~~~ Uncertain Farewell ~~~

 

As she hooked the latch on the bulging pack, she turned to look out the window above her neatly made bed. It was dawn in Treegum, a crisp, cold morning. The absence of Ra'Ma during the night had left a thin layer of frost that covered rooftops and blades of grass. Everything glittered as the sun crested the horizon. Its light crept slowly over the distant treetops of the Sedge Wood as the thin layer of fog that hovered over the bay began to squirm and writhe, knowing its time would soon be over.

 

She pushed the window open as the golden rays spread swiftly up the brick walls of her home. Inhaling deeply as a cool breeze filled the room, her flowing golden hair danced with the wind, reaching for it as it came and went, leaving its partner to find another. The gleaming rays of sunshine met her deep green eyes and ignited a fire within each of the golden flecks there, causing them to shimmer and sparkle, much as the frost on the window frame.

 

For several moments, Sarah stood there, taking in the awesome peace that the winter's dawn brought to the troubled village. For a small eternity, all was quiet, even her mind was clear and free of thought. All was right in a surreal perfection. One could live in these moments forever, silent and content, but deep within she knew it for what it truly was. Its serenity bellied the events to come. The calm before the storm.

 

As the warm glow of the sun gently caressed her face, her eyes closed in silent prayer to her mighty Lord. Prayers for the church, prayers for the town. Prayers for herself and for the man she would be soon to meet. Guidance and protection, wisdom and haste.

 

When all was set, she reluctantly turned from the majestic landscape before her and closed the window. She was dressed in the ceremonial robes of her faith, an elegant mixture of golds and silver that flowed the length of her frame and spilled to the cold stone of the floor. The rest of her belongings were packed into the hefty sack that lay on the bed. With one last glance around the room, she took the bag and left.

 

Outside A'nadra waited, she too captivated by the serenity of this morning. She turned upon hearing Sarah lock her front door and smiled gently, yet with a touch of sadness.

 

"You are set then, Sarah?" she asked in a soft voice.

 

"Mmh..." she slowly turned from her door and looked again to the rising sun, "I do not think I will ever be fully prepared. Plunging into the unknown with only my faith to guide me."

 

At this A'nadra smiled with a slight tilt of her head, "And has it ever failed you in the past, Champion?"

 

Sarah looked to the east a minute longer as though it took a moment for A'nadra's words to reach her. When she finally turned to acknowledge her, she smiled and bowed her head slightly.

 

"Be strong, Sarah," A'nadra continued, "Your faith in Ra'Ma is strong, as is mine in you. I only wish I could be going with you."

 

"And I the same." Sarah replied, stepping forward to hug her friend, "But you are needed here and must see the orphanage built."

 

A'nadra returned the embrace and nodded once in response, "I will see your dream realized. Just promise me you will return to see it some day."

 

Sarah smiled to her, leaving her response vague and undefined. She looked to the east where the crewmen of the Silver Maiden were preparing it for departure. Taking her bag in hand, she took a deep breath and sighed quietly.

 

"They are preparing to leave. I must go."

 

A'nadra consented to her friend's departure but insisted that she go to see her off. As they walked through town, A'nadra spoke of their plans for the new orphanage, but Sarah's thoughts were elsewhere.

 

As the sun had risen and drove away the chill of night, so too had the serenity of the still-life dream begun to melt. People had emerged from their homes, bundled in heavy robes, their breath visible in the air. Merchants set up their shops for the day, and farmers headed to the fields, hopeful that the chilling cold hadn't destroyed their crops.

 

She took it all in, nodding and smiling to folks as if it may be the last time she would ever see them, for one thing weighed greatly on her mind; The uncertainty of this chosen future. Indeed this Champion could stand firm and bold before the terrible might of a dracolich, or look a drow matron dead in the eye with unwavering resolve. She had but one true fear, a fear of the unknown. The many battles she had fought had all been on her terms, in her territory. It was familiar and empowering. Now she faced an unknown enemy on foreign soil with no clue of what to expect. She had been born on the mainland, but it was a time spent in isolated seclusion. The vastness of the continent had never been revealed to her.

 

"Sarah? Sarah, are you alright?" A'nadra's voice broke her from her thoughts. She found herself standing on the edge of the dock, looking back over Treegum. The brief walk through town had felt like an eternity passed.

 

"Yes, I'm sorry." she turned to face the ship where the crewmen were loading the very last of their supplies. A'nadra's hand descended gently to rest upon her shoulder.

 

"Your strength is in your faith and in your heart, Sarah. Follow these things and no obstacle will be too great."

 

Her words echoed in Sarah's mind as the small, winged elf turned to look up at her friend. She smiled and hugged her once more, "I will, and I shall find Kaladorian and see victory with him."

 

A'nadra returned the embrace, closing her eyes, "Ra'Ma light your path, child, and see you safely home."

 

Sarah checked her belongings one last time before boarding the ship. The dockworkers retracted the planks and loosened the ties, setting the vessel free. As the cold wind filled the sails and carried it gently out of port, she watched as her friend, her home, and all that she knew, slowly faded into the distance.

 

Turning to face the vastness of the sea, she felt the warmth of the sun on her back, comforting her and urging her forward. The uncertainty in her heart subsided a bit, making room for a new hope. She would find Kaladorian and aid him in his quest for truth, as she had promised.

 

And Ra'Ma would be with her.

 

-~-~-