15 Ymiden 716
The wooden cottage was nestled against the trees leading into the Royal Glen, framed by the beautiful mountainous terrain of Venora in the neighbouring region. It was equal distance to the capital and the docks, and situated on a flat quarter acre section of fertile Andaris land, dotted with the odd fruit tree. Malcolm's chestnut gelding galloped across the paddock, kicking his back legs out behind him before he turned sharply and raced along the fence-line. The house had been a surprise for Elyna, a place he intended to share with her back when they had dreamed about trying to build a life together, something he explained during their journey home.The trip from the city had been slow, and by the time they had pulled up outside the front gate, it was almost lunchtime. Benjamin helped Malcolm out of the horse drawn carriage and along the path to the front door where he put the key in the lock to turn it before handing it over to its rightful owner. The Mortalborn slipped the key into the pocket of the pants he had managed to wrestle his way into during the night and pointed to one of the small chairs pushed up against the table in the living room. The hardwood floors were polished, and the walls had seen a fresh coat of white paint. Raw, wooden beams decorated the high ceilings, and a window in the kitchen flooded the room with sunny, Ymiden light.
"The bathroom still needs renovating," Malcolm smiled through the pain at Elyna as he lowered himself into the chair, he had been quiet all the way home, save for a few murmured sentences, and was glad to find that Benjamin didn't seek to stay on for lunch. "I installed a bathtub before I left for Krome last season, it just needs a window now, smaller than the one I added to the bedroom."
If Elyna were to venture into the bedroom she would find all of his old furniture, arranged just as it had been in the city house. A bed with crisp, white sheets and pillows not yet slept on, with a lot more light let in, and views down to the ocean. Sure the cottage was a little secluded, but it had its perks, no smelly city streets just beyond the door, or the thick smell of chimney smoke of a morning and late evening. The living room and kitchen were open plan, a cosy little fireplace tucked against the wall near the table. Malcolm hadn't had a chance to go out and pick any wild flowers yet, but it seemed Kathryn had gone to the trouble on his behalf, a plain clay fired vase on the table packed with red, broad petaled flowers.
"A fresh loaf and some cheese under the cloth in the kitchen," Benjamin smiled, "I'll check in on my way back to the city later this evening. I've got to return the carriage to the docks and go on patrol."
"Thank you, Ben, for everything," Malcolm looked across at him from where he sat. "You're a good friend."
"Make sure he rests," Benjamin looked at Elyna and gave the young woman a hug before taking his leave, "I will send Kathryn up when I get to the docks to come and clean up his wound."
"Elyna and I can manage," Malcolm assured him.
Once the carriage was out of sight Malcolm leaned back on his chair and started undoing his shirt, his bandages would need to be taken off so that his wound could see some air. He didn't want it to fester and was unsure about the clear liquid that kept seeping from it. They had a lot to talk about, so much the man hardly knew where to start, though he supposed Pre's favour might have been a good choice. "Are you all right? I didn't know Pre had visited you..."
