7 August 359 SR VanQa awakes
Every 5 years a night comes round when the dead awake and point accusing boney fingers at the loved ones they left behind. Such a night is filled always with angst. I remember well the last time, the night of late July 354 when the windows of
Ye Olde Poste Office rattled, and when wailing and curses could be heard in the wind. And I heard my mother?s voice sorrowful and forlorn, abandoned, wrenching my heart.
This is a night of fear and dread, when past failures and unfinished business return to haunt us. Why were you not there when I needed you? Why did you not come to say farewell? Why did you not tell me you love me? Always there is unfinished business - a misunderstanding never cleared up; old sins never revealed; resentments; a lost last chance to beg forgiveness - or to give it - or to to show tenderness or love. The sense of somehow having failed a loved one is always strong at this time. For this is All Hallows Eve, when graveyards come alive and none dare approach them. It is this night that the spirits awake and come to haunt us so that our thoughts are perforce turned to those who had departed and how we could have done better by them and that we must now remember and atone, sending them thoughts of love. And this we do the next day, All Hallows Day, when we place out flowers on the resting places of our loved ones and lead our thoughts towards them to seek for peace and reconciliation in our own souls.
It was at this time that a change came about in VanQa, without warning.
Days, weeks had passed, the routines did not change and the watchful waiting weighed heavily, while we tended her. Then one day ? and it was around the time of All Hallows, though restless souls could not disturb the peace of Eska?eldalie - that suddenly it happened. Miguen was inside the hut murmuring gently as usual to VanQa and I sat outside, when I heard his voice change and become more lively. I peered cautiously in and lo! VanQa seemed to be recovering. I joined Miguen and watched as her eyes opened. Joy rose in my heart, but she seemed distressed and in pain and cried out in agony, her scars seemed to my eyes to flame anew, and I saw Miguen?s anxiety. And I felt a cold dread grip my heart.
Later elven messengers sent out from Eska?eldalie to learn news returned and reported that Iglata had been murdered while working in a Trinsic chain-gang - a vigilante revenge that Duchy justice could not, or would not, prevent - but that his remains had been removed in some mysterious manner. Will he be ressurected to become undead and return to haunt VanQa? Is this the power the Duchy hands to vigilantes who do the job the Duchy abdicated its responsibility for?
VanQa has returned to us. But I am troubled in my soul, and cannot see the way forward. Time is needed to heal and to see how things develop.
Meanwhile, I bide here in Eska?eldalie but keep away from VanQa so she can be alone with her husband at this time. I leave a rose outside her hut each day to let her know I love her and am nearby.