Roughly drying her hair, Eileen moved out of the bathroom into her hallway. With the house being so large, it would have been easy to find an empty room to put up a clothes line. But she’d had a very long night already and couldn’t be bothered to do it. Hanging the towel and her clothes over the staircase railing would have to suffice.
The rain still hadn’t gone down. She’d sat in Ayla’s room for hours before it had slowed to the rate at which it was now drizzling down. It hadn’t ceased to an amount she was comfortable with, but she hadn’t wanted to risk being found. Especially not when she knew there would be uncomfortable questions to answer if they did.
So she had slipped out of the room at scant hours before dawn, taking care not to slip on the puddles as she went. The consequence of which was that she’d had to take another bath before she could get in bed. She’d been out in the rain enough to know that if she hadn’t, she’d likely have a terrible fever in the morning.
A smile turned her lips as she made her way back into the bedroom. She’d have had to hear an earful from grandpa if that had happened. Not to mention the one she would have gotten fromAyla. A wry smile took over. She’d never hear the end of it. Not with Ayla’s tendency to hold on to things for far too long.
At the thought of Ayla, Eileen was once again reminded of the event in three, well two now, days. Waiting out the rain had meant she’d had the chance to formulate a disguise that could. A quick search of the house had revealed that no one had moved the clothes in from the wardrobe.
Not that they could have done so without her knowing. Or at the very least her grandfather. They may not have known she was alive, but everyone knew that he hadn’t been in the manor when it burned. It could hardly be hidden when a battle had been raging near Calguren’s border.
Sighing she rubbed a hand down her face. Another aspect that had lined up a little too neatly for her liking. Her grandfather might think that it was coincidental but she thought differently. No matter how much he insisted that battles break out randomly and it was not worth looking into.
Well. She supposed she’d find out which of them was correct by the end of her venture. Although calling it a venture, even in her mind, made her feel ill. It was so much more than that.
As she started to creep under the covers, a light from her desk made her freeze. The mailing orb was glowing. Immediately abandoning the action, she made her way over to it. When she pulled her hand out from the opening at the top, she was rewarded with a bulky letter.
The handwriting at the top revealed it was from her grandpa. Taking a seat in the plush chair, as dusty as it had been, she carefully peeled it open. Smoothing the papers out on the table before bringing them back up, she began to read. pulling her legs up so she was laying across the armchair as she did.
To my little lion,
I know I’m not supposed to call you that anymore, but I’m going to do it anyway. You’ll always be a little lion to me no matter how big you get. It seems like just yesterday you were punching me with those baby hands. It really is a good thing we worked on that darling, otherwise you wouldn’t be much use in a fight.
Eileen stopped reading for a minute to release a long sigh. Nose flaring in indignation. The old man had a habit of bringing that up just to annoy her. Reminding her that there had been a time where her punches hadn’t done any damage at all. It never failed to have her chasing after him in an irritated rage. Gritting her teeth at the memory, she huffed before going back to reading.
How is it in Teodes? Have you settled in well? You’ve only been gone for a day and I already worry. Anything interesting happen? John kept harassing me today, asking me why I let you go back. Apparently, he hasn’t realised I can’t let you do anything. You’ll do whatever you like. You’re a lot like your grandmother that way.
I don’t know if i ever told you that, but it’s true. No one could get her to do anything she didn’t want to either. She’d have my hind if she were here to hear me, but you got the impulsivity from her too. Its not from me. No matter what Dane says.
“It’s absolutely from you old man.” Eileen tells the paper. “There’s no need to lie.” An amused smile graced her face even as she said it. It was nice to hear about her grandmother. No one had ever talked much about her. Eileen had never gotten to remember her, but she’d heard from her papa that she’d cried when Eileen had been put in her arms.
Would he tell her more if she asked? Her father had tried to tell her about her a few times, but it had looked like it hurt him to remember she was gone so she’d stopped asking. Death doesn’t differentiate between the good and the bad, it takes everyone equally. A sentiment that had only grown from later experiences.
And don’t you call me a liar. I swear you’ve been spending far too much time around Dane. Damien and Aren wouldn’t call me a liar. As my only grandchild you’re supposed to be more understanding than them. Maybe I shouldn’t have let you train so much, but it hardly matters now.
Eileen rolled her eyes. “Get to the point already, grandpa.” It seemed like he was in a mood to complain. It was as endearing as it was annoying. Although, she noted that the lingering traces of loneliness she’d been feeling after getting back to the house were now absent.
