03-27-2020, 02:33 PM
Continued from 'Homeward Bound'
The second he opened the door, blue light leaked into the hall beyond. The ever-present globes behind him were faint but not dim. Jai had no problem seeing, even as he released the Source from his grasp. Before leaving, he paused to study the closet turned portal. A moment ago the shining, white light of his gateway cast Nythadri in that other-worldly glow. He shook his head, amused by the memory of whisking her through another gate, and hadn't bother to wipe away the smirk by the time the door slid from his fingers. This was definitely not going to be the last time he would see Nythadri, but who knew how long it would be before next time came around. Best not to think about it.
Hidden room sealed away once more, Jai made his way down the corridor. It didn't take long to encounter opulence. This was the heart of the palace in Bandar Eban, after all. Just thinking of it, and he tugged his sleeves straight now and then. It did nothing for the wrinkles in his coat. And every time he swiped at the cloth a waft of damp wool hit him in the face. So he ran his hands through his hair, wishing Nythadri had had a mirror in her room, scratched at some random itch on the back of his scalp and carried on. He may look like hell, but at least he made it look good. Besides, it wasn’t the first time. If he strolled in too cleaned up, Yui would worry.
There were plenty of long looks to be passed on the way. Asha'man weren't exactly strangers in the heart of another Asha'man's kingdom; Jai especially. But an innocent looking grin met every single one. And lingered on one or two extra. It was probably the beard, Jai thought, scratching idly at the stubble on his throat. Most Domani kept a clean shave. It was too bloody hot not to. And after about five seconds back in Bandar Eban, yeah. He could see why. It had snowed in Tar Valon last night. Bloody snow. So he probably stood out. A beard and dashing good looks. Add the black and really, who could blame them?
Servants met him at the entrance to a set of quarters that were technically his to use. Though really, it was just another in a long set of rooms. Only this one happened to have his spare socks stowed away in it. Don't get it wrong. They were nice rooms. Not quite as gaudy as they could be, thankfully. But mostly because Jai hauled out all the obscene stuff long ago. It left the walls a little bare, but at least the bed remained. A man would be a fool to rid himself of a feather mattress..
Nor did he turn down a cold goblet of water and an eventual upgrade to milk tea and iced lemon mead. A barrel of king crab boiled in sweetgrass, firepod and honey came next. Then lamb with raisins and carrots soaked in wine. And the broths from both were mopped up with a wedge of oatbread like they'd never existed. Not even firepods could ruin something that delicious. Or maybe he was just that bloody hungry. In the last day he'd had cold tavern food and two bowls of Hana's stew. It was delicious, but she was cinchy with her helpings. Probably used to Araya's appetite, he didn't exactly seem the sort to destroy mounds of food. Otherwise, Jai couldn't recall eating anything during the blur of days before landing in Araya's home. Drinking though. That'd been done in plenty. And it still showed. Under his eyes. At least it went with the whole bruised face, split knuckle look he had going. Andreu’s antics left their mark on his face.
He was caught some hours later, straight blade in hand, and a towel snugged tight around his waist by no one less than their fair Yui. Complete with a slow foot tapping and arms pinched across her chest. Jai dried his face calmly and turned when he noticed her. Of course Daryen sent her. He leaned against the slab of marble behind him, hands perched against the edge, and didn't seem in a hurry to do anything about modesty. Yui had seen him in less; palaces and privacy weren't mutually exclusive as far as servants were concerned. Less so when the King was involved. Less, less so when the head mistress of the palace was the one doing the roaming.
"Dearest Yui," he grinned, tone familiar and playful, "What will the servants think?" He glanced down at himself, skin clear as daylight below the beltline, almost low enough to make out the origin of that eviscerating scar. He grinned like he always knew the elder woman had a thing for him. Who didn’t?
Despite his best attempt to thwart her mood, Yui was frowning. Which was never a good sign. Her brows narrowed in concern and Jai found himself blinking when she tenderly touched his face. Kind of worrisome, actually. Nothing phased Yui. The woman was a stormwall. Then again. It wasn't exactly a mystery what concerned her so. Even if she was all worked up about nothing. Jai cleared his throat uncomfortably.
