A Mother's Doubts

Farrah pulled her shawl tighter around her as the evening wind shook the trees. The light was failing earlier now and soon the forest would have its brief blaze of colour before the winter. But it wasn't the cold that made her draw her shawl a little tighter. This part of the forest always made her uncomfortable. The shadows seemed to move in strange ways and there was always a heavyness in the air as if the forest held its breath. Not just that though she feared the old woman too. Her Great Aunt Darna was a formidable woman and strange. 'Filled with secrets' was the way Farrah thought of the elders of the family. They all had a look about them that made you uncomfortable, as if they had seen things or done things that didn't quite fit with their lives as provincial farmers and merchants.

Old Marn, Darna's manservant was lighting the lamp on the decrepit porch as Farrah arrived. He was the same as ever. 'He hasn't changed since I was a child' thought Farrah as he held open the door for her, moving in his slow, graceful way. She glanced sideways at the old Elf as she passed. His face set in a faint smile, his eyes glassy as if he was in a trance only half seeing the world he was in.

Farrah sat opposite her Aunt beside the fireplace. The old woman starred thoughtfully into the fire before she spoke.
"I did not simply ask you to diner to talk about the state of the family, nor just to gossip about Laen's baby. I wanted to talk to you about Vilsaran." Farrah practically cringed at this and her hands began to play nervously with her skirt. But Darna ignored this and continued.
"He has a talent that boy, far beyond his years. Not only that though he has the look too, like in the pictures of my cousin." At this Farrah squeeked and in a low terrified voice said.
"No, please Aunt Darna. Please no don't say it. He's my baby boy."
"Farrah, you know our family has a duty beyond those the Empress has put upon us. We are older than the Empire. You only fear these thing because you do not understand them." Darna's voice had hardened and here eyes gleamed with command. "The boy must be sent away. He has a talent that he must develop. He must learn the hard lessons life has to teach the truly talented. And perhaps if the signs are right he will fulfill our families duty for another generation. The other elders and I grow old and there must be others to carry on our work and maintain the old ways. Not all sacrifices are terrible, some bring wisdom and serinity to those who dare. But he must be tested in the fire and so I will send him to the old Lich, Salmarnus. He has long been interested in our families other branch and it would be good to have one of ours near enough to discover what he knows. He will jump at the chance to use one of the blood to unlock some more of the secrets he craves." Farrah turned her tear streaked face away and said in a flat voice.
"If he must go..." but the thought trailed off.