Topic: Seaborne sorrow

Gaerwyn Caisson

Date: 2008-12-07 20:51 EST
As the captain of far sailing vessels, he had on more than one occasion been required to write a letter or visit a family when a hand was lost at sea. Acceptable risks were acknowledge by every soul that went to sea, and families faced those risks as well. Still, no matter how many times he had done it before, there never was a time yet one could call easy. Gaerwyn hoped it never became easy.

Rhydin was a place Gaerwyn avoided as much as possible. He did not have the ability to adapt or ignore as his cousin did. For this reason he had the ship constructed so his wife, Lenika, could visit as she wished without obligation to his ships to carry her and so she would feel no guilt in leaving him behind from time to time and see her friends.

This time, however, he had gone ahead without her to face the weighted burden of carrying the news to the only family Hudson has spoken to him about that was within his reach to inform, and with the assistance of his cousin for directions, details of the lady's current condition, which only made the task that much more of a worry, and a letter of introduction, he went on to seek Sianna Smith nee Fraiser out.

A burst of winter had covered the ground fresh with fallen snow. He borrowed a horse from the sparse Yearling Brook stables and avoided questions from the few barracked there. The only reason he was here was to see to the duties of his business and the sad message he must deliver.

Gaerwyn Caisson

Date: 2008-12-08 17:25 EST
Gaerwyn checked the letter in his pocket one more time. The long peacoat had flapped violently at certain gusts of wind as he walked the streets from where he left the horse stabled. The Silver Lark sign was swinging as well in the winds that shivered up dustings of snow from the street. The letter was still safe in the pocket as he passed by the shop door to the connected cottage with its less conspicuous entry.
Careful of any ice that might still be lingering on the steps, though upon use they seemed well tended, he approached, drew off a glove, and gave a firm rap of his knuckles on the doorway.

The knock seemed to echo in the brisk winter air and triggered a chorus of canines. Sianna set match to kindling to start the fire and hushed the dogs in rapid Gaelic. "Hush, ye wee mongrels. I heard it, aye?" Skirting around them, the woman clutched her wrap around her to ward off the cold air that gusted as she pulled the door wide. The already present smile on her face widened as she recognized her visitor. "Gaerwyn! What a pleasure tae see ye!" The large mountain dog and terrier rushed forward to greet the sailor with inquisitive sniffs and the lick of his hand.

"Mistress Smith," he felt a faint blush at being remembered and drew off his cap with one hand, while letting the animals have their sniffs and nose pokes at his other hand and his coat. "I admit to being amazed at your memory. It has been some time. I hope you will forgive the intrusion, but may I come in?" He managed to try and pat the top of the head of the larger dog. "That is if your guards will let me."

A healthy chuckle erupted at the moniker. "Oh aye, they are verra sweet but tend tae be protective of me." Turning to the pair, she waggled a finger. "Omhail, c?." The disproportionate pair having been adequately admonished, they went about the business of claiming comfy spots near the now healthy fire and stretching out lazily. Her attention returned to Gaerwyn. "Naught tae be amazed by. How could I forget ye after the kindness ye showed my br?thair and I when we were in Yransea?" Another bright smile as she waved him inside and shut the door solidly against the stinging breeze.

He looked around the well appointed home to hide the wince he felt flicker across his face at the mention of her brother. "I think it was a kindness paid in kind for yours to my aunt." While he still looked from her, there was sincerity in his voice.

She held out her arms for his coat and hat, all the while nodding. "Kindness tae kindness. Sounds a verra pleasant way tae be known, aye?"

When he finally turned back a sad smile, he patted at the letter in his pocket. "Since you recall me, the letter of introduction I made my cousin write seems of little use. In that case, I will hope you are well. I understand that your husband is away on business." He motioned to a seat, hoping that she would take it before he had to speak of his reason in visiting.

Brooking no refusal, she succeeded in taking his things albeit with some reluctance and then ushered him into the chair closest to the fire to warm up. "And ye have been informed correctly, Johnny is off-planet at th' moment in th' service of a dear friend of his. Should be returning verra soon, as th' bairns are due soon." Hands lightly patted her swollen stomach to emphasize the statement. She made note of the expression he bore and hovered a moment. "Might I fetch ye something warm tae drink, Gaerwyn?" The only thing to betray her outward calm was a tiny break in her voice.

Gaerwyn nodded and claimed the seat, sitting on its edge and very straight at that like a mast was set to his back. The smile was warm and he gave his words of congratulations. "Two children most blessed in their parents. I wish you and the children very well." The fire radiated heat, and his body acknowledged it, but his hands were chilling and at the same time sweating. He set them palm down on his legs.

"No, my thanks," he nodded at the offer of a drink, "though please feel free to see to your own needs."

The catch in her voice set his resolve and to not hesitate much longer for it did none of them well. "I do wish this were a call of pleasantries, and I admit to my failing on that count too often. However, I come in the office of merchant and employer to your brother as well as an acquaintance. My ship the Escape, one that your brother was sailing on recently as part of new trade negotiations, returned a week past badly damaged from a storm." He cleared his throat. It was a beat only. "A few of the crew were lost in that storm, and it is my sad duty to report to you that your brother, Hudson, was one of them."