You’re probably telling me to get to the point already. Ha! I’ll have you know that I do notice such things. I’ve not yet reached a age to be so forgetful. Even if Miles keeps insisting that he doesn’t know what I’m talking about when I ask him why he keeps hiding my sword.
Her eyes narrowed at the words. “You’re not supposed to be using that.” He’d been injured in the hunt and had been told under strict instructions to not do anything that put a strain on his body. Her face scrunched, worry intermingling with the annoyance. She’d have to tell Miles to give her the sword if he didn’t comply.
She refused to lose the only family she had left simply because he was too stubborn to follow the doctor’s instructions. Maybe she should write a letter to Elle and tell her grandpa wasn’t listening again.
Back to the point of the letter, I found that list of employees you were harassing me about. I’ve added it to the back of this letter. You were right about there being something off, but I’m afraid it’ll be hard to find answers. Some of the people on the list have already reached death’s realm. But I’ve no doubt you’ll be able to figure out.
With all joke’s aside, you’ve always been much cleverer than me when it comes to this sort of stuff. You know I can’t be bothered with high society rubbish. Fighting is so much more straight forward.
Make sure to get some rest and not overexert yourself.
Signed,
The greatest grandpa in the world.
Gods damn it grandpa. Eileen wiped her face again, trying to get rid of the sentimental smile that had appeared when reading the last paragraph. It was just like him to go on about nothing at all, getting to the point, and then saying something sentimental. Before undoing it by being ridiculous.
And she missed him. He was the most annoying grandpa in the world and she missed him anyway. Curse him for making her cry after all the rubbish he made her read through to get to the point of the letter.
Sniffling, she slid the top page on to the table before glancing at the list of names he’d gotten for her. There were a lot of them, which explained why the envelope had been so bulky. She would have guessed it if she wasn’t so exhausted.
On a first glance, she could pick out some that would be good to investigate, but decided to go over the list in more detail come morning. Or well after she had gotten enough rest, seeing as she’d managed to be awake all night.
Besides, she needed to reply to her grandfather. The storm didn’t seem like it would be going down any time soon, so she doubted she’d be able to follow the trail anyway. She breathed a small chuckle. Knowing him, he’d probably be pacing the room, waiting for a reply. Or looking for a fight to get rid of the excess energy.
It really was a toss up which course he’d take at any given point. Emmett Devencrux was anything but predictable. It was what made him such a great warrior and why so many were willing to follow him even when knowing how eccentric he could be. He might joke around a lot, but he was always there when Eileen needed him.
And when she didn’t.
So, instead of going back to bed, she took out the stack of paper she’d shoved into the drawer earlier that day and started writing.
To the most annoying grandfather in the world,
I know you won’t stop calling me that because I’ve been trying to get you to stop for years now and you still won’t. If you could stop bringing up things that never happened, that would be a welcome surprise. I remember mama saying that men don’t want to admit when they’ve been beaten often, and I think it very much applies in this case. So there!
Teodes is fine. I’ve only been here for a day as you know. Geez grandpa, since when have you been this clingy? The only thing I’ve done since I got here was clean the house (Thanks a lot for not telling me it would be this dusty by the way) and go see Ayla. You’re absolutely right that I’ll do as I like, but let’s not fool ourselves about who I get that room.
Hint: It’s from you. As much as I would rather not think about it. And the impulsiveness too, while I’m at it. Don’t lie.
It’s nice to know these things about grandma, could you tell me more? You haven’t really mentioned her often. It’s nice to hear. Maybe you could tell me more.
She paused after writing the line, hand frozen above the paper as she contemplated her next words. Was this a lot to ask?
You don’t have to if it makes you sad. She adds, knowing she wouldn’t want to be reminded of losing her parents if she didn’t have to. Being in this house was enough.
But, I’d still like to read it.
Dane hasn’t said anything that isn’t true. Of course Damien and Aren are not going to call you a liar. They’re still stuck in their fanboy hero worship state, no matter how much I’ve tried to make them see the light in the last few years. And don’t try to guilt trip me with that rubbish! As your only grandchild, I’m allowed to call you a liar as much as I want and you know it.
Stop trying to go against Elle’s instructions! Or I’ll tell Dane to hide all your swords or have them sent to me. Don’t go around trying to pick fights when you’re injured! If I hear that you’re endangering your healing because of it, I’ll tell Elle to keep a watch on you at all times until you heal.
