GOD, GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE, THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN, AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.
The words jumped out at Jorena, upon the aurum dagger made just for her. It was a gift from her uncle, Kazimir. She loved it, but as a girl with little sense of wielding weapons, the best way to show her gratitude was a hug. She was quick to scamper off afterward, on some adventure with her friends. The years, in a blur, were similar. Jorena exchanged small chats, waves, and smiles as she grew. She couldn’t remember the last conversation they had, before she left for two years.
For two years, she roamed, and came home. And from warmer lands, Jorena heard of how the blood spilled through Vjardengrad’s streets. She could not bring herself to go back yet. She was afraid of what she would see.
“Haakon, Ægir, Kazimir, Sissel, the High Keeper…” She did not see them, but heard only of their names, their demise. Jorena asked Raginolf if he was certain, and he was. Kazimir Weiss, “Gone in a blaze of light.”
It made her stomach twist to know. Jorena’s own blood spilled, the flesh of her family singed into insignificance, and she was none the wiser. There was no chance to save him, nor say goodbye. So from the halls of blacked stone, in earnest, Jorena prayed.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” And, “Grant those I love the serenity of this life, or of the next one.”