The white stone that arched over the entrance looked weather-worn, scoured by the coastal winds of the Rhotano, bleached by the naked sun; each small crevice was filled with grains of salt and sand, and its white hue had faded slightly over the years. But the flowers within the pots on each side of the portal leading into the front lawn bloomed brightly still, as did the stalks of lavender and sunflowers that gently swayed in the garden.
“We took the liberty to send a caretaker to maintain the front yard,†Reese Templeton had informed her. “I thought it would look more welcoming. Why don’t you visit and see for yourself? It is your property after all.â€
Roen looked up to the tall residence that had greeted her years ago much as it did today. This was once Nero’s home, seated upon the highest plot in the Mist, overlooking the beach below. The heat from the sands gave way to a cooler breeze at this elevation, and the echoing calls of the seagulls and the crashing waves were just a distant whisper. Soft lavender petals caressed her palm as she slowly made her way to the door, her hand lightly brushing over the flowers.
The estate had been bequeathed onto her, as well as what remained within. Furniture and other belongings had been boxed and arranged to be shipped for Othard, but when the recipient never arrived at the destination, it was all sent back. And while the Office of Ganathain & Templeton Gridanian Arbitration Enterprises had been considerate enough to peripherally maintain the property that once belonged to Sebastian Redgrave, apparently they felt it was finally time that the new owner took over.
Roen glanced at the large cannon that still stood next to the arched gateway, aimed at the horizon. While never intended to be used, its very presence was something that boldly showcased Nero’s arrogance and fearlessness, perhaps even hinting at his life of piracy. She could never deny that he lacked any flare.
The outside was just as she had remembered it. Has it been almost three years already…? The house always seemed somewhat lonely upon its high perch, although as it looked out onto the seemingly endless ocean, there was a sense of longing with threads of hope woven in.
When she entered the home, there was a thin cloud of dust that veiled everything, and the stale air within felt heavy and unmoving. The large furnitures had been unpacked and placed roughly where they had been before, and a few unopened boxes were left scattered throughout the house. It was as Reese had told her: what were sent back were left within the estate, most boxes left unopened.
The last time Roen had set foot in this place was in search of Nero, after he had left it abandoned. Then, it was only filled with ghosts of regret and unfulfilled dreams. Now, she could imagine from the corner of her eyes, the image of him seated at his desk in his study, busily attending to a stack of contracts and documents. She recalled the many conversations they had as she sat across from him, and a few times, they were even light hearted.
He had even entertained a guest once in this solitary house; Roen recalled a visit from Kiht. The image of the quiet talk that she and the Keeper shared in front of the fireplace rose easily in her mind, and it brought forth a wistful sigh. She had told her friend how important Nero and his mission were to her, even confessing much of her feelings. This place still held many memories of the man that once lived, and all the small moments that also filled her life while she was in his. Roen exhaled, finding small measure of comfort that she no longer felt crippled by such reminiscence.
"And you? Will you...return?" Kasrjin’s last question to her suddenly echoed in her mind.
Well, I guess this would be the first step. Roen inhaled deeply. She set her sword aside and rolled up her sleeves. The first task would be to clean the house, then set to opening the boxes and organizing all the contents within. She was not sure what she would do once all things were cleaned, if she would even make this place her own. But she would figure that out later.
First, she needed to open all the windows and let the fresh air in.
“We took the liberty to send a caretaker to maintain the front yard,†Reese Templeton had informed her. “I thought it would look more welcoming. Why don’t you visit and see for yourself? It is your property after all.â€
Roen looked up to the tall residence that had greeted her years ago much as it did today. This was once Nero’s home, seated upon the highest plot in the Mist, overlooking the beach below. The heat from the sands gave way to a cooler breeze at this elevation, and the echoing calls of the seagulls and the crashing waves were just a distant whisper. Soft lavender petals caressed her palm as she slowly made her way to the door, her hand lightly brushing over the flowers.
The estate had been bequeathed onto her, as well as what remained within. Furniture and other belongings had been boxed and arranged to be shipped for Othard, but when the recipient never arrived at the destination, it was all sent back. And while the Office of Ganathain & Templeton Gridanian Arbitration Enterprises had been considerate enough to peripherally maintain the property that once belonged to Sebastian Redgrave, apparently they felt it was finally time that the new owner took over.
Roen glanced at the large cannon that still stood next to the arched gateway, aimed at the horizon. While never intended to be used, its very presence was something that boldly showcased Nero’s arrogance and fearlessness, perhaps even hinting at his life of piracy. She could never deny that he lacked any flare.
The outside was just as she had remembered it. Has it been almost three years already…? The house always seemed somewhat lonely upon its high perch, although as it looked out onto the seemingly endless ocean, there was a sense of longing with threads of hope woven in.
When she entered the home, there was a thin cloud of dust that veiled everything, and the stale air within felt heavy and unmoving. The large furnitures had been unpacked and placed roughly where they had been before, and a few unopened boxes were left scattered throughout the house. It was as Reese had told her: what were sent back were left within the estate, most boxes left unopened.
The last time Roen had set foot in this place was in search of Nero, after he had left it abandoned. Then, it was only filled with ghosts of regret and unfulfilled dreams. Now, she could imagine from the corner of her eyes, the image of him seated at his desk in his study, busily attending to a stack of contracts and documents. She recalled the many conversations they had as she sat across from him, and a few times, they were even light hearted.
He had even entertained a guest once in this solitary house; Roen recalled a visit from Kiht. The image of the quiet talk that she and the Keeper shared in front of the fireplace rose easily in her mind, and it brought forth a wistful sigh. She had told her friend how important Nero and his mission were to her, even confessing much of her feelings. This place still held many memories of the man that once lived, and all the small moments that also filled her life while she was in his. Roen exhaled, finding small measure of comfort that she no longer felt crippled by such reminiscence.
"And you? Will you...return?" Kasrjin’s last question to her suddenly echoed in her mind.
Well, I guess this would be the first step. Roen inhaled deeply. She set her sword aside and rolled up her sleeves. The first task would be to clean the house, then set to opening the boxes and organizing all the contents within. She was not sure what she would do once all things were cleaned, if she would even make this place her own. But she would figure that out later.
First, she needed to open all the windows and let the fresh air in.
