Bad News

Writers: Chelle, Eimi
Date Posted: 8th June 2010

Characters: Parale, Ioven
Description: Parale finds out about the mine disaster at Iron Lake.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 9, day 19 of Turn 5

Alie had already come and seen her, to spread the news. The entire Hold
was in a shambles, with many having family or friends at Iron Lake that
were hurting. Parale was in her quarters, quietly drowning. Her cousins
had been down there. She didn't know if they were alive or dead. It was
hard to imagine what it would be like down in a dark hole like that.

Of course, Ioven had heard that there had been an accident at Iron Lake
the day before. News had been sketchy at best, and the true number of
missing had not been known until that afternoon. A list of the possible
victims had been posted, and Ioven had seen a woman he had recognized as
Parale's mother walking away from the list with a rather distressed look
on her face. When he had heard of the incident, he knew there was no
guarantee that Parale had known any of the miners, but as she had lived
there all her life, it was certainly possible. Seeing her mother
confirmed it in his mind. After tucking his girls in for the evening,
he decided to slip out really quickly to check.

She didn't hear the door open, but it didn't matter much. She was crying
into her furs. Helpless, she knew there was nothing she could do.

"Parale?" She was not in the immediate rooms of her quarters, and he
wondered if she might not have fallen asleep already. In which case, he
should just hurry back out. But he noticed the dishes were yet
unwashed, which was strange. "Parale?" he called again, a bit louder.

"Go away," she yelled raggedly. There were others hurting. Why did
things like this have to happen?

He hadn't quite heard what she had said, but it was obvious she was
awake. He stepped closer to her room door. "Parale, it's me, Ioven."
Of course, what other man would it be? He glanced over to the door to
make sure he had left it open. The last thing he wanted was to start
rumors. "May I come in?"

"No, I look awful." That was probably ridiculous, but he hadn't seen
her dribbling, just sick. After the lunch that afternoon, she wondered
why he had even come by.

Since he could not see her tears, but he could guess why. "Are you all
right?" he asked, creeping a little closer.

"No..." She gave up and revealed her face. "My cousins...are in that
mine."

That was what he had been afraid of. Cautiously, he peeked his head
around the door. "Is there any news of them?"

"No..no one knows if they're dead or alive. They have to fix things
before they can go down." She sat up and rubbed her eyes. "So many
families-wives, children-and they don't know anything."

He ventured to enter the room and perched lightly on the edge of her
bed. "I'm sure it's not as bad as it sounds. Often people assume the
worst." Though often times they were right, he knew.

"It's happened before, Ioven. A very long time ago, but it did." She
had heard the stories. Miners always knew when they went down
there that it could happen. "To be buried alive..."

"That is only the worst case scenario, Parale," he assured her, lightly
laying a hand on hers. "I'm sure that has not happened to your
cousins."

"I hope not. Jore was only 23 turns old. And Mardy has two girls."
Her face looked up at him, hopeful. She wanted to believe him.
Still, her experience told her that some would die.

"I know they are doing everything they can. They are lucky. The Mining
Hall are their neighbors, so there are literally hundreds of experienced
miners working day and night to get them out." That, at least, he
knew for a fact.

She moved on the bed, scooting closer to him. Parale leaned into him
for comfort, worried about everyone. It was a nice feeling knowing she
had someone for that. "I know someone has to do that work but..it's so
dangerous."

It was odd feeling her so close, but he knew that if she were to marry
him, he would have to become accustomed to being even more intimate with
her, even though she was basically still a stranger to him. A little
awkwardly, he reached a hand around her waist and rested it against her
lightly. "They make it as safe as they can, and they have plans in
place for just such an event. It's too soon to mourn."

"Do smiths ever have accidents?" In her own way, she was asking about
the safety of his work and the possibility of losing him.

He could understand why she was asking. "No more than is common to most
men." Ioven knew working with the kiln could be dangerous if he weren't
careful, but so could wielding a scythe, or working around runners. It
was all chance really.

"Maybe I can find a way to go down there..." It would be hard with the
weather, but if she needed to, she thought she could make her way. Some
of the Holders were going down to help, after all.

His initial thought was **Don't be ridiculous**. But he bit back on
that reply. Ioven had learned that Parale was impulsive, something he
would certainly have to watch if they did marry. "There's nothing you
can do down there. There are probably already too many people rushing
around. Let them do their jobs. If you must help, ask the Headwoman
here what you can do. She's most likely busy and could use an extra set
of hands put to practical use."

"You don't think they'll need women to help tend the wounded?" Those
bodies that were still alive would need help, though Parale would
probably end up dressing the dead.

"I think they'll need help feeding the survivors and rescuers, and
supplying the healers." They had plenty of women clamoring to tend
their men. Too many 'helpers' could prove more an obstacle than a
blessing.

"So I should just sit here and wait?" She didn't really like that idea.

"No, as I said you should ask our Headwoman where you are most needed.
I'm sure she is working closely with the Steward and Iron Lake staff to
coordinate Garnet Valley's response. Instead of walking blindly into an
already confusing situation, you can be given clear instructions on how
you can best help." Left to her own devices, though, he was half afraid
she'd wander down that mine with the best of intentions, but with the
worst of results. "The girls are asleep. If you like, we can check on
them and then I can go with you."

She sighed and let go of him. Getting up, she wiped off her face and
made some adjustments to her hair. "All right let's go."

He was glad she had seen reason easily enough. "After you."

Last updated on the June 12th 2010

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