Dem looked up from the desk at the estate as a tired messenger walked into the small cubbyhole Dem called his office. It was a closet on the second floor of the estate that he put in a table and chair. The second floor was for more important things. There were tutoring areas, a screened-off examination area, and a screened-off bath. A small area for the very young children waiting for their parents to finish whatever they came to do took up the middle of the floor.
The man looked exhausted, so Dem stood up and gave him his chair. He was one of the relay message runners. Usually a soft job with nothing more to do for a couple of weeks than play dice with the other runners. That was about to change, and they all knew these messages were crucial.
“Sit” Dem stuck his head out the door and saw one of the many people who did various things walking by. “Bring some food and something refreshing to drink to my office for the runner, please.”
The woman nodded and ran off, she was a new worker, and Dem couldn’t remember her name yet. Dem turned to the man and took the proffered letter. He opened it and read it.
“Greetings, Brother!
“We arrived at the border of Gondor early and have reached our cousin’s home. Thorkiel and I…do you remember little Thorkiel barely came up to our knees? He is no longer a wee child. He is a full-grown man.
“He had some surprising news for me. It seems our other cousin has a son that no one knew about…well, until recently. Apparently, his mother ran away with him. Most likely because of the same reason Lindsie ran away with Rod all those years ago to find sanctuary with you in Bree. But Thorkiel is young, and until I investigate and actually talk to our other cousin, well, I must wonder if any, some, or all of this is true. You know Gondor always rife with rumors among our noble families.
“Must run. We are ready to leave for our cousin’s home further in. I hope this finds you well.
“Ed.
He folds the letter up and looks off into the distance while he thinks. He doesn’t even notice the food and drinks being delivered. Should he tell Eira or wait. This may help with her survivor guilt, or it could make matters worse. Going from survivor guilt to the feeling of betrayal.
“Bad news, sir?” Oser stood behind him, a large basket of herbs in her arms.
Dem shook his head, nodded, then shrugged. “I am not sure M’lady Oser. Picking up supplies to help Raymond with Willy-head?”
“Yes, anything I can do?” She placed a warm, soft hand on Dem’s bare arm.
He smiled at Oser. “No, M’lady, it is something only I can do. Besides, I will never ask you to do things that require a cruel heart.”
“But you can ask it of yourself? Dem, my dear sweet man, you need to trust that it will not set me back. I won’t push it this time.”
“Go and help with the injured man Oser.” Dem watched her walk away, a no-nonsense walk that was odd in women, no swaying of the hips, or any of those other movements meant to attract a man. Yet, most men would turn and watch her walking with a longing in their eyes. There was no longing for Oser in his heart, only pride of her success in life. She was family to him, one of the lost ones.
