Page 18 of Blackwood Milk Farm #7

Wine & Memories

Lyn walked toward the covered patio. She noticed the vines had grown along the posts and the wood grid above it. Tables and chairs were under its protective shadow as the elf picked a chair, pulled it out and sat on it.

The sun was low in the sky and had not disappeared behind the horizon just yet. The glowing sphere burned like embers in a hearth. The breeze was filled with the scent of the forests and it reminded the elf of home.

Fingers curled and nails pushed into soft palms. Lyn turned her head and looked at the forest to the west of the farm. There was a small piece of her spirit that begged her to return home. But a stronger need to stay kept here on the beautiful farm.

Lyn turned her head and gaze to the right. She caught the scent of a man before she saw him. Lord Blackwood walked toward her with a smile. He walked with a large tray of food in one hand, and two bottles of wine under his other arm. The elf admired his strength and sense of balance. Seeing the large tray held in one hand caused the elf to imagine herself attempting the same feat, and everything crashing to the ground in a sopping mess.

Lord Blackwood reached the patio and table where the beautiful elf sat. He placed the tray down and then the pair of wine bottles. He smiled at Lyn as he sat down opposite of her.

Asher had changed his dirty clothes but had not taken a bath. He felt the dirt on his skin and it brought him comfort. It reminded him of his times on lengthy adventures, but he was unsure if Lyn would notice, or even care.

Lyn looked over to the tray and was delighted to see many berries, fruit, breads, and cheeses. She had a delicate palate and couldn’t stomach any kind of meat. Her people didn’t need meat, but to many back home, it was a delicacy to enjoy from time to time.

“I hope it’s enough? I can get more if you wish?” Asher said with attentive eyes.

Lyn smiled. “No, it’s enough. Thank you, Lord,” the elf stopped as she saw the wrinkle along his brow. “Asher.”

“You’re most welcome, Lyn,” Asher said before he picked up a wine bottle.

The lord pulled a corkscrew from his pocket and stabbed the cork with it. After a few twists, he grabbed hold and pulled. The cork popped freely. Asher poured into the short glasses on the tray.

“I hope you don’t mind the simple glasses to drink? It would have been harder to carry the tray with stemmed glasses.”

“Not at all. It’s quite refreshing not to stand on ceremony or tradition. The simple pleasures are the best pleasures.”

The pair picked up their full glasses and clinked them in a small toast before they both took long slips.

Asher enjoyed the magical taste of the wine as he looked at the elf across from him.

“What’s on your mind, Lady Lyn? I doubt we are out here for simple conversation.”

Lyn looked at Asher with amused eyes. “You do cut to the quick, Lord Asher. It’s refreshing in a way.”

“We like to lead simple lives here. Beating around the bush isn’t something that happens much in the valley.”

Lyn nodded. Her oval eyes took on a sad gleam as she placed her wineglass on the table. She rested her hand on the wood table, not caring to bring it back to her lap. To Asher, the elf seemed deep in thought, or reliving memories from long ago.

“I wish to give some pretext to why I’m here, before I get to the heart of the matter.”

Asher nodded and took a sip of his wine.

“I have had a long life in the empire. I rarely traveled because I had everything I needed. I thought I had everything I needed.

“In my position I tend to meet all sorts of people. There was one meeting that changed my life, in a way. It was when I met your Uncle Aric.”

Pieces began to form along Asher’s mind. The way Lyn talked and held herself, he could sense she was royalty. The Druis Empire had a great expanse of land and many lords and ladies. Asher never wanted to pry about Lyn's past, but since she mentioned his uncle, things began to make sense.

“Lady Lyn, how would you know my uncle if this is the first time you ever arrived here?” Asher said with curious eyes.

Lyn looked to the side. “Forgive my deception. I had to know if this was your uncle’s farm. Your beloved Elara had told me some of the history of this place. The truth slowly revealed itself to me.”

Asher watched as Lyn closed her hand on the table. He could see along the side of her hand, the skin tight like she was pressing her nails to her palm.

“Lyn, it’s alright. I understand the need for secrecy in many places. I will never hold it against you. You had your own reasons.”

