“Hello Jura.” Astrid threw her arm around the other woman and squeezed her, surprised at just how solid her body was. Like that of a man, but that wasn't a bad thing.
“Oh, hello... Er...” Jura looked at her nervously but she didn't pull away. “Sorry, I have no idea where Tyr went. He left me with with Girshan, and uh...”
“I don't care what he's doing. I did not approach you to ask about that beloved husband of ours.”
“Oh... Then...?” Jura frowned, standing as straight as a fence post and clearly very uncomfortable with being left to her own devices all of a sudden. It was very thoughtless of him, but Tyr was like that... He didn't coddle her, though, and Jura didn't want to be doted on, this was their arrangement, and he did as she asked him to, always. “Why did you come over here?”
“Don't be so nervous, we are sisters now and I am quite interested in getting to know you. Maybe not sister sisters, since we might share the same bed and all. That kind of verbiage to the thing makes me uncomfortable...” Astrid mused, half to herself and half to the other woman. “Do you think verbiage is a word? Alex says it isn't, but I've found it in three dictionaries!”
“I...” Jura paused, unsure of what to make of the situation. Girshan was speaking to Samson in an energetic manner, talking about their fight and sharing some sage words of advice with a fellow warrior. When they were together, those two were as thick as thieves. Mikhail seemed to be trying, and failing to flirt with Yana, as she sipped her wine and repeated 'wow, that's crazy' for the twentieth time.
Fennic contented himself with burying his face in the hors d'oeuvres. Tiber was chatting it up with a rather suspicious looking fellow, a very short man with dark eyes and a wispy half-goatee in lieu of an actual beard. A halfing, and though wearing weapons was forbidden for all but the various honor guards of royalty, Jura counted 11 daggers on his person and an axe cleverly hidden as his back.
A Sicario, one of those legendary assassins of an order that no longer existed. Tiber had been the only one she'd ever seen, but this one still seemed to be active. Of the others, they'd all vanished, or been hunted down by the church for whatever heresy they could be accused of.
“Oh, do you not know how to read?” Astrid asked. “I'm so sorry, I knew that you were a slave since you were young, and it was insensitive of me to ask. I can teach you, if you would like.”
“I know how to read...” Jura growled. “Tyr and Abrath taught me how.”
“Oh...!” Astrid coughed. She was beautiful to a standard Jura found aggravating, to say the least. That kind of attractiveness that transcended race. Orcs and humans were fairly similar in appearance except for the sharp teeth or lack thereof, and the skin of course. Astrid was tall for a human, with long legs and a tight waist. Tyr seemed to have a 'type', and Jura wondered if she was in the same category with her rippling muscle and complete lack of fat. Sigi, at least, had appeared to be even bulkier than she was, though. But they were all tall, bright eyed, and very gorgeous. “Sorry, I'm a little intoxicated. I haven't had wine many times in my life and it all seems to come onto me all at once. Do you want to go for a walk?”
“That sounds nice.” Jura nodded. She was nine cups into the stuff to lessen the anxiety of being in place like this and didn't feel a thing. Human alcohol didn't cut it, unfortunately. She'd only ever had weak, watered down ale, and didn't like the taste. Like liquid bread, it was vile. Beer, however, was much better – only the cold stuff. The wine was much easier on her palate, but it was too weak for her constitution. She knew Tyr experienced a similar phenomena, but she was unwilling to accept his invitation to 'fix her before the manticore venom caused her body to fly into renal failure'. Trust him, he'd said, he can do it. No thanks. Everything he drank at this point was spiked with monster venom, or poisonous blood, it was very bizarre to everyone except himself. “It's very crowded in here.”
“I know.” Astrid said, taking Jura's hand in her own and strutting imperiously through the crowd. That kind of grace and nobility that split people apart like the wake of a ship. She had a very commanding presence for a moment, compared to her bubbly and friendly attitude she'd shown at first. “I hate how these people just... Stare. It is considered very rude in Oresund, even a challenge, to stare at someone without saying something or greeting them first.”
“Do you all walk around with your eyes pointed at the ground?” Jura asked, and Astrid chuckled, with the former gritting her teeth at how even an expression of amusement could seem so... Perfect.
“Of course not, we have close bonds so it is acceptable to look. These people are strangers and have no consideration for the fear either myself or my family should strike in them should I take offense. In Oresund, we are all family. You do not invite strangers to gather like this, and if you do – you make introduction first. Perhaps by a hunt, or a ranging. We call the capital of my nation the 'thousand family hearth' for a reason, all shared by one greater clan under my fathers leadership.” Astrid said. “Not that you would care, I'm sure it's dreadfully boring, but even after all those years finding the ways of my people so barbaric and violent... And blunt. I find the ways of the south not at all to my liking, far worse if I'm being honest.”
