Azriel's Tale

Azriel's Tale - Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11:

"You've clearly been slacking on training," Cassian commented after his managed to knock Azriel down again, for the 4th time now. "Get up." He reached down and assisted his brother to help him get back on even footing. Already, Cassian was ready. 

"Hold on," Azriel laughed. "Let me just get a drink." He went over to the small table on the outskirts of the area where they trained and got himself a glass of water. Once feeling better, Azriel walked back to Cassian slowly, quietly. As to not alert the army commander that he had returned. He hadn't expected it to work, but it had. Azriel managed to grab the distracted Illyrian and knock him down, then quickly moving over him to pin him down. He grinned down at him.

"I've just been going easy on you." Azriel chuckled. 

"Yeah?" Cassian questioned. His body and mind managing to quickly adapt to what Azriel's actions had done. "Then you won't have an issue if I do-" Before Cassian had even finished his sentence, Azriel was already defending himself, managing, only by an inch, to evade the Illyrian's attempt to regain control of the situation. They continued to train and bicker simultaneously for some time. After an hour or so, Rhys had joined them and all three were finding ways to challenge one another in the ring. Rhysand used his shadows to create darkness as an obstacle for the Illyrians, Azriel used his shadows to play tricks on his body's positioning whilst Cassian just used his brute force. After some time Cassian said to Azriel.

"You seem to be doing better." 

"I'm fine," Azriel responded. "It just took me some time to come down from what happened, I guess." Both Rhysand and Cassian nodded in understanding. They knew what it was like to be a soldier and how it took some Illyrians a longer time to settle after a war or battle. "I was just a bit confused as to why this War impacted me so much." He later confessed.

"We all have different reasons for it Az," Rhys commented, in an effort to try and provide his brother with an answer. Azriel agreed and they all moved on from the subject, their blades all clashing once more. 

Rhysand was correct. The War affected everyone in different ways and was significant for many reasons. Of course, it was still a war, Azriel wasn't stupid, but the most recent war seemed to of impacted Azriel more than the previous one. The war over 500 years ago was his first true war, he wasn't as experienced, so why was this one so different? Perhaps it was that he had more to lose and he was not used to that, but they were all safe now, so why was he still unsettled? Maybe not all of them were...Azriel shook his head as if he could shake the thoughts away. He resolved that he would think about this more privately and not with his brothers as an audience. 

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As Azriel walked into the living room he found all three of the Archeron sisters. Elain was braiding Feyre's hair whilst she was painting, whilst Nesta, the eldest, sat on the other side of the room reading some books about Fae history. It had been an adjustment for all of them, but Nesta had now realised that she needed to accept what had happened and try and move on so she often spent her time learning about the different cultures, festivals, norms and values that the Fae had. All types of Fae including; High Fae, Illyrians and lesser faeries. The latter was a term that was slowly, oh so slowly beginning not to be used as frequently. Much to everyone's delight, but in particular, it had always been Rhys' dream to see the divide between the Fae lessen.

"Hey," Feyre said as Azriel walked in. The interaction had caused her to move her head slightly and later resulted in Elain lightly tapping her in annoyance of the tampering of her delicate work with her hair. Az smiled.

"Hello." He greeted them all. Nesta lowered her book and looked at the Illyrian.

"Where is Cassian?" She questioned. 

"Still training," Azriel replied. "You know what he is like, he would do it all the time if we didn't stop him and if he didn't have other things to do." Nesta had a disapproving look on her face to feign disinterest but Azriel could see the slight smile behind her eyes.

"I think he'll be here soon," Azriel added as he remembered what Cassian had told him just before he left. 

"Okay." She said in response. Before Azriel sat down he went to where Feyre was to look at her painting she had been working on. It was not yet finished, but already Azriel was astounded. 

"Feyre, the painting is beautiful." And it was. It was a landscape of Velaris, of the Rainbow during the evening. It was almost like a map, Azriel could pinpoint every building the intricacy was so detailed. With every piece she did, her progress was becoming more and more evident. She did not even shy away when someone called her an 'artist'. A phrase she used to reject or brush off, but Azriel was proud that his High Lady was finally feeling confident and accomplished in her magnificent paintings, as she should. Feyre blushed in good nature.

"Thank you." She replied. Putting down her brush briefly she examined it and smiled, then resumed her work. Elain was still intricately plaiting Feyre's hair, but it was becoming apparent that she was becoming a little frustrated with her loss of mobility, so gently she asked her older sister. 

"Elain," She said in a soft tone. "When do you think you'll be done with my hair?" Not a dismissal, but a gentle way to bring her mind into the perspective of stopping. Elain sighed.

"Now." She replied, her spirit slightly disheartened. "It's not done, but it will do." 

"It looks incredible." Nesta piped up, eager to lift Elain's spirits. Elain went over to Nesta and sat with her. When she had, Feyre stood and crossed to the wide mirror which hung on the wall and turned slightly to see her hair. Beautifully braided and cared for with little daisies scattered all over, save for a bit towards the bottom of the plait. Her fingers skated over that part. 

"That's the bit I didn't finish," Elain spoke. Feyre just turned and thanked her for her efforts and made an excuse.

"I just like to move freely when I am painting." Elain nodded in understanding. Always.

Hey, just thought I would experiment with a slightly longer chapter. What are your thoughts? Please do let me know. I understand that I am repeating myself a lot but I need some feedback in order to progress. Thanks! -Jessica