Departure [Closed]

[Elijah]

Dull thuds echoed through the air – the sound of wooden training swords as they clashed together. There was no true rhythym to the clamor, nor was there to the movements of the young would-be swordsmen. The two young teens stumbled back and forth with poor footing, the grass and dirt beneath them trampled and dug up from uneven footwork. Each swing was a touch too wide, and thus required too much wasted movement, yet neither had the reflexes required to take advantage of each other's mistakes.

From his porch, Elijah could not only see the mistakes they did make, but the mistakes they were going to make before they even came. His eyes calculated the movements as if it were second nature, and yet he simply watched them with a warm smile. They were children at play, not soldiers at war. He was not there to instruct them, but merely to enjoy the spectacle they had decided to put on for him.

“Roderik! For Elimine's sake would you watch your wrists?!” Elijah did not watch alone, though. The voice came from an older, greyer man than himself – Julius, the father of the boys. His deep bass carried far, but his grin was full of mirth. “And mind your heels. You keep blocking like that and you'll wind up on your arse!”

“R-right!” Roderik, the younger of the two brothers, called out to his father. Fatigue had drawn out his stutter, but he continued to hold his ground against his elder sibling all the same.

Elijah glanced to this left at Julius, his arms folded atop the wooden railing, and gave the older man a wry smile.

“I thought this was merely a play spar. Suppose you can take the man out of the guard, but you can't take the guard captain out of the man.”

“Ha! Spare me, Eli. I can only imagine what you think of this mess. You're the swordsman, not I.” Julius' reply was quick. He was up there in years, but he had been quick to speak and act for as long as Elijah had known him. “I just don't want them getting dinged up over fool mistakes like that.”

“Throughout all history, none have found a better teacher than pain.” Eli remarked casually. He believed in the saying, to an extent, but he knew full well that Julius knew his quote of it to be a jest, if not a touch cruel. As if on cue, though, the elder brother Titus pushed his wooden sword hard against the smaller Roderik's. The younger brother had rolled forward on the balls of his feet to block yet again, and with his heels off the ground he was knocked clean off balance. He landed with a thud, which drew a wince from Eli and and a face palm from Julius.

“So you say...” grumbled Julius. Elijah simply responded with a chuckle, which Julius soon joined him in. While Roderik took a moment to get back to his feet, Titus had raised his weapon to rest upon his shoulder - with some difficulty - before he beamed towards the older men.

“Well? How am I doing?”

Julius' mirth died down a touch, but he smiled as he replied. “Fine, boy, you're both doing fine.”

“You're putting on a grand show. Better than the arena.” Elijah added in with a smile of his own. Titus shook his head and took a step closer to them.

“No, really. How's my swordsmanship?”

Julius attempted to answer, but whatever words he fumbled for died on the tip of his tongue. Instead he turned to Elijah and made a gesture towards the sword strapped to his back. “Well, swordsman? What say you about my sons' swordsmanship?”

Elijah made sure to speak quietly as he turned to ask, “Do you want me to give the honest answer or the 'right' answer?”

“They're devils, the both of them, but they're quick. If you don't answer honest they'll know, and they'll make sure YOU know they know.”

“...Ah boy, where to start.” Elijah answered. He raised a fist to his mouth as he cleared his throat, and turned to the two young teens. He could be honest without tearing apart every single thing they did wrong, and if he drew it out too long they'd lose interest and heart. Elijah considered his words carefully, but as he opened his mouth to speak a figure in the distance had caught his eye.

Julius followed Eli's gaze, and his smile shrank a touch.

“...That the courier?”

Elijah cast his gaze to the sky, to the position of the sun, and gave a nod.

“Right on time, as always.”

[Elijah]

Elijah left his guests behind and walked down the dirt path to meet the courier. He knew the young man had a busy schedule, and a quota to meet. Even if a minute could be shaved off his time then he'd be thankful for it. Numerous couriers had horses or carriages, but this one here simply had the task of taking letters delivered to town directly to those they were addressed to. Not a job that needed to be done, but a surefire way for a young man to earn some extra coin for himself.

Of course, as Eli padded down the path, he knew that generosity wasn't the only reason he wanted to receive his mail in private. He didn't want Julius or his sons to be there as he received his mail. Especially not that day.