“Thank you, Asher. It’s good to hear it,” Lyn said and her hand relaxed.

“Please, tell me more,” Asher said with a warm smile.

Lyn nodded and continued, “I met your uncle during a dark time in my life. My bonded beloved had begun looking elsewhere for companionship. I knew what it meant when he stopped touching me. I confronted him about it, and we agreed we could find private companionship elsewhere, as long as it was kept secret.

“Despite my agreement, I had fallen into a dark place. I lost the one person I thought cared about me. I don’t mind lovers for the moment, but to share your heart with another, that was too much to bear. So, I focused on my work.

“During a gathering of lords, ladies, and their friends, I met your uncle.”

Asher watched as Lyn’s eyes took on a favored memory. They gleamed in the darkening evening like jewels. Her hand and shoulders relaxed. A small smile appeared.

“He was dashing, handsome, clever, and he made me laugh. I loved hearing his stories. I loved his free spirit. It was enough to spill new life into my gray world.

“I made up some excuse to go away and rest my weary mind. My bonded mate cared not for where I went and allowed it. I sent a letter to your uncle and we met here, in a private retreat, just the two of us.”

Lyn’s eyes glimmered as she continued, “It was the most passionate weeks of my life. I don’t need to go into the sordid details, but our time was beyond splendid. He brought me an elixir and showed me a connection to the Mother I only felt when I had my children. He knew what my heart needed. For that, I will be forever grateful.”

Lyn’s happy gaze grew dark and distant. Her hand tightened on the table. A sadness stabbed at her heart and it bled sorrow.

“We kept in contact with letters after our time together. We wrote to each other for a long time. He was going to be bonded to three beautiful women and travel across Valoria. But after that, there were no more letters. I had stopped writing to him because I didn’t want my bonded to find out what I had done. To lay with another is fine, but to use a primal magic potion would have been a disgrace.

“Your uncle continued to write to me, telling me I could always come back to him and he would fend off any who came looking. He was a dreamer, a free spirit. I adored him. But when his letters stopped, I grew worried.

“There was nothing I could do but wait to hear from him. When waiting did nothing to aid my worry, I sent out a friend I could trust to find out more.”

Tears gleamed in the light of the setting sun, Lyn’s heart laid bare.

“Is it true he perished on a ship? Is it true he was lost to us because he fought off monsters while trying to save everyone else?”

Asher’s eyes took on a sad edge. “Yes, it is true. He fought like a titan against monsters sent by those who wanted him dead. He died protecting those he loved, and the crew trying to escape the monster’s wrath.”

Lyn’s body quivered a little in sorrow. She pulled her hand back and placed it in her lap. Her head bowed slightly, tears dripping onto her hands.

“He said to me that there was no threat large enough to stop him from being free. Not even death,” Lyn sniffled.

“He was a man of honor, and a legend. It brings me joy to carry on with the farm and land he left me. But I do think of him sometimes. I would give it all up to bring him back,” Asher admitted.

Lord Blackwood looked at Lyn across from him. He stood up and walked around the table. He stood before her and held out his hand to her. Lyn looked at him, not sure she understood his gesture. The grief parted a little and she took his hand.

Lyn stood up and the pair hugged each other.

Lyn sobbed against Asher’s shoulder as a tear streaked from Asher’s eye. Despite the passing of time, the scars remain across their souls. The loss they carried remained and they embraced in solidarity.

After a time, Lyn pulled back and wiped tears from her oval eyes.

“Please forgive me. I didn’t mean,” Lyn began.

“Lyn, no forgiveness needed. We are sharing a moment of our grief, nothing more. It does bring me joy that my uncle touched your life. It’s better to remember what he did for all of us and honor it.”

“Yes, you are correct, Asher,” Lyn sniffled.

“Let’s sit and enjoy our supper. I could use more wine to chase away the ghosts from our pasts.”

“As do I,” Lyn said with a sad smile.

The pair sat and picked up their wine glasses. They drank and ate together. Asher told her funny moments with his uncle. The stories caused Lyn to laugh and smile. They took deep sips of wine until both bottles were empty. A haze fell over the pair and they laughed more.

