d'Artagnan

the

NightShade

He stood there for a while, not really present, but lost in his own mind as grief dragged him by the nose into the dark depths of inconsolable sorrow. His mismatched eyes had glazed over and his body was stiff with only the breeze picking up wisps of his tangled black mane. To d’Artagnan the world was silent and he found himself in memory; the white of Kou, the birth of his first daughter and the pride he had felt. He couldn’t believe what was happening now and his lids fell over his eyes as he squeezed them shut, refusing to stare at the truth and the blood. The General could barely feel the presence of his son and his friend, even as Mauja trailed his nose across his shoulder the red stood completely still, he didn’t want to look at the sadness in his friend’s eyes. He couldn’t bear to see Mesec who had just lost a sister and had to suffer having a useless father.

The sound of Aramis’ painful howl faded into the night and the hellion looked to his bonded companion with a deep, unfathomable gaze. "Enough d’Artagnan, let her rest peacefully" he boomed into the red’s mind as a firmness entered his gaze. There would be time to grieve, but staying here and looking at her dead body wasn’t going to help his already broken friend.

A frown finally crosses over the face of the Nightshade and he looks to the hellion with sternness, but he said nothing out loud. Instead he spoke to Aramis directly, his voice cracking through their bond "what do I do now?" he asked. For the first time, d’Artagnan had no idea what to do or where to go. How could he go back to the mountains without his daughter? How was he still meant to fulfil his role and duty to the Aurora Basin if he couldn’t even think straight? Even in grief the red knew his worth and right now he was worthless. Roux? Raeru? They still lingered in winter's realm, but the shade had already proven that his presence didn’t protect them.

Aramis didn’t answer the question, he didn’t know the answer, and it was even worse being in the midst of his friend’s overwhelming grief. Time ticked by, life went on and d’Artagnan finally began to move.

He began by reaching for the buckle on his bag, fumbling with the straps whilst he stared at the spots on Mauja’s body, feeling the sudden urge to be free. Click, the leather straps came loose of the buckle and the bag slid from his shoulders, landing with a thump on the floor. d’Artagnan looked at it, his Moon Amulet protruded out of one pocket and he snorted bitterly. Fat lot of help she was… what kind of God let her sons sister die? One with no conscience or capability or sense of duty; much like himself in the end. They had suited each other. Her son, however, was far more capable.

The General left his bag by the feet of Mauja, finally dragging his broken gaze up from the black dots in attempt to try and find the brilliant blue eyes of his old friend. "Am I pitiful now?" he asked aloud what he was thinking in his mind as he shook his head and cast his eyes sorrowfully over Aviya’s body "I think I will not return to the mountains" he said finally. After that, the Nightshade moved slowly towards his grieving son and, once he stood before him, d'Artagnan smiled and reached his nose out to try touch the boys. The first time he had attempted to comfort his own son and it, at the same time, his last goodbye. 

Finally, he began to walk away from the scene, from Aviya and from everything.

Together, the unicorn and his hound set off on a journey they would never return from. They walked until the familiar disappeared from under their feet and the unknown lay bare before them. Another tale and perhaps his last, but for now, the adventure in Helovia was over.

The End.

---

** d’Artagnan gives his leather bag and amulet to Mauja.

:: [ Item: Leather Bag | A bag that is of medium size. ]
:: [ Restrictions | Cannot be destroyed or used in battle. ]
(Bag contains his amulet) **

sorry this is sooo bad :(

Poison is in everything, and no thing is without poison. The dosage makes it either a poison or a remedy.