As the young courier came into view, Elijah greeted him with a smile and a wave. “One or two for me, John?” He asked.

“Ah, just one sir.” The young man answered. His breathing was a bit heavy from the jog, his light brown hair a mess, but he returned Eli's smile in kind before he set down the large sack he'd slung over his shoulder and rummaged through it.

“If you've time I'd be happy to offer you a drink. I've still plenty of fruits fresh from the market today, as well.”

“I appreciate the generosity, but maybe next time. I've still got quite a few letters to...ah hah! Here's yours!” John drew out one letter, rolled tight and tied with a black ribbon. There was a small pause on Eli's part, his gaze fixed on the letter. He studied it, from the parchment used to the ribbon that kept it sealed.

“...This is the only one?”

“It is.”

Elijah fought the urge to sigh, but his smile had weakened visibly. He accepted the letter from John and gave the young man an appreciative nod, before holding out a small pouch of coin.

“Thank you John.”

“My pleasure sir!” John beamed as he accepted the coin pouch. He lightly bounced it in his hand before he tied it to his belt. Sealing his letter sack, he slung it over his shoulder and gave Eli a smile and wave before he began his jog again, this time towards the direction of the town. Elijah waved after the lad, then held out his letter before him.

The emotions that swirled within him were complex, to say the least. Part of him was disappointed, while another part was furious at himself for feeling disappointed. Another part scolded him for having waited one extra day, having known full well what would happen. Finally, the emotion that came to dominate his consciousness...was acceptance.

He untied the black ribbon, let the letter unravel, and proceeded to read.

“Father,

If I'm honest there's little to say, but I know if I take too long to write you then you'll worry. I've embarked on three operations since I received your last letter. They went well, but Izumi suffered an arrow to the collarbone in the most recent one. I've told her that she's too lax, and that she pushes herself unnecessarily.

I've taken on some of her duties while she recovers, though I try to aid her in recovery as well-”

A wry grin made its way across Elijah's face. He knew the author of the letter well, it was his son after all, and thus could see that he tried to hide his true feelings behind formality. It had been sometime since he'd seen his son, or Izumi, but he's mentioned her more than anyone else across all of his letters to him. It would only be a matter of time, provided either party can overcome their own stubborness.

“Kei and Noctis' debates have grown more heated over time. I don't think the group has begun to move in an immoral direction, but our missions have greyed in recent months. I don't share Noctis' level of concern, but I do see a point. Kei says he acknowledges it, but he's always been a difficult man to read.

Let me know how Astraea fares. I hope she, and you, are well.

Regards, Artorius.”

There was a visible wince as Elijah read Astraea's name off the letter. More guilt and frustration crept up inside him, but he simply sighed. Pushed it aside.

“Let you know how she fares...easier said than done.”

Elijah rolled the letter and re-sealed it before he turned towards his house, where his guests quietly awaited his return.

[Elijah]

“So, what's the word?” Julius wore a look of concern as he questioned Elijah. The fair haired man gave a small smile towards his senior.

“My home will be in your care, Julius.” That was all the answer Julius needed. The older man gave a sigh and a nod in return, while Eli could feel the gazes of his young sons on his back. Elijah turned to face them and, sure enough, they'd walked closer to the porch steps, and they each possessed curiosity in their eyes.

“You're going to leave, then?” Roderik asked. Elijah maintained his smile and nodded at the boys.

“I am. Not sure when I'll be back, but I'm sure your father will take good care of my home in the meantime.” Realistically Julius just had to check up on it now and then, and if possible ward off potential thieves and the like. Elijah had already paid his friend the day before, as he fully anticipated that his departure would occur that day.

The boys wore some strained expressions. Difficult to read. Likely just that farewells were...awkward. Particularly for men, Eli had found. You didn't know whether to make a jest, to be sentimental, or what. Especially for younger men, like Roderick and Titus. Elijah had known them since they were small - back when he first met Julius. He could tell they were fond of him, they looked at him in a manner akin to how one may look at their favorite uncle. They look What little they did know of swordplay, and they knew next to nothing, had come from him. With that in mind it only made sense that Titus followed up his brother's question with:

“Well...before you go, then, could you answer my question?”

