So basically, my power went off... I live in Seattle and we had a HUGE strom and 500,000 people had their power out for three days, some more. Unfortuanately, I'm one of the more. Our across-the-street-neighbors have power, but do we? No, that would make me too lucky... this also means no internet, but I did have the chance to charge my computor in the car and so I wrote a lot... and finished Avenging the Throne. It was REALLY depressed. Seriously, it's like, 11 PM and I suddenly start crying because it's done and because the ending is VERY sad. I have about six ideas ofr sequels though, and I'll start writing them immedietly when I've finished posting the next few chapters which I will make y'all wait for. Post more for more chapters!
Thank you to Nadia Marijke and FaylinnNorse for reviewing! Nat, you'd BETTER review this time! raises fists threateningly
This chapter is very long for me, so you'd beter get reading!
It rained at the funeral.
Drops pelted down Kaylen's uncaring body, mingling with the torrent of tears which dripped down her face. She licked her lips, faintly tasting salt. Like a little girl, Kaylen clung onto to Namir's arm. Kathryn, who arrived uninvited, at least had the grace to stand across the lawn. Recognizing her, the doormen let her in, and by now, Namir was too weary to force her away. As she stood beneath an umbrella, Kathryn's eyes stayed dry.
Next to Kaylen stood Leala, who forged a short but substantial relationship with Vivara. Like Kaylen, she also cried, although not so heavily. Namir's lip quivered, but he did not weep. Instead, he stepped behind Kaylen, hugging her tightly and comfortingly stroking her arm.
Although Namir and Kaylen weren't close, in fact on the brink of hate, Kaylen did not resist him. Today, she needed a life saver to hold on to.
"Vivara Chesna Gylnis, known for her kindness and intelligence, was loved by many. We gather here today to say goodbye." The minister began, his voice flat and droning, as if he had done this so many times it became a menial task.
"We will have three speakers," He continued. "A dear friend and the owner of this manor, Namir Carmom, followed with his daughter and close friend of Ms. Gylnis, Leisel Carmom and ending with Ms. Kathryn Flettner. Mr. Carmom," The minister gestured for Namir to come up.
Kaylen released her father, but the moment that he left her, she felt naked and alone. She hugged herself, shivering as she did so.
"Ms. Gylnis and I had a close relationship, though we went through some rocky times," Namir began, speaking formally for the benefit of all the people who met Vivara by chance and thought of her only as the woman who wanted to steal Namir from their fellow worker, Kathryn.
"Through it all, she stayed calm, steady, there. Ms. Gylnis loved me through it all. She fought for my love and I wouldn't take it." Namir paused, breathing deeply. "And now I realize: I loved her. I was just too blind to see it. If I could go back," Namir stopped, wiping his eyes. "If I could go back, Ms. Gylnis – Vivara – would know I loved her. And she would have the luckiest fiancé in the world."
The audience stood silent, eyes glassy with passion. Kaylen, who now leaned into Leala, let the tears come, body heaving from the eruption of powerful sobs. Kathryn's eyes were closed and she looked to be fighting back tears.
"That is all," Namir finished. He stepped down from the makeshift stage, carefully weaving his way to the back of the crowd where Kaylen and Leala stood. The priest resumed his position at the podium.
"An enlightening speech," the minister's voice stayed flat. "And for our next speaker, Leisel Carmom," the minister stepped back from the podium. Kaylen stood, rooted to the ground until Namir gently prodded her forward.
The walk to the stage seemed to take an eternity. She finally reached the podium, gently brushing a finger along the casket when she reached it.
"Vivara was – she made me –" Kaylen paused for a moment before trying again. "Ms. Gylnis stayed with me through all of the toil and trouble, always there for any struggle. She loved my father and was careful not to show it –" Kaylen's voice broke.
"She didn't deserve to die," Kaylen sobbed, gripping her dress with her fingers and staring determinedly down at the rough floor boards. She slowly became aware of the tittering maids, the wind blowing across the stage and through her hair, the creaking trees.
Namir suddenly stood on the stage, gently leading her back to her place in the crowd, thus ending the awkward speech. There Kaylen buried her face in her father's shirt, weeping as Namir stroked her back.
The minister stood to the side, uncertain as to what actions to take. Finally, he cautiously mounted the stage, clearing his throat.
"Well," the minister began to comment but instead paused. "Well, it seems now the last speaker she approach the podium. Ms. Kathryn Flettner, if you will," the minister once again gestured.
Kaylen dried her eyes, squinting at the speaker. Kathryn tripped on her way up the stairs, causing her expensive mourning hat to fall off. She hurriedly ran after it, picking the thing up delicately perching it upon her hair a haphazard angle.
"It appears to be my fault that our beloved Vivara is gone from us," Kathryn began, smoothing her rumpled skirt apprehensively. "And I apologize." Kaylen, who's tears, although still streaking her face, had stopped, sneered towards the older woman, resisting the almost overpowering urge to snort.
