Grian took the riverside boardwalk in stride, his sword thumping against his thigh beneath his dark blue cloak. Rivers Ward had vastly expanded since his father's death, and appeared to be thriving beneath the rule of his uncle and cousin. From village into small river port town, Rivers Ward had become something of a merchants haven. Serenian inland provinces could send their resources downriver to Rivers Ward, where they would then make their way towards the Hivan Ocean. Between his uncle's larger city upriver and his own town of Rivers Ward, the Aros family had become quite wealthy. Although his uncle had yet to turn over Rivers Ward into Grian's hands, as was due him from his father's lineage, Grian was not concerned. His uncle knew what was best for Rivers Ward, and the town would come to Grian in due time once he married. And marriage did not seem a distant prospect, either, what with his betrothed the Lady Keren of Willows Crossing in Jadenshine being arranged by his mother and uncle.
At the moment he was going to meet with the Lady Keren and her escort for a discussion of marriage. What lands would become his upon marriage, and what sort of dowry would be provided. She was the eldest daughter of a holdfast in eastern Jadenshine on one of the largest rivers, and would provide a great opportunity for Grian and his family to expand their wealth and power. Not that Grian was overly concerned with wealth or power, but there was a certain thread of justice running through his veins that inspired him to pursue this marriage. The Lady Keren was of a less marriagable age, being 4 years his elder, but she was a dear friend of his mother and sisters. They had written him, concerned about the well-being of her claim to Willows Crossing. They spoke of her younger sisters being married and seeking to claim the land, and that these sisters of hers would surely lead Willows Crossing into destitution with their extravagant spending habits. His nature would not allow him to see a lady and her people sent into poverty simply because she was not the most desirable woman.
Grian arrived at the Highwaters Inn, an establishment built by his uncle for the wealthy and the noble during their visits. Of course, those closer to the family or of high blood were offered the Aros family manor to stay. Lady Keren, although he had offered her to stay in well-furnished quarters in their manor, declined the offer out of propriety. Entering the inn, he found his lady seated primly on a plush chair in the foyer alongside her escort. She was plain with severe blue eyes, and wrinkles from frowns creasing her pale skin. Auburn hair was pulled tightly back, the silver threads made more apparent under the lighting of the chandelier. No, he did not find her attractive, but she was also not ugly. Her personality left something to be desired, but perhaps she would lighten up with time and the sunshine of the coast. Stepping forward, he took her hand and pressed his lips against it before producing a rose. She nodded primly at him, allowing him to lead her to the parlor. "How are you this evening, m'lady Keren? You are as refreshing as an autumn breeze."
The delegations were long and tiresome, and when it was finally time for them to retire, he could not have been more relieved. Her proper manner strained Grian's charming disposition, and as he exited onto the street he had to actively remove the smile he had plastered on his face. Running a hand down his face, he released a sigh, feeling much less optimistic about the situation. But perhaps it was just that he was exhausted! Tomorrow the arrangements would sit better with him, surely.
Taking a short cut across the river docks, he stopped upon hearing a familiar voice. It was his eldest cousin, Hal! A bright smile lifted onto his features as he moved forward towards the dockhouse, eager to see a friendly face after his ordeal.
"...he's starting to sniff around where he doesn't belong. He's going to figure it out sooner or later, and you know how he is! He'll alert the King. And now that he's to be married, how do you expect us to keep control of Rivers Ward? The Lady Keren is just desperate enough to marry that I couldn't sway her like the others! I was
promised to inherit Rivers Ward!" Grian's feet faltered as he heard Hal's voice, the smile dropping from his face as the wood of the dock creaked beneath his feet. Hal's voice halted. "Wait, what was that?"
The dockhouse shifted and groaned as Hal appeared out on the dock. Grian stood frozen a moment, his face shocked before he held up his hands and laughed nervously. "Hal, you don't know how glad I am to see you! The marriage delegations were such a bore! You couldn't imagine." Two pairs of hands gripped his shoulders tightly and manhandled him towards Hal. Grian strained a laugh, his smile weak, "Haha, Hal, very funny. Aren't we a little old to be roughhousing like this?"
Hal stepped forward, and Grian was just barely able to make out the glint of steel in the moonlight before he felt it stab through his abdomen. The two men released Grian as he grabbed at his abdomen, falling to his knees on the dock as warmth pooled in his hands. Looking up towards his cousin, a look of betrayal across his face, he was barely able to manage a wounded, "Why?" Before Hal took his booted foot and kicked Grian into the dark, cold waters of the river.
~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Do not reply to this post! Go to the next post:
Dark Currents II: Foggy Shores