Yui left soon after without saying much more than a few grumblings under her breath. Apparently, whatever she wanted was satisfied. Though why she came at all was a complete mystery. Who walks in on a guy in a bath towel, touch his face and walk out without even a hello? Granted that was a bad way to think of it. Still. Jai was glad to find the remainder of these spare quarters free of servants when he emerged freshly shaven and, you know, smelling better.
Something caught his eye. The table had been cleared and placed upon it was a slender wood box. Gold leaf and mother of pearl was set into the sides, and heavy brackets kept the box sealed tightly. Everything else forgotten, Jai broke the seal on the accompanying letter and blinked at the surprising words penned within. Make your own heirloom, the note read. There didn't need to be a signature. He knew who the author was.
Jai quickly snapped the brackets apart and discovered a sword nestled within. The blade was bound with loose cloth with which still clung with the scent of mintwax. He stood over it for some minutes, eyes running up and down the length of the weapon, surprise and wonder steeping from every pore, before he brought himself to remove the bindings. The carbon steel blade was curved slightly and edged on both sides. It had a simple round guard and tightly woven grip. The steel shone immaculately. This was a newly forged sword, without a single scratch marring its mirror-like surface. Two scabbards were alongside. The first, a plain wood for storage. The second, a working leather scabbard, gleaming dark with recent oiling.
Before he knew it the sword was in hand. It was light as a feather. More so than even Asad’s sword had been. Or maybe Asad's sword was heavy for other reasons. The hilt wrappings fit snug beneath his fingers. And the balance was beautiful. A man could slice a bolt of billowing silk with this blade. He knew a guy with bolts of silk; even Araya would respect this sword. It must have cost a fortune, but above all, his eyes were drawn to the strong part of the blade closest to the hilt. A sly grin touched his lips and he took saidin. It probably took a finer hand than his to properly etch steel, but he wasn't exactly going for artistry. A glowing line, a hair's breadth in size, burst to life an orange fire, biting into the steel as Jai scrawled two small letters to the blade with the One Power. JK, they read, and Jai smiled. Now that's one hell of an heirloom.
He soon retreated behind closed doors and shoved all the furniture to the edges of the room. Abandoning the towel, sword in hand, he took up the starting position in not but skin. It was bloody time to give this baby a go. He hadn’t completed those bloody forms in days.
The second he opened the door, blue light leaked into the hall beyond. The ever-present globes behind him were faint but not dim. Jai had no problem seeing, even as he released the Source from his grasp. Before leaving, he paused to study the closet turned portal. A moment ago the shining, white light of his gateway cast Nythadri in that other-worldly glow. He shook his head, amused by the memory of whisking her through another gate, and hadn't bother to wipe away the smirk by the time the door slid from his fingers. This was definitely not going to be the last time he would see Nythadri, but who knew how long it would be before next time came around. Best not to think about it.
Hidden room sealed away once more, Jai made his way down the corridor. It didn't take long to encounter opulence. This was the heart of the palace in Bandar Eban, after all. Just thinking of it, and he tugged his sleeves straight now and then. It did nothing for the wrinkles in his coat. And every time he swiped at the cloth a waft of damp wool hit him in the face. So he ran his hands through his hair, wishing Nythadri had had a mirror in her room, scratched at some random itch on the back of his scalp and carried on. He may look like hell, but at least he made it look good. Besides, it wasn’t the first time. If he strolled in too cleaned up, Yui would worry.
There were plenty of long looks to be passed on the way. Asha'man weren't exactly strangers in the heart of another Asha'man's kingdom; Jai especially. But an innocent looking grin met every single one. And lingered on one or two extra. It was probably the beard, Jai thought, scratching idly at the stubble on his throat. Most Domani kept a clean shave. It was too bloody hot not to. And after about five seconds back in Bandar Eban, yeah. He could see why. It had snowed in Tar Valon last night. Bloody snow. So he probably stood out. A beard and dashing good looks. Add the black and really, who could blame them?
Servants met him at the entrance to a set of quarters that were technically his to use. Though really, it was just another in a long set of rooms. Only this one happened to have his spare socks stowed away in it. Don't get it wrong. They were nice rooms. Not quite as gaudy as they could be, thankfully. But mostly because Jai hauled out all the obscene stuff long ago. It left the walls a little bare, but at least the bed remained. A man would be a fool to rid himself of a feather mattress..
