A Heavy Decision | 12.31 | Andrew, Avery

Andrew Darsling · 01-10-2011, 02:21 AM

The parchment felt rough in his hands. The dim glow of the fire threw curious shadows upon the wall, painting the room with a faint orange hue. Andrew sat in front of it, staring at the dancing embers as they flicked to and fro above the hearth, engaging in wild and frenzied movements, reminding him of the festivals that the lower classes would take part in during times of celebration. But this was not a time to be celebrating. The letter was very clear in its intent. Lord Althalos wished for his lords to gather their armies and to sail to Tocken to help claim it for some lord he knew nothing of. And suddenly that man’s presence in Kyla was explained…

But Andrew had no loyalty to Kyla. Yes, their fealty to Blasa was obviously for the benefit of their lands, but Andrew did not recognize that to be the order of things. The only way a province could become a province of Forsilvra was if the king willed it so… And Leonard was not the king. No matter how he signed his letters. No matter how he could prove it to be true… It took more than blood, in Andrew’s opinion. The Sterlyns had fought for the right to be the ruling family, and they would be so up until another family could take it from them. Leonard had not done that… Leonard was not his king.

And while his lord could commit treason and claim himself to be so, Andrew could not betray his king. But in so doing… he was breaking the vows of fealty to his own lord. But was it the same…? Did vows counts with the very vows the lord you were making the promises to could not be expected to keep his own?

Andrew groaned… He still had time to change his mind… He just wasn’t sure that’s how it would play out.

Avery Darsling · 01-10-2011, 10:42 PM

Avery trudged through the snow, bundled up so tight that she felt she could barely move. Spindle Stix was not at all enjoying this weather, but he was adjusting well; it was tempering his attitude, cooling him down a bit. She had never predicted that to happen, but by the time the snow was thawed enough to take him out for more intensive training, he would likely be very ready for it. It pleased her, and she was incredibly satisfied that she was doing this all on her own. She hoped to be able to take him to Christopher some day and show him off.

Stomping in the hallway to clear the snow from her boots, she shed the heavy winter clothing she'd acquired, handing them to a nearby servant to be hung on pegs to dry. As warm as her outer wear was, she was still quite frozen...all she wanted to do was to go to her rooms and curl up in front of the fire. And that was exactly what she intended on doing.

Opening the door, she felt a welcome wave of warmth hit her. The fire wasn't going too strongly, but had been lit long enough to warm even the floor of the room which, even through her thick wool socks, felt wonderful. Coming up behind Andrew, she slid her arms over his shoulders, kissing him lightly on the cheek before really looking at him. However, upon seeing the look on his face, she moved around to face him, sitting on the ground at his feet (and conveniently close to the fire). "Drew....what's happened?"

Andrew Darsling · 01-17-2011, 11:32 PM

He half turned into her kiss, closing his eyes and breathing deep. He lifted his hand to cover hers, urging her to come around and sit with him. He tried to force a smile, but he knew that she would see right through it. He was always bad at faking emotion, especially happiness. And she was much too smart to be fooled by such a half-hearted attempt.

“Leonard Althalos has called upon his banners to go to war on Tocken,” he informed her. “He wishes to establish a ruling family there, one that will swear fealty to him once victory has been achieved. And then he means to sail back here… to begin to wage a war for the crown. A crown he believes belongs to him… Because he claims by blood he is more deserving.”

He looked straight into her eyes and shook his head. “I have always hated the thought of war. But I always knew should my province lord call me to march to it, I would. But senseless death…? Haven’t we had enough of that? And for what are we fighting for? More of the same? I have seen how Lord Althalos rules his province, and if this is how he intends to rule a kingdom, than the right man is king.” He knew he was speaking out of line, that his words were treasonous, but he was not sure he cared anymore. “Avery… I do not think I can support him or his war… But if I refuse…” She knew what would happen if he refused.

