Break- K'veer
Now I understand. Endings and beginnings are within the Fissure, that Riven cleft of stars that acts as both wall and a bridge. And though I am unable to understand how, the very flow of stars that brought my Myst book into worthy hands I am sure served as a safe passage home for my friend. The Age of Riven is closed forever, but the people of Riven are free. And now I am at rest, understanding that in Books, and Ages, and life the ending can never truly be written. Riven
Perhaps my father, through those words, saw more then I ever could. He understood how life flowed, he could see it while I never comprehended what was before me. Never even what could be...
My father's ending was written that day, though. Maybe not who he was, maybe not his knowledge and wisdom and spirit...those things live on with the Maker and with me. But his body could no longer hold them- its ending was written. His journey was complete.
-
Part 9- Releeshahn
The funeral was finally complete.
Staring down at the freshly covered grave, Yeesha allowed the tears to fall freely down her cheeks. She couldn't before, not with the other D'ni people watching her, hawklike, waiting to see how she would react. Because of that she had been forced to remain strong all through the funeral, standing beside her mother, hand-in-hand, watching as they lowered his body into the ground.
In Releeshahn, she thought, feeling the bitterness creep up again.
She had wanted to burry him at the Cleft or, at least, in Myst beside his grandmother, Anna's grave. That was where he truly would have wanted to be laid to rest, she was certain of it. No matter how much he cared for the D'ni people and loved Releeshahn, he never would have wanted to be buried here. He would have chosen instead the Cleft or Myst, possibly even Tomahna, but never on Releeshahn.
Yet, ultimately, it had been Catherine's choice and she had decided on this spot. And it was a beautiful location, overlooking the prettiest part of Releeshahn's forests and rivers. Just Yeesha wished it might have been otherwise.
Sighing, she bent down and scooped up a handful of the upturned earth, rubbing it between her fingers and breathing deep of the new earth smell.
The service had been moving. Each of Atrus' closest friends had come forward to give a speech about him, remembering funny times they had experienced, hard moments they shared, his wisdom, his kindness, his strength and even his knowledge. Every story brought a new memory to Yeesha's mind until at last it was all she could do to stand there and not turn away, fleeing into the surrounding woods. Then at last, the entire thing was done, his body in the ground and the crowds dispersing.
Anna had taken Catherine home for Yeesha. She must have been able to sense that Yeesha wanted some time to herself for, without a word, she took Catherine's arm leading her away, back to the city where the linking book to Tomahna was kept.
Dear Anna, thought Yeesha, what would I ever do without her now?
She had been indispensable for Yeesha and Catherine over the past few days. Leaving her own home and husband, she was constantly with them at Tomahna; dealing with visitors and letters of condolence, cleaning and cooking and always willing to bring them anything or help with anything she could. Doing everything they couldn't bring themselves to.
The dirt had now all trickled from between her fingers leaving only a rich, dark stain on her hands. Brushing them off, Yeesha stood slowly to her feet and stared down. The dark, blank earth which spilled over onto the grass around the grave, stared somberly back up at her.
"I love you, Father," she choked out, then turned and walked away.
-
Catherine was waiting for her at the library steps. She was sitting on a carved, wooden bench, head bowed, hands placed on her lap. Her hair had slid down from behind her shoulder, obscuring her face. Grey streaked her once raven's black hair and often she didn't even bother to pull it back in a loose knot or braid, but instead left it wild; Catherine couldn't find the power to do many of the things she used to any more. Just as, instead of walking like she used to, straight backed and proud, her shoulders hunched over more often and her face turned easier to the ground then directly ahead. Since Atrus' death Catherine had grown almost eighty years older.
Surprised that she was still there, Yeesha paused for a moment before walking over and sitting on the bench beside her mother.
Catherine looked up and smiled weakly at her, eyes still red from crying.
"I have something for you," she said, handing over a package Yeesha hadn't noticed before.
Yeesha accepted the brown parcel, asking, "What is it?"
"Just open it."
Slipping the thin twine off the corners, Yeesha reached inside the paper and pulled out two thin books. The Age of Relto and a black leather journal.
"What?" she said, feeling her face distort in confusion.
"I want you to have these," started Catherine, stopping once between to gulp down tears. "Just as Atrus would have. I know you gave us Relto but...but I think you need it more now. Or will need it mor...more then I do. It's a beautiful Age and I see so many things in st-store for it, just no-not with me.
"And this," she continued, placing a hand on the black journal, "was your father's. I think most of all he would have...would have wanted you to see and have this."
Looking down again, Yeesha stroked the leather cover lovingly. Her father's journal, how she remembered seeing him every night writing in it, updating it and talking about his day and any thoughts he had. He had even encouraged her to do the same, explaining the virtues of using it to release your feelings and better help you to understand your emotions.
"Thank you," she said, smiling at her mother.
Catherine smiled back and kissed her on her head, stroking her hair for a minute before standing up and walking away without another word. She then headed into the library and was lost to sight behind the wooden doors.
Even after her mother was gone, Yeesha continued to sit, hands still rubbing the journal. Then, suddenly, she flipped it open to a random page and began reading.
Every day I watch as Yeesha grows older and I cannot fully express my delight in seeing her evolve. I have watched her grow from a tiny infant to the amazing child I see before me now. She is quick and intuitive and I am amazed by her imagination- thinking of ideas I myself have not considered! Each day she is around me is a joy and a treasure.
I cannot deny that I miss my two sons or say that, because of Yeesha, the pain I feel when I think of them is not there. But I can say how her smile and her laughter help heal the wounds inflicted by them. Yeesha cannot replace what is lost but her presence is a delight in and of itself.
I have never been happier or more at peace in all my life.
Tears splashed once again down Yeesha's face, leaving tinny watermarks on the pages and blurring the ink. Realizing the damage she was causing, Yeesha quickly moved the book away and tried to dry her face but the tears continued to fall uncontrollably. At last she gave up and buried her face in her arms sobbing till, even when no more tears would come, her sobs wouldn't cease. And then, when they finally did, she curled up on the bench in a ball, clutching the book tight to her chest, eyes fixed unseeing on the world before her.