At the Bottom of the River (1/2)

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 21st December 2010

Characters: Zelanka, Benaroy
Description: Zelanka remembers tragedy from the past.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 5 of Turn 5
Notes: Follows: "No future left". A flashback-post, part 1/2).
Mentioned: Shadux

Zelanka was very thougtfull when she left Shadux. His leaving would leave
a gaping hole to her heart. He had been like son to her ever since his
mother died...

~*~flashback~*~

The Lord Holder's gaze was downriver as he stood on the Lady Tower,
looking glass up to his eye. His attention was fixed on a group of men
in a boat, feeling the rushing waters with long poles in the hopes of
finding... nothing. Because every time they lifted the pole without the
hint of there being anything under the water that didn't naturally
belong there, there was still hope of finding survivors.

Even as he concentrated on the sight of the tragedy before him, he would
never failed to notice the rustle of skirts and familiar footsteps of a
certain woman. Even after so many turns, his ear was always half
listening for that sound. "I've relieved Shayven from duty and called
him back to the Hold proper. He wasn't being any use out there." If
anything he was hampering the rescue operations in his desperation.

"Petriv's still there," Zelanka said. Her husband was one of those men
who could trusted to keep a cold head during the crisis. She was almost
biting her nails with the nervousness. It was her best friend over
there.

"At least two thirds of the people from the boats are accounted for now.
A few more were picked up downriver where they had managed to scramble
up onto a spit of sand." He shook his head, still in a bit of shock
that such a thing could have happened. "How do two boats captained by
experienced men just collide head on in the middle of broad day light?
It's unbelievable to me that such a thing could happen."

"I don't know," she said helplessly.

Their conversation was cut short by sound of running feet on the stairs.
"Excuse me, sir," a young lad said with a quick bow as he thrust a note
forward.

The Lord Holder took it and quickly scanned it. Only the tightening of
his jaw gave away the fact that the news was not to his liking. "I will
inform him myself. Tell them to keep looking."

"Sir," the boy nodded, turning to rush back towards the stairs.

Benaroy was silent until he knew for sure they could not be heard.
"Shards, Zela," he breathed hanging his head and squeezing his eyes
closed in a rare moment of weakness. It was something he could only
show her. "I don't know how to tell him."

"Tell who what?" Zelanka asked, although she quessed. She was suddenly
cold all over.

It was only then that Benaroy remembered that this was a very personal
loss for her as well. "I'm sorry, Zela," he said softly, reaching out a
hand to put gently on her shoulder. "They found Duksana and Vesan.
Their bodies had washed up down river."

"Oh," she felt the sorrow losing a dear friend. They had been friends
since they were little girls.

"Such a waste," he breathed, wanting to scoop her up into his arms to
comfort her, and find his own solace in hers, like he would have once
done.

"Shayven must be devastated," Zelanka said, always thinking others well
being.

"I have to go tell him personally." He owed the man at least that much.
The family he came from had been allied to the Lord Holders for as far
back as he could remember. A death in their family was almost like a
death in his own. "I hate my job today."

"Let me know if I can help some way," Zelanka asked.

Benaroy remembered just how devastated he had been after the loss of his
first wife and children, though they had not all three gone at the same
time. He was sure his friend would be equally closed off to the world.
"Shavana and the little one might need some looking after."

"I can do that," Zelanka nodded.

"Then let's get this over with," he said, indicating she should lead the
way with a nod of his head. "They'll be bringing the bodies soon, and I
want him to know before they arrive."

Zelanka belched a little. She didn't want to see them. She rather
remember the living people, not the drowned corpses.

Benaroy didn't miss the usually unflappable Zelanka's hesitation. His
arm slipped around her shoulder once more. "If it's too much, I can
find someone else to look after the little ones. I know you've lost
today as well."

"No, I can handle it," She said with determined tone. "If Shayven
doesn't mind, I can keep then overnight with my family."

"I think tonight he'll want to be with Duksana and Vesan." The Lord
Holder doubted that his thoughts would stretch far beyond his grief.

Last updated on the January 23rd 2011

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At the Bottom of the River (1/2)