Neverwinter Forest starlight, starbright

Night was approaching fast and Antares was lost in thought. What had originally been a trip out to grab a bite to eat had turned into another episode of flashbacks. Antares was almost surprised at how much he missed his siblings, how much he missed his mother. He missed the way that the snow was cut by those strong, brilliant pines - how the sun looked as it bounced off the snow and blinded everything so beautiful. The stars were perhaps the most amazing feature of the world up North and had been the most intense part of Antares' desire to get back home. He could not replace his family, but he also could not stand having something so close and yet so not right.

He was taken back to a night much like this, serene and quiet, when Sigrún had approached him. In her soft tones she had explained that a suitor had been selected for her. And if I leave, who will watch after you? She mused, before bumping her head against her brother's tawny brow. Sigrún was also a child who looked like their ancestors - petite, compact, with seafoam kissed eyes - Sigrún looked much like the grandmother who's name she bore. Chakra Spinx. She had ultimately declined the advance but not for his sake. It had been clear to all that Salene could only pretend to be happy for the sake of her young when it came to leaving. But both Antares and Sigrún lived for themselves and leaving had ultimately been the path they chose.

On the eve he had left, as he wanted to stars to map his journey, Antares had spoken at length with the Ostara. They had talked of honor, of family, of home - all the things that made the backbone of their clan and had shaped the history of his parents' lives. They had talked of Auryn, Salene pushing past the old ache and hurt to give her youngest son the bounty of knowledge that she possessed. When he had asked before usually there was little time for such nonsense. It was still entirely surprising that she had ever bothered to give him information about his father.

Here was....well, it was beautiful, in it's own rights, but it was not quite home yet. He had no idea how long he was going to stay or how sure he was that he was following the right path. Either way, as the stars began to peak over the darkening horizon, Antares was filled with at least a sense of comfort. The stars, if nothing else, were always stable.