[b][h2][color=3a0600]Torin Hellsong[/color][/h2][/b][color=green]Raya T'mivus[/color] [color=ed1c24]Kasari Liesma[/color] The night had not been boring, to say the least, although Torin would be the first to admit that in the heat of the moment he may have gotten a little carried away. As dawn broke he woke before Raya, and as he traced his fingers over the sleeping woman beside him he could feel the slight change in the texture of her skin where he had bruised her, particularly on her neck. It entered his mind that he might have her again, and his arm tightened around her. But then, there would be plenty of time for that later, and she seemed so exhausted already. He thought of everything she must have gone through already, and decided it would be better for her morale if he didn't ask too much from her too quickly. Instead, he kissed her face, then rose from the bed. The air was cold and Torin muttered a curse under his breath. He couldn't wait to leave this dreadful place. - - - It wasn't long before Torin's party was prepared to depart. The letters written by Kasari and Raya the previous night were given to two of Torin's men, who departed from Shadow Worth on the east road toward Gemminia, whilst the rest of them turned to the west and home. The ride back was not comfortable, but at least there was plenty of room for the four of them--Torin, his sister, and new wives. Tyrai had spoken very little since the morning, and her mind seemed to be elsewhere as Torin told his brides what they ought to expect once they arrived. Mostly this information had more to do with the culture and the people, and he made it perfectly clear that he expected them to pay tribute to the Hellsongs' patron gods, adding that they of course had the freedom to worship any of the other Drakken gods as well. The Hellsong Estate, as it is had come to be known, was built on a very geographically favorable location. Travelleing south along the mountainous spine that separates Drakka from Gemminia there is a string of smaller mountains that branch out into the Western Desert near the coast, creating a sheltered hollow about a hundred leagues in diameter. Historically known as "The Rothfeld Keep" it has since been renamed "The Valley of Zor" after Tararch Hellsong took control of it a hundred years earlier, in honor of his wife's patron goddess Zoralia. It is surrounded by mountain peaks on two fronts, harsh desert on the third, and the forth being the Southern sea. The dramatic contrast in landscapes afforded the party some very beautiful sights over the course of their journey. All but Torin, that is. The countryside was dotted with farms and villages, all of which appeared to be thriving. Zor had six major cities that served as trade hubs. Of these, two were port cities with the other four all residing along the border. Torin's control over all of this was simply inherited from his father when he died. Although where Tararch had left trading posts, Torin had built businesses and converted simple street merchants to factory owners. Though he did not personally preside over every settlement, those whom he had appointed to govern were loyal to him. Torin himself lived in Riesling, the city of his father, and the oldest one in Zor. It was situated just so that when one stood on the wall one could look to the north and see mountains, to the west and see desert, to the east and see plains, and to the south and see the ocean. Approaching Riesling it was obvious that the architecture predated Tararch by at least five hundred years judging by the Gothic design. Age, it seemed, had not weakened the fortress, although some sections of the wall were under construction, not because they needed maintenance but to improve their functionality. As the carriage entered the city the townsfolk stopped whatever it was they were doing to hail them. People lined the street leading up to the ancient castle, calling out blessings as they passed by, trying to catch a glimpse of whoever it was their lord had returned with. It was curious to note that every man appeared to be armed. Whether he was a merchant or a smith or a stable hand. Each one of them carried a sword strapped to his belt. By the time they reached the gates of Riesling Castle's courtyard a small crowd had gathered, buffered by a line of several dozen guardsmen. It seemed that Torin was a very popular nobleman, but it was not only he who was a celebrity but Tyrai as well. They stepped down from the cab and out into the open and several people cheered and called out to them. Torin raised a hand in greeting and Tyrai merely nodded her head, but the acknowledgement was enough for their audience. They turned and the guards moved to escort them inside along with Raya and Kasari, but a sudden angry shout made Torin hesitate. A woman had pushed her way past the guards and was running frantically toward them, clutching a large bundle in her arms. She was elderly, with gray hair and dark creases under her eyes. [b]"My lord!"[/b] she gasped, falling to her knees before Torin who did not turn around. Two guards moved to grab her and drag her away but Torin raised his hand and they ceased, casting uneasy glances at one another. [b]"My lord,"[/b] she said again, her voice shaking. She pushed the bundle in her arms toward him. It was a child, no more than four years old at most, dressed in rags and shivering. [b]"My lord, please. His parents succumbed to illness. I am old and can no longer care for him properly. Please, my lord, won't you be merciful to this child?"[/b] At last Torin turned to face her. [b][color=3a0600]"Woman, do you think the house of Hellsong is large enough to be home to every orphan in Zor? Send him to his relatives so that they may do their duty by him."[/color][/b] [b]"He has none, my lord,"[/b] the old woman said in a pleading tone, [b]"Please, take him. Just until he's old enough to become an apprentice. It won't be many years, he's already a bright child."[/b] The silence hung between them for several long seconds. Then several onlookers gasped as Torin knelt to the ground and touched the boy's face. [b][color=3a0600]"What is your name?"[/color][/b] The boy, who was staring wide-eyed at the nobleman's mask managed to tell him, "Jaan, s-s-sir." [b][color=3a0600]"Very well, Jaan."[/color][/b] He lifted the child into his arms and stood, to the delight of the townsfolk who cheered and applauded him. The woman thanked him profusely and allowed herself to be led away. He carried the boy inside and, once they were out of sight of the crowd, handed him off to one of the guards. [b][color=3a0600]"Introduce him to the others. I will address them at dinnertime."[/color][/b] The guard nodded and spirited the boy away. Tyrai announced she was going to retire and left them. [b][color=3a0600]"Raya, Kasari, I welcome you both to my home. I would be honored if you would call it yours as well."[/color][/b] He ushered them into a large hall which was currently filled with several dozen people, the servants of the household. They bowed collectively to welcome home the master of the house as well as his new brides. Many of them, especially the female servants, appeared to be of Gemminian heritage, but there were others who must have come from elsewhere, and even a handful of Drakken. [b][color=3a0600]"Lissa, Arealle."[/color] [/b]Two maidservants stepped forward. [b][color=3a0600]"These will be your personal servants,"[/color][/b] he said to the two Gem brides, [b][color=3a0600]"They'll see you to your rooms and make sure you're comfortable. You'll have to excuse me for the time being-- there is some business I must attend to. I'll give you both a tour later, but until then the servants will help you get wherever you need to go."[/color][/b] With that, he left them. The rest of the household staff dispersed but the two women who had been appointed to assist the girls remained. Lissa was a kind-looking middle aged woman, Arealle was younger and short with rounded features. They both curtsied to Raya and Kasari before showing them to their personal rooms in the east wing of the castle. Each room was spacious and richly furnished and each included a full wardrobe. Lissa informed them that any article of clothing could be tailored to better fit the girls if need be. Baths were drawn for both of them and after that they were left to their own devices until Torin returned. [@WeepingLiberty][@my Lalia] [i](Feel free to puppet the servants around, they're all NPCs)[/i]