Fallen (Part 1)

A tattered figure limped along the hilly edges of Thelsamar.

By height and stature the patrollers knew it to be a dwarf, from the worn, miss-matched armor of otherworldly and clashing designs, one but recently returned from the Outlands. The figure acknowledged them with a polite nod, but did not remove the covered helm, nor pause to chat.

The stranger walked out to one particular tree, marked only by large tree, and two small headstones. Armor creaking, the figure removed the heavy helm and knelt slowly, head bowed as if in prayer, long unkept hair curtaining the stranger’s face. After a long, frozen moment, one gauntleted hand dug a shallow hole beside the two markers and emptied into it the contents of a tightly clutched bag. Covered the hole again. And wept, shoulders shaking in silent grief.

Respectfully, the patrollers gave the dwarf a wide berth. This was a private grief, not to be shared or intruded upon.

Eventually, the shaking slowed, stopped. Tore a gauntlet off and clumsily wiped tears from weary eyes. Few would have recognized the grim face under the grime.

Mother. Father. What remained of her brother, before his turning, his willing betrayal. Would anyone know to return her remains here, once she finally fell? No, probably not. After a moment, she struggled with her bulky pack, dug deep within it, searching… there. Folded carefully, colors a bit faded but still intact, was a long-cherished tabard, bearing the emblem she’d held close to her heart. The tabard of the Guardian Elite.

She clutched it in her hand a moment, then dug yet another shallow hole. Buried it beside the rest of her family. Complete, now – or as complete as it would ever be, she supposed.

The figure looked up to behold the beauty of the moonrise over the water. Spring was in the air. Time of change, and renewal. Once it would have stirred her heart. Now, it was just another season.

In silence she collected her things – battered armor, tattered soul, and the shattered remains of her honor, and walked back North, the way she had come.