A Thousand Miles

(4 Imaerasta 5118, Wehnimer’s Landing: the dark hours of the morn)

She could not sleep. Instinctively, she reached for the harp. He had been at sea so long this time. She could not feel him in her dreams, there had been no word, and every once in a while, her brave front crumbled.

This time it was the the rush of the moist air off the Bay as she returned from her first patrol to the Sanctum of Scales. She shared this small, new victory with her companions that evening, Mister Altheren and Mister Dinaden, but at the first touch of sea-laden air, a sense of guilt – perhaps, certainly loss – overwhelmed her.

She fled from Town Square before anyone noticed. A hot bath had not helped, and though weary, sleep eluded her. She poured out her fearful heart to the harp, who responded with a crushing and melancholy echo of her own feelings. Her voice was low as she explored the possibilities of the song with Nightingale.

With each aching phrasing, she leaned further into the gaping abyss before her. Time passed beyond her awareness. The tears had long ago been spent, she was parched and confused when there was a tapping at her door that broke the daze that held her.

“Luxelle, we are about to rest for the night, are you almost finished with your music?”

She walked over to the door, but did not open it.

“Yes, yes,” she managed a raw whisper through the crack of the door, then sank down on to the floor, clutching the harp to her breasts and staring into the night.

Long after the candles had burnt out, her eyes were still fixed, facing the sea.

When the dawn arrived, the storm continued to rage.

 

 

Author: GSBardess

A young bardess named Luxelle is currently learning her trade and hoping to one day make a name for her songs in GemStone IV. Follow along with her adventures in life and song.

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