What's Left Unsaid

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 22nd January 2009

Characters: Zelanka, Shadux
Description: Shadux seeks out Zelanka as he tries to make sense of the Lord Holder's death
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 8 of Turn 5

Shadux had walked around in a daze since hearing the news. The Hold was
eerily silent and when he passed people, they spoke in whispers. He
wasn't sure why his legs carried him to the Headwoman's door, but he
found himself knocking quietly and inviting himself in without a word.

Zelanka felt slightly better after a cup of tea, with a doze of brandy
in it. She was still far from fine.
She heard the door and lifted her gaze. "Shadux," she awknowledged
him, having no energy for more.

"I just... couldn't be out there right now..." He raked his fingers
through his hair as he flopped down on the chair opposite her. "I
can't... believe it, you know? It's like it's not possible."

"It was inevitable, just a matter of time," she said but her voice
lacked conviction on her own words.

Shadux looked down at his folded hands, suddenly feeling very
child-like, lost and unsure of the future. "You know, people say that,
shards, even I said that, but deep down... I guess I really believed
that the old man would live forever."

"Actually, so did I," Zelanka admitted. She looked him with compassion
and then got up. She took a clean glass and poured generous amount of
brandy in to it. "Here, you look like you could use it," she offered
him the drink.

He looked at the glass dangling before his eyes. "You know... They
offered me a chance to go into the room where they are keeping the body
to pay my respects. I reached the door but I just... couldn't go in."
Shadux reached for the offered drink. "I just couldn't see him, 'cause
then it would all be true."

"I've already seen him," Zelanka said with silent voice. She sat back
to her chair.

Shadux sipped silently at his brandy for a moment. "What do we do now?
There is no heir."

"We, you and me, we keep going on and keep the small, everyday wheels
going on. People still need to be fed, they need clean clothes and
rooms to live," Zelanka said. That was what she hung to: her duties.

"Do we? Do we just go on?" He shook his head, looking mournfully into
his glass. "It's just not the same. How can it be the same?"

"Yes, we go on. What else we can do? And you're right, it won't be the
same. Never the same," she replied helplessly and shook her head
sadly. Tears stung in her eyes but they didn't fall.
They couldn't. She had to set an example, show strenght.

"I thought I was soooo... angry at him. I tried so hard to hate him
after he did what he did to my father. But now I just wish I could..."
**Tell him.** He bit his lip thoughtfully before taking another deep
sip of his brandy.

Zelanka just nodded in agreement. So many things left unsaid.

Last updated on the January 24th 2009

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What's Left Unsaid