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It was so cold.
Dreary winds busted across the little home, invading the shack with freezing temperatures that nipped at one’s bones.
The girl of said residence could not battle such a feat alone; so she lay bundled up in many cottons and wools that cascaded her form just in front of the fire pit.
With her teeth clanking together, she drew in a particular large blanket that seemed to swallow her whole being.
She was trying— attempting, to stay away for her husbands arrival.
“He— he will be here soon,” giving herself words of comfort, little fingers smoothed over the skin of her arm.
Back and forth they went, seeking any form of warmth they could gather.
But, she was getting tired. It had been hours since his departure.
So, with a defeated huff, her lashes fluttered.
Eyes now shut, her form slumped against the wooden boards.
Maybe she could greet her doting husband upon the fields of dreams
-
Everything went wrong.
His mother… his own mother…
A cry, weak and low left Messmers lips as he shuddered in pain—agony.
Instead of telling the citizens, the people what had been done of the shadow lands of between, his mother lied.
She blamed the knight of flames for his part in the destruction. Blamed him for the plans, the deaths, the innocent lives gone—
“O, Mother!” Just outside the home, Messmer sat. His head tilted towards the ground in shame as his long nails twisted and pulled at his cheeks.
Blood seeped down almost instantly, yet he couldn’t find the energy to care.
Tears streamed down his face in waves, meeting the bloody patches along the way.
His nails tore and scratched at any skin that came in contact, only making his wounds worse.
“Does thou… not perceive mine own consciousness?” A yellowed Iris glanced forth upon the house.
His home.
Only now realizing he made it back, a shudder ran through him.
“Wife,” he whimpered. “Please… forgive me.”
Only the sound of wind greeted his ears, as his now bloody and weakened form pushed against the stone. Slowly making his way to the wooden door merely a foot away.
The flowers lay dormant, the fields around him lay bare and dead. Much like the lands he left behind his wake.
With bodies, upon bodies—
“Augh! No more!” With a slam, the door receded against his strength, banging out against the wall behind.
The ball of blankets jumped up in surprise, a head peeked out from the warm egg shaped cocoon the girl placed herself in.
Messmers eyes softened upon such a sight, he couldn’t help but let out a little smile seeing the girls attempt to warm herself.
“little wife,” he called. Already on his way to the girl sitting about the floor.
“husband!” she cried, reaching out her hands to signal for the man’s embrace.
He gladly accepted, sweeping her into his arms and cradling her head soothingly.
“I’ve missed you,” little sweet kisses dotted across his neck, to his jaw and up the face.
“What— what happened?” Her lips met with a red and open wound, to which the flame winced at.
He had forgotten about such a display.
“It’s nothing, dear wife,” big palms rubbed along her sides. “an accident, nothing more.”
Fear began to corrode his mind, it crumbled and tore at the seams of sanity.
People will come for him.
For his betrayal, his slaughter.
His wife— gods what has he done?
A hand pulled him back, it was soft and careful as it cradled the man’s left cheek.
“It’s okay,”
She didn’t know what was wrong, only that something was amiss.
For the man was troubled, that much was clear.
“I… listen closely, my heart.” Setting her upon the ground he looked down at her form, so much smaller than his own.
His back had to bend uncomfortably to meet her gaze but he ignored such pain.
Big palms surrounded her face, angling her eyes to meet with his.
“We need to go, does thou need anything before our leave?”
“Leave?” She shrieked. “This is our home… why would we leave so—“
“Please, please wife understand me so. I cannot dote on such a matter yet but please.” A desperate yellowed eye looked upon both of hers
“I will protect thee. With mine own blade, with mine own body. But we need to leave, most ardently”
Confused and somewhat scared, the girl could do nothing but nod her head. Even when he placed a mirage of kisses upon her, she did nothing but look upon the man.
Almost as if to study him— understand him.
Soon, she was lightly pushed into the direction of their room.
“Grab what thy can carry and need.” Messmer had said.
So she did.
She grabbed her favorite blanket, the one that had been with her since birth.
She grabbed her jewelry box that lay full of gifts from the knight.
And finally, she grabbed the last vials of homemade oils. Lavender scented, which always seemed to calm her husband down whenever it graced her soft skin.
Seeing his wife’s hands full, Messmer acted. Gently picking her up, the objects shifted about as a bridal style posture was given upon her.
Head now bumping with his armor with every movement, she decided to speak.
“Are you alright, husband?”
This was an opening.
A pristine opportunity to tell her of his forthcomings.
Of his tidings with his mother.
Of the burning lands.
Even of the soon to be castle that will be there home for god knows how long.
Messmer only looked down, peacefully admiring his wife so.
“Everything will be fine, my wife. Thou can sleep while the travel begins.”
He was a coward. Biting down upon his cheeks blood ran across his tongue, to the back of his throat.
Past all the lies and short comings, two thing stay true; he adored his wife
and he would do anything to protect her.