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riverwindphotography · 11 days

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April waters running clear

(c) gif by riverwindphotography, April 2024

#riverwind gifs #mountain stream #spring #clear waters #nature

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wynilthyrii · 2 years

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The Visit

Dragonhawk hatchlings flitted between the branches that overhung the reflecting pond, chittering and chirping amongst themselves in the morning light. He watched them as they chased each other among the silver-barked, golden-leafed boughs, a faint, almost wistful smile playing on his lips. Had his father stood here just like this, right in this spot, in some long-ago yesterday, in simpler hours and days? He could see why he might have sought peace here. He could feel it, too.

The soft but sharp intake of breath behind him that accompanied the tap of a cane carried not out of need but out of affectation and the sound of precise footsteps told him that yes, it was very likely that Talindar Riverwind had once stood just here, staring up into the branches of the trees, on some forgotten and lost autumn day.

It took a moment for Isidoria to gather herself enough to speak.

Perhaps she’s reminding herself that I’m not her son. Or perhaps she’s searching for words that will convey that while I’m not my father, she does want the influence over me that she wielded over him.

Just barely, he managed not to shake his head.

“Juden,” Isidoria said, her voice tremulous, his name not quite a quiet, relieved wail. “Oh, my dear boy, you looked so like your father for a moment there. I do wish that you would reconsider my offer.”

“Grandmere.” He mustered a smile before he turned to face her, his hands clasped firmly behind his back, hiding the signet ring his mother had insisted he wear—a reminder, she’d said, to his grandmother and her former mother-in-law of his position. “Thank you, but I am quite happy in the Everlight.”

“But I never see you, child,” she said, taking another step toward him. Her step faltered as her gaze fell to the chain around his neck, to what hung from it, resting against the dark blue of his tunic.

A pair of wedding bands. Their wedding bands, Talindar Riverwind and Wyn Ilthyrii’s wedding bands, the love that had created him.

“Forgive me that, Grandmere. I’ve been busy with my studies and with helping mathair and seeing to my cousins.”

Her nose wrinkled briefly and she glanced aside, past him toward the reflecting pond. “Your studies go well, then?”

“Quite well, yes. I’ve been doing a great deal of independent research, given that I’ve excelled well past what the Magistry would have one of my age taught. I do not think I will be returning to their tutelage anytime soon.”

She twitched, expression tightening. “Then what will you do? Surely not—“

“I have not yet decided, Grandmere,” he said, cutting her off. “Truly, I have not. But I have access to some of the best libraries one could hope for, so I will not hurt for knowledge in making my decisions, and the Everlight has proven to be very comfortable for us in these past months.”

“But—“

He smiled. “Grandmere. Are you gainsaying me in this?”

“It’s simply that—“ she stopped, then started again. “You are the Lord Riverwind. You should be living here, at the estate.”

So you might try to do to me what you did to my father? Or worse?

“Perhaps someday,” he said, smiling faintly. “For now, my place is there.” He glanced up toward the sky, then exhaled. “I’d best be going. There’s always much to do and mathair needs help more than she admits these days.”

“She must be close,” Isidoria said softly, glancing down. “What do you think of it?”

“I welcome the chance to hold a baby brother or sister,” Juden said. “Mathair told me once that she and Athair spoke of having another before he was sent back to Northrend. Perhaps if things had been different.”

“Yes,” his grandmother said, her voice abruptly brittle. “Perhaps.”

Juden smiled the careful, practiced smile of one being slowly taught to play at the game of intrigues and politics and stepped away from the edge of the reflecting pool. He stopped next to his grandmother and kissed her cheek lightly. “I’m certain you’ll receive an announcement when it happens.”

“Of course I will,” Isidoria said. “Though perhaps you bringing the happy news personally would be better.”

“We’ll see,” Juden said. “Have a pleasant day, Grandmere. I’ll send you an accounting of my studies—I know that you want one.”

He patted his cheek. “I do, my dear. Very much.”

“Look for it in tomorrow’s post,” he promised.

She looked as if she wanted to say something to forestall his departure, he hand drifting toward his sleeve as if to stop him. Then her gaze drifted to his hand, to the signet there, to the pair of wedding bands hanging around his neck.

Her hand fell away and she simply stood as he walked past her, down the pathway deeper into the garden.

The sight of him looking so like the man he suspected she’d had killed would haunt her. Of that, he was all but certain.

The twitch of fingers and a murmured word opened a portal home once he was a dozen strides past her. In a whisper of magic, he was gone, leaving a quiet, scheming, seething Isidoria Riverwind behind in her gardens to contemplate her plans.

#Juden Ilthyrii Riverwind #Isidoria Riverwind #Horde #fiction #WrA #World of Warcraft #Wyrmrest Accord #House Riverwind #WoW #Quel’thalas #Sin’dorei #tales of the young mage

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completelyindependency · 3 years

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