Gwen didn't cry upon hearing her father's death. She didn't feel anything. It was like she had been hollowed out. Saphira saw how it crushed her and invited her away. Hoping to help her, Saphira took her to the baths, hoping the clean water and fresh clothes would help her. They did wash the blood out of their hair, and it did help Gwen feel better, but it didn't solve the problem. They stayed together for a while longer before separating. Saphira needed to get back to healing, and Gwen wanted to sleep.
Gwen wandered back to the Sazanovs and told them the bad news. They comforted her, but it did little for her. It simply passed through her without leaving an impact. She was tired from the day. Thankfully, Mrs. Havgon was willing to give her a spare bed since the Sazanovs' house was destroyed, and she slept.
The next day was no better, she stayed in bed for far longer then she needed. Then after getting up she ate, then helped around the city, doing just whatever she was told. She didn't care, she just wanted to forget everything and throw herself into work to distract herself. Unfortunately, that dream was shattered.
"I'm looking for a Gwenifreya Leanne! Does anyone know where she is? I have a Delivery!" A young man ran down one of the roads and kept yelling. Gwen called out for his attention and approached him. He moved to her with a burst of speed, then stopped in a moment. "Delivery from the Martenik Parcel and Delivery Service. Who are your Mother and Father?"
"Maeve Leanne and Jochim Creuze."
"Alright. Identity confirmed. Here's your message. Have a g- Thank you for your patronage." He changed his parting words suddenly, then left with all haste.
She looked at the message, just a single sealed envelope. "For Delivery to Gwenifreya Leanne, Highest Priority." was written across the plain face in clean, unadorned Zemlyan script. Something about it scared her. Why would the Marteniks be delivering right now? This is abnormal, and didn't make any sense to her.
She found a place to sit on the side of the road and opened the letter. The paper was sturdy parchment, folded with precision.
To Gwenifreya Leanne,
Eldest daughter and only child of Maeve Leanne, Runecarver, Head Professor of Runology, and Head of the Public Rune Magic Committee.
We regret to inform you that your mother has passed. She has left all of her worldly belongings, after any outstanding debts have been paid. This includes her land within the city of Arcana, as well as any tools, books, or other items contained therein, and her monetary accounts at the Arcana Crystal Vault and Bank. We request that you come to our office on the Arcana Campus or send a message to us within three years time, else the land and items will be reclaimed.
Signed,
Avera Sojourn
She was running before she knew what she was doing. Tears were streaming down her face, but she couldn't stop running. She knew if she did she may not get back up.
She wanted to do something, anything. First she ran away to the edge of the city and found herself by the docks overlooking the sea. She couldn't swim, but she contemplated going out to sea. Letting herself sink beneath the waves. Before she could do it though, her legs carried her away. She couldn't stop running even though her lungs burned. She thought that maybe she'd run herself to death.
But no, she kept moving until her legs carried herself to the palace. She wanted to talk to Saphira, even though they barely knew each other, Gwen felt like she was her first friend in forever. Saphira was nice, knew magic, and understood what she was going through. But as she approached the gate, still, her legs carried her away. She ran by Pyoter and Katarine, by workers, by the walls, by the graves. On and on and on and on and on and-
By the time she had stopped running it had gone from afternoon to night. She could feel the blisters on her feet, the deep ache of her legs, and the burning in her lungs and chest. She wanted to just collapse, to fall over dead and end it right here. She didn't even know where she was.
She didn't care. The doors next to her were large and imposing, but she didn't care where they went, only that they went somewhere where she could cry. She crawled into the large room on the other side and stopped holding back her tears.
