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Dona Karissa was sitting beneath a tree in Ahrothen, sobbing. All
around her were the numerous shallow graves of the war-dead, many of which
had freshly-planted flowers next to them. Beside her was a basket,
filled with many more flowers.
As she cried, Sir Aeric approached on horseback. Noticing there was a young woman there crying, he stopped. Dismounting, he looped the reins around a nearby tree branch and cautiously approached her. Karissa's sobbing was interrupted by his voice. "What's the matter, girl?" Aeric asked in a voice so soft it startled her. "Did you lose your--oh! Dona Karissa!" Sir Aeric Bannier stood before her, looking quite different from his usual Court persona. His hair was a bit disheveled, and his cheeks were covered with a few days' growth of beard. He wore a simple leather doublet over a faded poet's shirt, tight riding breeches, and a pair of scuffed-up old leather boots, all of which were dusty from a day spent on the road. Behind him, Karissa could glimpse his horse nibbling absently on some grass, and a fine sword which hung in a scabbard from the saddle. Sir Aeric bowed his head formally, looking quite ridiculous considering his appearance and attire. "Dona Karissa...please pardon the intrusion, milady. I didn't recognize you." He stood there for a moment, looking down at her and thinking. Finally, he spoke. "Is there...anything wrong, Lady?" Wiping the tears from her face, Karissa replied. "No apologies needed, good sir. It is I who should apologize." She began to gather her things in haste, barely even able to look him in the face. Sniffling, she said, "I...I came to place fresh flowers on the resting place of the fallen...I...I'm sorry that I have disturbed you." She rose, pulled the veil back over her face, and collected the rest of her belongings. "I hate that you had to see me like this. Blessed Be." She bowed quickly and turned to leave. "Please, don't leave on account of me," Sir Aeric called after her. "I did not mean to intrude upon you. Forgive me." The gentleness of his voice stopped her in her tracks. Was this the same hard man she saw in Court every week, half-ready to draw his sword at the slightest insult? "You shouldn't be afraid to cry," Sir Aeric said, "or to let others see you cry. When you cannot cry anymore, THAT's when you should be ashamed." She turned around at these cryptic words, and saw Sir Aeric facing away from her, leaning with his arm against the tree she was until so recently sitting under. "I've spent the last month riding the length and breadth of this land, MY land, and all I've seen is grief. Burnt out villages where children once played and sang, ashen fields where crops once grew in abundance, weeping widows and fathers burying their husbands and sons, and I cannot cry. I'm not sure I would even WANT to." Karissa approached the young knight. "Everyone mourns in their own way and at their own time. I am not ashamed of my crying, nor should you be, for the lack thereof." As Karissa said this, Aeric felt the of warmth of her touch on his shoulder. "In my heart, I know you can feel your people's pain and sympathize." She pulled away, ever so slightly. "I am ashamed that I do not cry for my loss, rather, for the responsibilities that it has placed before me...." Aeric whirled on her unexpectedly. "You presume to know the workings of my heart? Well, then, tell me this: how is it I stand before you now when all around me are dead? Tell me!" When he saw how his words affected her, he took a step back and lowered his eyes. "I...I'm sorry, Dona Karissa. You did not deserve such an outburst. I'm afraid mine is not the best shoulder to cry on. I should leave you." He turned and started walking towards his horse. "Sir Aeric," Karissa called out, "wait...don't go," Aeric turned towards her slightly, as if interested in what she might say next. "Tell me," she asked, "why do you hide your feelings so? You already know the answer to your question. You don't need ME to tell you." There was a pause as what she said started to sink in. Karissa looked up at the setting sun. "Oh dear, it is getting late. It is not safe to wander the Wilderland at night unaccompanied. I really must go...." Softly, Aeric said, "good e'en, Lady." "Good e'en to you as well. Eld Magnil bless." Karissa turned to leave towards the Wilderland, pausing to place the remainder of flowers. Curious, she thought to herself, I have never seen Aeric act this way before. As she headed down the path to Pern, she thought back to the recent adventure they shared together.... |
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