Istan Memorys: Returning Home

[E]

The wind tried to pull at the soft brown curls, carefully pinned up into a loose bun as Apri looked once again up the path. She was dressed in one of her old skirts, far to afraid to travel in one of the beautiful things Vinrin had demanded she take with her. Thanks to that man, her own luggage had increased from her simple bag and guitar to that of a whole trunk. Vaguely she wondered where she would manage to put it all in her old room when her roommate had taken all available space when she learned that Apri owned barely anything anyways.

Standing near the docks, she was waiting for the man who she had grown to trust and cherish as something slightly more than a friend. She was going to miss the days they had spent on Ista, everyday in each other?s company. Going back to the Harper Hall, she knew her studies would have to start again and Killian... Well he had receive his journeyman knots... But being blind as he was, would the MasterHarper still send him away?

[shawncameron]

Killian had come with three full sized trunks expecting to leave with only two, as one was full of gifts, but thanks to Vinrin he had had to use that trunk and get Apricus one of her own. But those where already on the ship and Apricus was waiting for him. Running his fingers through his hair one last time Killian made his way down the path, the replacement staff barely string up the dust as he walked.

He new the moment he came close to her, something in the air had changed, something that made his heart race, “ready to go home?” he smiled a true smile though there was something behind even that. The Harper wasn’t sure how to feel, this would be the second time he would leave the island and his family but this time he was not alone and this time he was going home, home with the only person that mattered.

[E]

Spotting Killian moving down the path, Apricus' face lit with a genuine smile even though he could not see it. Finding a true smile up on his face as well, she couldn't help but feel as if they were not, in fact, leaving but just starting upon their journey.

"Ready as I'll ever be." She said simply as she turned to lead the way down the dock. A half thought later, however, and she slowed until she was walking next to him rather than in front of him as they made their way toward the small group assembled to see the ship off.

[shawncameron]

Killians already happy smile took on the added flavor of contentment as he felt Apricus take her place walking beside him, not in front of him or, as was more likely in her case, behind him. He opened his moth to say something to her but as they approached the dock and its small crowd of people a screech split the air, “Kil, Kil!”

Vinrin came running across the wood, his slippers making distinct scraping sounds on the wood as his layers of silk dress flapped in the wind. Killian barely had enough time to step in front of Apricus as the man who looked and acted so much like a woman flung his arms around him squeezing the air out of him, “oh Kil, Kil, I don’t want you to leave! This is the second time you have left us…”

Killian could hear the rest of his family laughing as he laid a reassuring hand on his oldest brothers back. If he could glare at them he would have… and tried to but that only made them snicker more. “Its alright Vinrin,” Lanira had come to his rescue, brining Vinrins current man with her. The big man gently pulled the destrot seamstress off of Killian as the Harper tried to relax with the rest of the family still snickering in the background.

Vinrin made a show of wiping the tears from his eyes before turning a smiling face on Apricus, “we will miss you too of cores Apritus.” “Apricus,” “but fear not! I will be coming to visit! I don’t know when or how but I will be there!” he held up one finger and if Killian could have seen him he would have laughed at the look of determination on his face.

[E]

Apri could not help but feel a slight heartache as she noticed the size of Killian's family as they came to say goodbye for a second time. With the blind man at her side, the pain of it was much less, almost a happy pain as she smiled at Vinrin's antics. Hearing of his visit, she could only raise her eyebrows and laugh. Now a man/woman like him in the Harper Hall, that could be interesting.

The Harper Hall. At the thought of it, Apri felt the warmth of love as a shiver of fear ran down her spine. What would be awaiting them there? After the fight they had left behind them, would it come back to haunt them? Her thoughts, however, were shaken as a steady hand rested upon her shoulder.

Jumping, she spun around and clasped the railing to her back only to find a middle-aged man with a brown beard standing behind the spot she had been.

"Sorry Ma'am." He said as he looked up to Killian. "Journeyman Killian, I'm sorry to break up the farewells, but I'm in a hurry and I have a request to make."

[shawncameron]

Killian was so intent on his family and there stream of farewells and comments that he had not heard the man approach, but he did feel the change in Apricus and he moved as quickly as she did stretching one arm out to stand between the female Harper and the intruder. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end and he had to struggle not to growl and to continue smiling.

