Welcome to Gaia! ::

The trip to Soudul seemed to take years this time around. Kilian’s anticipation to be over with this trip made things drag along. As soon as the ferry touched port Kilian was up and off of it as soon as was possible. As his feet touched Soudul ground he shuddered. The last time he had stepped foot on this continent he had ended up killing his own father. His gaze darted around at that thought. Had anyone figured out it had been him? Had Nekane told on him? Had they tortured the information out of her? He closed his eyes briefly, willing those thoughts away as he promised himself a visit to his cousin was in store before he left back for home.

First, though, he had to see Draco. Had to turn in the orbs he had so carefully tucked away. Four aiskala, five ayrala, two gaili, two peisio, one diabi, and one aedaun. None of them had any kind of special meaning to him anymore. They had all been earned at a different point in his life. One that he had left behind long ago. With a heavy sigh he gripped one of his weapons, always on the lookout for any potential risk to himself. As he traveled deeper into the city he saw faces he recognized from his life here. Ones that would likely never remember him by looks alone at this point in his life. Some were so old he was surprised they were still upright.

Finally, he reached his destination; the oblivionite sanctuary. Draco awaited him inside and it was a meeting Kilian dreaded. He took a deep breath as he stepped up to the guards and told them his name. With a look of disdain they roughly took his blades and scribbled on a piece of paper. Soon he was lead the way, though by now Kilian knew how to get there by heart. He was quickly ushered into the office of Draco and forced to wait for what seemed like hours. He had just finished laying out his orbs with the door creaked and Draco entered.

Kilian tensed as he straightened up. He eyed the oblivionite leader carefully as he entered and came up to the table. "Dared to come back, did you?" Draco asked, voice dangerously low.

“I had no other choice. As I’m sure you’re aware.” Kilian’s fists clenched at his sides, eager to hold the hilt of his blades again soon.

"Ready to kneel before your goddess, and lick boots in forgiveness then?"

Kilian’s nostrils flared and his fists clenched even more. It had been a good thing that his blades had been taken from him. He’d have likely had one of them against Draco’s neck at this point otherwise.

Draco’s brow rose, goading Kilian even father, he continued. "If you desire acceptance here, you had best have your half-bird rat’s head on a plate the next time I see you.” Kiliain snarled, lunging at Draco. by the time the race leader could blink and eye, Kilian was at his neck. Draco only grinned, though and soon Kilian was roughly dragged off of him and out of the room. He kicked, clawing to get back to the b*****d.

He muttered to himself, mostly, as he was tossed roughly out of the gates, weapons thrown at his feet. Kilian quickly snatched them up, thankful they had not kept his blades. “I’ll kill him…” He mumbled to himself as he thought of the thread on his son and turned to seek out his cousin.

Kilian was thankful to whatever god or goddess had been looking out for him that day. Draco could have easily tossed him into a cell and conveniently forgotten about him. Instead, he had ordered his guards to throw him out. Still, Kilian was highly confused and a little bit suspicious of his race leader’s actions. No good could come from Draco being lenient. As such, Kilian wanted to leave behind Soudul as quickly as was possible. First, though, he had to visit his cousin. Had to make sure she and his mom were doing alright despite his last visit to his home continent.

As he walked through the market where his father’s shop and his former home was situated Kilian heard whispered mutters and saw gazes tear themselves away from him as he looked around. Had news of what had happened between Draco and himself already reached this far? Surely not. He ignored them for the most part and hurried on his way. Best get this over with so he could head back home to his new mate Valla and his son Casseth. As he stopped in front of the old blacksmith’s shop he blinked and frowned. The place was closed up. That, in and of itself wouldn’t have surprised Kilian if it didn’t look as if it’d been used recently. Had Nekane taken up to working in the shop? Had Itzal trained her in the craft? Why, then, were things deserted?

“Nekane!” Kilian called out as he moved around to the entrance of the house. He knocked on the wooden door, all too afraid to head in uninvited. His mother likely knew what he had done and would not welcome him with open arms. “Mom…Nakane?” He called out again as he knocked at the door a second time. He reached for the knob and jiggled it, frowning at the fact that it was locked. Just as he was about to give up and turn to leave he heard his name.

“Kilian, what are you doing here?” The question left Nekane’s lips, bitter and accusing, before she could stop herself. “What do you want?” The bite of her voice was enough to cause Kilian to wince. He didn’t blame her, though. He had left, leaving a lot on his young cousin’s shoulders these many years and especially with his last visit.

“Nekane…” Kilian took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I turned my orbs in and wanted to see you and my mother before I left back for Eowyn. I don’t plan on being back here any time soon so I figured it’d be a good time to visit.” He frowned as he took in the pinched expression on his cousin’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re too late,” Nekane said as she pushed past Kilian and opened the locked door.

“What do you mean?” A confused look came over Kilian’s face as he slipped into the house behind Nekane. “What’s going on Nekane?”

The tears that flowed down Nekane’s cheeks as he turned on him made Kilian freeze. “She passed away Kilian. Your mom…she…what I mean is…” Nekane didn’t finish her sentence as she stared at Kilian.

