A Soldier's Mistake

[rukio 8924]

 

Spoiler

 

But death comes for all in the end

 

“I do so swear, High Keeper.” The words came easily. Elene was a Ruric by blood, after all. The choice to vow herself to a paragon of justice was no choice at all, given her past affiliation to the Ulvegr god of Owyr, who had filled a similar niche. With those words, she was anointed with bull’s blood and initiated into the Red Faith. A comfort she had not felt since her earliest childhood came over her. Her soul was at ease. She would reunite with her ancestors when death saw fit to claim her. With that burden settled, she had returned home, preparing for the siege on the bandit’s camp. She would not return to Morsgrad again for several months upon which her body would not depart again.

 

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Thu will suffer much tryg if thu choose this path.

 

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Voldrik was right, life was never easy after choosing to “be” a Heartlander, to serve as a guard to Heartlanders, but then again life was never easy to begin with. We are only as good as the struggles we have overcome, and many there were in her short life. Yet she endured, she fought hard and survived what the world threw at her. Abandoned as a child, terrible burns, a lost eye, too many broken bones to count, torture for the sake of making another being suffer. She had always overcome, yet some injuries can never be recovered from. Even the strongest of warriors can be taken down by the smallest of mistakes, and so too was her fate. Trust is a dangerous thing and in her later years she became too trusting. A poisoned drink gifted by a trusted friend... her final end…

 

Scared of fire in life, given a funeral pyre in death.

 

Iron from Ice

 

Elene Swint

 

10th of the Amber Cold 1735

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20th of the Amber Cold 1764

[Crevel 7557]

Voldrik Mournstone receives a letter in Výranni by way of an Ulvegr courier. His hand shakes as he reads in front of his children, clinging the letter to his chest. He squats in front of his twins, “My cousin, she.. she knew how to live as our people should. Her duty was served both on the battlefield and in home with her children. Fara...“

[AstriaS 4988]

The High Keeper issued a quiet sigh, kneeling in prayer before the smoldering remains of a funerary pyre. Her voice was quiet, her solemnly-spoken words obscured by the cold, northern wind as they were carried to The Maiden’s ears. A request had been made, oaths sworn, and a favor given. There was nothing more to be said.

 

”I’ve done my part, as you asked, Elene. Iron from Ice.”

 

A name fades out, but the Flame burns bright.

[BobBox 3798]

Rylan Swint glanced out his window for what felt like the tenth time that hour. 

 

”Da, when do we see Ma again?” Asked his kids. “I’m not sure, legr gotrs. I’m not sure.” He said, deciding it was a good time to rest.

[StormBreaker0520 192]

Storm Reusvuln would be in his house the following morning, working on finishing his bath house. At first, the elf would be so focused on his work that he would not notice the pounding on the door. However, as his sensitive ears picked up the muffled sounds of sobbing, Storm would quickly rush upstairs, throwing open the entrance.

 

Before the elf had any time to react, David runs into the room, sobbing. Storm would gaze upon David with curious eyes, never having seen the boy shed a single tear in his life ”David, oem’ii. What’s wrong, Dear?” the elf would inquire, his brows lofting as the scene unfolded. The boy would continue sobbing ”S-She’s gone!” the child manages to stammer out, tears uncontrollably streaming down his face. The elf would scowl at this, at first worried that something may have happened to his sister. He would firmly grip the boy’s shoulders, giving him a sharp gaze ”David, young man. Calm down, Dear, and tell me. Who is gone?” Storm asks, concern growing in his eyes as he prepares for the worst. David continues to sob ”MA!” he shouts ”Ma never came back!” 

 

Storm would pick the child up in his arms, setting him in a chair at the table. As he makes a quick meal for the boy he inquires further into the death, planning to attempt a rescue of the David’s mother, Elene, if need be. However all hopes of saving the life of his dear friend would be vanquished at David’s next comment “M-M-Ma went Morsgrad like do but D-da take her home as ashes a-a-after she neim come home…” He manages to stutter out in between tears and sobbing. This comment would cause the elf to freeze, flicking his gaze to the young man. He would put away the paper and quill he was using to write a letter to Elene with, instead moving to embrace the boy as he sobbed ”Oh Dear, I’m so very sorry to hear that.” Storm says quietly, beginning to rub the boy’s head, holding him close

 

Storm himself just barely managed to fight off tears of his own, as memories of Elene inundated his mind, like the opening of a floodgate. He would remember meeting Elene when she was a young, angry child at the gates of Haelun’or. Fond memories of him letting her into the barracks to laugh at captured enemies, seeing her donning her ISA outfit for the first time, and serving Oren with her heart and soul; a true warrior. The wedding, between her and Rylan, and the lovely children they bore together. It was almost too much for the elf, but he would be strong for David, for Alyssa.

 

Later that night, when David had left, and all was still, Storm would place a Lily in a vase, and light a candle, in a silent vigil for the fallen warrior. He would step out on his balcony, observing the night sky. A brilliant spatter of stars, all shapes and sizes, bright, dim. He was certain that somewhere out there in that expansive darkness, a new light had appeared as Elene joins her brethren in the afterlife.

”Rest Easy, Elene. You did well, you fought hard. You were an inspiration, a role model, and an example of how anyone can overcome even the hardest of challenges. Very many people will miss you, many will mourn for your passing. But we know that you are in a better place now, a place free of worries. Worry not, Rylan will be strong, and your children too, they’ll be okay. And I’ll do what I can to be there for them as well. Farewell, dear friend.”

 

The Death of a hero and legend, Elene Swint