Blast from the Past [Airich]

[Zita Aurum Valdemar]

Zita had experienced a refreshing change of pace since the failed stand at Ostagar. Her and her newfound friend Airich had traveled from Lothering to Redcliffe, having fled the battlefield. They had both sustained substantial emotional losses, and neither really knew where they stood. They had planned to travel to Redcliffe to recouperate and regroup.

In the moments before they actually entered the town, Zita had experienced a crippling amount of anxiety, she had not been back since she was 17, having left there to travel with her real family, a group of traveling bards. She was completely unaware of the welcome that she would receive, and rather hoped that she would pass through unnoticed with Airich. She had not grown or changed at all since she had left, aside from a few years of alcoholism, which really just left her looking tired.

Zita took a deep breath, and stared at the small town, having stopped to collect her thoughts. She simply looked at her companion with a sour taste in her mouth. She wasn't sure what was going to happen and the unsurity had left her feeling little less than terrified.

"Airich," she said, breathlessly. "I haven't been back here in eight years. I don't even know whether my foster parents are still alive, let alone what's conspired here since I've been gone."

She continued to look at him, as though his eyes must hold some answers. She knew it was rediculous and more than a little off-putting for him, but she had no idea how to make it stop. She had pointedly avoided coming back for those eight years, and this was the reason why. She didn't hate the town, and rather missed her foster parents, but the things that had happened to her here were so emotionally scarring that she'd been terrified of coming back. Children could be so cruel.

[Ser Airich Landry]

They had been traveling for days, and the sight of Redcliffe on the horizon was a welcome change of pace for him. Lothering was probably the smallest town he had ever been in long enough to actually take in just how little protection was there. The town would stand no chance against its oncoming enemy. The people knew it, the templars knew it, even the animals knew what was soon to befall that poor village. Airich really didn't know what was in his future, so subconsciously he had thrown out the idea of Redcliffe. He was familiar with Arl Eamon, and friends with Bann Teagan. He had been in their households many times before with his family. He knew once he got there, and reported the failure at Ostagar that perhaps they would give him some direction. As they got closer the silence had been broken by Zita. He had become quite fond of this woman as she had a good taste for ale, and a top notch sense of humor. She made the travel more enjoyable then he thought possible. Then in a moment with the ever approaching backdrop of Redcliffe Castle she belted it out.

"Airich," she said, breathlessly. "I haven't been back here in eight years. I don't even know whether my foster parents are still alive, let alone what's conspired here since I've been gone."


He wasn't quite sure what to say honestly. This was the last thing he expected to hear from the girl. He smiled as he would be more then pleased to see her at ease. He didn't know much about her, but he knew she was a better person then the career path she had taken on. He put his hand on her shoulder, a soft touch was something he was famous for. He was always begged as unable to lead large groups of soldiers because of his soft approach to his underlings. He looked in her eyes with a soft but confident smile.

“Then let us not waste any more time. Obviously you would like to see them for you to bring it up, so lets go see them.” He said as they continued their walk toward the bridge entering the village. “I'm sure they'll be excited to see how successful you've been since you left home. Hopefully one day i'll return home nearly as accomplished as yourself. If I were to return home now...lets just say it'd be a grand underachievment.”

He had hoped his blundering positive-ness would help her out. He certainly came off like a dunce or a fool with all of that, but he was true when he said that she obviously wanted to look into it otherwise she would have never brought it up. Perhaps Redcliffe would bring on a glimpse of sunlight for the future. They could forget about the last week, and never be forced to think of it as just a mere nightmare. True enough he was ready to get out of his armor. Such items were not fun for long distance traveling, but he wasn't going to risk being attacked by bandits without it on. He was ready for some casual clothing, food, and perhaps some wine.

“I guess you should lead the way home.”