You won’t be nearly as free then! Don’t think I won’t do it.
As for the list, thanks for finding it. It’s a great help. And I’m glad you’re seeing I’m always right.
In all seriousness, I think you’re selling yourself short grandpa. You would definitely be able to work out high society, even if in a different way. As for fighting being simpler, you might be right, but I have yet to experience it and can thus not confirm it. I’ll get back to you when I do.
Let yourself rest. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want me to do.
Signed,
Your amazing granddaughter who doesn’t know why she misses you when you’re so annoying.
Placing it safely in the envelope, and sealing it shit, Eileen placed it in the mailing orb. Scrolling through the screen, she tapped the button that would take it to her grandpa and finally went to bed. She knew it would be with him in a few seconds time.
As she got comfortable in bed, her thoughts drifted to all the things that had happened in the last day. When she had left Calguren, she hadn’t expected her first day in Teodes to be quite so busy. Between cleaning the house from top to bottom and seeing Ayla, she’d already felt exhausted. She was even more so after staying up for longer than she’d planned.
She yawned, pulling the blanket up to her mouth. It was almost peaceful with the rain tapping at the window. A deceptive calm to contrast the chaos in her mind. Even while she tried to doze off, her mind whirled with plans.
When she awoke, she’d need to sort out that list and weed out people she could ask about their whereabouts. And she’d need to get the details about the ball from Ayla. Eileen already knew how the disguise was going to work. Even the voice wasn’t too difficult.
Years of living amongst her grandpa’s troops had led to her developing an excellent ability to change her voice. Amongst other things. Damien could do it, so she’d been determined to not lose to him. It’s not like he helped by being just as competitive as she was. But it seemed it had come in handy now.
Besides they’d calmed down. Eventually. It was a little sad to think about them now. They were all going their separate ways. She supposed it was natural, but it still made her feel a little nostalgic. She’d have to ask about them in the next letter.
Another yawn left her mouth after that thought. Her eyes feeling heavier even though they were already closed. She could feel herself drifting off, but one more thought slipped in before she fully did.
The next few days were going to be interesting if this was any indication.
Roughly drying her hair, Eileen moved out of the bathroom into her hallway. With the house being so large, it would have been easy to find an empty room to put up a clothes line. But she’d had a very long night already and couldn’t be bothered to do it. Hanging the towel and her clothes over the staircase railing would have to suffice.
The rain still hadn’t gone down. She’d sat in Ayla’s room for hours before it had slowed to the rate at which it was now drizzling down. It hadn’t ceased to an amount she was comfortable with, but she hadn’t wanted to risk being found. Especially not when she knew there would be uncomfortable questions to answer if they did.
So she had slipped out of the room at scant hours before dawn, taking care not to slip on the puddles as she went. The consequence of which was that she’d had to take another bath before she could get in bed. She’d been out in the rain enough to know that if she hadn’t, she’d likely have a terrible fever in the morning.
A smile turned her lips as she made her way back into the bedroom. She’d have had to hear an earful from grandpa if that had happened. Not to mention the one she would have gotten fromAyla. A wry smile took over. She’d never hear the end of it. Not with Ayla’s tendency to hold on to things for far too long.
At the thought of Ayla, Eileen was once again reminded of the event in three, well two now, days. Waiting out the rain had meant she’d had the chance to formulate a disguise that could. A quick search of the house had revealed that no one had moved the clothes in from the wardrobe.
Not that they could have done so without her knowing. Or at the very least her grandfather. They may not have known she was alive, but everyone knew that he hadn’t been in the manor when it burned. It could hardly be hidden when a battle had been raging near Calguren’s border.
Sighing she rubbed a hand down her face. Another aspect that had lined up a little too neatly for her liking. Her grandfather might think that it was coincidental but she thought differently. No matter how much he insisted that battles break out randomly and it was not worth looking into.
Well. She supposed she’d find out which of them was correct by the end of her venture. Although calling it a venture, even in her mind, made her feel ill. It was so much more than that.
As she started to creep under the covers, a light from her desk made her freeze. The mailing orb was glowing. Immediately abandoning the action, she made her way over to it. When she pulled her hand out from the opening at the top, she was rewarded with a bulky letter.
