Iron of the Innocent: Mistress of Agony (Vol 2)

Chapter 5: Unveiled

274 I.C.
Sacren
Solorn Kingdom
Solorn Province
The Ruin Estate

Dreydan and Bethahna turned north onto an old, grassy, dirt road before dawn that wound its way through the trees and terrain. The wheels of wagons created a grassy center bordered by two wide, dirt trails. Strong limbs of the surrounding trees grew over the road, and there was a strong smell of soil in the air. There were numerous bushes, plants, and flowers filling the air with their fragrance.

Shortly after finding their way north, the sky began to brighten as the sun's rays peeked over the distant mountains to the east.

"The estate used to produce a lot," Dreydan mentioned about his home. "My father had to hire a number of extra hands to keep up. I could make a good living if I pursued it. Especially if I reopened the mine in the north ridge."

"Tarn and Reasha would love that," Bethahna said. She listened more than she talked after they experienced the earthquake and seen the unnatural light in the east behind the mountains. Dreydan mirrored her quiet mood for a while, so there was not much to listen to as they traveled. They were both disturbed by the event, and Bethahna felt uneasy deep inside her heart. She nodded as she listened. "Is that something you would like to do?" she asked.

"After I conclude my military service," he replied. "Whether that is near or far in time, I can't say at this point. I thought I'd want to serve like my grandfather, but I'm not sure anymore."

Bethahna tied a leather tie around the braid she finished in her horse's mane. "What was his name?" she asked.

"Samson Ruin," Dreydan said. "He served until he was quite old. He was a wonderful grandpa and a good man."

Bethahna smiled slightly. "Grandparents are a treasure. I remember my grandmother quite vividly. She was kind, loving, and a wonderful cook. She taught me a lot. Especially to always be honest."

"A good lesson," Dreydan said. The conversation drifted to Bethahna's grandmother's holiday feasts, including her baking, and Bethahna remembered traveling over snowy hills and through snow laden trees to get to her house. She always anticipated seeing the warmly lit windows, and hearing her grandmother's voice. The smell of the place was distinct, and Bethahna missed those moments. Her grandmother would always meet her in the kitchen with a plate of her soft, golden sugar cookies with their white frosting. The thought of her family brought deep feelings of love, comfort, and sadness. She missed them.

"There it is," Dreydan said as they turned a slight, left bend in the old road. On the right side of the trail, two short walls of gray stone built on either side of the entrance to his property presented themselves. The name of Ruin was etched into a weathered, square piece of metal, and it was attached to a stone sign holder that jutted up out of the ground right where the trail passed the entrance.

The two travelers turned into the estate and followed the winding path that led to a large house nestled among the trees. Bethahna could see sections of cleared land beyond the house for farming as well as a large barn and other small buildings. A creek flowed near the home and wound its way across their path. As they approached the house, they passed over on a small, wooden bridge.

"Beautiful," Bethahna said as she observed the area with its lush, green grasses, beautiful flowers, trellises with climbing vines, and stepping stones. The house had a wide, covered porch that followed the contours of the residence, and Bethahna suspected it went all the way around the structure. There were several chairs on the deck including a couple that rocked, and a swinging wooden bench that looked out over a small garden on one side. "It is well tended."

Dreydan nodded. "My father pays some of the locals that live nearby to keep it up. They are happy to have the extra coin. We have a good community here in the area."