Reunion

The cold morning wind once again struck her face as she ran out towards the main gate, greeted by the whole of House Durham, lined up beside each other in anticipation of their guests. 

Lord Bradyn smiled at his children. "Girls, you stand there," He pointed at a small square set before the stables, cleared of mud. "Mayne, you stand with me." The Lord proudly laid a hand on his son's shoulder. Lady Cira Aecor smiled at her husband. 

An old priest stepped to Lady Aecor. "M'lady, the company from Drakenward has arrived." 

Their gallops could be heard far as their horses ran towards the castle gate. Lexie gasped in admiration as she heard their trumpets being blown. 

"Open the gate!" Lord Durham wove his hand in the air, signaling for the men who stood atop their castle walls. The gate screeched as its thick iron fence slowly got lifted up. 

Lexie gently caressed her long, gray hair as the company rode in. 

The visitors poured through the gates in an explosion of gold and silver and steel, a couple hundred strong men, a fanfare of bards who sang a magical tune and a silver polished carriage, pulled forward by a band of horses. Over their heads a dozen banners swayed back and forth in the cold wind, emboldened by the white ghost sigil of Drakenward.

Bradyn knew many of the riders. Lord Gilles Arim with his steel Drake busby. Beside him rode Lord Arim's faithful Squire; Ty. The bearded man next to them would be Joachim Arim, and the diminutive fellow behind him could only be Reeve Johan Arim. 

And even though Bradyn could not see into the carriage, he could only assume in there was the beautiful Madelyn Aecor; lord Arim's wife. 

As the Lord of Drakenward stepped off his horse, Bradyn heard a familiar grunt. Gilles wriggled his head from the Drake helmet, revealing a fur of gray and black hair, hugging his face and scalp. The man took a few steps forward towards the family, staring into Bradyn's eyes, holding his headgear with both hands. 

Lord Gilles chuckled before dropping his headgear to the ground and embracing Bradyn in a bone-crushing hug. "Bradyn! Oh how it's good to see that black hair again." Lord Arim padded Bradyn's arms and held his head. "You've not changed a bit." 

Bradyn wished he couldn't say the same back to his friend. All those years away and the men were still bound by something stronger than blood, no change in either of them. 

"Cheer up mate! The rim comes 'fore the grim." Gilles laughed as he chugged the flask on his belt. Bradyn staged a laugh. "Well fine mate, your House, your rules." Lord Arim tapped Bradyn on his shoulder. "Try and cheer up a bit, you seem more miserable than a wet rag. We'll talk politics at sundown." 

Gilles released the frown from his face and equipped a friendly smile. "How are you faring love?" He grabbed Cira's hand, laying his lips on the back of it. "I'm doing well, m'lord. Bradyn has been good to me." She smiled. 

"Oh don't lord me. We're family now." He laughed as he wove his arm towards the carriage. 

By then the passengers had well stepped out, a beautiful woman, skin soft as wool and hair white as snow. She smiled at the squire who helped her exit, softly caressing the head of the baby she held. 

"Madelyn!" Cira shouted in excitement. "Cir!" Lady Aecor Arim shouted as she ran towards her, handing off the baby to Gilles and hugging her sister tightly. 

"It is so good to see you Cir!" She held on to Cira firmly. "Likewise Maddy, likewise." She whispered, laying her head on her sister's shoulder.