The handwriting at the top revealed it was from her grandpa. Taking a seat in the plush chair, as dusty as it had been, she carefully peeled it open. Smoothing the papers out on the table before bringing them back up, she began to read. pulling her legs up so she was laying across the armchair as she did.
To my little lion,
I know I’m not supposed to call you that anymore, but I’m going to do it anyway. You’ll always be a little lion to me no matter how big you get. It seems like just yesterday you were punching me with those baby hands. It really is a good thing we worked on that darling, otherwise you wouldn’t be much use in a fight.
Eileen stopped reading for a minute to release a long sigh. Nose flaring in indignation. The old man had a habit of bringing that up just to annoy her. Reminding her that there had been a time where her punches hadn’t done any damage at all. It never failed to have her chasing after him in an irritated rage. Gritting her teeth at the memory, she huffed before going back to reading.
How is it in Teodes? Have you settled in well? You’ve only been gone for a day and I already worry. Anything interesting happen? John kept harassing me today, asking me why I let you go back. Apparently, he hasn’t realised I can’t let you do anything. You’ll do whatever you like. You’re a lot like your grandmother that way.
I don’t know if i ever told you that, but it’s true. No one could get her to do anything she didn’t want to either. She’d have my hind if she were here to hear me, but you got the impulsivity from her too. Its not from me. No matter what Dane says.
“It’s absolutely from you old man.” Eileen tells the paper. “There’s no need to lie.” An amused smile graced her face even as she said it. It was nice to hear about her grandmother. No one had ever talked much about her. Eileen had never gotten to remember her, but she’d heard from her papa that she’d cried when Eileen had been put in her arms.
Would he tell her more if she asked? Her father had tried to tell her about her a few times, but it had looked like it hurt him to remember she was gone so she’d stopped asking. Death doesn’t differentiate between the good and the bad, it takes everyone equally. A sentiment that had only grown from later experiences.
And don’t you call me a liar. I swear you’ve been spending far too much time around Dane. Damien and Aren wouldn’t call me a liar. As my only grandchild you’re supposed to be more understanding than them. Maybe I shouldn’t have let you train so much, but it hardly matters now.
Eileen rolled her eyes. “Get to the point already, grandpa.” It seemed like he was in a mood to complain. It was as endearing as it was annoying. Although, she noted that the lingering traces of loneliness she’d been feeling after getting back to the house were now absent.
You’re probably telling me to get to the point already. Ha! I’ll have you know that I do notice such things. I’ve not yet reached a age to be so forgetful. Even if Miles keeps insisting that he doesn’t know what I’m talking about when I ask him why he keeps hiding my sword.
Her eyes narrowed at the words. “You’re not supposed to be using that.” He’d been injured in the hunt and had been told under strict instructions to not do anything that put a strain on his body. Her face scrunched, worry intermingling with the annoyance. She’d have to tell Miles to give her the sword if he didn’t comply.
She refused to lose the only family she had left simply because he was too stubborn to follow the doctor’s instructions. Maybe she should write a letter to Elle and tell her grandpa wasn’t listening again.
Back to the point of the letter, I found that list of employees you were harassing me about. I’ve added it to the back of this letter. You were right about there being something off, but I’m afraid it’ll be hard to find answers. Some of the people on the list have already reached death’s realm. But I’ve no doubt you’ll be able to figure out.
With all joke’s aside, you’ve always been much cleverer than me when it comes to this sort of stuff. You know I can’t be bothered with high society rubbish. Fighting is so much more straight forward.
Make sure to get some rest and not overexert yourself.
Signed,
The greatest grandpa in the world.
Gods damn it grandpa. Eileen wiped her face again, trying to get rid of the sentimental smile that had appeared when reading the last paragraph. It was just like him to go on about nothing at all, getting to the point, and then saying something sentimental. Before undoing it by being ridiculous.
And she missed him. He was the most annoying grandpa in the world and she missed him anyway. Curse him for making her cry after all the rubbish he made her read through to get to the point of the letter.
Sniffling, she slid the top page on to the table before glancing at the list of names he’d gotten for her. There were a lot of them, which explained why the envelope had been so bulky. She would have guessed it if she wasn’t so exhausted.
On a first glance, she could pick out some that would be good to investigate, but decided to go over the list in more detail come morning. Or well after she had gotten enough rest, seeing as she’d managed to be awake all night.
