Eight Intertwined

149 - Honor

Revello led Primrose and the rest of the travelers through the streets of Noblecourt back to his home. Back in the days of House Azelhart ruling the city, Revello had been given a nice plot of land for him and his wife to call their own. Geoffrey had insisted it was the least he could do for Revello after everything he had done to help keep the city safe. Even over ten years later, Revello still called the home his own, though it had certainly seen far better days in the past. It was a home built of love though, and that was enough to make up for any other weaknesses it may have had in Primrose's eyes. 

When Revello opened the door, his wife, Anna, was already inside and working away near the kitchen counter. Her eyes were glossy, and she didn't seem to realize the door had opened in the first place. After Olberic closed the door behind him as the last member of the party to enter the home, Revello cleared his throat in Anna's direction. "I'm home, Anna," he said thickly, the words coming out heavy and exhausted against his will. 

That was enough to pull Anna out of her thoughts, and she looked away from the vegetables she was cutting to turn her attention in Revello and Primrose's direction. "I was wondering what was keeping you out so long, dear," Anna remarked. She looked at Primrose for a few seconds, seemingly fighting off the instinctive familiarity that came with seeing her again, before her gaze shifted instead to the rest of the travelers. "Who all have you brought with you today?" Anna's eyes wandered back to Primrose again a few seconds later, and after a brief moment spent staring at the girl, recognition sparked to life in Anna's gaze. "L-Lady Primrose?! Is that you?!" Primrose simply nodded, and Anna rushed over to her, gently placing her hands on the young woman's shoulders. "My, but I never...! And so beautiful a woman grown! Pinch me, my dear! I must be dreaming!"

Revello shook his head. "I thought the same myself," he confessed. "Now, what say we share a cup of tea? Lady Primrose has requested I tell her everything that has happened in Noblecourt over the last ten years, and... The tale is quite long."

Anna nodded before snapping herself back into action. She gladly went about preparing a kettle of tea for everyone, and while Primrose was on the verge of saying it wasn't necessary, she already knew it wouldn't be possible to convince Anna or Revello to drop their hospitality. They had taken these cues from Geoffrey himself years ago, and they refused to loosen their grasp on any small details that would remind them of him even a decade after his death. So long as they still drew breath, they would ensure Geoffrey was remembered. 

It took a few minutes for everyone to settle around the home, though it was a far tighter fit than Primrose would have liked. Then again, it was her fault for bringing seven other people and a snow leopard when she went to visit an old friend. Primrose doubted she would have been able to convince them to leave her alone even for just a few minutes to talk to Revello though. After everything that had happened with Miguel, none of them wanted to leave the others on their own for any longer than was absolutely necessary. Staying in Revello's home was their best option even if it was a bit of a tight fit because of how many of them there were. 

Teacups were passed out to those who wished to indulge, though quite a few chairs from elsewhere in the home had to be brought out to the table to make room for everyone. Ophilia and H'aanit wound up sharing a chair when they ran out of room at the last moment. Originally, Tressa had offered to let Ophilia share with her, but Ophilia hadn't wanted to risk hurting her again on account of her still recovering from the injury to her ankle she had sustained during the battle against Miguel. Just like that, Ophilia and H'aanit wound up splitting the same chair, though neither one of them seemed to mind the lack of space. The situation wasn't perfect, but it worked well enough for what everyone needed at the moment. 

Revello cleared his throat before taking a sip of his tea. All of that previous excitement that came with seeing Primrose again had melted away, and he seemed to sag in on himself like he couldn't hold his shoulders back any longer than he already had. "From that dark day onward, the balance of power here in Noblecourt shifted dramatically," Revello began. He cast his gaze in the direction of the newcomers, the rest of Primrose's friends who knew nothing of the city's history, so with his next words, he gave them the information they needed about Noblecourt's older days. "Under Lord Geoffrey's stewardship, House Azelhart was the most prominent of all the great families. Working closely with the city watch, he took it upon himself to uphold the peace and keep the people happy. Crime of any sort was nigh unheard of. Oh, what happy days those were! Those with a wont to do ill deeds might have found it a bit stifling." Revello paused and let out yet another heavy sigh. "But it matters little now. Those times of peace and security are all but a dream these days."