“It's not boring.” Jura smiled, squeezing her hand. She felt a bond with Astrid, a budding friendship, and that was strange for someone like her. “My people are much the same. Many faces, one clan, all for the benefit of the greater collective.”
Astrid smiled too, excited and energized at Jura's honest nature and spirit, rich in earthly vitality. “I've never met an orc before. Will you tell me about your people?”
“I would love to, Lady Astrid.”
“Astrid or sister, choose how you call me. We're family now, remember?”
“...I suppose that's fine.”
–
“It's really not that strange.” Jura said. They'd made most of the length of the palace and back again, the vast majority of it being empty. There were some younger couples here and there, about their various 'business', but neither of them minded overmuch. At least, Astrid pretended not to, blushing wildly at the energetic undulations of a curtain with the soft voices of two people coming from beyond it. Two women, by the sounds of it.
“It's not?” Astrid asked.
“Of course it isn't.” Jura said. “If a patriarch commits adultery, the matriarch has all the right in the world to seek vengeance. I am absolutely sure my mother would have killed my father if he'd ever had eyes for another woman.”
“She sounds like a strong person. I would have liked to meet her.”
“The strongest.” Jura nodded calmly. “But she was also very gentle, and loving. You would have liked her. She had a noble character, but why are there so many people back here?”
“Mostly servant staff.” Astrid said. “The central courtyard is where the children are all sent. To learn in advance how to be pompous and arrogant, I'd assume. It differs by country, but typically coincides with the local drinking age. In Amistad... I think it's eighteen or nineteen? But the older children would be off pretending to know what they're doing... Somewhere else, scheming like successor rat princes are wont to do.”
“I see. Humans are strange.” Jura chuckled, and Astrid could only agree. The 'central courtyard' was a fairly large park, and spatial magic was rich in the place. It shouldn't have been past six or seven o'clock, but the 'sky' overhead was dark and full of stars. Lanterns lit the winding pathways, babbling brooks with artfully decorated bridges arching over them. There were only a few adults, one of which was a man that Astrid easily recognized.
“Professor Kael.” Astrid curtsied respectfully.
“Please.” Kael waved the deference away in annoyance, scowling down at her. Here was a blunt man who'd never cared much about their respective positions, and it was a good thing. He was a phenomenal educator, one of the best. “A graduate student and teachers aide doesn't need to bow to me like that. Professor is okay, but only on academy grounds. I expect you'll be joining the faculty soon, in any case.”
Jura was lost in this environment of intrigue, high fashion, and arrogant nobles – but she had always wanted to see the wider world. Learning about it at first from the vast variety of people that came through her masters estate. Needless to say, she was well aware of the legendary academies of Amistad, and the Red Dragon was a name mentioned frequently in that regard. “You're going to be a professor? That's so exciting for you, I had no idea you were that talented.”
“Well, we just met properly.” Astrid laughed. “It's not that strange. And like I keep telling headmaster Lernin, I'll think about it. As will the others, but as of now I have no plans to fall into droning employment.”
“Ah...” Kael snorted. “Lern's an aggressive recruiter, I'll give him that. Won't stop talking about how talented you girls are, and the boys as well. Unfortunately, they're all a bit too wild and immature to make a determination on just yet. I hope you consider it, there haven't been many people as talented at light magic as you in recent history.”
“Of course I will. What are you doing here?” Astrid asked. “Mingling with people of a similar level of maturity?”
“Ah, our clever Astrid Stalvarg-Faeron. So quick of the lips.” Kael groaned, but he smiled after – showcasing his perfect set of teeth that made all the girls in the academy swoon. “Actually, I came here to find Tyr, here for a similar reason to that, I'd suppose. I'd very much like a rematch, I have no idea what happened during that bout but it stung at my pride. A sucker's punch, if you will, a man must defend his honor.”
“I don't think anyone knows what happened.” Astrid smiled widely. “In any event, you fought with great skill and he seemed to enjoy it, so I should thank you. He doesn't smile often.”
“It's not that I lost.” Kael shook his head. “It was the... Never mind. I'm not much for real academics, but I do like understanding what makes people strong. How their powers work, the warriors way. Unfortunately... He seems to be busy.”
“Busy?” Astrid said, following the line of Kael's arm as he pointed off into the distance. There were a crowd of children surrounding two figures. Professor Valkan, a towering Anu and literal giant, thrusting a metallic rod at glowing orbs floating in the air. Beside him, with legs crossed on the ground, Tyr was out of his ceremonial garb and wearing his customary linens with an instrument in his hands.
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Every chord, a luminous bubble of color would burst into being. The children would giggle and jump up to grab it, but Valkan was too fast. He popped them with his orbs, and they burst into radiant flowers in full bloom. Drifting down into the waiting hands of the awed younglings. Little animals dropping to the ground and running circles around the observers, all colors of the rainbow represented.