Besides, she needed to reply to her grandfather. The storm didn’t seem like it would be going down any time soon, so she doubted she’d be able to follow the trail anyway. She breathed a small chuckle. Knowing him, he’d probably be pacing the room, waiting for a reply. Or looking for a fight to get rid of the excess energy.
It really was a toss up which course he’d take at any given point. Emmett Devencrux was anything but predictable. It was what made him such a great warrior and why so many were willing to follow him even when knowing how eccentric he could be. He might joke around a lot, but he was always there when Eileen needed him.
And when she didn’t.
So, instead of going back to bed, she took out the stack of paper she’d shoved into the drawer earlier that day and started writing.
To the most annoying grandfather in the world,
I know you won’t stop calling me that because I’ve been trying to get you to stop for years now and you still won’t. If you could stop bringing up things that never happened, that would be a welcome surprise. I remember mama saying that men don’t want to admit when they’ve been beaten often, and I think it very much applies in this case. So there!
Teodes is fine. I’ve only been here for a day as you know. Geez grandpa, since when have you been this clingy? The only thing I’ve done since I got here was clean the house (Thanks a lot for not telling me it would be this dusty by the way) and go see Ayla. You’re absolutely right that I’ll do as I like, but let’s not fool ourselves about who I get that room.
Hint: It’s from you. As much as I would rather not think about it. And the impulsiveness too, while I’m at it. Don’t lie.
It’s nice to know these things about grandma, could you tell me more? You haven’t really mentioned her often. It’s nice to hear. Maybe you could tell me more.
She paused after writing the line, hand frozen above the paper as she contemplated her next words. Was this a lot to ask?
You don’t have to if it makes you sad. She adds, knowing she wouldn’t want to be reminded of losing her parents if she didn’t have to. Being in this house was enough.
But, I’d still like to read it.
Dane hasn’t said anything that isn’t true. Of course Damien and Aren are not going to call you a liar. They’re still stuck in their fanboy hero worship state, no matter how much I’ve tried to make them see the light in the last few years. And don’t try to guilt trip me with that rubbish! As your only grandchild, I’m allowed to call you a liar as much as I want and you know it.
Stop trying to go against Elle’s instructions! Or I’ll tell Dane to hide all your swords or have them sent to me. Don’t go around trying to pick fights when you’re injured! If I hear that you’re endangering your healing because of it, I’ll tell Elle to keep a watch on you at all times until you heal.
You won’t be nearly as free then! Don’t think I won’t do it.
As for the list, thanks for finding it. It’s a great help. And I’m glad you’re seeing I’m always right.
In all seriousness, I think you’re selling yourself short grandpa. You would definitely be able to work out high society, even if in a different way. As for fighting being simpler, you might be right, but I have yet to experience it and can thus not confirm it. I’ll get back to you when I do.
Let yourself rest. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want me to do.
Signed,
Your amazing granddaughter who doesn’t know why she misses you when you’re so annoying.
Placing it safely in the envelope, and sealing it shit, Eileen placed it in the mailing orb. Scrolling through the screen, she tapped the button that would take it to her grandpa and finally went to bed. She knew it would be with him in a few seconds time.
As she got comfortable in bed, her thoughts drifted to all the things that had happened in the last day. When she had left Calguren, she hadn’t expected her first day in Teodes to be quite so busy. Between cleaning the house from top to bottom and seeing Ayla, she’d already felt exhausted. She was even more so after staying up for longer than she’d planned.
She yawned, pulling the blanket up to her mouth. It was almost peaceful with the rain tapping at the window. A deceptive calm to contrast the chaos in her mind. Even while she tried to doze off, her mind whirled with plans.
When she awoke, she’d need to sort out that list and weed out people she could ask about their whereabouts. And she’d need to get the details about the ball from Ayla. Eileen already knew how the disguise was going to work. Even the voice wasn’t too difficult.
Years of living amongst her grandpa’s troops had led to her developing an excellent ability to change her voice. Amongst other things. Damien could do it, so she’d been determined to not lose to him. It’s not like he helped by being just as competitive as she was. But it seemed it had come in handy now.
Besides they’d calmed down. Eventually. It was a little sad to think about them now. They were all going their separate ways. She supposed it was natural, but it still made her feel a little nostalgic. She’d have to ask about them in the next letter.
Another yawn left her mouth after that thought. Her eyes feeling heavier even though they were already closed. She could feel herself drifting off, but one more thought slipped in before she fully did.
The next few days were going to be interesting if this was any indication.
