A cold wind came in from the north, as if the weathergods themselves knew it was a day of goodbyes. Somewhere far away a dog barked, but it was to no concern for the two souls doomed to part forever that day.
”My dear Jelth” one of them said, slowly caressing the other one’s arm. ”Is there not another way? Must you leave me?”
”You know there is no other way, Aeri!” Jelthian argued, his voice trembling with frustration and sadness. ”If I don’t go, there’ll be no future for either of us. How can we have a life together if there isn’t even coin enough for bread? How can we-” He fell silent, the words falling dead from his lips, as if they both knew that Jelthian had to go. That there was no other way. No more words needed to be said.
”The contract is with a with a good lord. I will be safe at his estate, eat well and sleep well. And it will pay good too - i will send you everything I make. When I return in a year, we will have a good life here.”
A single tear ran down Aeri’s cheek. Angry at himself for showing weakness at such a moment he quickly wiped his face dry.
”It’s not so bad, Aeri. We’ll see each other soon again. Be strong for me, my love.”
A last kiss. A last embrace. A last look back, and then they parted - never to see each other again.