Elijah opened his mouth to respond, paused, and glanced at Julius. The older man shrugged at first, but then nodded. Elijah could give them the truth then.

“All of what I am about to say applies to the both of you. So listen well.” Elijah looked between the two boys as he spoke, to emphasize that they both heed his words. “You both lack consistency in your form. Stop locking your elbows and your knees. Keep them bent, just a little bit. Don't roll up on your feet to block a swing, either, or you'll lose your balance. Its okay to plant your feet if you keep your legs light, but make sure you don't do the opposite and dig your heels in either.”

“But...what about my swings?” Titus asked, his head cocked to the side like a confused puppy.

“Lad, when you can stand and move in combat properly, then we'll worry about actual swordsmanship.”

The boys didn't look...TOO defeated by Elijah's answers, but likely because they were a touch confused. It was probably difficult for them to visualize on their own. Normally Elijah would have little problem demonstrating what he meant, but...he'd put this off too long as it was. So instead he offered them an apologetic look.

“If I'm back before you both drill your own bad habits into yourselves, I'll be sure to show you what I mean, yeah?” Eli gave the two of them a cheeky grin as they pouted in response to his insult. His tone was light, so he knew they didn't take it to heart. Julius chuckled as well and gave Elijah a firm pat on the back.

“I'll miss you, Eli. I'm sure most of the village will.”

“Mhm...” Elijah had opted not to bid the townsfolk farewell. Some would surely notice his absence, and he was sure some of them would miss him. However, Elijah never did have a fondness for farewells, and he didn't want to lie to anyone about why he had to leave. Of course he could be honest, he preferred to, but...not in this case. Not because he wanted to keep it private, just...

Saying it aloud. That's what made him worry more than anything. It made it all feel too real.

“Wait for me a moment, would you Julius?” Elijah asked as he turned to his front door. “I just need to grab a couple things before I go.”

[Elijah]

Elijah stepped into his home and gently closed the door behind him. It was a modest home, had intended to be so from the day he and Aoife had built it. Large enough for a fair sized family to live in, but certainly no manor or estate. The house was built with but three floors: main, second, and a cellar. He knew where he had to go but...he took a small second to burn the sight in his mind.

An empty house, filled with little more than memories he'd hold on to for the rest of his days. It was a reminder of what needed to be done. Further motivation, as if he truly needed any.

The swordsman made his way up the stairs and onto the second floor. He turned down tha corridor and opened the door to one room, just a creak. A single bed lay within, along with a desk and a shelf. No small number of books were stacked upon the shelf and, though he couldn't see the titles from where he stood, he knew them to be categorized alphabetically.

He closed the door and moved on to the next one. A larger bed within, built for two. A desk on either side and a large shelf nailed into the wall. The shelf was where he went, for on the top column rested what appeared to be twin ribbons – both a deep red. Their material was too thick to truly be considered ribbons, yet they were cut so narrow all the same. Equal width, equal length.

Elijah clasped the hilt of his blade and drew it from its scabbard. He gently placed the blade's tip on the floor, and allowed it to rest against the wall. Eli then grabbed the first of the two ribbons, wrapped it around the handle of his sword twice, before he tied the ends to secure it. The second ribbon he tied around his forehead, like a headband.

After he sheathed his sword once again he took a final look around the room. He tried to burn every detail of the room into his mind, one last time, before he made his way out of the room and down the stairs. Near the front door rested a brown sack, stuffed with provisions and other necessities for travel. Eli hoisted the bag over his shoulder and exited the house. The door closed behind him one last time.

Julius and his sons stood at the foot of Eli's front steps, and the older man grunted up at him. “That was fast.”

“I packed a couple of days ago. Made certain I'd be ready at dawn this morning.”

“Taking a carriage?”

“Aye.”

“Well...the boys and I'll see you off then. Its on the way home, right lads?” Julius' sons nodded on cue, which drew a chuckle out of Eli. Julius grinned as well, and clasped his friend on shoulder. “Like I said, I'll take good care of the house.”

“I know...thanks, Julius.” Elijah gave a weak smile. It wasn't that Julius' words failed to instill confidence in him. He was just going to miss his home. Regardless of how necessary his journey was, there was no denying that fact.