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“But your destiny was never to remain here, was it? Though a part of me wishes you would…–Ah, forgive me. I find myself growing more sentimental in my old age…and in working on my memoirs, I have had to reflect on the darker chapters of my life.” Edmont’s features softened, and Dorien felt that shell, that shell that he had worked so hard to build up, crack. He could feel his soul stone pulsing, the beings within sensing that loss, that emptiness, the man who was broken in half wishing to be made whole.
Dorien, the knight, the scholar, the mage of red and black magics, took a seat on the guardrail of the fountain and looked up. “Did you know I wanted to be an Astrologian in my youth?”
Edmont blinked at that, “I was not aware, no. You were from the Brume though, correct?”
He nodded, smiling sardonically, “The children underground taught more than anything to fear the sky as we feared the Fury. I have always been stubborn, but that, I know you knew, having seen my record.” A light chuckle as he looked up to the evening stars, “I saw the sky as a challenge. I saw the fear as an obstacle to overcome. I saw the barriers that existed by virtue of my class, and instead of working to push myself past them, I went around. I stole, I lied, I trespassed when needed. But to see the stars? To read them and see things unknown to others? It was incredibly worth it.”
Dorien pulled his gaze from the sky and side-eyed the man who was like a father to him. Staring back was Edmont who looked on in amazement at the boy before him, the boy that was almost his son-by-law, but still basically a son regardless. “You would have made a fine Astrologian. I am sorry that you were barred from that life before.”
“I do not regret what was done. Not necessarily. I do not think I should have had to work that much harder to prove myself when Jannequinard de Durrendaire could just walk through the doors by simply leveraging his name.” Dorien snickered then, thinking of the man who claimed to be his mentor. “I also think it was for the best, for looking at the stars…I think you are right…I was never meant to stay here.”
A warm stream ran down his cheek, temperature dropping as it descended. His father had moved to him, placing a hand on his upper arm. “Dorien…”
The knight looked over at Edmont, “...Father…” The word felt so foreign on his tongue. A word he had never had to use, nor did he think he would ever. This was right though. This was proper. “I thank you for everything. The home you gave me when I had none, the time I had with Haurchefant, your wisdom and guidance when I felt lost. I feel…less lost now. Haurchefant had lived his life to the fullest…so knowing you work to preserve that in your memoirs. Knowing that memory will live on… You should be glad of it, for I know I am.”
He slid off the guard rail and grinned at the older man, opening his hands before him in silent question. Edmont smiled back, leaning his cane against the fountain and holding Dorien. “You will always have a home here, son. Should you ever feel lost, should the stars not be able to guide you. You are family.”