along with a few extra biscuits for the long road ahead."

Flyn was sure to give her an extra coin to emphasize his point, he'd hoped what she'd return with would be fresh, not moldy. He hoped the cook wouldn't spit in his food, but such hopes were minor compared to other ideas of what they could mix into his food. After the spoiled rashions he'd had on the line, he'd take whatever they served.

Once the barmaid left, Flyn glanced over at 'her'. She was reminder of memories of a lifetime ago. Would she remember him for their mutual memories of the academy, a 1 year required training that all residents of Station were required to go through in order for the city to continue defending itself. Or would she remember him for the fact that when they both left, they went to opposite sides of the war?

Station, his home was different than most, It has sued the capital for neutrality in all afairs, as the central mine for some of finest ore in all Valliene, it was important that the city be allowed to remain out of the long civil war. That didn't stop it's residents from leaving and taking up arms, which some did (Flyn and many of his classmates for certain) but the ciity of Station remained neutral as the vital ore was responsible for the operation of many grand machines through out the country. In keeping it's own neutrality, Station had it's own city guard, who's allegiance was to the city of Station, not the capital. The guard was a small but highly trained defense force that was not to be trifled with. He could've stayed taken a position in the guard, and he'd be living a different life now. Instead he'd seen and experienced things, too many for one life time.

Looking at his hands, then once more at her, Flyn pondered the thought, could they be heading home for the same reasons? Why was she here??

 

[heartofcourage]

Signe sat where she was for a long moment, nearly afraid to move or breathe. If he recognized her it could get messy. She had cultivated a very careful mask to cover the person she used to be and no one knew that she had come from Station. She simply told them that it seemed like the kind of place that she could retire and live out the rest of her life in peace.

Carefully, she slipped off her bar stool and made her way towards the man. Her mind was working a thousand miles a minute, calculating what she would say to him when she got to that table. She had to think quick as it was a very short walk.

“Rand?” Signe asked in a curious tone, softly to not raise his suspicion. “It’s been a very long time.”

 

[CoSurvivor]

Flyn looked up from his food and made eye contact, with her.."HI Signe.." He gave her a smile. maybe forced at first but it was a smile none the less. He nodded to the seat in front of him and motioned for her to have a seat if she liked.

Her eyes though, her eyes, at least to him told a story... She'd seen too much. too much to remain without scars. Surely she looked alright, attractive as always, but something was different. And for a moment, he thought he saw her weighed down by survivors' guilt.

"What can I do for you... seems the last time we spoke was under the worse of circumstances. Did you come to gloat?"

There was a lot of regret in his words, enough to make him wince inside after he'd said it. He reminded himself that he'd last seen Signe on horseback.. riding from Station in the early morning hours just days before her 18th birthday... The Academy days had been tough on both of them, the whole class came out of it with bumps and bruises... but that was to be expected. Something told him though, that there was more to Signe running away than an arranged marriage..

 

[heartofcourage]

"Gloat? No." Signe said quickly, never really the gloating kind even when she was on the side of the victor. "Just curious when I saw a familiar face on the way back home."

She felt awkward standing in front of him, but she kept her wits about her. Her dark hair was pulled back from her face severely in the style that had been demanded of an officer in the king's service. She was still beautiful and her dark eyes were haunting, but there was a hard weariness that had settled on her face.

"Most of the soldiers that were released wanted to get as far away from their home as possible. Why would you be going straight back into it?" Signe asked with clear curiosity.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Flyn thought on her words for a half second and answered as honestly as he could. Last I heard the fighting had left Station alone, The city declared neutrality years ago, and both sides respected that. I think it had something to do with the City Guards refusing to allow either side's envoy to enter the city and try to persuade the city Governor. Not that the old governor would've listened.. No, I'm going home to see my parents. I've had enough of the whole army, soldiering thing. Not sure what I'll do, but I want to see the sea again...'"

He'd remembered from the Academy, the City of Station had the significance of it's strategic location. Station was the last established watch 'station' along the western coast of the country. The city had survived numerous battles, and it's central palace, was built in to a massive mesa not far from the sea. Over time the city walls had stretch out, and while the city was accessible by sea, entering into the massive harbor was difficult due to the defenses. Flyn could prattle on about the hisotry of the city, but he was more than sure Signe attended the same classes he did. It would sound condescending to mention it all. But at her mention of him heading home his interest was peaked.. 'She' was heading back? to what?

"Why are you heading back?"
Rand remembered something terrible had happened with her family... time was not kind to him regarding some details from the Academy days, his own personal tragedies during those times made him gloss over some things.. Somethings he might have paid closer attention to otherwise. He hoped her reasons for going home, would bring her some sort of peace.

 

[heartofcourage]

"To hide." Signe said as he asked what she was heading back for. "From many things. I think I look forward to the solitude most. I have a home waiting for me that no one else knows of where I don't have to serve anyone else for a very long time."

She had no idea just why she had told him that, but she did. The information was now out there. He could probably easily find her, but she didn't care anymore. She was too tired to care about anything beyond sleeping for the next fifty years if possible.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Flyn nodded... he knew the look, the need all too well, any veteran of the war who sought out silence and solitude to either escape their own demons, or to escape the ones who chased them in the darkness was entitled.

He nodded also because he felt that same sort of need, maybe not for solitude but for something vastly different from what he'd just been through. He wasn't going to ask, and didn't have a right to ask questions regarding her home. Or, where she intended to stay.

Flyn was about to say something more, but the waitress returned with a small bundle of biscuits, He paid her quickly as she was about to hurry off to take care of other tables. but he held up his hand for her to wait a moment. Flyn wasn't sure entirely why he said what he did to Signe, but once he had, he didn't regret.

"Would you like to join me for breakfast? Company of an old Academy classmate and all?" Flyn didn't have to say more, at least he didn't think he had to, there was a sort of unwritten code, something that separated residents, of Station from any other city in the country. No matter where you were, if you asked for help from a fellow 'Station" resident, they helped you. That unwritten code meant your honor, and it didn't matter if they were your own worst enemy, your landlord or a complete stranger. if you found yourself out on the road on the way back, without a shirt on your back or a warm bed, a Station resident would offer help to another. It was what separated them from everyone else, This 'code' also meant that while residents were bound by honor to help another, they were also bound by that same code not to abuse it. Station residents had particularly long memories.. and if someone abused the code, word got out.. and well..you were not longer a resident.

Flyn was in his own way... upholding that code. he could see Signe needed help.. maybe not money, or goods or even food. but maybe compassion.. and company, without pretense.

His eyes said more, just as he opened his palm and motioned for her to have a seat...but that option was entirely up to her.