"Andarin," His mother smiled as soon as she saw him. She got up from her seat at once and went to embrace him. "It's so good to see you again."

Andarin also smiled, but he wasn't feeling truly happy. "It's good to see you again too, mother."

Andarin noticed that Astlo did not stir from his seat, only watched with something that looked like... curiosity? Suspicion?

They all seated themselves and started eating. It was a pleasant meal, but Andarin felt glum. He felt guilty for having to leave his family again. Astlo stayed silent for pretty much the whole time, only speaking when he was addressed, and even then with a short answer.

Andarin wondered how much of his little brother's silence was because of him.

Too soon, Andarin decided it was time to leave. He gathered his things, which he'd packed earlier that morning, and went down to the atrium to bid his family farewell.

"Andarin," His father said to him, "Be careful. Some people you just can't trust." Andarin knew exactly what he was talking about.

throwin shade to my boy karayan that is absolutely well deserved and has my hackles raising what exactly are you saying about my boy?

His mother embraced him again, "Obey your father, Andarin. Be careful. And come back as soon as you can." She smiled through tear-filled eyes.

what a very classic goodbye scene. I think I've seen/read it about a billion times.

Astlo was last. Andarin felt uncomfortable saying anything to him, but he knew that he needed to. Andarin held out a hand, "Farewell, Astlo."

Astlo hesitated before taking the hand and giving it a short, firm shake. "When will you come back?" He asked.

Andarin looked down, "I'm afraid I don't know,"

"Does that mean that you're not?" Astlo asked coldly.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Andarin bit his lip, "I can't guarantee anything, except that I will do my best to come back sometime."

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Astlo nodded, but didn't seem satisfied.

Andarin wished he could resolve this rift, but he couldn't right now. He should just go. Get back to Miryanna, and get everything resolved there, and get back home as soon as possible.

Because Miryanna is No. 1. Instead of the girl's life revolving around the guy while the guy does his own thing, it's the other way around. Ideally, both guy and girl have their own lives while also loving and caring for each other, but at least this hasn't been done a bajillion times already.

"Well, goodbye, everyone. I'll be back as soon as I can." He waved, and bowed slightly before exiting. He got his horse, already prepared for him, and set out.

He kept an even pace in the city, but as soon as he was out in the open, he urged him to a fast trot. The whole way was made up of canters and fast trots, with a few sequences of Andarin walking beside his mount as he caught his breath. In that way Andarin reached the estate in the evening of the next day.

He wanted to just hand off his horse to a stable hand and dash upstairs, but there was no stable hand available. So he cooled down his horse, and rubbed him down, and gave him some water before making his way back to Miryanna.

He knocked on the door softly. It opened a few seconds later, and there was Miryanna.

The gave a small gasp, a smile lighting her face, before she threw her arms around him, and he returned her embrace wholeheartedly. They held each other for a few moments before breaking.

"Andarin, how are you? What's the news? Is everything well?" She asked at once.

Andarin didn't answer at once, but gently caressed Miryanna's face, taking a good look at her. She looked tired, worn, and her hair could use a brushing. She looked like she'd slept in her clothes. But overall, she didn't look too disheartened, nor weary.

"Everything is... better than it could be." He answered.

She took his hand and escorted him to a chair by hers. They both sat down, still holding the other's hand.

"Tell me everything. How is Nynesi? And the king? Did you see my father?" She asked all at once.

Andarin held up a hand and smiled, "Now now, slow down. All will be answered in due time. Nynesi is fine, she's just terribly worried about her betrothed. Turns out that the whole court is in uproar about where Naksul has gone. He apparently wasn't supposed to be away for so long."

Miryanna nodded, her gaze turning to the person on the bed beside her. Karayan was still asleep. He'd been waking more frequently lately, but still didn't seem to have any idea who she was, or even who he himself was. Iphnis had told her that things like that could happen, if you lost enough blood, and plus the trauma of losing all the power the Sorceress had lent to him. But he was healing, in body at least. She turned back to Andarin when he spoke again.

"The king is worn, but still holding up. He also worries about where Naksul is. I did see your father. He's worried sick about you. You can imagine his grief when his daughter who's been gone for almost two years returns, only to find that she's gone before he can even see her."

Miryanna looked forlorn at Andarin's words. She sighed, "I wish I could see him again. I miss him."

Andarin nodded, thinking of his own troubles with Astlo.

"But tell me about the general scheme of things. How's politics and such?"

Andarin recounted all that his father told him, and what he could guess or had seen on his own.

At the end of the telling they both fell silent, taking it all in. Andarin looked around the room, and found it much the same as he had left it. Except for one thing.

"Where's Iphnis?" He asked suddenly.

Miryanna looked up. "He's outside." She replied.

Andarin raised one eyebrow, "And he left you alone?"

Miryanna shrugged and shook her head. "I sent him outside. I'm worried about him, Andarin. He looked... not like himself. I figured he needed some time to himself, outside."

Andarin's brow furrowed, "And don't you need a break as well?"

She gave a small smile, "I'm well enough. Seeing you is all the recovery I need." She squeezed his hand, and he grasped back.

and wuv, tuwoo wuv foweva

A moan from the bed distracted them from their moment. Miryanna at once stood up and checked on Karayan.

Andarin looked over her shoulder. He was still pale, and didn't look like the evil overlord he once was. Some of the bandages had come off his face, and Andarin could see it better. It was lined with pain, and looked almost... scared. Miryanna laid a damp cloth over his forehead, which seemed to calm him down some.

It was at that moment when a soft knock came at the door. Andarin assumed it was Iphnis and went to answer it. It was. He didn't look surprised to see Andarin instead of Miryanna.

He bowed his head slightly, "Andarin, it's good to see you back," he greeted in his soft voice.