“What…no. That can’t be.” He stumbled backwards and collapsed down into a chair. “When? How?” Kilian felt numb as the questions left his lips. “Did she suffer?” His mother was gone. He hadn’t had a chance to say his goodbyes. Why hadn’t he come back more often to visit? Why hadn’t he made an effort to make things right between the two of them? Now it was too late. There was no going back from this.

Nekane shook her head. “The healers said it was old age. Something to do with the heart having too much of a burden and not being able to keep up with her body.” She moved over close to him, laying a hand on his shoulder. “I found her in bed. She passed away in her sleep. I’m sorry Kilian.”

Kilian tensed at his cousin’s touch and was jerked out of his own personal musings. He glanced up and his gaze instantly caught on the tears still flowing from his cousin’s eyes. He stood, tugging her in close and held her tight. “You’ve nothing to apologize for Nekane. I’m the one who should be sorry. I should have been here more often. I should have been the one to find her. Not you. I’m sorry. So sorry mom.” The last apology was muttered more or less to himself as he fought back his own tears.

They stood like that for what seemed like forever before Nekane finally pulled away. She dried her eyes and moved into the kitchen to get them both a drink. Something strong that burned on the way down. They sat and talked until late into the night. Kilian found out that his mother’s funeral rites were the very next evening. He found himself in his old bedroom, stretched out on the bed and begging for sleep to take him over. Begging for this day to be done. Soon he was out, sleeping but not restfully.

The next day was a blur as he watched Nekane move around the house and prepare things. Kilian had been gone for so long, that he had no idea what his mother had wanted as far as these things were concerned. It seemed, though, that Nekane knew just what to do and he was thankful for that. Thankful for not having to deal with any of the details. As they headed out of the house, Kilian slipped a cloak on, hoping to conceal himself. There was no telling who knew about what had happened yesterday already or even what he had done the last time he had been on Soudul. Better to cover himself than to take that chance.

He stayed back in the crowd, close to Nekane but not actually next to her. They had already discussed things the night before. Him having told her about his encounter with Draco. They had both decided it best if he stay concealed while the funeral went on. Things seemed as if they dragged along as he waited for the rites to be performed and then for everyone to give their condolences to his cousin. His heart ached for Nekane and for himself. Never again would have a chance to talk to his mother. To apologize for all the trouble he had caused when he had ran off with Erionda. He wouldn’t regret that, though. Not a bit. He had Casseth because of that and he couldn’t be more proud of his son and how he had grown. Another pang of sorrow as Kilian realized that now his son would never know his grandmother.

As the crowd dispersed, Kilian and Nekane set off back for home. Both of them eager to be done with the day’s events. As they stepped back into the cool air of Kilian’s childhood home he glanced to Nekane. “What are you going to do now?” He spread his arms open. “With all this? The home, the shop? Your life?”

Nekane frowned as she looked at Kilian. “I’ve been running the shop with the help of your mom. I learned a few things under Itzal but your mother knew the business side of things.” She shook her head as she collapsed into the nearest chair. “I’m really not sure what to do Kilian. I don’t think I can handle it on my own.”

Kilian thought for a minute, his mind going back to the same thing each time. “Come to Eowyn. I’m opening a blacksmith’s shop there soon. I could use the help.”

“I…how would I afford that move Kilian?” Nekane asked, astonished at the job offer and suggestion.

“Sell the house, the shop. I’m sure someone will snatch it right up. You have nothing tying you here anymore. At least on Eowyn you’ll have family. We can take a few supplies, that I don’t have, from my father’s shop and your things and leave this place behind. Valla and I can help you find a place to stay but you’re welcome at my place until that happens.” For the first time in days, Kilian felt a slight glimmer of hope. One more piece of his life coming back into place. “What do you say?”

The thought of moving scared Nekane. She had rarely traveled off of Soudul and those times when she had, she’d been with either Nahia or Itzal. At the same time, though, the thought was exhilarating. Starting over on a continent where only a couple of people knew her had a very enticing feel to it. She could start fresh and help Kilian out with his business at the same time. She could be on her own. “I…yes.” The smile on her face was contagious and despite having just returned from a funeral, Kilian couldn’t help but smile as well.

They spent the rest of the day packing away things from the shop and gathering together Nekane’s things. Kilian spent another night in his old house and the next day they set off to find someone to handle the sale of the house and shop. Before the end of the day they had made an agreement with someone they both trusted with the promise of being contacted on Eowyn once a sale was made. They had hurried back to the house and gathered their things up and arrived at the dock just in time to catch the last ferry back to Eowyn.

Kilian’s gaze flit from his cousin, out over the ocean as the ferry trudged along through the water. This trip to Soudul had been a whirlwind of happenings and emotions. Much as his life had been. He regretted nothing of what he had done in his past. Not even Erionda. If not for her, he would not have the son Casseth had grown to be. The one thing he did regret, however, was missing out on his daughter’s life. Thoguh that was by no choice of his own. He would never forgive Erionda for stealing the chance to get to know her from him.

He shoved those thoughts away as Nekane began to talk again. “So tell me about this Valla woman, hmm?” She asked with a sly grin. “Love her, do you?” A flush took over Kilian’s cheeks as he smiled and told her all about Valla and how she had worked her way into his heart.