He would have been glad to know that no one could see the inner battle he was waging, glad to know that his smile did not waver and that he did not sound as angry as he was. “How may I help you sir?” he shifted slightly to the side to bring himself in front of Apricus a little more dropping his arm so as not to look to suspicious.

[E]

The harper did not fail to notice how quickly the journeyman moved nor the fact that he had moved to protect the woman who had shyed away so strangely. Thoughts of the rumors his grandmother had sent him in her letter went to his mind wondering if these two returning to the Harper Hall was the best idea. He knew, however, that Conaire had not been there when judgment was placed and so they needed to go back. His father had to know more of these two.

His smile did not waver as he held out a scroll that had been in his other hand. The scroll was one made of wherrie hide and sealed with a wax seal that had the harpers mark for a master within it.

"I ask you to deliver this to the MasterHarper Conaire. It is very important and needs to arrive to him with haste. Since you are going that way, it should not be too much of a bother." He said simply. He had no doubt the man could do just that.


Apricus watched the man carefully, a small light sparking in her eyes as she realized who the man looked like - nearly a smaller version of the MasterHarper himself, a man she had seen only in passing thru the halls of the Hall.

[shawncameron]

Killian’s ears where attuned to every sound but that didn’t prepare him for what he had to say. Arching one eyebrow Killian held out his hand palm up for the man to set the scroll. A message for the Master Harper? But why trust him? He smiled anyway, the mask thick though undetectable to everyone save the woman behind him. “I would gladly deliver this message, as quickly as I can “ he bowed his head slightly, “Sir.” all courtesy and respect.

He did tilt his head slightly to the side so Apricus could see at least half of his face, “Milady, would you like to meet me on the bow of he ship? I will be there shortly…” he didn’t sense anything wrong with this man, he seemed to be nice enough, but he still didn’t like the fact that he had touched Apricus without his knowing.

[E]

Apricus listened to the two, wondering at the message now held by Killian before seeing his face turn towards her slightly. Hearing his request, she found herself a little worried by the look in his clouded eyes, a look she had a funny feeling only she could see. Nodding even though the grey-haired man could not see her do so, she attempted a smile for the other harpers benefit.

"Of course." She said simply before making her way onto the ship, quickly saying goodbyes to Killian's family and side-stepping an attempt at a hug from Vinrin. Once on the ship, she found herself nearly loosing her balance again, just as she had when she first stepped on before coming here. Grabbing hold of the rail, she walked carefully to the bow, keeping one eye upon the people upon the docks.


Hinb, the Master Harper stationed at Ista, did not hesitate to put the scroll in the man's open hand as he had seen the blind harper in the Hall. He had not spoken to him before now and couldn?t tell why, but there was something about those eyes that made the man uneasy.

He did hesitate in leaving, however, as the Journeyman asked the woman to meet him on the bow, but did not leave himself. Was there something more the man wished to say? Deciding he should wait just to be sure, the harper stood patiently on the dock.

[shawncameron]

Killian listed intently to Apricus moving behind him, tensing slightly as he heard Vinrin move for her, but breathing easily as the man/woman missed and complained about it. Ignoring them once he knew Apricus was safely away Killian focused on the man in front of him. “I apologize sir but I do not recognize your voice… should I tell the master who this is from or will he know upon opening it?”

He did not want to leave felling as though he had messed up this meeting with his initial rudeness, so he smiled charmingly placing the scroll in one of his large sleeves so it would stay safe still facing the man, “I apologies for my rudeness earlier, I was startled and should not have jumped as I did.” He bowed slightly before straitening again.

[E]

Hinb smiled gently as the man before him spoke of not recognizing his voice. Shaking his head, however, he couldn?t help but let out a slight chuckle.

?Oh Conaire will know simply from looking at the seal on it. But since you asked so politely I will tell you. My name is Hinb and I am the Master harper stationed here at Ista. Conaire is my father.? He said simply, seeming to overlook the man?s apology. He had snuck up on him after all. Hinb had a bad habit of doing so.

?Now please, stop bowing and don?t let me miss you ship.? The harper said, this time bowing himself even though the journeyman before him could not see it.