Avery Darsling · 01-23-2011, 06:52 PM

Avery took in her husband's words, her body growing cold despite her proximity to the fire. War? Of course she knew it was always a possibility, no matter where she was...but that it should come so soon, before she was even truly settled, was...well, she didn't like it one bit. She wouldn't even begin to think about what that meant for Drew, losing him either in body or mind. She knew well enough that men who went off to war rarely came home the same person.

"First a war to gain allies, and then immediately after a war for the crown? Does he really think that after one war he'll have the resources for another, and one that would not by any means be easy?" Surely the man couldn't be that delusional...right? She shifted closer to him, propping her elbows up on his knees as he spoke his mind. Treason dripped from his lips...and she agreed.

"I cannot judge Lord Althalos fairly, as I have seen so little of him. However, if my experience of him is any indication, I cannot say I would be comfortable following him to his own gardens, much less to war." But just because she agreed with him, that did not lay out a plan of action. To deny Lord Althalos would be treason against his province lord, but to follow him would be treason against the crown. It boiled down to loyalties...or who was more likely to come out on top.

Standing, Avery sat upon Drew's knee, feeling the sudden need to be closer to him. "I will support you in whatever you do, Drew. I don't want to see you...well, I don't want to see you go off to war at all, but least of all for something you don't believe in." She looked into his eyes, hating to see the conflict that was there. "There must be something that can be done..."

Andrew Darsling · 01-25-2011, 04:16 PM

“I think it’s more that he does not expect the war on Tocken to be a long or arduous one. But I have known about his intentions to claim the crown since before our wedding… Though, then, I was reasonably distracted. Even so, I knew then what I know now… That when I reaffirmed my fealty to my lord, I did so with doubt in my heart and confusion in my mind. It was a vow I never should have made… Though to have refused him then… I could not bear the thought of bringing down what my family has built for generations. This one decision could ruin us all… And then what of my sisters? Those who have married into houses, those that I could no sooner ask to support me as it would not only betray their trust in their new families but would invite them to share in my treason…”

He sighed and put his hands on her arms gently, looking sadly into her eyes. “That is more or less his style of rule. At least, it was. Now with Callidora gone… if nothing else, he just comes across as fanatical. And duplicitous. If he is who he says he is, the Lorterran heir, then why now did he choose to make his identity known. Why not sooner? What motive did he have to prompt him to come out of the shadows now?”

Andrew slid his arm around her waist and set his cheek on her shoulder, biting his lip in concentration. “Even if what I do is drastic?” he asked. For he had thought of it for a while now… Had considered his options. “To stay would mean that you would never see your family again, Avery. To leave would mean I would never again see mine. To stay would mean to become enemies of the true crown. To leave would mean to become enemies of my province lord. To leave would mean we’re putting our faith in our king, to believe that he will not punish me for not coming sooner to him with this information. But regardless, if we leave, we will not have a home…”

Avery Darsling · 01-25-2011, 05:42 PM

He had known for this long? For a moment she wondered why he hadn't told her before now...but then, he wouldn't have had to. He didn't have to be telling her this now, even, so she considered herself lucky to be included as she was. "If you would have refused him then, in front of everyone else, it would have been a death sentence for you. For your family. I'm sure the gods can forgive a man a vow made in such circumstances." Gods, yes...men, however, would be trickier.

"That...that is what you've been putting up with the whole time he's ruled?" Avery had a hard time believing that the province was still running, if that was the case. And now that his wife was dead, he was even more unhinged...she shuddered to think of what would happen if Andrew openly opposed him and then stuck around. "Perhaps Calli was a voice of reason for him before...and now that she's gone he has no opposition to tell him he's insane for thinking he could win." It was the only thing she could think of.

Her fingers ran through his hair slowly as he spoke, a gesture of comfort to ease his mind even a little. She hated seeing him like this, although she knew he was really doing quite well for the situation they were in. "I made you a promise the day we were married, Drew, and I did not make it lightly. I will follow where you go, and go down beside you if that is how it is to be." Gods, but this situation was awful...and she couldn't even ask Christopher his opinion. "If Leonard is going to do this, really do as he says he is, you will likely be the last enemy he would have on his mind. I have no doubt that if he opposes the king, he will lose, especially if you bring this to the king's attentions before Leonard acts against him. I'm sure then you could see your family again...who knows, they may feel as you do, and follow you in any action you take."

