| Episode 020 | |
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“Its
not that bad. Well, I’m not saying I’d like to build a summer home
here, but the trees are actually quite lovely.”
Wesley,
the Princess Bride “<Seven
members of the National Assembly were present today at the christening of
a new national park, >” said the reporter on the television.
Behind her, a large banner could be seen waving in the wind as a
large crowd of people was gathered before a brightly colored platform.
Behind the banner and the crowd, a ranging forest could be seen, spreading
into the distance of the mountains.
“<But
the creation of this national park has not been without incident, >”
the reporter continued. “<The
local towns which rely on logging and related industries are in serious
trouble. >” The screen shifted, showing protestors outside the ceremony.
“<Numerous workers have maintained a constant presence.
Several different petitions have been submitted, though the union
officials have yet to reach an agreement with the government officials.”
The
television clicked off, reflecting back the image of Irene sitting on the
hotel bed. She looked up as
Sarah finished backing her clothes, running down a mental checklist.
“There was nothing about the murders.”
“Good,”
Sarah said, indifferent.
“Nine
people died, Sarah,” Irene insisted.
“We nearly died.”
“That’s
the nature of a cover-up,” Sarah maintained, closing her suitcase. Irene
stared for a moment, then turned away in frustration.
“Where’s everybody else?”
“Til
is loading the truck,” Sarah answered, locking her case and setting it
on the floor. “Lisa and
Emma are packing.”
“And
Eliot?” Irene asked.
It was a beautiful day.
The
cool air swept down off the mountains, carrying with it the crisp scent of
snow, even as it passed through the trees and the chimneys of the town.
Coursing along the road and the curving hills that crept at the
steps of the mountains, the wind swept along, drifting amongst the somber
stone monuments.
In
the peaceful graveyard, Esaias Archoldas’ widow walked slowly.
Still dressed in her grieving black, her veil still over her eyes,
she carried a bouquet of white flowers.
With her, Lucas and Joseph walked by her side, as Eliot walked a
few paces behind.
Winding
their way along the hills, the four made their way to a small dip in the
graveyard where a small, innocent tombstone rested.
Before it, a strip of fresh ground stood out amongst the healthy
grass.
The
widow and two friends stopped before the grave, the wind the only noise in
the graveyard. She stepped
forward, laying the flowers on the grave, her shoulders beginning to shake
as she cried. The two came to
her aid, but she remained standing on her own.
Sniffing away at her sadness, she nodded to them both, then turned.
Eliot
stood in the wind, his tie flapping against his shoulder while his trench
coat played at his knees. She
smiled as pleasantly as she could to him, but then walked by, heading out
of the graveyard. Lucas and
Joseph followed, leaving him at the grave.
Eliot waited until they had passed, then turned fully to the grave.
He stood in thoughtful respect, then turned as well.
About
the grave, the wind continued to blow. |
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