Family Secrets|Grandisle | Firegem

[Devon]

Stefan stood up with a smile and actually gave the servant a quick hug. "Yes, yes it is me," he replied to her. Since the last time she had seen him, he had grown taller and had a more rugged look about him, and his hair was longer now as well.

Gilbert smiled brightly and said to the servant, "He just appeared out of the blue like a Force miracle. Could you please bring him something to drink?" he asked

[Kender Bard]

"Of course," the servant said, bowing compliantly, but smiling. "At once." She turned and hastened away, eager to bring Stefan's favorite drink up.

[Devon]

"Where have you been all this time Stefan?" Gilbert asked still a bright smile on his face. This was as high as his mood had been since all of this started with Morilanta. "The last news I heard from Second Hope wasn't good, I was worried," he told his younger brother.

"Ah, well things got a bit dicey there and most of us had to go into hiding," Stefan answered as he waited on his drink. "I just waited until I could sneak a small boat off the island and make it here."

[Kender Bard]

The servant returned, two drinks on a tray. She offered one to Stefan first, having come in on the tail end of the conversation. "My lord will notice that things aren't altogether that wonderful here. Did you have difficulty getting past the pirates and Morilantans to dock?"

Both factions prowled the waters and watched the docks. Carefully, but not so much as they had when the trouble had started. Most concern was reserved for a sudden attack from Celentia. Not so much for anyone wishing to run away or for a solitary ship coming to port.

[Devon]

Stefan thanked the servant for the drink and sipped it to give a moment to formulate his answer. "Well..it wasn't easy. I had to hide in a coffin," he answered.

"Forces I'm just glad to have you back," Gilbert said. "There is a lot to fill you in on and mother will want to see you as well," he told his younger brother.

"Mother survived all this?" Seth asked looking relieved

Gilbert stood up, placing his drink back on the tray. To the servant he said, "You're dismissed you can go back and get some rest. Stefan and I will continue catching up tomorrow for breakfast with Lady Creighton," he told her. Looking over to Stefan he said, " I know you must be tired, your old room hasn't been changed."

Stefan nodded and stood as well. "Bed does sound good right now," he admitted.

[Kender Bard]

The next morning, Elizabeth made her appearance bright and early. As soon as she saw her son, she gave a small cry and rushed to embrace Stefan. "Oh my sweet child," she murmured tearfully. "I was so afraid... I thought I'd lost you too."

[Devon]

Stefan eagerly hugged his mother, despite everything he'd learned since he had been away he still missed her. "It's good to see you again mother, I'm sorry I worried you," he told her.

Gilbert sat back while they embraced, leaning against a nearby dresser. He was glad to have some form of normalcy back in his household.

[Kender Bard]

Elizabeth cupped Stefan's cheeks and looked at him carefully. "You weren't hurt at all were you?" she asked anxiously. "From the invasion or the trip over? I'm shocked those brutes at the harbor didn't kill you on sight! Shocked but grateful. Praise Soahc."

[Devon]

Stefan chuckled, taking a light hold of his mother's hands. "No mother I managed to make it out just fine without being hurt," he told her.

[Kender Bard]

"Oh Stefan," she sighed. "Look at it; our beautiful home. Glorious Grandisle... Now firmly in the grip of that..." She pressed her lips firmly together. "Pirate. And his wretched overseas allies."

[Devon]

"At least we're all together again mother," Stefan answered, wanting to shy away from the topic of Gintaras and his allies.

"Stefan is right," Gilbert agreed. "I don't know how he made it home, but thank the Forces he did."

[Kender Bard]

"And here you'll stay," Elizabeth urged. "You can help us put the family back to its old status. Things can't stay changed forever; eventually they'll go back to the way they were. Why, we even had our first ball last night under the Morilantans."

[Devon]

"I caught the end of it," Stefan admitted. "I was kind of afraid to come out so I stayed hidden. Gilbert did well hosting it," he said with a smile to his brother.

"Thank you," Gilbert replied. "It was nerve-wracking I had to make sure the new regent was pleased."

[Kender Bard]

"You did beautifully," Elizabeth assured Gilbert gently. "Stefan, once you've settled in back home, I believe I'll ask you to attend me as I make some rounds to the other nobles. There are other things we really must see about getting reestablished, not to mention the which would be court. If our regent wishes not to hold court, then we need something to fill the void."

[Devon]

"all right mother," Stefan said with a small smile. "It'd be my pleasure to go with you..and maybe we could see about getting Gilbert a wife while we're at it," he said sneering at his older brother.

"Please don't joke around like that," Gilbert replied with a frown.