Gaerwyn Caisson

Date: 2008-12-08 17:26 EST
It felt hollow. Such announcements always did, no matter how artfully worded.

It was as if the air had deflated from her lungs and she dropped into a seated position in one long, slow motion that seemed to take an eternity. Hands clutched at the cushions. "They are certain... " Her voice drifted away in unspoken question and redirected. "... 'tis nae hope?" Sianna bit hard on her lower lip as hot tears threatened to streak her cheeks. Closing her eyes, she shook her head vehemently, as if attempting to clear the reality from her mind. When they opened again, they were set with a resolve. "I thank ye for bringing me this news yerself, Gaerwyn. But I'm afraid I canna believe it. He was... " Another pause. "He is tae able a sailor."

At the first highlight of shine from the fire upon tear filling eyes, he drew out a handkerchief from his pocket, folded crisp still from its first placing before starting out that day, and offered it to her. "Hope is not for me to give, but I will not deny it to you either. I know only what the captain has told me. He went to assist a sailor and both were swept over the side in a storm that wreaked havoc upon the ship itself. Could he have survived?" It was a question he refused to answer.

He moved to crouch before her, but dare not touch her, only set himself below as a servant. "Is there anything I might do for you? Do you know of any wishes your brother would want carried out?"

Sianna accepted the handkerchief but did not raise it to her eyes. Instead it was twisted and gripped between her fingers into a myriad of wrinkles. "Is it certain he could no'? They were far adrift then? Nae chance of another ship or land?" As with his, the questions were rhetorical. She was pale, yet her cheeks flamed with emotion. "Dinna list him as lost until there is nae chance 't all. Until every possible wave or ship has been checked for news o' him, aye? On that day I will think about wishes." Her breath escaped raggedly and she turned her face to the fire a moment.

Gaerwyn did not hide his face. Such strong emotion to desire the survival of a loved one was common, but he refused to encourage it. "Should it be willed he is to return, then I will be among the many to rejoice the homecoming a good man. If it is hope you need, then aye, there could be land with the ship's course so altered by the storm. News is passed from ship to ship in passing, and my own ships still continue southerly routes. Our methods are slow, though." Forthright about that, he rose from his position. "I must count him as lost at sea, Mistress. I regret it must be done, but I cannot alter the rules of the guild for my benefit or for any others," his thoughts flashed to another who would have received similar distress from the news, "no matter how much I should wish to do so."

A flurry of images raced through her mind: their childhood, the parting, their reunion in Rhydin, the night of ballet, her wedding. The image of Hudson surrounded by those who loved him, and suddenly a pair of violet eyes flashed like lightening. If it was possible for her heart to break any further, it shattered again. "Aye, 'tis hope I need and hope I shall have until th' fates prove it otherwise." A deep gulp of air before she turned to face him once again. "Does she know?"

The question confused him at first, even with his own thoughts so near upon it. Perhaps it was that he had just thought of the baroness and to have the question spoken was unexpected. He nodded at first, and then corrected the motion with soft words. "A friend, Mistress Buie," not sure if the name would recall the lady or not to Sianna, "has said she would inform the Baroness. I trust she has done so, though I have not spoken to her myself."

"When ye do... " She could only assume that to be on his agenda. "... tell her... tell her..." The words failed her and she reached for his hand to squeeze it with all that she had, as if to express to him what the words were failing. Once more, tears fell swift and salty.

His free hand went to cover hers that spoke all she needed to say in its pressure. "Of course, Sianna. When next I see her, I will tell her." Her fallen tears were warm in their touch upon the back of his hand. He did not wipe them away. The dogs seemed to have perked up and whether it was the mythical animal sensitivity or some need of their own, they came to claim sympathetic attention from their mistress.

Gaerwyn gave them encouraging pats to their heads. "Sianna, is there anyone I should bring to be with you? Perhaps your sister in law or cousins? A close friend? I do not like the idea of you facing this alone for the time being."

A smile wavered slightly at his care of her. "The kindess ye have shown me is great, Gaerwyn, and I am indebted tae ye. I will send for them in time, but I fear ye fetching them will make them fear 'tis something else... " Her free hand rested atop her belly protectively and her heart lurched within her as it yearned for the comfort she would not find in the absence of her husband or the loss of her brother. She squeezed his hand lightly again.

A sober nod, the grace note of an understanding smile, and there was a shine of his own sorrow in the blue lagoon eyes. "Then I will take my leave. I swear, if there is ever word otherwise, to have it sent to you as soon as I may. There are lighter days ahead, Sianna." He gave a nod towards the round proof of that. "Until we meet again." He bowed over her hand and moved to see his own way out so as not to disturb the lady further.

"Deep peace of th' running weave tae ye, deep peace of th' flowing air tae ye, deep peace of th' quiet earth tae ye, deep peace of th' shining stars tae ye, deep peace of th' heart of peace tae ye." The words were murmured quietly as Gaerwyn crossed the room, the click of the lock sounding as the last syllable escaped her lips.

He heard some of the words as he gathered his coat and hat, but did not pause to question or feel how much he did not deserve them, but closed the door and went to accept the cold walk and ride.