A quiet homecoming|Aegestrom | Maelstrom

[Northen Light36]

Shadow, practically humming with contented pleasure, makes his way through the city. He'd heard about the festival from the gate guards and given stern orders that his arrival was to go unannouced. Flash deserved far more glory then he ever got, Shadow had no intention to steal any of the little the water/storm DID recieve.

Making his way nearly unnoticed into his mansion, Shadow stables and tends to Lightning before heading inside. "Lya?" he calls, even as he heads to his study to see what needs his attention. "Are you home dear?"

[Kender Bard]

"Yes," Lya called out, voice floating on her wind to make it extra audible. The click of her heels against the floor ring out her presence as she comes to her husband, looking very tired. She offers a ghost of a smile for him. "I trust you had a good time."

[Northen Light36]

"Few minor problems, but overall I did," Shadow replies, turning to look at Lya. "I don't need to ask how your trip was," he adds, looking guilty as he takes his cloak off and wraps it around Lya. "You look terrible dearest." He leads her to the comfortable chair behind his desk and bids her to sit down. Fussing over her, he adds, "Was it just the trip dearest, or should I fetch a healer for you?"

[Kender Bard]

"The trip," she said, pulling his cloak closer. "You know how I feel about being underground. I had hoped the wedding would be above ground, but it is quite chilly. I'm glad I made it home before winter really began to bite. Luminous seems to have shot up while I was gone..."

[Northen Light36]

Shadow nodded sympathicly, rubbing the space between his wife's wings as he glanced over the paperwork on his desk. "We probably should have sent our apologies and not gone." Shadow shoots his wife a mischivious smile. "Your beauty most likely outshone the bride in anycase." Shadow's just about to suggest they go enjoy an evening in the garden when something catches his eye. "A message from Ronduin? I wonder what that's about?"

Picking the letter up, Shadow reads it, at first looking mildly curious, then confused, then outright shocked.

[Kender Bard]

Lya tilted her head, frowning at Shadow's expression. "What is it, dearest?"

[Northen Light36]

"It's for Flash," Shadow murmured. "One of the pages must have left it here by mistake. But apparently, Amaro Melissan has been arrested for robbery and assult." Shadow shakes his head in disbelief. "Ronduin's guards are calling for a character witness, since Melissan's claiming he's innocent." Shadow frowns thoughtfully. "I don't know Melissan well, and his family even less... But I can't see him robbing anyone. The girl, maybe." The King looks over at his wife. "What do you think dear?"

[Kender Bard]

"I'm not sure what to say," Lya muttered, considering this. "It is Flash's letter, and so his decision ultimately. I just hope this doesn't tarnish our Kingdom's image considering I've openly declared my support of them for their charitable acts for us. But, then, I don't think they did anything either."

[Northen Light36]

"Someone should inform Vortai at least," Shadow murmurs, taking a seat and thinking. "Honestly, Lya, I'm tempted to take a trip over there and see what's going on. Even if Melissan had suddenly decided to follow in his family footsteps... Robbery?" Shadow shakes his head. "The Melissans are frankly to proud to rob someone. Forces, that family were always enough to make Damien look humble."

[Kender Bard]

"We've been away too long," Lya said firmly. "One of us has to stay here." She considered that, and offered, "Perhaps I should? We are both friends with Cascata, but friendships of different natures. I think she's always considered you more of an ally than me simply because of what you both went through together."

[Northen Light36]

Shadow looked gratefully at his wife. For one thing, he'd gotten to almost like Amaro when the merc had fought with him against Mathew - Amaro and Damien were very alike he'd noticed. And for another, it was his duty as king to protect his citizens. "Are you sure, dear?" he asked, hugging her. "I hate to leave you and Lumi so soon, but I think that we have a duty for at least one of us to be there..." Shadow pauses, then says, "Flash should come as well, I think. He and Cascata are every close as well." With a slightly amused look, Shadow adds, "Although I doubt Flash will be any more thrilled about being separated from Salaica then I am about leaving you."

[Kender Bard]

"We wives will keep one another company," Lya assured him. "Twilight kept telling me he was very excited at the prospect of planning a ball even. Perhaps we will throw one in your absence to keep everyone's mind off of us."

[Northen Light36]

Shadow smiles and kisses Lya's cheek. "That might be a good idea, although I'd hope you'd save one dance for me, when I return," he tells her. "Well I won't go dashing off this very second, so why don't you take me to see just how much our little girl has grown?"

[Kender Bard]

Lya nodded, taking Shadow to Luminous's nursery.

The princess was enjoying some of the gifts in her nursery. Currently she had a rabbit ear in her mouth while shoveling one pile of wooden blocks into another pile of wooden blocks with intense concentration. Spotting her parents, she smiled widely and paused. "Hi!"

[Northen Light36]

Shadow smiles and kneels beside his daughter. "Hello Lumi," he smiles. "Having fun?" Grinning, he tickles her lightly. "I've missed you, little one."