Niviene stepped out of the solicitor’s office, her head reeling at how quickly it had all been done. They had only discussed a few weeks ago. The decision hadn’t come easily, there were more than a few sleepless nights as she went over the different scenarios and possible repercussions in her mind but in the end they had both agreed that this is what they wanted. This was what was best for the family.
Her steps took her mechanically to the gryffin master and the man, recognizing her, had sent her on her way, his brow creased with worry. It had been ages since the priestess was too distracted to spend a moment or two in small talk, inquiring about his children. Whatever it was it certainly had her head somewhere else.
When the beast touched down in Duskwood Niviene slid from the saddle, her steps taking her automatically to the house. She stood on the path that led to the front gate, her sky blue eyes scanning the structure as if to memorize every last detail, as if she would never see it again.
It broke her heart to do this, to finally admit it was over, that things were never going back to the way they had been. But too much had changed, the world was a different place now. There was no going back.
The house had stood empty for two years now. Had it really been two years? It seemed like just yesterday that Rhionydd had been here. She could still see her friend striding across the yard, a bucket of feed in her hand as she went about feeding the sheep and chickens. She could hear the woman explaining to Korissa how important it was to make noise before reaching into a hen’s nest to gather eggs, lest there be a snake inside. She remembered laughing almost hysterically when the druid had been teaching Banny how to milk a cow and the boy’s fingers had slipped, sending a jet of milk into his face.
She remembered the afternoons spent in the kitchen, tea and cakes with Rhio and Veni, each of them discussing their day, venting about the things that rankled, knowing with complete confidence that their words would never leave those four walls. Nivien sighed, she would forever miss her friend. Even the town missed Rhio for there were no more reports of a naked woman running wild through the forest.
So much had changed in two years, Rhio and Timothy were both gone. Rhio disappeared and Timothy, well, he had gone where the cathedral sent him. Veni and Riley had twins. Niviene looked up at a second story window, the room where the blacksmith had brought his son and daughter into the world.
That was the day that everything changed. Rhio had gone out for a breath of fresh air while Venibeth’s contractions were still far enough apart that it wouldn’t matter. And she had never come back.
There had been signs of a struggle and they had searched for her for months until one day a letter came. Rhio said she’d been reunited with her daughter and though she was sorry to have caused her friends such distress she was happy where she was and she wasn't coming back. Enclosed in the letter had been the deed to the house, signed over to Niviene, along with a note to do what she thought best.
She walked through the yard to the path that lead to the house she shared with Braghaman, the house that he had been his and Anaja’s, his first wife. Granted there was little now that resembled the cottage it had once been, Bragh had had a second floor built to make room for their growing family but still, sometimes Niviene felt as if Ana’s ghost was watching her, none too pleased that the woman she thought was a stick in the mud had taken over her kitchen, as well as Braghaman’s bed.
As she pushed the back gate open Temperance stuck its head from the enclosure that the construct shared with Valiant, Bragh’s winged lion. The sapphire panther looked at Niviene, making a mewling sound as it skulked out to greet her, “I’m sorry for not taking you this time Tempy but I just needed to walk to clear my head.” she scritched the cat between the ears and the construct purred, butting her gently on the shoulder in forgiveness.
One last nuzzle and Niviene moved into the house and to Bragh’s desk. She took the packet of papers from her bag and left them there, the bill of sale for Rhionydd’s house, the deed to the plot of land that joined their own property, and a bank slip showing how much money they had left.
She glanced around the house, her gaze lingering on the darkened corner near the bedroom door, “The only thing constant is change.” she whispered, “ I’m giving you your house back and you’re welcome to it. But Bragh and Banny are mine now and you can’t have them.”
That's right, Niv, you go girl!
Thanks for the read!