1. Willard

    Private Steady Hearts, Open Minds

    The silence was almost deafening. 'Might be,' replied Willard, leaning forward so as to hide his face. The gentle trickle of a nearby fountain filled the quiet glade, cultivated, and yet wild at its roots. The shimmering pool over which they resided painted his features in silver and shadow, the...
  2. Willard

    Private Steady Hearts, Open Minds

    Venla's smile didn't falter, but it did change. Shifted like sand through a hourglass. 'It is, a fair one.' Willard agreed as she moved past him in a whisper of skirts. Feelings he couldn't put a name to warred within the confines of his chest, so hot as to burn right through a heart that wanted...
  3. Willard

    Private Steady Hearts, Open Minds

    "Well, you've plenty more important things to be about.' A hum, neither here nor there. Her gaze met his, and Willard found himself wishing, wanting. The way she smiled didn't help. Like a fish on a hook, he mused, no more surprised than the first time he'd laid eyes on her. 'Castor and...
  4. Willard

    Private Simple Tasks

    Nodding, Willard let the matter lie. One day, he promised himself, eyes set to the horizon, beyond which lay a world neither of them had yet seen. 'Thank you,' he smiled softly. 'You're right, of course. We are needed here, though a part of me wishes we weren't.' It wasn't just the Cult. The...
  5. Willard

    Private Steady Hearts, Open Minds

    From the moment he recognised her voice, Willard felt his pulse quickening, his heart beating just that little bit faster as his eyes caught up to his ears. 'Venla,' he found himself murmuring, guilt mingling with surprise, making a mess of emotions he had tried and failed to ignore for the past...
  6. Willard

    Private Steady Hearts, Open Minds

    The gardens were peaceful this time of night. Bathed in the rays of a dying sun, its shadowed pathways led to places of solitude; its silvery pools to places of reflection. As a youth, Willard had spent many an evening whiling away the hours here, alone more often than not. Out here, he had a...
    • Willard
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    • astenvale monastery shroudweaver
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    • Forum: North Ilica
  7. Willard

    Private Venture forth, Young Dawn

    There wouldn't be much rest in his future, Willard felt. Even if he had been ordered to lay himself down for awhile. 'Probably entertaining the children with tales of geists and ghouls. Again.' Their sister-in-anathaeum didn't have much patience for childminding, but she could weave a tale worth...
  8. Willard

    Private Venture forth, Young Dawn

    Hector's reassurance, whilst appreciated, only helped to compound the guilt darkening Willard's thoughts. He had returned whole and in one piece, true enough, but he had drawn unwanted attention in the process, and he could not forgive himself that, with failure so fresh in his mind. Syr...
  9. Willard

    Open Under an Old Tree

    Willard grinned, all teeth and whiskers. 'Y'know, you didn't have to agree with me,' he said, taking back his burden with a grateful nod. His face no longer stung, but it hurt to be reminded of his mistakes, particularly by the Half-ear. A gripped shoulder, a patted cheek. Hair ruffled like they...
  10. Willard

    Open Under an Old Tree

    'Gruki, huh?' Willard didn't know whether to laugh or feel pity for his old friend. 'You poor, poor bastard.' As the saying went, it was better to die a hundred times in the yard than once in the field. You could learn a lot by getting your arse kicked. Or your face slapped. 'Syr Hawken's really...
  11. Willard

    Open Under an Old Tree

    Willard didn't answer. Just let the man come to his own conclusions. Deservedly or not, they were past it now. Penance would be done, and that was all that mattered. 'Shagginess, now that's new,' he replied, running a callused hand through his hair, wavy, and thicker than he'd first realised...
  12. Willard

    Open Under an Old Tree

    It was good to see the half-ear, to that much he would confess. 'Blue Bay? Where the fuck's that?' Breaking the hug, the brothers took turns appreciating the other for who they were. The anger simmering in his chest snuffed itself out. Reduced down to embers by the simplest of gestures. 'This...
  13. Willard

    Open Under an Old Tree

    The whistle could've been meant for anyone. But the nickname? 'I keep tellin' you, that's my brother's name!' Turning at the sound of tapping feet, Willard found it within himself to muster a small smile, all teeth and tired amusement. 'Ain't got nothing better to do than go chasing ghosts...
  14. Willard

    Open Under an Old Tree

    Shamed, and angry for feeling such, the dawnling saluted, the gesture crisp and clean despite the twist of his thoughts. Walking away, he relieved Squire Joona of Hellion's reins, unsure of what to do or where to go save the stables. For what it was worth, the youngster refrained from making any...
  15. Willard

    Open Under an Old Tree

    She caught him good, so she did. The prodigal captain, fast as she was fierce, fuelled by fury and righteous scorn. Staggering, Willard caught himself before he fell, cheek stinging, eyes wet from the pain of it. Never had he felt so young as he did right then. Shamed in front of his brethren...
  16. Willard

    Open Under an Old Tree

    Jaw set, eyes fixed on a point beyond the horizon, Willard accepted the scolding in silence. Beside Syr Darthinian, he had yet to meet any princesses, and Helena was far too hard around the edges for him to ever mistake her for such. But then some questions weren't meant to be answered; just as...
  17. Willard

    Private Venture forth, Young Dawn

    Message sent and received, Willard passed on by, gathering his reins to himself as Hellion slowed to a walk. Drawing up just shy of the great ash tree that held vigil over Lehtoja's hearths and homes, the scout slipped from the saddle, boots sinking into mud as hungry hands sought to relieve him...
  18. Willard

    Open Under an Old Tree

    'I'll take your word for it.' Nodding, Willard turned his attention back to the gate. A figure in a quartered tabard was descending the slope towards them. Frizzy hair, dark skin, and a commanding voice that would have made a Shroud Fiend wilt. Up to my neck in it now. Squaring his feet...
  19. Willard

    Open Under an Old Tree

    Willard nodded. 'Yes, it is.' Swinging a leg up and over, the young ranger dropped from the saddle to join Venla. 'Just wait until we're through the gates. You'll have a better view of the place from inside.' Taking Hellion gently by the reins, Willard started walking towards the monastery. Soft...
  20. Willard

    Private Dust in the Wind

    'I believe you've thanked me enough already,' the young knight winked, taking the herbs from Venla. 'Though, I shan't complain if you wish to thank me again. Or again.' Smirking, he shook his head. For a second there, he thought he had seen something akin to annoyance cross Venla's face, as if...
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