The grandeur of Lord Varric's mansion came closer as Elias and Lord Varric approached the mansion.
The mansion loomed before them, impossible to miss, although weathered by time, its stone wall rose. Narrow window decorated with tracery and tinted fragments of stained glass, punctuated the facade. The roof was a steep incline of dark slate, bristled with gables and dormer windows
At each corner, tall turrets stood sentinel, their conical roofs reached skyward, while battlements crowned the walls
Within the walls, the courtyard spread out, a haven of meticulous order. Ornamental hedges bordered stone pathways that wound their way through beds of blooming flowers.
A fountain, its water caught the dying light, tinkling softly in the center, surrounded by a ring of benches. Nearby, a small pond, its surface still and reflective, lay nestled among ancient oaks and trimmed yews
The main entrance was an imposing wooden door reinforced with iron studs and was framed by an elegant stone archway.
"Welcome to my abode, Elias Ashdown," Lord Varric said as he pushed the door open
The door creaked open to reveal a vast entry hall, its high ceiling supported by thick wooden beams. Chandeliers of wrought iron hung from above, their candles flickering and casting a warm, golden light that danced across the polished stone floor.
Tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of historical battles and legendary tales, their rich colors contrasting with the cold gray of the stone.
A grand staircase of dark, polished wood curved upwards, its banister smooth from the touch of countless hands over the years.In the heart of the mansion, a great hall stretched out, with long, wooden tables flanked by high-backed chairs.
A massive fireplace dominated one wall, its hearth large enough to roast an entire boar, the flames crackling merrily and filling the room with a comforting warmth. Corridors branched off from the main hall, leading to numerous rooms.
Lord Varric led Elias down one of the corridors, till they reached a space outside. There were training dummies present, and various weapons lined but most of them were swords, it was a personal training ground for Lord Varric, and of course, the one who was utilizing it at the moment; Sarah Ironwood.
There, in the fading light of the afternoon, Sarah Ironwood moved with the precision of a seasoned warrior. Her sword cut through the air in controlled arcs, each movement fluid yet powerful.
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Her physique was a result of years of disciplined training—strong, yet lean, with muscles honed from countless battles, but it didn't diminish her womanly allure, not in the slightest, instead, it gave it a unique appeal.
The sunlight glinted off her bronzed skin, highlighting the definition in her arms and shoulders as she wielded the blade with a grace that belied its weight. Her stance was solid, her footwork impeccable, and there was a fierce intensity in her gaze, one that showcased her determination and unshifting focus.
"Sarah," Lord Varric called out, interrupting her rhythm, which caused her to break focus, "Come over here, Elias Ashdown is here,"
Sarah Immediately whipped her head in Lord Varric's direction as she heard Elias' name, she dropped the sword she was holding and stormed over to Elias.
"Give it back," She demanded
"This...this isn't what we discussed Sarah," Lord Varric cautioned her
Elias looked up at her, and sighed, "Aren't you supposed to take a less commanding approach?" He asked
"Are you trying to make me give back the sword to your daughter?" Elias raised a brow
"Haa, that's far from it. We're already past that, do what you wish with the sword,"
"Then what are you trying to say?" Elias queried
A smile appeared on Lord Varric's face, "She might be a few years older than you, but she's strong, very intelligent, both battle-wise and academically, she graduated top of her class,"
Elias wondered why Lord Varric was saying all these, "Okay? That's good I guess,"
Lord Varric leaned back, a smile playing at the corners of his lips as he looked upon Elias. After a moment, he cleared his throat and began speaking, his tone casual, yet every word carefully chosen.
"You know," he started as if the thought had just occurred to him, "there's something to be said for a woman who can hold her own in a conversation. My daughter, Sarah, for instance—sharp as a blade, that one. She's always had a knack for understanding the intricacies of court politics, among other numerous things she dabbles in, far more than most.
A good head on her shoulders, which is a rare thing these days."
Imaya raised her eyebrow, she already knew where Lord Varric was going with this, and for some reason unknown to her yet, she didn't like it.
He paused, letting the statement hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "And it's not just her mind. She has a kind heart as well—always looking out for those around her. Why, just last week, she organized a party for the soldiers and everyone living in my District, ensuring every Soldier, leathersmith, and blacksmith, everyone, had what they needed. Quite the feat, really.
Shows a certain... competence and compassion, wouldn't you agree?"
"I guess so," Elias shrugged
Lord Varric leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "And then there's her grace. I've seen many a lady stumble through a dance, but Sarah—she moves like she was born to it. Not just in the ballroom, mind you, but in everything she does, you've seen it too, her swordsmanship is also a reflection of this. There's a natural elegance about her.
It's not something you can teach; it's just there, like the way the sun rises without effort."
"I see..." Elias remarked, "Her swordsmanship was quite impressive, I can't lie,"
Elias had a feeling of what Lord Varric was trying to do, but he was going to let the man drive his point home.
Lord Varric chuckled softly, shaking his head as if bemused by his own musings. "Of course, I'm just her father. Perhaps I'm biased. But if I were a younger man, well... I'd be hard-pressed to find a flaw in her. She's always had this way of making the people around her better, bringing out the best in them and she's strong enough to hold her own in a fight as you have seen.
I'd wager that's a quality any man might appreciate in a wife."
Lord Varric let his words settle, watching Elias carefully, gauging his reaction. He didn't push further, content to let the young man draw his own conclusions from the subtle praises he had woven into the conversation.
'Haaa....I knew this was where he was going with this,'
"Wife?" Elias asked
"Wife?!!" Imaya exclaimed