The morning sun spilled through the window as it landed on Eleanor's delicate face--Her eyebrows furrowed as she then shifted out of place. F-Flaytus... a low murmur escaped from her lips as her eyes then fluttered opened--Only to be met with an old concerned one--It was Dominic. The frail man gazed at her--Then his eyes widened. E-Eleanor? daughter? you are awake! He smiled, clasping his palms as he gazed to the ceiling in delight.
Eleanor sat up--Still dazed, her gaze then met with the sun, then--W-What are you talking about father? she asked. --And... her voice trailed off as she rubbed her temple in frustration. just then--The incident from yesterday flashed through her mind. She then shot him a look--
F-Flaytus? father... have you gotten any news of the army's arrival? she asked--Her nimble fingers played with her pearl necklace.
Dominic's gaze then fell to the floor as Eleanor's heart went unrhythmic--Tell me baba, whatever it is. Her voice pressed--Then, Dominic lifted his face--His lips then formed a small smile--As he watched her trembling fingers--How it was clenching the pearls.
Eleanor's gaze was pressing, then--"They are returning, my daughter, they are coming back" Eleanor's breath hitched as her lips then formed a wide smile--Oh god! her fingers clasped her face as she sobbed softly.
She then got up--Quickly slipping on her boots--She sprinted outside. Dominic followed her to the door--Where are you going!! he asked. Eleanor turned back slightly--Her lips was curled in a mischievous smile--To see them! she yelled and off she went.
Dominic let-out a low laugh as he waved at her and shook his head--Child... he murmured.
----
The city of Byzantium gathered around the border as many eyes wandered around--Gazing at the entrance. Clasping their hands--Their eyes darted up to the sky, their lips moved in silent plea. Few minutes passed then--a man noticed an armada of men coming in their path--He then narrowed his eyes, his hands shading his face from the scorching sun as his eyes widened.
There in the armada of men--Right in the front was commander Flaytus--His eyebrows a frown, gaze hollow. His face dripped with guilt as the men beside him seemed to share the same.
Excuse me... sorry... Eleanor murmured in Ruthenian as if anyone could understand her--As she then made her way through the crowd. Squishing between many--She finally let out a soft gasp as she reached the entrance.
The men then entered and made their way through--Many eyes searched, so did Eleanor's she caught his face--Her lips curled in a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to take a better look--Her gaze fell to another face--As her eyes then went wide. Her breath hitched--S-Slav...?
He didn't glance at her way--His gaze was unreadable--Though he didn't have to speak, no one did--Because their mere faces told thousand stories. as he made his way through on the horse--At his back was a body pressed against him. His jaw was clenched.
Then it started--The cries of the mothers as they reached for their deceased sons. The empty stares of the now widows and their eyes seeming to gaze at their husbands-at their stolen lives.
Elenor gritted her lips as she watched this unfold--Hot tears pooled over her eyes--Just then, Leo walked in--His face was hardened--Dust clung to his shirt and face as he made his way--His lips was held in a pout, as he suppressed the urge to cry out.
Then his gaze met Eleanor's he then walked to her--Eleanor jumped out the crowd. Her lips curled into a warm smile as she walked to him with open arms.
Flaytus's head then turned--His gaze fell to her. So, did Julius (Slav) his eyes widened with recognition--E-Eleanor...? he breathed. As he then watched her.
Leo's pace then quickened as he yelled out her name--His voice cracking, Eleanor! Her lips curled in a soft smile as she called his near back--Leo!! her arms were wide as she then noticed his pace--He wasn't walking anymore, he sprinted, desperately. They then collided in a hug as Leo's tiny fingers wrapped around her waist--He sobbed as his shoulders shuddered rhythmically.
Eleanor's heart tightened as she let him hold her tighter.They then parted slightly--What happened my son? what happened? she asked in a motherly tone--Her hands reached up to cup his face. Softly grazing at his cheeks with her thumb as she asked again. Leo's breath came ragged as he murmured, my baba is gone...he left me!
Eleanor's lips quivered as she then hugged him tighter. My baba is gone Eleanor...he left me... he repeated as if that was the only thing that he could say of.
They stood there--Embracing each other as the crowd seemed to watch--Many wiped at their tears at the wholesomeness. Their interaction was the only warmth that could be felt at such a cold day.