Dawnsky · Chronicles

My foster-father, Kal'ran, came for a visit today, surprisingly.  He arrived without telling us, at that. I dismissed my siblings and Anna from this meeting. I know they wouldn't make this a pleasant visit. Kal'ran smiled the nasty smile of his when he saw me.
       "What a lovely young woman you've grown into," he said.  "Gotten yourself off the streets, eh?" I pursed my lips. 
       "Yes, sir," I said politely. He eyed my scarred face and hands. 
       "But she still hasn't been able to keep herself out of troubled," he whispered. I rose and forced myself to smile. I offered him some tea, which he declined. Kal'ran was still watching me, judging my every moment. Sooner or later, I knew, he would try to get a rise out of me. I would play the perfect, lovely lady. He would have nothing to criticize me about. 
       "And you are not married?" he asked. I shook my head.
       "No, sir," I said, respectfully lowering my eyes. He smirked.
       "Ran away from any engagements?" he inquired. I knew he was referring to my running away, when I was engaged to a man twice my age. This time, I raised my eyes, staring hard at him.
      "No, sir. But I am in a lovely relationship with a lovely man," I said tersely. He perked a brow.
     "Is that so? Who?" I told him little about Steyr, save his name and his occupation. He didn't deserve more from me. For once, Kal'ran seemed impressed with me.
     "A Blood Knight, eh? Lucky you. Your sisters (foster sisters, in any case,) remain unmarried, save one. Pity, really. Such pretty girls. Though I daresay you've become just as lovely, perhaps even more so..." Here is where he rose and walked over to me. His face was inches from mine, and his breath smelled foul, as always. I drew back and stood. 
     "I doubt that, sir," I whispered. "But I would rather be renowned for my intellect than my beauty."
     "Eleanea, Eleanea." He grinned, showing yellow teeth. "You are eighteen now, yes? Unmarried, hm? Perhaps you should come home with me, to visit your sisters." He stepped forward.
     "I can visit my sisters whenever I wish, sir,"  I said. "For they are upstairs." Kal'ran reached out to grab me. I pressed a flaming hand on his shoulder. He slapped me. I reeled back. Aarfen walked slowly down the stairs. (( Time for the smack down! ))
    "Is there a problem here?" His deep, calm voice was a miracle. "Because, if there is, I'm sure someone will be able to settle it." He moved off the last step and stood next to me. Kal'ran smiled that oily smile.
     "Of course not. Merely conversing," he said. Aarfen turned my face towards him. 
     "Funny, then," he said. "That Eleanea would have a bruise on her cheek when she didn't have one before. You are dismissed, sir." 

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At any rate, I wish I could have taken care of Kal'ran myself. With so much pent up adrenaline, he would have been a good target. But I'm sure this wasn't the last of him.(( ALSO! St. Patrick's Day. :D! YAY FOR IRELAND. ))