Naturally such a unique and insightful Rp deserves a reply. I chose to flesh out the actual gift giving and include Aldrakar's 2 sons. Hope you like it and if you don't you probably wouldn't have made it this far into my compendium of Rp's hehe.
The Son and the Black Horse
Encamped with one of the armies of Luria stood the sturdy and fairly large tent of Aldrakar. Winter may be mild in the south but it still had its tempers. It was a marching camp and as such it was all mobile and temporary. The servants had pitched the tents, horses were being tended and food boiled or if lucky cooked fresh, over a wood-fire set in a shallow pit.
There were hard and tough men all around and a fair amount of their female equivalent. The warriors of Luria were hardened through years of battle and campaigning. This also made the marching camp exceptionally efficient, everyone knew what to expect and what was expected of them in turn. Where the military side of things ended the family side of things made an entrance. Many soldiers brought their wives and even children. Campaigning in the homeland made that an easier endeavor than abroad fortunately and Aldrakar was no different.
The cheering and laughing greeted him as he walked back from the command tent and approached the location of his own. Asher, the youngest of his two sons was riding a black and white spotted pig. Much to the displeasure of his older brother, Aldrakar II. Older only by moments though but in an argument it mattered, especially to the two boys. Where they were only 3 or close to 4 summers they had the will and fire of their father, yet to be tempered with self imposed virtues and education. They ran to their father as soon as they spotted him. ''Daaaaaa!!'' being yelled at the top of their lungs and crash-huggled his boots and knees as they clung to him.
Aldrakar chuckled heartily and ruffled both their heads with his hands. ''Which one of you grew most today? Hmm?'' Both of the boys exclaimed it was them of course and Aldrakar lifted both of them on one arm each. Pushing them up higher and higher one after the other in a mock contest until he placed both of them on his shoulders. Draped like this with cheering little boys he greeted his usual staff that awaited his arrival back at his tent.
Putting the boys down and kissing both of them on the cheek Aldrakar was approached by a page, Marc was his name. ''My Lord, a messenger delivered this for you.'' Marc held out a letter tied to a package and gave it to his master. Sitting down at the fire on a stool Aldrakar set about to reading it while at the same time a bowl of stew was pushed into his other hand. Eating and reading he called over Aldrakar II. The boy ran to his father and all but crashed into him. ''Whoow boy, manners, stand up straight like you've been taught.'' Aldrakar arched an eyebrow. Aldrakar II smirked and straightened his posture with his arm neatly hanging to the side of his body. ''Good, here you got mail..'' Aldrakar pressed the package into his son's tiny hands and he in turn threw big eyes and set about in a frenzy to open it. Aldrakar could only chuckle softly as he resumed eating.
The little boy saw the toy, the fine black horse carved from wood by the hand of a master woodcarver. He loved it instantly and pressed it against his cheek until Aldrakar thought it would fuse. ''Do your letters son, read it.'' Aldrakar indicated the accompanying letter with the wooden spoon he had employed to eat the stew. His son stole a seat next to his father and put the black toy horse gingerly in between of them, like a revered guest.
''T..twiss ish Kao..'' Aldrakar II looked up at his father. He nodded ''This is Kato.'' The boy resumed reading and his father helped him and when the letter was finished it to became a treasured guest. Aldrakar produced a leather pouch from his belt and gave it to his son. ''Keep Kato in there when you don't play with her and also the letter, so you know who gave it to you.'' The boy nodded and beamed. ''Remember that giving is good and is a path walked by the good.'' The words were heard but perhaps not really understood. Aldrakar smiled warmly to his son and put his arm around him. The boy however noticed little of it as he let himself sink against his big father and played all the while with the little black toy horse, Kato.
