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 Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 8:26 pm
There were many ways one could go about waking someone up; calling out their name, gently shaking their shoulder or pulling the sheets from their body. Those options were deemed far too nice for Elleth's father, who chose instead to dump cold water on his daughters unaware form. Now, normal cold water taken from a well or stream is enough to get even the most stubborn of fools up, but this water had been taken from the well and left intentionally in the cold cellar over night just for this purpose. Horrad did this every time he felt like taking his daughter out for a private beat- er- training session and would always watch her squeal and scramble about half awake with that expression she so hated. It always looked like he'd been sucking on something sour and spoiled just moments prior.
Today was no exception. The window to her room was open, allowing the breeze to flow merrily in, further chilling her small frame as she stood there in nothing more than a sopping sleeping gown and her underthings. In one hand she clutched the sodden blanket that had done nothing to protect her and the other an equally heavy pillow.
Elleth blinked sleep heavy eyes at her father, mind unable to process just what he wanted from her this early in the morning. The sun wasn't even up as it was still as dark and dreary outside as usual. Yawning Elleth toddled after her father when he finally sighed in exasperation and left the room, carrying the overly large wooden bucket with him. Walking with her eyes closed was something Elleth had learned to do, but doing so made it rather difficult to see when her father stopped walking. After bumping into his legs Elleth took a moment to lean against him, ready to drop off again if she stayed still for too long. There was another sigh of exasperation before the blanket and pillow were plucked from her loosening grip and calloused hands lifted her up to settle her tiny frame against a much larger one.
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Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 8:42 pm
"Honestly Horrad must you wake her with water every time you want her attention?" Espleth commented softly as she took the now filled bucket away from her husband. She had let him juggle their child and her bedding before taking pity on him. "She worked so hard yesterday and the days before that with her new tutors, the poor girl deserves time to at least heal before you go giving her new bruises," A small smile graced her lips as she thought of the shining orb that sat nestled in a padded box in Elleth's room, her trophy from her first victory against a dragon.
Espleth herself wasn't a fighter but that didn't mean that she couldn't hold her own in a fight. The slender Oblivionite wielded a bow with an efficiency that made many wonder why she chose to be a cloth merchant instead of an Instructor. When asked Espleth would just smile and direct the conversation elsewhere.
Now her husband Horrad on the other hand was someone who you knew was a fighter. Heavy muscles filled his frame, each one needed to pool the strength necessary to wield the nasty looking mace he used in combat. But to look at him now, gently holding onto the small form of their daughter, even with the sour look on his face, nearly undid the image he normally projected. It warmed her heart to see it and Espleth knew that he was trying too hard to be a good father.
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Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 8:48 pm
Horrad merely grunted at his wife and shifted Elleth so that she rested her head on his shoulder instead of on his arm. He knew it the moment when she slipped back into sleep by the way her body suddenly became dead weight. "She might have bested two dragons but she was still beaten by one. The Ysail are known for letting trespassers go with warnings of pain and humiliation, but she wont always get that lucky."
The warrior frowned, his expression seeming to sour even more, "I don't want to stay up late wondering if she's been killed or is just taking her time coming home because she'd been hurt. Already she's been venturing out farther and farther away from the city looking for dragons. What happens if she runs into someone from the other races? She isn't experienced enough to deal with a Dovaa's magic and she still hasn't picked her weapon yet. She can't outrun an arrow and while she's fast, she wouldn't stand a chance against a sword wielders speed."
Horrad sighed and ran a hand over Elleth's hair, "It would kill me to loose her."
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Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 9:16 pm
"Oh Horrad." Espleth murmured, looking away, " I understand, really, but this is something every parent has to face. Yours did as did mine, and theirs before them. Life isn't kind to us, our Goddess saw to that, but that doesn't mean that we have to work her to the point of breaking just to ensure that she survives." Espleth hiked the bucket higher and propt it on her hip, bare feet barely making a sound on the wooden floors. "After all, we could be the ones forging her with the flaw that could become her downfall."
The way it was said made the statement seem deceptively uncaring but Horrad heard the hidden threat, and he knew his wife well enough to know exactly what would happen to him if he ignored it. He knew he was being far too harsh on his daughter, but he couldn't help himself. He doubted that he would ever be able to see her as anything except his tiny two year old little girl who cried whenever she skinned her knees, and refused to take a nap unless it was on his chest.
"If I don't drive her hard now, I don't think I'll ever be able to let her go when she's older." He whispered, following his wife around as she took care of Elleth's soaked bedding, never once thinking of setting his child down as she slumbered against his chest.
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