Looking for some answers

[Tristan Drage]

Returning home was not easy. Disoriented and worn out, Tristan took a considerable amount of time simply finding his way back to Obsidian Harbor. From there he knew the way back. His journey was littered with frequent stops. His experience was much worse when he ventured closer to the Western Hemisphere. Winter was in full swing, and he had no wand, no warm robes and no money. Desperation pushed him to the door of his home in the mid-afternoon.

The large man glanced over his shoulder to see his footprints littering the snow. No one had shoveled in some time. His mouth running dry he knocked on the door, despairing when there was no answer. It took a great deal of magic, but he managed to open the door wandlessly. He turned the doorknob and stumbled through the entrance.

The place was devoid of all signs of life, but the heat was on. Tristan trudged through the house, breathing frantically as he tore from room to room. The furnishings were still here, yet there were no signs that it had been lived in. No toys strewn about. The photographs on the walls had disappeared. Tears stained his eyes as he collapsed onto the couch. Pain wrenched his insides as he gave in to an uncomfortable slumber.

When Tristan awoke, it was early morning. He had no concept of time or date. Bringing his large fingers to his temples, he rubbed at them furiously, trying to sort out what to do. He had to find Julie and the kids. They had left some time before. But where to?

Forsaking a shower and taking time only to eat a cold can of spaghetti, he left the house soon enough. It was nothing but a hollowed shell, a figment of his past. He had no luck with Julie's mother. He went to Carl's next. The man did not receive him with warmth but did give Tristan time to explain his situation. To the dismay of the latter, the former didn't know Julie's whereabouts either.

Tristan was the very definition of exhausted as he returned across the world. Looking the worse for wear, he brought his fist to yet another door and pounded.

 

[Lief Sigurd]

Things had not set right for Lief ever since Julie and the kids had been whisked away with only a note for explanation. His concern was soon swallowed up by other worries and responsibilities. Christmas had come and gone, and Daisy was due to give birth any day now. Lief and his children were overly excited to meet the new addition to the family. The blond wizard often found himself pacing the house.

Expressing a need to get out of the house and spend some time with Anders and Annika, Daisy had taken them to the park. Lief worried, of course, and he was anxiously anticipating their return. He rose from his chair and tossed the latest issue of The Daily Prophet aside.

Lief was normally a composed person. He could not mask his surprise as his gaze fell on someone that he had not been expecting. When he finally managed to get his vocal chords functioning he said bluntly, "Tristan. Come in."

He would have rather bashed his brother over the head a few times with an Erumpent Horn instead of letting him in to his house. The sense of defeat he got from Tristan gave Lief a tiny bit of compassion. Tristan looked more like a beggar than anything with his unshaven face, horrendous clothing and lack of a shower.

"They're not here."

 

[Tristan Drage]

Tristan sighed in relief as Lief opened the door. He stepped in without hesitation. The man grimaced as he spotted his reflection in the window. 'Haggard' was not a strong enough adjective to describe his current condition.

The man's insides writhed as Lief spoke the words he had been dreading. He nearly fell into the chair, both of his legs splayed in a crooked, unidentical angle. Putting his head in large hands, he stared at the floor. The tiles were spotless and pearly. Not like the kitchen tiles at home. They were screaming for a broom but Tristan did not have the will to do any housework.

"Where are they?" He sputtered the words, rushing them as he looked up to his brother. If he did not get an answer he would scream.

 

[Lief Sigurd]

Lief's eyes narrowed as he stared back at his brother. "Do not shove your impatience upon me, Tristan. A lot of tears have been shed, and you've been the central reason. We've been waiting on you for seventeen years to come and step up to the plate. Surely you can wait a few more seconds to let a man speak."

The blond wizard's voice had grown incredibly frigid. After being a father himself, Lief had no compassion for his older brother. The man continually reeked of desertion. Taking a deep breath, he continued, "They were here for a long while. Josh was taking care of them in the states, but we decided that it would be safer if they moved in with us." Lacing his fingers together, he paused for a moment before speaking again. "Far brought them to the Herrogard a few weeks ago."

 

[Tristan Drage]

Immediate reaction brought Tristan to anger. His meaty hands curled into fists. Nostrils flaring almost as if smoke was going to start pouring out of them, he took in what his brother had to say with a grain of salt. He felt as rotten as an old carcass baking on hot pavement.

His eyes widened dangerously as Lief told him where Julie was. "Why the hell would they be there?" A vicious growl held his throat hostage. It was no secret what Tristan felt for the man who had sired him.

 

[Lief Sigurd]

Lief leaned forward in his seat as his brother snarled at him. "Because Far came and picked them up," he replied calmly. His voice had lost a bit of the hostility that had been there before. He was nearly ashamed of himself- a soon-to-be-Dad should not be so disagreeable. "They left while we were out shopping. We did not get a chance to argue. Julie obviously judged the move to be a safe choice." With a heavy sigh, he added, "Far may despise you, brother, but he doesn't have the grounds to hate everyone else."

 

[Tristan Drage]

The grimace on Tristan's face was blatant as he rose from the table. The lines that were etched across his skin were prominent, weariness peeking out through his features. He patted down his robes to make sure that everything he had brought with him was still there. It was strange not to have the familiar wand at his right side. The thing that had been more than an extension of his arm was now in Thorine's possession. It hadn't tasted death in a while- he was sure that it would again.

His eyes darkening, he started towards the door. "Thank you for all that you have done, brother."

 

[Lief Sigurd]

Lief's features were stricken with alarm as he rose from his seat. He did not move from the table, yet simply stared back at his brother. "You are going there now? Why don't you stay here for a bit? You could do with some cleaning up. Frankly, you look like you've gotten into a wrestling match with a manticore. Daisy's due any day now, but I'm sure that she wouldn't mind."

 

[Tristan Drage]

Leaning against the door, the dark haired man brought his massive arms against his chest and chuckled at his younger brother. "Thank you for the offer, but no. I have too much to deal with at the moment." Cracking a grateful smile at Lief, Tristan added, "And tell Daisy I said congrats. I'll be back to visit my niece or nephew when I have my life sorted."

With that, the large man turned out into the street. He didn't want for his brother's response; he had a date with Norway.