Valkan smiled, displaying those fangs of his, but nobody seemed to fear him here. Tyr seemed so content. At peace, Astrid's eyes creased just watching it, feeling a welling warmth of her own.
She'd never expected him to be like that, and here he was.
Childish wonder was plainly visible in all of their eyes, clustered around the flowers as they slowly faded into a cloud of sparks. Giggling again and repeating the process. Some other more handsomely dressed children stood off the the side, eyeing it as if they weren't interested – but even a fool could see that they wanted nothing more than to join in on the fun.
Magic was that one thing that transcended societal boundaries and hierarchy. No archmage from any kingdom could be called a commoner for the same reason. They were the makers of wonders beyond human comprehension, only limited by their creativity, with their 'gods given' powers.
Tyr's song wasn't haunting, or sad this time. It was happy, light and free. Always, the sound of his strings was like rain falling, or the kiss of snow upon the ground. Bittersweet and subtle. Now, it was all steady, bright, and happy toned. His lips were spread wide in a content smile as he watched how they enjoyed his music and danced about.
Astrid had never been one with any yearning of romantic love, and this didn't change that – but seeing this new side of him was so jarring she couldn't help but melt at the sight of his apparently joy. Jura seemed to be of the same mind, squirming around awkwardly with reddened cheeks.
Children giggling and begging 'big brother' for more. Asking him to make the flowers bigger, or taller, or something else entirely. And each time, he did. Even going so far as to collect all the falling petals into a humanoid form performing some bizarre dance, much to their delight. And Valkan was all to ready to play alongside him, finding the political environment not to his liking. Children stared, but they didn't hate him just for knowing he was Anu, not yet.
“I should have figured he'd be here.” Jura smiled softly, crossing her arms and leaning against a pillar. Astrid turned to see the raw and unadulterated affection in Jura's eyes, leaving her wishing she could be so blunt and honest with her emotions, herself. So sincere. “Has he always been like this?”
“Like what?” Astrid asked.
“Tyr is always so rude and violent, which I like. But he is kind to children, even preferring to be in their presence in lieu of adults.” Jura said. “I like that, too.”
“He was even worse when he was young.” Astrid said. “He was angry all the time, wild and rude to everyone who looked at him. Always getting into fights and telling people he was going to 'get strong one day and make them sorry'. He once stabbed an imperial count with a fork and told him to 'eat his ass' in full view of a feast, 15 years old back then. Apparently the count had said something unkind about his mother, far be it from me to blame him for that, but he was always making his father furious as a child. Always so thoughtless and completely lacking in tact. Running away from us when we tried to get to know him. Then he went on one of the greatest murdering sprees the empire has ever seen, and got away with it, too. So... My answer would be that I'm not sure I ever knew him well enough to really say.”
“Ah...” Jura coughed. “I guess I could figure him for that type of person too. Now, he spends all his time meditating and forging, if not that then fighting something. He never stops and he doesn't talk very much. I haven't seen him truly angry... Ever, I think. Frustrated, but never in the rages so many people accuse him of falling into.”
“Aye. He's been a laconic one, solitary and clandestine with his thoughts.” Astrid chuckled. “But he also used to visit the stable boys and pages when they'd done some wrong and been left without supper. Leaving them scraps from the royal table and never waiting for a thank you in return. I don't know what it is, either, but I asked my father about it, and he had much to say on the topic.”
“I can only imagine the sage wisdom of a primus.” Jura nodded. “What did he say?”
“He said that if you had two men, one the greatest intellectuals of all mankind, and the other an idiot fool who burned charcoal for a living.” Astrid replied. “The former was cruel and beat his children when they made a mistake, but the latter taught them right from wrong. He said the the char burner would always be the better of the two. That children were the future and the most important resource in the world, pure and unburdened by the bitterness of manhood. Or womanhood, in our case. And I have found that he was quite right in his assessment. A tender heart when most appropriate is more valuable that one that is hard at all times, or the inverse. Soft men might not be weak, but they communicate that to others. Walk softly and carry a big stick, he says – some proverb of a pseudo philosopher.”
“I like that.” Jura said. “Your father is very wise.”
“He has his moments. But he loves the children, just as Tyr does, and that is one of many reasons why I will always love him. No matter what the others say. He might not know what he is doing, but he does, and that's what matters.”
“Love him?” Jura asked with an eyebrow raised. Though she'd said it quite bluntly, and recognized Astrid as a wife of Tyr, there was some jealousy in her at hearing that. She'd been content to know they didn't feel the same way she did, but she seemed to have been mistaken.
