Three days and two nights...verry little sleep verry little rest. Rouen's exhausted, his first plan was to go to Ravenhold first, selling the spices and the other...things, and there's some one he want to meet there...someone that he thinks can help him running the farmhouse after uncle Mark's retired. But now his head heavy, and his vision's hazzy, it's better to just go back home first he thinks. The way is just a little more, his body's almost colapse. The only good thing in his journey these pass days, is that nothing actually trying to harm him on his way. Everything is just calm and peacefull, yet still Rouen doesn't dare to sleep, he won't risk it, too much 'shits' to carry, can't afford to sleep, he thinks.
Finally he arrived at the farmhouse vicinity. How he always love the scenery...the crops that flutter blows by the wind, the fresh smell in the air, the sounds of chikens and cows. This is peace...this is Home.
He put his carriage on the stable, the one that curently vacant and lock the door, just to be sure! If uncle Mark's ask why, i can think alot of reasons...i need to sleep now if i don't want to die!
Rouen open the front door.
"I'am home!"
...
"Uncle Mark?" Nobody's home.
It's just midday, perhaps uncle Mark still in his way on one of those deliveries to Ravenhold? or some else matter?
Whatever, can't be help! I must sleep now!
Rouen put off all his armour and armaments, and straight lying on his bed, it only take seconds until he's deep asleep.
....
"Run Rouen! Run!"..."take your sister's with you! You two must survive!"
"No! Mother! We must go all together!"..."where's Father!?"
"There's no time for this Rouen! Do you want all of us die here!"
"No, mother." He said crying...his sister even louder.
"Hwaahh...hwaahh..."
"Stop crying Cecil...please stop crying."
"I want my daddy! Hwaaahh..."
"Daddy and the other adults is holding the 'horsemans' okay!? He'll be back soon!"
"No! I don't believed you! Hwaahh.."
"Cecil! Rouen! Listen to your Mother now! Whatever happens we both loves you childrens! You two must be always together! Don't ever get seperated! You hear your Mother, Rouen!"
"Yes Mother!"
"Good, listen to me, you two must go now! Or it'll all be too late! Mom and Dad will come to you latter, okay!?"
"Promise?" Said Cecil sadly.
"I promise!" Tears fell out her eyes, she give both het children one final hugs. "Now go! Go! Never look back, go!"
No! "No!"
...Everything is black, pitch black.
Wha-What happens!? Why can't i see!?
Wait, calm down! I just...wake up?
Yeahh...that fucking dreams again...
I'am...in my room? Right? I'am home!
But why everythings so dark? Uncle?
Wait...this is Night time then? But no lights in our house? Why? Uncle hasn't back yet?
Rouen struggle to get out of his room, the only source of light for him is the moon light that scarce throught his windows. He then slow and carefully crawl down the stairs since his room is upstairs. He manage to find a candle in the kitchen and fire stones to ignite it, he then proceed to light all the lantern in the house, now the house look's more lively.
"How strange...why uncle hasn't home yet?"
He's murmuring.
It's pass midnight isn't it?
Spending nights outdoors, already becoming Rouen's routine, he can tell what time it is only looking at the moon's locations. Just a couple hours before sunrises...this is not Right! Where's uncle Mark!?
Rouen go outside and sit in the terrace's chair, nothing he can do at this hours but waiting and hoping everythings is fine. He wait a couple of hours, the sun' rises, morning's came. He's start to get worried.
Should i go looking?
Ofcourse! What do you think?
Maybe uncle's just about to came back?
And you know that for certain?
No...but where should we go looking anyway?
The farm stead's neighbors, or straight the sheriff...ah, Doctor Bran! Uncle's might be in his clinic right now!
Right! That actualy make's senses, let's g-
He stops, throught the morning's horizons he seems to spot something, some movement from afar, from the roads way to the farmhouse, it's coming.
Ahh...finally coming home eh? Uncle.
But, wait...that carriage, i never see it before! It's not our carriage, it's not uncle Mark! Then who!? Where's uncle Mark! Fuck! What is happening!?
Rouen couldn't wait any longer to find answers, not even want to wait that carriage arrive at the house. Rouen sprint to the stables, get one of the horses, and ride to meet the whoever guess that's coming to his house. "Hyaahhh...come on Midnight! Come on!...hyaahhh"
He sprints the black stallion, the strongest, fastest and most courageous. His and his uncle's most favorite of all horses in the stable, most prized horse in the areas, wining a couple of trophies at summer festival's horse race. The very oposite of that damn mule who became his best friend's over these five days.
"Halt! Who goes there!?" Desperate's makes Rouen sound's hostile.
"Easy lad! It's me!" An old man wearing a really tidy outfit came out the carriage.
"Doctor Bran!?" Fuck...no way...
"Rouen...there's something i need to tell you lad."
God, no...
"It's about your uncle, Mark."
Please, no...
"I want you to be calm lad..."
Fuck! No!
"Your uncle...he's..."
No! No! No!
"He's pass away lad...Mark is dead."
NO! "NO...!"
"I'am sorry lad...i'am truely sorry."