Once the meal was finished, and night had fallen, Lord Blackwood escorted Lady Lyn back to Farmhouse West. He saw her to the door. The elf bid him a goodnight and closed the door.

Asher let out a long exhale before he turned and made his way back to Farmhouse East.

Once he entered, he made his way to his study. He walked to his desk and opened a large drawer. He lifted a large wood box and placed it on his desk. He quickly opened it and looked at the letters within. Eyes moved from left to right, re-reading the words of love and hinted memories.

Asher looked at the end of each letter, signed by Vana . The name hovered along his thoughts like a bright flame. Elara had told him it was an elven word for beauty.

“Could Lyn be this Vana? Is she the one my uncle loved?”

Questions swirled along the lord’s mind. A strange excitement filled him with the possible connection. Was the mystery solved? Was Lyn this mysterious Vana?

More questions swarmed Asher’s mind. He wanted to confront her with his mystery, but instantly thought it would be rude. He also wondered why the secrecy? Nobles often have secret lovers or harems. It would be nothing more than gossip. Hardly the thing that would topple a royal house. The people of Valoria loved who they wished.

A memory caressed Asher’s mind. Elara telling him that elven nobles could lose everything if they slept with the lower races. It was the one thing that could destroy their lives and exile them from their friends and family.

Asher shook his head. The elves were the last and only race that lived like that. The World Quake destroyed much of Valoria, but the elves were spared much of the destruction. They were able to keep much of their traditions and ways, unlike the rest of the world.

Ultimately, Asher relented with bringing the letters to Lyn. They had a tender, revealing moment, and he didn’t want to ruin it with questions. Instead, he put the letters back in the wood box and placed it back in the desk drawer.

When the drawer closed, a knock came at the door.

“Come in,” Asher said.

The door opened and Elara slipped in. The elf closed the door behind her and walked toward Asher. The lord of Blackwood came around his desk and approached the beautiful elf. They met in the middle with a warm, loving embrace.

When they parted, Elara could see the dim shadow in Asher’s eyes.

“Did something happen?”

Asher smiled. “Yes,” he said and told her what was said by their guest.

Elara listened as Asher briefly told her what transpired.

“It does seem to fit. She might be the very same Vana from the letters.”

Asher nodded. “She might be, but I don’t want to confront her with it.”

“Can you ask your uncle?” Elara implying, he would take the Spirit Walk potion and meet his uncle in purgatory.

Asher shook his head. “Not as of yet. I need confirmation before I do anything. How confusing would it be for my uncle if Lyn isn’t the woman from the letters? I don’t want to bring up more questions than answers.

“When the moment presents itself, I will confirm our suspicions. If Lyn is this mysterious Vana, maybe she will want to meet Uncle Aric. Maybe their meeting will end his purgatory and free him to the higher realms of the dead?”

The thought of it brought joy and dread to Asher’s soul. If his uncle ascended, he wouldn’t be able to visit him from time to time. It was a quandary he wasn’t sure he was ready to confront just yet.

“It will have to wait for now,” Asher said before his eyes took on a loving gleam. “The play continues. Is our clan confined to the master bedroom?”

Elara smiled and nodded. “They are, and they are excited. I let it slip, you wished to question them for the night, and you were a little cross with their secrecy.”

Asher nodded as his smile dimmed. “Are you okay sleeping in one of the other rooms?”

Elara let out a giggle. “Of course, I am. I will have Nyn with me. She has been very excited with the new play and wished to spend the night together, and possibly explore another idea for her new book.”

The couple were close as a heat filled their bodies once more. They held each other as they kissed. Tongues played with one another as the heat between them grew into a fever. When they parted, cheeks were flushed with pink warmth.

“You better tend to the goblins my handsome morsel before I take you for myself,” Elara playfully threatened.

Asher gazed into Elara’s beautiful eyes and his soul wilted.

“I still haven’t won your stone. We will have to rectify that,” Asher teased.

Elara’s eyes gleamed with a wicked edge. “Yes, we will, when the time is right my beloved,” she said and licked her lips in anticipation.