“Yes.” Astrid mused. “Once, long ago, I was smitten with him – and I grew to have great disdain for his personage over time. But eventually... I saw the world, knew things and knew him. I would say that I love him, as best as I can. For what it is, at least.”
It wasn't long before Tyr joined them. About an hour, the children growing tired and hastened off by the respective servants. For those who did not bear such an impressive pedigree as to have attendant retainers, Tyr saw to them as well. Threatening a few of the servants before they got the gist of things. In the end, all of the children were taken care of, in lieu of having their 'heads shoved up their asses and made a kebab of'.
“You didn't need to talk to them like that.” Valkan said, but he couldn't help but find it amusing. The idea that these adult humans would leave behind the young ones of their own race to sleep in the grass in the middle of a literal palace was alien to him. Humans were very selfish. All races were imperfect, as all living things were, but mankind seemed intent to take those imperfections to the next level. “Bah, maybe you did.”
“You're having fun.” Kael said sarcastically, materializing out of the gloom like a wraith. As the eve stretched on, light mist swathed the courtyard – making it difficult to see beyond twenty feet from the outstretched hand. But Valkan had smelled him, and knew Kael well enough to be displeased at the revelation that he was in attendance. He didn't dislike Kael, for a human, but the man was quite irritating when he wanted to be. Which was, unfortunately, most of the time...
“I enjoyed myself quite a bit.” Valkan nodded. “Rather than being a bitter old layabout who only took a job because it's easy, and yet still finds time to complain.”
“It would be more fun if you were as clever with your words as I am.” Kael sighed. “Why are you Anu so blunt? I have feelings, you know?”
“I do not care, little man.” Valkan replied, but his face was soft, thin lips upturned. “Seeing you struck down in a single blow on the field was of great pleasure to me.”
Kael shrugged. “Who am I to be equal to a primus? I accept it, I just wish I knew how he did it.”
“It's the power of love.” Tyr said from behind the giant. “I came, I saw, and I conquered. Everything else was just humoring your ego. In fact, I've always been pretending, all of the primus' know that I am the strongest among them.”
Kael frowned. He knew Tyr was joking through his tone – but the man was clever in a way that didn't insinuate intelligence. Beast-like. He was tricky, and didn't lie – but he kept a great many secrets. Lernin was still convinced the young man was the primus of magic, and Kael... He'd eventually found himself in agreement. In their fight, Tyr had only used a few simple spells well below his obvious capability. There was something there, and he was hiding it. Kael was sure of that, at least.
“As you say, great primus.” Kael bowed, sarcastic and exaggerated.
“Astrid.” Tyr nodded in greeting, strangely calm. He would almost always have slight rings under his eyes, the kind men got when they were tired and worn. But now, his eyes were energetic, like a man come home from a long trip to a tropical resort. Alive and bright. “And Jura, of course. My wives, I hope you enjoyed that little show.”
“We did.” Astrid smiled beautifully. “It was excellent, but why are you out here? Won't father be cross with you?”
“I...” Tyr's eyes darted toward Kael, but his body slackened in resignation that she deserved some kind of answer. “I don't know what happened to me, but being around all those people... I can't describe it. It made my skin crawl, causing me pain just to stand in their presence. As dramatic as it sounds, I'm sure he'll understand, and I doubt he cares in any case. All I would have done in that crowd is cause a scene. Or struck someone.”
“That's... Probably accurate.” Astrid giggled.
Tyr frowned at her before looking to Jura. “The feast should be starting soon, which means I can finally leave. Do you want to head out?”
“Actually...” Jura cleared her throat, straightening her back and facing him. She had said this to him many times before, but only now did she realize how hard it was. Tyr had been a good man to her. Always so kind and soft in their alone time, doing things he didn't want to do just to please her. But Jura was her own woman, and always would be. “I'm staying here.”
“Okay.” Tyr nodded in acceptance. “The food should be good, and the girls will take good care of you. As you can see with Astrid as the example, my father has chosen well for me even when I didn't have the forward thinking mind to see it. Do you want to meet back at the estate, then?”
“No.” Jura shook her head, nearly choking on the bile rising up in her throat. Tyr could see that she was quite uncomfortable, shaking in a way he didn't consider characteristic. “It's not that... I... We...”
“You want to stay with them for some reason. Long term, you mean.” Tyr waved her concerns away in as friendly a way as he could. “Whether it's to learn more about magic or see the world, I get it. I think it's great that you want to exercise your freedom and you're more than welcome to stay. You have a great talent for magic, but you've never had a teacher – so I think you'd be well served by sticking around.”
“Really!?” Jura brightened up at that, not the response she'd expected. “You're not mad that we're staying here in Amistad?”
“Of course not.” Tyr smiled softly, putting a hand on her shoulder. “I will always support you in all that you do, forever. That's what I promised, didn't I? As for 'we'...”