To not have a home...she'd just begun to think of this place as home. "We could find a home, or make one. I'm sure Christopher could carve some land out for us somewhere if need be. I am not against working to build something for us. As...as long as you're with me, I'm sure we would make it."

Andrew Darsling · 01-26-2011, 12:33 AM

He sighed as she spoke. Her words were only slightly comforting at this point. Now it was not the gods he worried about, and it was not even Leonard. It was Winston and Eldon and all the friends he had in Blasa. They were like brothers to him. They were the only world he knew… This frigid North, separated by the alps and isolated in its own majestic beauty. It truly was like a different planet when compared to the rest of Forsilvra… And here he was entertaining the thought of abandoning his brothers, his home, his family, and venturing into the unknown with the hopes that they would be merciful. “Perhaps the gods will understand… I just hope my family understands as well.”

Andrew couldn’t help but smile at her outburst. She was so cute when she was baffled. “I had hoped it was not the case, but it seems so. Blasa just… it is not home to me anymore.”

He leaned in closer, sighing again, but this time somewhat in contentment. He did so love when she played with his hair, and she knew it. Every word she spoke, he took in, his heart feeling lighter and heavier all at once. Looking up, he pulled her close to plant a gentle, loving kiss to her lips. “Avery… I must inform Alrik. But in this move, it seals our fate. I send the letter in the morning. I want you ready to leave tonight.”

01-10-2011, 02:21 AM	#1
Andrew Darsling these waters are my sky Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 142 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	A Heavy Decision \| 12.31 \| Andrew, Avery The parchment felt rough in his hands. The dim glow of the fire threw curious shadows upon the wall, painting the room with a faint orange hue. Andrew sat in front of it, staring at the dancing embers as they flicked to and fro above the hearth, engaging in wild and frenzied movements, reminding him of the festivals that the lower classes would take part in during times of celebration. But this was not a time to be celebrating. The letter was very clear in its intent. Lord Althalos wished for his lords to gather their armies and to sail to Tocken to help claim it for some lord he knew nothing of. And suddenly that man’s presence in Kyla was explained… But Andrew had no loyalty to Kyla. Yes, their fealty to Blasa was obviously for the benefit of their lands, but Andrew did not recognize that to be the order of things. The only way a province could become a province of Forsilvra was if the king willed it so… And Leonard was not the king. No matter how he signed his letters. No matter how he could prove it to be true… It took more than blood, in Andrew’s opinion. The Sterlyns had fought for the right to be the ruling family, and they would be so up until another family could take it from them. Leonard had not done that… Leonard was not his king. And while his lord could commit treason and claim himself to be so, Andrew could not betray his king. But in so doing… he was breaking the vows of fealty to his own lord. But was it the same…? Did vows counts with the very vows the lord you were making the promises to could not be expected to keep his own? Andrew groaned… He still had time to change his mind… He just wasn’t sure that’s how it would play out. __________________ “It is painful enough to discover with what unconcern they speak of war and threaten it. I have seen enough of it to make me look upon it as the sum of all evils.”

01-17-2011, 11:32 PM	#3
Andrew Darsling these waters are my sky Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 142 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	He half turned into her kiss, closing his eyes and breathing deep. He lifted his hand to cover hers, urging her to come around and sit with him. He tried to force a smile, but he knew that she would see right through it. He was always bad at faking emotion, especially happiness. And she was much too smart to be fooled by such a half-hearted attempt. “Leonard Althalos has called upon his banners to go to war on Tocken,” he informed her. “He wishes to establish a ruling family there, one that will swear fealty to him once victory has been achieved. And then he means to sail back here… to begin to wage a war for the crown. A crown he believes belongs to him… Because he claims by blood he is more deserving.” He looked straight into her eyes and shook his head. “I have always hated the thought of war. But I always knew should my province lord call me to march to it, I would. But senseless death…? Haven’t we had enough of that? And for what are we fighting for? More of the same? I have seen how Lord Althalos rules his province, and if this is how he intends to rule a kingdom, than the right man is king.” He knew he was speaking out of line, that his words were treasonous, but he was not sure he cared anymore. “Avery… I do not think I can support him or his war… But if I refuse…” She knew what would happen if he refused. __________________ “It is painful enough to discover with what unconcern they speak of war and threaten it. I have seen enough of it to make me look upon it as the sum of all evils.”