Nor did he turn down a cold goblet of water and an eventual upgrade to milk tea and iced lemon mead. A barrel of king crab boiled in sweetgrass, firepod and honey came next. Then lamb with raisins and carrots soaked in wine. And the broths from both were mopped up with a wedge of oatbread like they'd never existed. Not even firepods could ruin something that delicious. Or maybe he was just that bloody hungry. In the last day he'd had cold tavern food and two bowls of Hana's stew. It was delicious, but she was cinchy with her helpings. Probably used to Araya's appetite, he didn't exactly seem the sort to destroy mounds of food. Otherwise, Jai couldn't recall eating anything during the blur of days before landing in Araya's home. Drinking though. That'd been done in plenty. And it still showed. Under his eyes. At least it went with the whole bruised face, split knuckle look he had going. Andreu’s antics left their mark on his face.
He was caught some hours later, straight blade in hand, and a towel snugged tight around his waist by no one less than their fair Yui. Complete with a slow foot tapping and arms pinched across her chest. Jai dried his face calmly and turned when he noticed her. Of course Daryen sent her. He leaned against the slab of marble behind him, hands perched against the edge, and didn't seem in a hurry to do anything about modesty. Yui had seen him in less; palaces and privacy weren't mutually exclusive as far as servants were concerned. Less so when the King was involved. Less, less so when the head mistress of the palace was the one doing the roaming.
"Dearest Yui," he grinned, tone familiar and playful, "What will the servants think?" He glanced down at himself, skin clear as daylight below the beltline, almost low enough to make out the origin of that eviscerating scar. He grinned like he always knew the elder woman had a thing for him. Who didn’t?
Despite his best attempt to thwart her mood, Yui was frowning. Which was never a good sign. Her brows narrowed in concern and Jai found himself blinking when she tenderly touched his face. Kind of worrisome, actually. Nothing phased Yui. The woman was a stormwall. Then again. It wasn't exactly a mystery what concerned her so. Even if she was all worked up about nothing. Jai cleared his throat uncomfortably.
Yui left soon after without saying much more than a few grumblings under her breath. Apparently, whatever she wanted was satisfied. Though why she came at all was a complete mystery. Who walks in on a guy in a bath towel, touch his face and walk out without even a hello? Granted that was a bad way to think of it. Still. Jai was glad to find the remainder of these spare quarters free of servants when he emerged freshly shaven and, you know, smelling better.
Something caught his eye. The table had been cleared and placed upon it was a slender wood box. Gold leaf and mother of pearl was set into the sides, and heavy brackets kept the box sealed tightly. Everything else forgotten, Jai broke the seal on the accompanying letter and blinked at the surprising words penned within. Make your own heirloom, the note read. There didn't need to be a signature. He knew who the author was.
Jai quickly snapped the brackets apart and discovered a sword nestled within. The blade was bound with loose cloth with which still clung with the scent of mintwax. He stood over it for some minutes, eyes running up and down the length of the weapon, surprise and wonder steeping from every pore, before he brought himself to remove the bindings. The carbon steel blade was curved slightly and edged on both sides. It had a simple round guard and tightly woven grip. The steel shone immaculately. This was a newly forged sword, without a single scratch marring its mirror-like surface. Two scabbards were alongside. The first, a plain wood for storage. The second, a working leather scabbard, gleaming dark with recent oiling.
Before he knew it the sword was in hand. It was light as a feather. More so than even Asad’s sword had been. Or maybe Asad's sword was heavy for other reasons. The hilt wrappings fit snug beneath his fingers. And the balance was beautiful. A man could slice a bolt of billowing silk with this blade. He knew a guy with bolts of silk; even Araya would respect this sword. It must have cost a fortune, but above all, his eyes were drawn to the strong part of the blade closest to the hilt. A sly grin touched his lips and he took saidin. It probably took a finer hand than his to properly etch steel, but he wasn't exactly going for artistry. A glowing line, a hair's breadth in size, burst to life an orange fire, biting into the steel as Jai scrawled two small letters to the blade with the One Power. JK, they read, and Jai smiled. Now that's one hell of an heirloom.
He soon retreated behind closed doors and shoved all the furniture to the edges of the room. Abandoning the towel, sword in hand, he took up the starting position in not but skin. It was bloody time to give this baby a go. He hadn’t completed those bloody forms in days.
Only darkness shows you the light.