"Hah...haahh...hahh" Rouen's strugling catching his breath, tears begun to fall, on the doctor's eyes too. "Haa...how?"
"Heart attack lad...he's eighty four lad."
"When...?"
"Last night."
"And the body?"
Rouen's broken inside, but he can still keep his composure, aside from tears felling down his eyes, one that he cannot avoid, he's relatively calm. His breathing already normal, his voice toned down. The young man had a tremendous talent at keping his cool. 'Pain is inevitable suffering is optional' that's what those wise men said, and Rouen is the very embodiment of those words.
"Still at my clinic lad." The Doctor doesn't find it strange. He's someone who also knows Rouen well. Not to mention how Mark's probably tell alot of stories about him, after all they were good friends.
"I see...we need to prepare for a funeral then."
"Yes lad, and if you dont mind, i take some liberty to send the news to Mark's closest friends and some neighbors from the vicinity...they'll be here in afternoon."
"Thank you for that Doctor. I really appreciate that." He bow his head.
"The least i can do lad, it's nothing big."
"Well then...i need to make some preparation if you dont mind."
"Ofcourse lad! Take your time...i'll be here shortly with...Mark's body."
"Please do, thank you."..."hyaahh..."
Rouen sprint his horse back to the stable. He then quickly take a shovel and take a walk. He arrived at a place not to far from the main house. There lies Mark's beloved Wife and Son. He start diging.
Where are you?
Why so quite?
Why haven't you blame me?
It's all because of what i did right?
It's all because of the sins that i committed that night right!?
The Gods must be punishing me for what i have done!
But why it's unle Mark who's paying the price...and not me!?
Why!?
*Dug! His shovel hit a hardened stoney soil, he takes a breathe, it's deep enough. He gets out of the hole, sit on it's side, staring down at it. Tears back on his eyes, now for once, alone and broken...Rouen's cries...he cries hysterically, painfully.
.....latter that day...
"Mark is a loving husband. Mark is a responsible father. A strong warrior, a loyal soldier, admirable Captain...and a great friend's to lot's of people." Captain Luke bow his head a little, take his time...he continue. "Such a great example as a human being!" He tried to fight the pain of losing his mentor and old friend, he must delivered his eulogy perfectly, to honor Mark's last moment. "The first time Mark and i mee-...."
Captain Luke continue his eulogy rather long...Rouen's mind go numb...he's body still stand among the guess who came to attend Mark's funeral, his mind is not. He's space away to the emptiness, to the void.
"...and i'am happy enough, to know that Mark's achievement won't be go in vain. He's legacy will continue to live on!" Luke's said while he look into Rouen.
He's talking about me!?
Ofcourse you fool! Who else!?
"Rouen...i know you feel unbearable pain right now, we all know."..."But don't let it beat you lad, do not fall into despair! Your uncle has been taken from us by the God's almighty, He give's mark a long and fruitfull life's. And for that it is only fair He takes him due to his time. Dispite his moment of bitterness when he lose his Son and Wife, the Gods sends you to him who also wounded and broken at that time. Together the both of you find comfort in each others, the both of you heal each other, and you both are happy again. The Gods is fair Rouen. Never doubt that."
The funeral comes to the closing time, Mark's coffin was sealed and put down the ground Rouen's dig. Some cries broke could be heard. Mark's leave a legacy, an his memories shall be remembered by those who close to him.
.....
Sun's set comes...one by one the guess said their condolences and farewell to Rouen, as they get back to each other houses. Only two persons left beside Rouen; Captain Luke and Doctor Bran.
"We need to get inside lad, nightfall is soon." Said the Captain. "And how about you Doctor?"
"Actualy i want to stay longer, and...there's something i need to tell Rouen, regarding the Mark's will." Doctor Brand take a piece of paper out of his refined suit.
"It can wait tomorrow Captain, or do you want me to give it to the lad latter?"..."I plan on staying the night, i don't want to left Rouen alone while he's still grieving."
"I agree, thank you for doing that Captain. But as a matter of the will, i think i just hold for it a while before i give it to him. No offence Captain, but Mark's entrusted this one on me, so i must see it throught myself." Said the Doctor's firmly.
"Ofcourse Doctor...i understand."
"Well then..." Doctor Brand walk closer to where Rouen's stand, Rouend still spacing out, he doesn't notice the two old mans conversations. "I'll be taking my leave for now lad...i'll be back tomorrow."
Rouen bow his head. "Yes sir, thank you...for everything..."
"It's nothing lad..." the Doctor pat Rouen's shoulder lightly. "...it's nothing."
Doctor Bran heading straight to his carriage, his men is ready to take him home. Captain Luke is the only left.
Nightfall comes, moon is hight.
"Why dont we sit down now lad...i dont know about you, but my knees killing me!"
They sit aside Mark's grave...
That night, Captain Luke's tell all the stories about him and Mark's all the way he knows. He also tell stories about Rowan and Mark's wife. That night, they dont plan on sleeping. The Captain's life experience lead him to know that Rouen wont be able to sleep tonight, so he volunteered to stay and humor the young man. So that he wont fall to despair. That night they laugh and cry together, remembering the pass, of Mark's and his son and wife. That night, Rouen doesn't fall to despair.