01-25-2011, 04:16 PM	#5
Andrew Darsling these waters are my sky Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 142 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	“I think it’s more that he does not expect the war on Tocken to be a long or arduous one. But I have known about his intentions to claim the crown since before our wedding… Though, then, I was reasonably distracted. Even so, I knew then what I know now… That when I reaffirmed my fealty to my lord, I did so with doubt in my heart and confusion in my mind. It was a vow I never should have made… Though to have refused him then… I could not bear the thought of bringing down what my family has built for generations. This one decision could ruin us all… And then what of my sisters? Those who have married into houses, those that I could no sooner ask to support me as it would not only betray their trust in their new families but would invite them to share in my treason…” He sighed and put his hands on her arms gently, looking sadly into her eyes. “That is more or less his style of rule. At least, it was. Now with Callidora gone… if nothing else, he just comes across as fanatical. And duplicitous. If he is who he says he is, the Lorterran heir, then why now did he choose to make his identity known. Why not sooner? What motive did he have to prompt him to come out of the shadows now?” Andrew slid his arm around her waist and set his cheek on her shoulder, biting his lip in concentration. “Even if what I do is drastic?” he asked. For he had thought of it for a while now… Had considered his options. “To stay would mean that you would never see your family again, Avery. To leave would mean I would never again see mine. To stay would mean to become enemies of the true crown. To leave would mean to become enemies of my province lord. To leave would mean we’re putting our faith in our king, to believe that he will not punish me for not coming sooner to him with this information. But regardless, if we leave, we will not have a home…” __________________ “It is painful enough to discover with what unconcern they speak of war and threaten it. I have seen enough of it to make me look upon it as the sum of all evils.”

01-26-2011, 12:33 AM	#7
Andrew Darsling these waters are my sky Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 142 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	He sighed as she spoke. Her words were only slightly comforting at this point. Now it was not the gods he worried about, and it was not even Leonard. It was Winston and Eldon and all the friends he had in Blasa. They were like brothers to him. They were the only world he knew… This frigid North, separated by the alps and isolated in its own majestic beauty. It truly was like a different planet when compared to the rest of Forsilvra… And here he was entertaining the thought of abandoning his brothers, his home, his family, and venturing into the unknown with the hopes that they would be merciful. “Perhaps the gods will understand… I just hope my family understands as well.” Andrew couldn’t help but smile at her outburst. She was so cute when she was baffled. “I had hoped it was not the case, but it seems so. Blasa just… it is not home to me anymore.” He leaned in closer, sighing again, but this time somewhat in contentment. He did so love when she played with his hair, and she knew it. Every word she spoke, he took in, his heart feeling lighter and heavier all at once. Looking up, he pulled her close to plant a gentle, loving kiss to her lips. “Avery… I must inform Alrik. But in this move, it seals our fate. I send the letter in the morning. I want you ready to leave tonight.” __________________ “It is painful enough to discover with what unconcern they speak of war and threaten it. I have seen enough of it to make me look upon it as the sum of all evils.”

