[Folwren]

Wulfham

Darkness had fallen. The same shroud that covered her heart and mind took possession of the world. Athwen stifled a sob and her hand tightened in Incana’s. A gentle return of pressure strengthened her once again, as it had during the burning, and she looked up a the woman who offered her support.

Incana offered her a small, encouraging smile and then gently turned about, leading Athwen with her. They all walked away from the smouldering fire and picked their way carefully through the ruined houses of the village.

Athwen took a shuddering breath and looked up as she walked. Above them, the stars twinkled coldly in the black sky. She remembered a couple years ago when she and the young man who she was supposed to have married (they were but boy and girl then) had lain together under these same stars and tried to count them. Her brother had been with them, too, and had laughed at their attempts and instead tried to show them the constellations.

But they were all gone now. She lowered her eyes again. They had been given a proper and honorable farewell, though, and that was better than nothing at all. It would have been torture to survive, knowing that they lay side by side with their killers, to be eaten by the wild birds of the air and scavengers of the earth. It was better. . .a little. And bit by bit she would recover.