Lord-in-Exile
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:50 am
Words upon pages started to blur. After hours of going over papers and signing documents during such a late hour Loxley was beginning to grow weary, and words ran together and jumbled into illegible scribbling far too often for him to work at an effective pace. His work would be there for him tomorrow, so he left it as was on his desk, along with quill and ink bottle. Even in weariness there was restlessness within the young lord, so rather than changing into comfortable attire and retiring to his bed Loxley found himself standing outside the doors leading to his balcony. It was a place he often ventured to think or let go of his thoughts - whichever was desirable at the time. However tonight was a bit too cold and snowy to be treading outside, so he remained on the inside and found himself face to face with his own reflection on the glass panes of the doors.
Loxley rarely saw his own face in mirrors and reflections anymore. It was always Levina's face he saw staring back. Levina, who shared his eyes, his hair, his smile - the same features their mother had. Their mother never was a sore spot for Loxley, as she had died when he was young. There was a strange sort of sadness he carried when he thought of her, but nothing that pierced deep. It was different for Levina though. She remembered her mother often, mourned her often, and always bore a look of sad familiarity when she looked upon her brother's visage. It was a look that Loxley hadn't seen for quite some time now; it had been months since he last saw his sister.
Some regard the lives of lords and nobility as being a life of fulfilled desires and a lack of want. A life of no misery or pain, where you had innumerable treasures and servants. A simple life. An easy life.
Loxley wanted a simple life more than anything.
However he had resigned himself to the life he was born into long ago. His life, while not perfect, could have been far worse - at least this was the logic he used to cope. Cope with the loss of father, of sister, and of home.
With the death of his father it created a problem, who was rightful heir to Asteria? His fourteen year old son who, despite holding promise for the future, knew not enough to rule in the present? Or his nineteen year old daughter, while wise and benevolent, was not rightful male heir? Loxley was willing to give everything up, titles and all to Levina, who felt likewise for her brother, but politics are not always simple things. It it not always a matter of doing and commanding. There are others involved, noblemen and advisers and knights and the people over which one would hold sway... Houses were divided and threats and rumors of civil war started to boil.
Levina, in an act that went entirely against her heart, made a public decree that Loxley was to be exiled. In the end, it had saved their land from a war and uprising.
It had also left Loxley quite alone in a strange place. He had many that were loyal to him for his name of course. He had managed to acquired a beautiful home and a very sizable piece of property. He had guards and servants and advisers always at the ready to take care of his needs. A life of simplicity and luxury was handed to him.
It was not the life he wanted.
Loxley closed his eyes, and no longer did Levina or the past stare back.
Loxley rarely saw his own face in mirrors and reflections anymore. It was always Levina's face he saw staring back. Levina, who shared his eyes, his hair, his smile - the same features their mother had. Their mother never was a sore spot for Loxley, as she had died when he was young. There was a strange sort of sadness he carried when he thought of her, but nothing that pierced deep. It was different for Levina though. She remembered her mother often, mourned her often, and always bore a look of sad familiarity when she looked upon her brother's visage. It was a look that Loxley hadn't seen for quite some time now; it had been months since he last saw his sister.
Some regard the lives of lords and nobility as being a life of fulfilled desires and a lack of want. A life of no misery or pain, where you had innumerable treasures and servants. A simple life. An easy life.
Loxley wanted a simple life more than anything.
However he had resigned himself to the life he was born into long ago. His life, while not perfect, could have been far worse - at least this was the logic he used to cope. Cope with the loss of father, of sister, and of home.
With the death of his father it created a problem, who was rightful heir to Asteria? His fourteen year old son who, despite holding promise for the future, knew not enough to rule in the present? Or his nineteen year old daughter, while wise and benevolent, was not rightful male heir? Loxley was willing to give everything up, titles and all to Levina, who felt likewise for her brother, but politics are not always simple things. It it not always a matter of doing and commanding. There are others involved, noblemen and advisers and knights and the people over which one would hold sway... Houses were divided and threats and rumors of civil war started to boil.
Levina, in an act that went entirely against her heart, made a public decree that Loxley was to be exiled. In the end, it had saved their land from a war and uprising.
It had also left Loxley quite alone in a strange place. He had many that were loyal to him for his name of course. He had managed to acquired a beautiful home and a very sizable piece of property. He had guards and servants and advisers always at the ready to take care of his needs. A life of simplicity and luxury was handed to him.
It was not the life he wanted.
Loxley closed his eyes, and no longer did Levina or the past stare back.