Asfast had brought from home Cretak's best clothes. He had had to sell most of them, as well as her properties, to afford first her defense and then his crusade againts Koval. He had felt guilty and depressed as all her posesions, and all the memories attached to them, were taken away by greedy strangers. Her mother had aproved, though; she wanted to save her life, she wanted to save her honor, and more importantly, she wanted to expose the traitor. Even in prison, she was still a devote patriot, thinking primary of the Empire.
Asfast had noticed how gradually his mother had lost weight during the long three years of imprisonment, but he was painfully reminded of that fact when she presented herself before him wearing the once fitting clothes that now hung losely, akwardly fixed to her body by a now too long belt. Her hair was as always neat and trimmed, her face aged but devoid of any sign of violence againts her. Her eyes lit, her smile broadened when their gaze met once more, this time free of the invisible restrains the guards had submitted to them before.
He has wanted to take his mother home quietly, but the praetor had thought otherwise. Fisrt Koval's trial and now Cretak's release were good propaganda for him, his popularity among the Romulan people raising to unknown levels. So Asfast explained his mother the press will be waiting for them outside. She did not seem to mind. She had been a public person not so long ago, after all; Asfast, however, was a shy man who very much needed his privacy.
Asfast glanced at the imperial eagle one last time before leaving the prison. Once more, he felt no joy, not even the slightest comfort, even if this time he walked free with his mother by his side. He gulped down the oppresing feeling of being closely watched, the aprehension of being exposed at any moment, any time. He tried to shake the sensation away and focused on his mother. She was walking purposely forward and took a single instant to look and smile sincerely at him before hiding her more vulnerable self behind her old mask and try to become the seasoned politician once more.
The journalists had no mercy, they rushed to them, circlying them and firing questions at them the moment they left the building. At the main entrance's threshold, they had to stop, now temporary prisoners of the press. Asfast found himself cowering behind his mother. Cretak was slow to answer their questions first; in spite of her best efforts, she looked as fragil as she really was.
"Praetor Neral has offered your seat back in the Senate and every senator has seconded the proposal, will you acept?"
She smiled at that, at the image of all her former colleagues agreeing to have her back, even if several of them depised her, only to have the people's and the praetor's favor. The same ones who wanted to sentence her to death, now declared to have always believed in her innocence. She understood them; she would have done the same if their places were reversed. She already knew of the offering, of course. Praetor Neral had personally contacted her, another one who had suddenly made up his mind and now wanted her as an ally by his side. Obviously, she would take up the offer; she wanted nothing more than to reclaim her place.
She sensed her son squirming behind her and knew however that her son thought otherwise. How different Asfast was from her! And, in spite of all, he had courageously fought for her release and had surprisingly been succesful. She squeezed his hand for an instant to reassure him, and dismissed the journalists as the same time that she confirmed them her return to politics.
A few reporters followed them to Asfast's house and kept asking questions. Asfast patience was wearing thin and she was really tired. Her last weeks in prison, since Koval had been detained, had been good, but the strain of the long three years could not easily go away. She knew her recovery would be long and any unexpected noise, any sight, any smell could trigger an unpleasant memory and crush her former person to show the frightened prisoner instead.
She hurried inside Asfast's house. Her son's home was small and humble, even if he had always assured her that he was a successful artisan and earned a good amount of money. Asfast wanted to show her his place, but she was tired and sat in one of the living room's armchairs instead.
"We will buy back your former house," he tried to comfort her.
But she was free, she was going to be a senator back soon; she did not care about the lodging, not even when the annoying journalists took note of it. She smiled fondly at her sensible son; she had always considered him too soft and had felt truly disappointed by his choices in interests and career path. He was never cut to be a soldier and when he quitted, she felt betrayed. She had been so very wrong; her son had been the only one loyal, the only one strong and smart enough to expose the real traitor and set her free. She was now proud of him.
"Let's take some wine and toast for the victory of the Empire over all those traitors that try to bring us down", she suggested her son, feeling elated for a moment.
She sensed her son tense for a moment, but she dismised it; probably Asfast was also tired, but he complied quickly and soon had two goblets and a bottle of wine ready. He sat down by her side.
The few moments he had been away, Cretak's eyes surveyed the room's decoration, noticing all the art pieces. One took her attention: a beautiful, probably expensive set'leth that rested in one of the selves, scraches crossing the otherwise smooth ceramic sculpture. Asfast caught her looking at it when he came.
"It was a gift from a friend," he said.
"A woman?" she asked when she noted how her son blushed slightly at this mention.
"No," he answered quicky, but then he stammered, his voice low, "well, I... I really don't know."
Cretak frowned, and wondered what her son could mean, but she was not about to question him now; she just wanted to relax and be happy for once in a very long time.
"Let's toast", she repeated.
And Asfast smiled faintly and raised his glass as he offered the other one to her.