Asher - Winter Solstice 377 YE
As requested by athenegenia *bows*
I've brought her back to the safest place I know in Anvil, Naomi and Moses' tent and soon there are candles, warmth, good food, plenty of wine and no one trying to tell her what to do.
We sit, she talks and I listen. She speaks of grief and loss, a great confusion, the burden of knowledge she carries from her vision and the words of wisdom and comfort I give her seem such small and inadequate things. She carries so much for so many and now she must carry this as well? My fist clenches in anger when I think of how sorely she is used, but that will not help. So I push the anger back down into my gut and again I listen.
Wait, what did she say? Who asked to touch her bark? The thoughts arrive one on top of each other. Does that mean...? It can't. Would that help? That is inappropriate. Is it really, Asher? YES. But didn't you say she deserved to be touched? Shut up, shut up. And though I couldn't tell you how, the conversation veers away to safer ground.
Later still she talks of the end of things, of Rosalene her former Dawnish lady love and I think it isn't right, that she deserves so much more. Then somehow I'm holding her hand and I'm telling her again of an old love, of betrayal, my own sins against loyalty and those done against me. Then she says simply "do not doubt that you are loved" and with so few words I am swept away.
Oh Asher you are a fool.
You know this dance and the part you've been playing all along, don't deny it. What did you think you were doing? Being her confessor?
Fool of a cardinal.
I remember little of the rest of the evening. I remember a roaring in my ears and pounding in my veins, I remember we were interrupted but I couldn't tell you by who and I remember her scent as I kissed her on the cheek and bid her good night.
As I watched her turn to leave and she stepped out of the light, one single question remained.
So, where is your courage now Asher?
I've brought her back to the safest place I know in Anvil, Naomi and Moses' tent and soon there are candles, warmth, good food, plenty of wine and no one trying to tell her what to do.
We sit, she talks and I listen. She speaks of grief and loss, a great confusion, the burden of knowledge she carries from her vision and the words of wisdom and comfort I give her seem such small and inadequate things. She carries so much for so many and now she must carry this as well? My fist clenches in anger when I think of how sorely she is used, but that will not help. So I push the anger back down into my gut and again I listen.
Wait, what did she say? Who asked to touch her bark? The thoughts arrive one on top of each other. Does that mean...? It can't. Would that help? That is inappropriate. Is it really, Asher? YES. But didn't you say she deserved to be touched? Shut up, shut up. And though I couldn't tell you how, the conversation veers away to safer ground.
Later still she talks of the end of things, of Rosalene her former Dawnish lady love and I think it isn't right, that she deserves so much more. Then somehow I'm holding her hand and I'm telling her again of an old love, of betrayal, my own sins against loyalty and those done against me. Then she says simply "do not doubt that you are loved" and with so few words I am swept away.
Oh Asher you are a fool.
You know this dance and the part you've been playing all along, don't deny it. What did you think you were doing? Being her confessor?
Fool of a cardinal.
I remember little of the rest of the evening. I remember a roaring in my ears and pounding in my veins, I remember we were interrupted but I couldn't tell you by who and I remember her scent as I kissed her on the cheek and bid her good night.
As I watched her turn to leave and she stepped out of the light, one single question remained.
So, where is your courage now Asher?