Asking for Help

Writers: Emma, Paula, Vix
Date Posted: 31st May 2008

Characters: Vanea, Corowal, Miranek
Description: As the Hold prepares for Threadfall, Vanea's mother Neana goes missing.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 17 of Turn 4

**The girls will find her,** Vanea told herself as she tasted the thick stew and nodded her approval to the waiting cook. **The girls will find her and she will sit in her usual spot during the Threadfall.** She forced her mind away from the thoughts of the Fall and tried to concentrate on what task needed to be done next.

Passing her she saw one of the Hold crafters, one who might be able to help her, might be able to understand and give her a hint. "Master Miranek? I know that you're busy, but if I could speak to you for a moment?" "Of course," it would have to be fairly serious for the Headwoman to interrupt her preparations for fall.

"My mother. . ." her voice trailed off as she forced down her panic. "She's missing. My daughters are looking for her." "I see," and he understood. For someone as confused as Vanea's mother was, fall had to be a terrifying prospect, especially if they seemed to be reliving a youth without that menace. "Has she done this before?"

Vanea shook her head. "Mother forgets who we are but she pretty much stays in one or two places. Occasionally if someone stands up and leaves a room she'll follow, but she stops very quickly and wanders back." "What about anywhere she used to be familiar with? Is there a chance she might have gone there?"

The Headwoman frowned. "I was away from this Hold for many turns. By the time I returned, she and my father had been living within the main Hold for quite a while and she had to be encouraged to take even short walks outdoors." "Is there anyone who might know where the place they lived before is?"

Vanea motioned vaguely. "Out in one of the crafter's cottages. But after I married and moved away they had no reason to take so much space and moved from the cot." "Lord Corowal would have the records to tell you which one they used," suggested the healer.

She sighed and offered a sad smile. "Lord Corowal is busy with preparations for Threadfall. We need to look at the good of the Hold." "I think in this case he'll speak to us about it."

"If you think it's alright." She glanced toward the other side of the Hall where the Lord Holder was busy instructing residents, hoping that Corowal would not think her concern too trivial. She nodded resolutely and strode toward him. "Lord Corowal? May I have a moment of your time?" "Of course, Vanea, what it is?" The lord looked at the headwoman curiously.

"My mother. . . she's missing. No one has seen her since earlier this morning." "Oh dear, that doesn't sound very good. Have you people looking for her?" Corowal said.

The Headwoman nodded. "My daughters. But I'm worried about her – she's . . . confused." "And there's Fall coming, she must be found," Corowal said. He gestured for a drudge and sent her to fetch the captain of the guard. "What's her name? Any idea where she might be?"

"Neana," Vanea responded. "She usually stays in the Hold, sometimes in the courtyard. Master Miranek feels that she might have gone to a place she remembers from earlier in her life, not from the time while she lived in this building, but I have no idea where that might be." "Hhmm, " Corowal said thoughtfully and looked around. There was lot of people present, with people gathered to inside to safety and groundcrews checking their flamethrowers.
"Ahoy! Does anybody here know where elderly lady named Neana used to live in her youth?" he asked with loud voice. He gave the Headwoman a lopsided grin, "It's worth trying."

"She and her husband lived in one of the rooms on the first floor," one woman responded.

"Not always," put in another. "They lived in one of the cots near the old Harper Hall with their babe when I knew them." Vanea vaguely remembered that home, the one in which she had grown up, but would Neana have gone there?

"See," Corowal murmured.

Zandan, the captain of the guards, arrived. "You wanted to see me, My lord?" he asked and saluted.

"Yes. Our headwoman's mother has gone missing. She is mentally...confused. Send men to search for her. Her name is Neana."

"But there's Threadfall starting very soon, Cor!"

"I'm aware of that. So you better find her _quickly_" Corowal's tone was sharp. Perhaps he should remind his old friend how to address him when there were other people around. It didn't matter how he acted when they were alone, but in public, some show of respect must be maintained.

Guilt washed over Vanea at the order Corowal had given the guards – guilt at asking for such a concession so close to Threadfall and guilt for not watching over her mother more closely. She spoke softly. "Thank you, Lord Corowal. I appreciate your efforts." "Hey, don't worry about it Vanea. It's you mother after all. I don't want _anybody_ lost outside when the Thead starts falling," Corowal said with kind and comforting tone and squeezed her hand encouragingly. "She'll be found in time."

She managed a smile, though she was not feeling it. "Of course she will be." She slid her hand from his. "And now, I should get back to work." Corowal gave understanding nod and an encouraging smile. He also had lot to do before the Fall.

Last updated on the June 1st 2008

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Asking for Help