Sun's rising, morning is here.
"I feel lighter now, thank's to you Captain Luke." Rouen said thankfully.
"Anytime lad...anytime."
Captain Luke must go back soon, he took some day's off from the office, but he must be back to report soon.
"I wish i can stay longer, keep you company lad, but duty calls."
"It's fine Captain, you already did so much."
"Ha! Well then lad, i'll be leaving now. See you at the gate's eh?"
"Save travel, Captain."
.....
Alone now, Rouen doesn't feel like doing anything...he just sit staring at nothingness...time fly fast, he doesn't notice. Finally at dusk, he saw a carriage coming...Doctor Bran's carriage.
"How you holding up lad?"..."Captain Luke's leaving?"
"Yes sir, he cant stay longer, duty calls."
"I see, that's...expected." It's better for Rouen to not be alone he thinks.
"You look like a mess lad." Sure is...no sleep, no bath, oh...he even still wearing the suit for the funeral yesterday.
"I'am worried about you lad! Perhaps it would be wise to looking for a caretaker for you...?"
A nanny? At this age!?
"No sir!" Rouen shout's "that's really unnecesarry...i can take care myself!"
"Well..."
"I'am griefing, i know! But i promise it'll pass, and soon i'll be okay." He said seriously.
"Okay lad...i trust you."..."So...about this..."
Doctor Brand give Rouen a piece of paper.
"It's Mark's will lad...i want you to read it."
Doctor Bran open the the door's inside the house. "I'll give you some time to it then lad...i'll be in the kitchen, making us tea."
"Okay sir..."
Rouen the read the paper...it said;
My dearest boy Rouen...if you read this, obviously i'am dead, Ha! Do not be sad for too long boy, do not lose hope! There's so much more that you want to achieve isn't that right? Needless to say lad, as my only family left alive, you are to inherit everything that i have...everything, including my one Treasure that saved in my secret chest, you know where is it don't you? Ha! Ofcourse you do! It wasn't much of a secrets after all Hahaha!
Oh...and dont you worry about those fifty thousand of Karlings deals, that's just a bullshit i made to keep you bussy and sharps...Hahaha...!
You always be the one who'll inherit the farmhouse and everything's inside, who else then if it's not you? Ha!
Oh...but if you actualy manage to gather that much of coins, you might actualy use that to buy Toby's farmhouse...after all he's also old and alone, Ha! He deserve to retired already, tell him to use that money to take care himselfs in his old age, before the time comes when he cant even plow the field, haha!
That's it then boy...i hope you well. I wish you can achieved all the marks that you write in your note book...but dont push yourself too hard. A smart man is those who knows their limitation, and you're more than just 'smart' Rouen. I trust you will make the right choices in you life lad.
That's all then boy...i'll be staying with my wife and son now, and i know one day we will meet again...i just hope it wont be too soon, Ha!
Be well...my son
Yours truely, Mark.
Tears in Rouen's eyes, agai...no matter how comedic that letter was wrote by Mark. He always know it's just Mark's nature who always look things from the brighter sides. Funny and cheer up personality.
Never the less he will take his uncle words to the heart...he must move foward.
Uncle's right! I can do this!
Rouen's enter the kitchen, Doctor Bran sit in the table, a cup of tea in his side, another in the other sides of the table, presumably Rouen's.
"Thank you Doctor." Rouen sit on the other side of the table. "Have you read this?"
"Ofcourse no lad! That's unprofessional!" That' right, and of all the people Rouen's ever meet, no one's beat Doctor Bran in terms of professionalism, his only match is probably those hight ranking officer's in Union banks."Thought...i probably knows a big chunk of it's content." He said smiley, while siping his tea.
Rouen's smile, he knows exactly what the Doctor means, aside from Mark's physician, Doctor Bran was also his 'consultant'...being friends for so many years make them share each other secrets.
"I don't know how to run a farmhouse Doctor."
"Figures...that's why i bring up the caretaker thing"
"Well, a nany is not exactly what i need thought Doctor."
"Ha! I know, i know."..."hmm...why don't you visit Ravenhold? I heard there's many people out there who's in need for a job."
Actualy visiting Ravenhold is already in Rouen's to do list...if all this tragedy never happen. Now Rouen's mind starts to clear, and how he starts to make peace with the reality, he starts to remember about the lot things he needs to do. His uncle's words help him much to move on.
"I do just that then, Doctor."
"Good, but remember lad, there's alot of scamers too ouy there, carefull on hiring these mens, lad."
"I know, thank you Doctor."
"Right! I suppose i'll be taking my leave then, to be honest, there's a few grannys on my clinic right now waiting for me to take care of their therapy session, if i'am not back sooner they'll give me hell! Always remember Rouen, you don't want to face a granny's wrath, ha!"
"Take care doctor, dont overwork yourself!"
"Ha! It's in my blood lad! You take care too!"
He said with a hand gesture, then he go.
Rouen go to the stable, he check the carriage, everythings good.
I need to take care of this, but first...i need bath!
He took a bath, do some chores, eat some meal, then he put on his armour. Let's go!