Due to the Dead
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 31st August 2015
Characters: Eionen
Description: Before he departs, Eionn says goodbye again.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 1, day 20 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Aluka
It was a strange thing, to speak to a memorial stone. But Bailan had confessed she did it many a time, as had Aluka before he ran away. The holder wife told Eionn which one it was; the small one left off to the side of the hold's graveyard.
Looking at it, Eionn felt an incredible sadness. Bailan had told him Falior and Gordione never visited it as far as she knew, and it seemed such a lonely thing, that Bailan was the only one left who cared to tend the stone. He knelt in front of it, laying the wreath of viney growths Bailan had made yesterday on its surface. "Hello again, Shastia," Eionn whispered. "Bailan asked me to come by and give you this, and deliver some news."
He paused, unsure of himself and feeling ridiculous, but his hostess, who had been so generous to him despite everything, had made the request, so he would abide. "She- She lost her baby. She started having horrible cramps last night, and this morning, despite the healers here trying their best, it all ended. Bailan's relieved, but Harston is heartbroken. He may be a lousy husband, but he was truly looking forward to being a father. Bailan's brother and his wife are shaken too."
Eionn swallowed around the lump in his throat. "Harston wept. I know it's not shameful for a man to cry, but it was hard to witness. He promised Bailan over and over they could try again, and I think she sees him a little differently now, but I don't believe she'll allow another try." He shook his head. "You know, you- after we were together, you would have been well within your rights to seek out the healers, but I'm glad you didn't. There's one last part of you living in this world, and I'm going to try to find him one way or another."
He laid a hand on the stone, in the middle of the wreath. "I'm so sorry for everything, Shastia. Truly, if I'd known, I would have taken care of you somehow. I liked you that much, even though...." He may as well say it. There was no one else around to hear. "Even though my heart still belongs to someone else, even after all this time, I would have taken responsibility. I would have been good to you."
The harper stood, dusting off his knees. "I'm leaving with the caravan tomorrow, before dawn. I've given the traders nearly all my Marks to encourage them to move as fast as they safely can. If your- my- If our son is alive out there, there has to be something I can do. At the very least, I can say how sorry I am for everything. And I am sorry, Shastia. I'm so sorry I left you to this. You deserved better."
Eionn wiped his eyes and turned away. It was time to make himself dinner, and after that, he would try to sleep in preparation for the early departure. "Goodbye again, my sweet one. I wish.... No. Never mind."
**I wish I could have loved you.**
Last updated on the September 7th 2015