Wineburn Bookshop: Tales of Chiaroscuro

by Baird

A smattering of stories based on the world of Chiaroscuro, the fantasy game from jointhesaga.com. Written by the Writers of Refuge, a Fastheldian underground gathering of artists with a social and political bent.

3. By the White Bridge, Vol 1

By the White Bridge, Vol. 1

by Forrest Wineburn

"Speak the words again," she urges.

"I love you, and always shall," the young man replies. He is dressed in the uniform of a Bladesman, with a carriage waiting by the road. "Please, take this to remember me, my love," he says. From his sack he removes a small golden pendant, with a silver chain. The pendant is engraved with a tree and a doe sleeping beside.

The girl brightens with astonishment. "Oh Joel!" she exclaims, and buries her head in his arms. "I will miss you so," she says, "You do know that. Please come back soon."

The young man smiles. "The Light willing," he says. "I want you to marry me, Analise," he says, taking a small gilded box from his pocket.

The girl is silent, and then exclaims, "So you will come back! Oh, I will, I will!" She opens the box, and inside is a sparkling ring. "Oh, do hurry Joel! And the faster you will come back!" She giggles.

So Joel said his final words and departed into the carriage, disappearing into the mist, while his fiance stood on the bridge, listening as the water lapped against the rivershore.