The Mother
People got really excited about Aethera’s updated look so I had to do a pin-up with her ASAP. She’s a little bit inspired by Geralt from Witcher so I decided emulating his infamous bathing scene was a perfect match for her. I also used it as a chance to expand on Aethera herself with a little bit of her back story in the short story below. Give you a little bit of an idea of the kind of woman she is as well as introducing you to a new character who’s tied heavily to her - you’ll see her eventually :)!
Pleased with how this turned out so I hope you like it too. Thanks for the support as always!
“Lady Aethera, your bath is ready.” The young maiden Kynshia announced at the doorway to the Warden Mother’s study. “Would you like company?” She asked, a hint of hopefulness in her voice.
“Thank you Kynshia. And no, I shall bathe alone this night. I’d use the time to gather my thoughts.” Aethera nodded as she undressed the final parts of her armour, making her way towards the maiden who eyed that impressive warrior physique of the Warden Mother - a form ripped with toned muscles and scars of old battles. Her body a testament to pure Kaldorei strength and marked as a tapestry of the many battles in her ten thousand plus years of life.
The maiden looked a little down by The Warden Mother’s desire to bathe alone. Aethera noticed it immedately and attempted to balm the girl’s feelings with promise.
“Chin up, Kynshia. I’d have you join me in the bath next time.” Aethera assured, lifting the pouting maiden’s chin with her index finger. “And in bed after.” She said with a gentle smile, melting the young maiden immediately into a blush and flurry of stammering.
“Y-yes! Mom-... ahem... Warden Mother. My lady, AHEM! okay!” She stopped talking and bowed instead, using the gesture to hide her face.
“Go and enjoy a night off, Kynshia. You’re far too young to be spending a Friday evening with an old woman like me. Go on.” Aethera insisted in her raspy motherly voice, gently patting a side of Kynshia’s face with her large rugged palm.
Truthfully Aethera had little need for a handmaiden. She was not some self indulgent noble nor was she incapable of filling her own bath or preparing her own meals. Yet it was a debt the girl’s family felt the need to continue to pay even against Aethera’s wishes. Ever since Aethera had saved their home and entire family in Ashenvale during the days of the mad blood lust of Grommash Hellscream and his clan - they had pledged Kynshia to her as a Warden to train or as a maiden to serve with Kynshia’s blessing.
Kynshia lacked the qualities to be a Warden, she could not train a girl of such gentle disposition and small physical form. So she took her on as a personal handmaiden, if only to appease her family and be free of their incessant push for her to do so.
Kynshia chuckled a little. “As you wish, my lady. I shall return in the morning.”
“You’ll return on Monday, dear. Go and enjoy the weekend for goodness sake. Meet friends, meet a handsome man or woman – anything that isn’t spending time doing things for me, alright?” Aethera commanded, though with a streak of motherly kindness piercing through her words. The girl meant well but sometimes she needed a figurative shove and sometimes a literal one to shake the roots of dutiful maiden off her.
Kynshia smiled, bowing her head. “On Monday then, my lady. Enjoy your bath - Oh! I’ve left clean towels for you in there as well and your robes are in-” her words were cut short by the expression of Aethera peering at her with folded arms, a silent way of telling her to get going already. “Oh right uh! Bye!” She said with a final bow before finally taking her leave.
Aethera gave her one of her rare slight smiles and a gentle pat on her shoulder for good measure before heading to the bathing area. An extravagant effort by Kynshia as always too. Moonberry wine, wine glasses, candles and even rose petals in the water. The steam from the surface of the water was just enough that Aethera could tell Kynshia had made it the perfect temperature for her too.
She poured herself a glass of wine and took a few sips, carrying it into the bath with her but keeping it out of the water on a nearby table at the edge of the tub. She exhaled softly as her body submerged, the perfectly hot water enveloping her muscular form and gently tingling her old scars as she relaxed.
Aethera peered up at the stone ceiling and her mind began to wander, thinking of things that weren’t her warden duties and plans for the days ahead. She recalled her late husband and how he loved bathing with her like this, she wore a soft smile as she recalled how he’d be so eager to be the one sitting with his back to her between her legs in the water. How he’d grab her wrists and wrap them around him while telling her she should smile more often. She missed him and she wished she had smiled more while he was alive.
She eyed the bracelet on her wrist, a small vine that looped and twisted upon itself. A mother’s day gift from her children many years ago when they were only waist high. She hadn’t taken it off since they gave it to her, even wearing it under her armor into battle. She recalled how Kalli had cried when the vine had snapped in his pocket and how his face lit up when his big sister Val used her druid magic to fix it and ensure it would never wither. She had been the best mother she could to them, even if they had taken drastically different paths.
Kalli was ever one for adventure and a troublemaker, Aethera didn’t approve of the news of him indulging that through piracy nor his choice of a husband. Yet Val assured her that he was happy and healthy, news of that much warming her enough at least. She wished she had done more to guide Kalli in his early years, yet he had always been closer to his father than her. With his death he had little reason to remain in one place. He was his own man now, she could only hope that this husband of his would take care of him.
Val had grown into a fine young woman, a powerful healer druid and a kind soul. There was irony to be mined from the fact that the daughter of a Warden, a renowned one such as her - was a pacifist. She was proud to learn that she had taken Loriandra as her lover of late, at least now she had someone to protect her when she couldn’t. Her beloved daughter had been through much and been taken advantage of by wicked souls - yet she had become stronger than ever for her struggles and strife.
Lori too had come far in her training, a proud young Warden and worthy right hand to the Warden Mother. Loyal and honorable, at least for the most part. Her and the other Spear of Elune blessed were a handful when it came to forgoing their duties to entertain their baser desires. She might not have been hers but since the passing of her parents, Lori always felt like kind of a third child to her.
Aethera raised her palm from the water and watched the droplets ripple the surface as they fell from her fingertips, she softly smiled to herself again. Part of her regretted sending Kynshia away for the weekend, a selfish regret anyway. In spite of the manner that had brought her into Aethera’s employ, she was good company; hopelessly loyal and a decent lay too.
She chuckled to herself as she recalled how the girl had accidentally called her ‘Mommy’ during sex and was so mortified with embarrassment she fled the place half naked. Eventually returning to Aethera a few days later to apologize. Aethera had since given her permission to address her as that if she wished to do so, assuring her it was common and perfectly fine to see her as such. She’s not fully comfortable calling her it yet, but at least she doesn’t flee for days when she says it now.
As she sank into the water a bit more, Aethera closed her eyes and finally let her strong body release it’s tension in the shoulders and beyond. She would remain there until the water cooled before taking her leave to bed. A fine night to relax and unwind, to recall faces of the past and present. She needed it more than she realized.
A night for Aethera,
A night for the mother.
