Fall from Grace

Waiting the tables as well as watching the bar gave Silas the excuse to venture close to the door to check on Caety and Issic. He wasn't able to hear much, but he gathered that before the night was over Issic would learn the truth behind the lass. He nodded slightly to himself. It would be good for him to hear her story - from her own lips.. to see the look in her eyes as she spoke. If Issic was as good as the headmaster said he was, he would be able to tell the truth in her words for himself. Then Silas would be able to use him to help prove her innocence.

When only a few customers remained at the end of the night, Silas insisted Caelynn and Issic take off early to make up for leaving them to run the pub while he was out. Caelynn ducked back to her room and returned wearing a midnight blue woolen cloak. Though plain in design, it was obviously of high quality - the only item of luxury she'd brought with her. Stepping outside, she found Issic already waiting for her.

Walking through the now-empty market, Caelynn described a life of privilege living in a manor on the border between Avalon Isle and the Dales of Devwy. "We had little warning the Drakorans were about to attack, but it was enough that we were able to pack our clothes and more precious items and flee." Her voice was soft as they turned to walk along the shore. "We were going to move to Cotswold. We kept a house there for trips to Camelot. Just as we were preparing to leave, my brother announced he was staying. He was going to join with the men of the town to try and hold back the enemy. My parent's protested, but in the end he would not be swayed." She paused and took a deep breath. "We were still unpacking when we got the news. His unit had been slaughtered. The bodies were so badly mangled it was impossible to identify them all."

They walked in silence a few moments before she continued. "I knew... deep inside... that Andreww was still alive. But my parents were just as sure he was dead. Finally, I decided to come back to Avalon and look for him - and fight the Drakorans. My family has a natural talent for magics... I returned to Gothwaite to seek a trainer. I wrote home every day to assure my parents I was alright. A week later they were all returned... unopened." Her voice broke as she went on. "A cousin sent word that because I came back against my parent's wishes and because they couldn't stand the prospect of mourning another child, they had disowned me."