A Time for Mourning

A cool bitter breeze hung over the air like a vulture, just waiting for that right moment to strike. It was end of fall, and the trees were slowly falling into their winter slumber, while the animals were preparing for a long winters sleep. Down in the town of Silvanesti preparations were being made for the annual ‘end of fall’ festivities where the townsfolk celebrate another season gone by, and pay respect to the god of winter Kalhari. Every year, the town would be bustling with activity, children playing and laughing in the streets, Shopkeepers and Innkeepers working side by side, getting the preparations ready. But this year, there was a shadow of sadness over the town. " I just don’t understand how it could possibly happen", blurted out Lindoryl as she was helping her father clean the storage out in her shop.

"Its best not to think about it" replied her father, an old, yet very strong man. "No one knows what happened, but all we know is that it happened not very far from here."

Lindoryn understood what her father had said but still could not shake the fact out of her mind. Questions kept on filling her head as she finished packing some boxes away, "Why…why them?" "They didn’t deserve it." She knew that she wasn’t supposed to be thinking about it, but after hearing that another incident just happened a few weeks ago, near the town, she was just caught up in the whole ordeal.

"They say that it was the same type of creature that attacked the other caravan, they found marks on the side of the ruined wagons." She paused for a moment, "You know in my opin…"

"That’s enough!" Feslem punched out "Stop thinking about it ok, its over and we have no right to say in things we do not know about."

"But what happens if it attacks the town, then what?" Lindoryn pointed out, "what if it come in the night and…."

"Silence!….that wont happen" replied Feslem sharply. They both fell silent for a few minutes as they finished cleaning up the storage. Eventually Feslem went over to Lindoryn and put his hand on her shoulder, "look, I know that you are upset that this has to happen while your mother is away, but I’m sure that she’s ok, and that she will return safely."

Lindoryn turned around a looked in her father’s eyes, and saw that he truthfully meant that. She knew that he always told the truth, he could never lie in front of her. He never did, and when he did, he apologized. It wasn’t in his heart to hide the truth from her daughter. Ever since her mother went out on unknown journeys to explore new lands, she was all he had that reminded of her.

"Enough of this emotional babble, she’s coming home tomorrow, it’s going to be a great day."

"Your right father, I’ll go and buy a gift for her." Lydoryn turned and went up the stairs and out the door.

*****************

The next day was somewhat better than the last. The sun was shining, and there wasn’t such as cold breeze blowing around. As Feslem opened the door and walked outside, he felt the suns rays wash away the coldness around him. Being near the Ice Mountains of the Spine of the World, it was very rare to have sun like this. Feslem enjoyed this moment, for he knew that he wouldn’t have many more like this. As he turned back to enter the house, he heard a faint cry from down the street coming his way.

"Feslem..Feslem, I must speak to you." Cried a young messenger from the town hall.

"What is it my child, is there something wrong?" replied Feslem, somewhat very confused about the whole situation "Is there something wrong at the town hall?"