a welcome guest [Avamande]
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2022 11:17 pm
41 Frost 122
He felt the air whoosh out of his lungs as Pyrra jumped into his arms. The Dwarven woman squeezed him with more strength that he would have thought possible. Still, he kept his arms wrapped tightly around her as she sobbed into his chest. The feeling of Sylas gripping his shoulder gently along with the circle of his fellow craftsmen in the workshop was yet another emotional dam that was ready to break. He managed to keep himself composed long enough to not sob himself there in the center of his shop, his Skyforge. When Pyrra finally managed to pull herself together, he set her gently on her feet. She was quickly replaced by Velkan who squeezed him tightly. His runesmithing apprentice hugged him making Talon emit a soft grunt before he was finally allowed to breathe again.
“Alright. Don’t linger. I’m sure that Talon wants to…to get situated.” Velkan pulled back and it was with no small amount of surprise that Talon watched as the rest of the craftsmen of his shop obliged the command. He felt a smile tug at his lips.
“You have grown.” It was not a question. Velkan took in a deep breath. He nodded and it was in that moment that Talon saw a level of certainty in the young man that had not been there before. Velkan had changed to some degree. He carried himself with more authority, more confidence, and comfort in the environment than before. He was glad for that. The two of them shared a quiet moment of understanding before Talon brought his hands to rest at the small of his back. He set about walking around his shop, examining the various display cases, the artifacts that had been forged in his absence, and even some faces that he did not immediately recognize. The people gave him a wide berth, clearly understanding that he needed some time to himself in order to reacquaint himself with the shop.
Some had expected him to seclude himself in the palace for a little bit. He could not sit still however. He had done that for weeks following his liberation from his shackles in Cathena City. He was ready to busy himself again. With what, exactly? He did not quite know but he was certain that the answer would come to him once he sorted through his thoughts. There in the relative safety of Kalzasi, he could face his thoughts more confidently.
He was seated at his desk, browsing through the registry of artifacts, the ledgers, and even some of his own personal notes, when there was a knock on his office door. He looked up as Velkan entered.
“Someone to see you, my prince.” Velkan bowed slightly at the waist before stepping aside to make way for his visitor. Talon rose from his desk in order to greet them. He was dressed rather simply, as he always was while in the Skyforge. A white linen shirt that was tucked into worn black leather pants and knee high boots. The clothing was a bit tighter than when he had last worn them but that was primarily because his ordeals in the empire and the trials abroad had caused him to put on a bit more muscle upon his figure. His face, while still possessed of the characteristic Siltori elven features, was more stern. A product of his trauma, he had lost some of the inherent kindness that had once shone so readily in his expression. There was a shadow that had not been there before. His silver eyes were somewhat colder. The aura of authority he projected was less inviting.
Most noticeably, his once raven black hair was now a stark silver-white.
“Welcome.”