Apologies. What did they mean? Oh, I'm sorry I killed your friend. Will you forgive me so that I can marry you?
"I know it doesn't mean much," Kathryn continued, almost voicing Kaylen's thoughts aloud, "But there isn't much I can do now. When I did – did this to Ms. Gylnis, I certainly did not intend anything this drastic. I did not expect it." A lone tear ran down Kathryn's cheek, leaving a thin line exposing tanned, weather beaten skin beneath the layers of makeup.
"And all I want to say is – is," Kathryn turned to the casket, kneeling and pressing her forehead to the cool wood. "I'm sorry," Standing, she left the stage. Kaylen glanced at Namir, whose eyes had turned glassy.
"Thank you for the apology," the minister said, clearly confused. Of course he would be. Only the trio standing in the back and perhaps a few of the spying and more intelligent serving girls would know the true reason of Vivara's death. "Ms. Gylnis, may you rest in peace." The minister made the sign of a cross before deserting the stage.
The crowd stood for only a moment longer as the coffin was lowered into a deep, muddy hole in the ground. Murmuring together, they then left in small bunches. In just moments, only Kaylen, Leala, Namir and Kathryn remained, the later woman standing alone, her back turned to the stage as she shook violently with her sobbing.
Mumbling a quick excuse, Namir set off across the lawn. Kaylen shook her head and watched the casket disappear underneath a downpour mud. And just like that, Vivara was gone.
----
"I just – I can't believe she's gone," Kaylen said, adjusting her body to remove the piece of hay poking into her back. One week after the funeral, the day which Kaylen became allowed to remove her mourning clothes, she suddenly realized that she hadn't seen Farris for almost two weeks.
Without even bothering to tell Namir, who had holed up in his study after the funeral and hadn't been seen since, she sprinted down to the shed, shivering as she passed the barn where Vivara died.
Although she had believed her tears were gone for the time being, the second Kaylen saw Farris, she burst into a fit of sobbing. He held her in his comforting arms, stroking Kaylen's hair before gently leading her to his "bed" of hay.
"This may sound – I don't know, not right, but I'm sure she's in a better place. Really. I didn't know her that well, but she was unhappy," Farris offered. Kaylen smiled sadly.
"At least she won't have to deal with Namir and Kathryn anymore," Kaylen reasoned. Silence fell for some time.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Kaylen exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "I brought your gift –" she dashed out the door and peeked being the shed, where a foot long gift, carefully wrapped, lay peacefully in the patch of snow less dirt.
Kaylen looked up, marveling at the land which she arrived at, once covered in a blanket of white. Since the day of Vivara's death, rain began to fall. Although this meant the end of winter, it also meant that the king and queen's death day grew nearer.
Obstinately pushing the thought out of her mind, Kaylen picked up the gift and returned to the shed.
"Merry late Christmas," Kaylen said, handing Farris the parcel. He ripped the paper, impatient to see what lay within. Soon, a black box with golden accents appeared before his eyes. "There's something inside," Kaylen explained. Farris nodded and carefully eased open the lid, gasping at the item within.
"It's absolutely amazing," Farris exclaimed, carefully picking up the dagger which lay in a fitted velvet cradle.
"I found a man at the market who crafted daggers. Look at the inscription," Kaylen instructed. Farris squinted, trying to make out the minute script.
"Friendship doth not last forever, but love shall never die," he read, smiling up at Kaylen.
"I took your sword and figured you deserved this," Kaylen explained. Farris smiled, but his eyes were sad. "Is their something wrong?" Kaylen asked worriedly.
"I – Kaylen, the date that your father picked for the attack is drawing nearer. You've mastered the sword, but you must take action," Farris's eyes were somber. Kaylen did not reply. "I'm sorry, but it needs to be done. Vivara – Vivara leaving completely skewed things.
"You're formed a closer bond with Namir and it's a problem. But Kay, please, think about yourself. Namir is thinking only for himself and regaining the throne, ruling through you. Do you really want that?" Farris asked, taking Kaylen's hands in his own. She gulped, staring nervously down at her feet.
"I'm sorry for bringing it up, but – well, I'm sorry. Why don't I fetch your gift," Farris suggested. Kaylen nodded mutely.
In a few moments, Farris returned with a small wooden box, carefully crafted and sanded down.
"Did you make this?" Kaylen inquired, gently brushing her fingers along the almost invisible seams. Farris nodded, blushing.
"Look inside," he instructed. Kaylen carefully pulled off the ornately carved top. Inside lay a necklace with the letters K and F woven into each other.
"It's simply beautiful!" Kaylen exclaimed, unlatching the clasp and slipping it around her neck.
"To keep me with you always." Farris replied, folding his loved one into an affectionate embrace.
Is this a depressing chapter or what? Seriously. Reveiw for faster chapters!