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01-10-2011, 10:42 PM	#2
Avery Darsling Like a bird upon the wind Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 203 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Avery trudged through the snow, bundled up so tight that she felt she could barely move. Spindle Stix was not at all enjoying this weather, but he was adjusting well; it was tempering his attitude, cooling him down a bit. She had never predicted that to happen, but by the time the snow was thawed enough to take him out for more intensive training, he would likely be very ready for it. It pleased her, and she was incredibly satisfied that she was doing this all on her own. She hoped to be able to take him to Christopher some day and show him off. Stomping in the hallway to clear the snow from her boots, she shed the heavy winter clothing she'd acquired, handing them to a nearby servant to be hung on pegs to dry. As warm as her outer wear was, she was still quite frozen...all she wanted to do was to go to her rooms and curl up in front of the fire. And that was exactly what she intended on doing. Opening the door, she felt a welcome wave of warmth hit her. The fire wasn't going too strongly, but had been lit long enough to warm even the floor of the room which, even through her thick wool socks, felt wonderful. Coming up behind Andrew, she slid her arms over his shoulders, kissing him lightly on the cheek before really looking at him. However, upon seeing the look on his face, she moved around to face him, sitting on the ground at his feet (and conveniently close to the fire). "Drew....what's happened?"

01-23-2011, 06:52 PM	#4
Avery Darsling Like a bird upon the wind Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 203 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Avery took in her husband's words, her body growing cold despite her proximity to the fire. War? Of course she knew it was always a possibility, no matter where she was...but that it should come so soon, before she was even truly settled, was...well, she didn't like it one bit. She wouldn't even begin to think about what that meant for Drew, losing him either in body or mind. She knew well enough that men who went off to war rarely came home the same person. "First a war to gain allies, and then immediately after a war for the crown? Does he really think that after one war he'll have the resources for another, and one that would not by any means be easy?" Surely the man couldn't be that delusional...right? She shifted closer to him, propping her elbows up on his knees as he spoke his mind. Treason dripped from his lips...and she agreed. "I cannot judge Lord Althalos fairly, as I have seen so little of him. However, if my experience of him is any indication, I cannot say I would be comfortable following him to his own gardens, much less to war." But just because she agreed with him, that did not lay out a plan of action. To deny Lord Althalos would be treason against his province lord, but to follow him would be treason against the crown. It boiled down to loyalties...or who was more likely to come out on top. Standing, Avery sat upon Drew's knee, feeling the sudden need to be closer to him. "I will support you in whatever you do, Drew. I don't want to see you...well, I don't want to see you go off to war at all, but least of all for something you don't believe in." She looked into his eyes, hating to see the conflict that was there. "There must be something that can be done..."

01-25-2011, 05:42 PM	#6
Avery Darsling Like a bird upon the wind Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 203 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	He had known for this long? For a moment she wondered why he hadn't told her before now...but then, he wouldn't have had to. He didn't have to be telling her this now, even, so she considered herself lucky to be included as she was. "If you would have refused him then, in front of everyone else, it would have been a death sentence for you. For your family. I'm sure the gods can forgive a man a vow made in such circumstances." Gods, yes...men, however, would be trickier. "That...that is what you've been putting up with the whole time he's ruled?" Avery had a hard time believing that the province was still running, if that was the case. And now that his wife was dead, he was even more unhinged...she shuddered to think of what would happen if Andrew openly opposed him and then stuck around. "Perhaps Calli was a voice of reason for him before...and now that she's gone he has no opposition to tell him he's insane for thinking he could win." It was the only thing she could think of. Her fingers ran through his hair slowly as he spoke, a gesture of comfort to ease his mind even a little. She hated seeing him like this, although she knew he was really doing quite well for the situation they were in. "I made you a promise the day we were married, Drew, and I did not make it lightly. I will follow where you go, and go down beside you if that is how it is to be." Gods, but this situation was awful...and she couldn't even ask Christopher his opinion. "If Leonard is going to do this, really do as he says he is, you will likely be the last enemy he would have on his mind. I have no doubt that if he opposes the king, he will lose, especially if you bring this to the king's attentions before Leonard acts against him. I'm sure then you could see your family again...who knows, they may feel as you do, and follow you in any action you take." To not have a home...she'd just begun to think of this place as home. "We could find a home, or make one. I'm sure Christopher could carve some land out for us somewhere if need be. I am not against working to build something for us. As...as long as you're with me, I'm sure we would make it."