Cori Brynor

“So Cori, when will I actually get to meet the little lad? You’ve kept him cooped up in that house of yours for over a year now,” Quinn asked me while I was looking around his vegetable stall in Corvin’s market.

“Sorry Quinn, you’ll just have to wait a little longer. I just worry, you know?” I responded, only half lying.

The market was filled with people from all over Corvin. Farmers that came in to sell their stock, guardsmen patrolling the busy street, mothers grabbing goods to bring home for tonight's dinner, even some Soul Beasts wandering around with their partner. It wasn’t a large town, but one could get lost if they took a wrong turn in the crowd. It made me think of Sean, how easily he could get carried off somewhere else if I didn’t hold onto him at all times. I almost felt relieved that he was too afraid to go outside. Almost.

“Ah that’s a shame. I think you're just a little too overprotective with him, Cori. The market and town are perfectly safe. Hardly anyone here is of any danger. All of those types went off to the east, you know. I really would like to meet the little tyke.”

“Yes, well, I just like to be safe. I’m sure you’ll meet him someday Quinn. I think I’ll take these,” I said, picking up some fresh peppers and onions and handing him a few coppers.

“Alright then. Have a good day. Oh, and tell Aaron about the hunt going on tomorrow. Dodson said he spotted a beast he’d never seen before. Probably something running from the east, near the River of Division, away from the war. I’m sure he wouldn’t want to miss a good hunt.”

“I will. Thanks again Quinn,” and I headed off out of the market.

Our house was atop the hill on the far side of the town. It was a beautiful secluded area that any family would love to have, but it was a bit annoying having to walk through the entire town almost everyday just for food. I didn’t complain much though. After all, it was for my family. My journey started as I walked into the town square, a circular walkway with the statue of St. Corvin in the middle, the founder of the town. I always liked St. Corvin’s story. He was an explorer, setting out into The Bloodied Plains to settle new land for the King. A hopeful person that wanted to discover new things. I hoped Sean would be like him.

Most of my thoughts eventually led back to Sean one way or the other. He had only been around a little over a year, but I couldn’t imagine life without him. He served as a nice retreat when Aaron was being too annoying. He was sweet too, trying to help me with dinner even at such a young age. Sometimes he seemed so smart, but other times he seemed really stupid. Either way didn’t matter though, he was perfect to me. What I really enjoyed was when I talked about magic to him. His eyes would light up in fascination, and I almost actually believed he understood what I was saying, but I think he’s so fascinated by it because he can’t understand it. I hope not though. I want him to find something he enjoys since he’s cooped up all day in the house.

As the worry of him staying in the house forever crossed my mind, I passed the town’s cathedral. The horns and bells were playing, which meant they were performing some kind of ritual to God inside. I would have liked to receive a blessing from a priest today, but it seemed they would be too busy. I opted to pray outside instead. I knelt down against the cathedral walls and gave a silent prayer to God. “I pray for my King, his soldiers, and my family. May his reign bring peace to the world, and humbleness to his people. Please Lord, help my son overcome his fears, and help me and Aaron to overcome ours,” I stood and almost tripped over the lady that was praying next to me.

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She was a short, old woman with gray hair tied up into a ponytail. I recognized her almost immediately. “Oh, Aiofe! I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there,” I apologized.

“Oh it’s fine my dear. Nice to see such a diligent woman like you taking your time to pray. Not many of you youngins care much for God anymore.”

“Yes, well, now that we have Sean I’ll take all the help I can get.”

“Mmm. Yes, children. Y’know, I remember back when that husband of yours was shorter than me. He was a handful, along with his brothers.”

My face fell into a frown. I knew Aoife meant well, but the subject didn’t sit well with me.

“Sorry, but I’ll have to speak to you another time, Aiofe. I have to get home and make Sean and Aaron dinner,” I said, hurrying off towards home.

“It’s fine dear. I understand the hardships of motherhood, and marriage for that matter. Just ask Aaron to come visit me every once in a while. I’d like to reminisce about… back then. Also, send him with the baby. It’s high time I met him.”

“Of course, hopefully one day!” I yelled back to her as I quickly made my way out of earshot.

Aiofe was a good woman. She was like the grandmother of the whole town, but she knew very little about subtlety, and touchy subjects. I felt bad for running away, but I knew where the conversation was headed, and I didn't feel like walking home with tears in my eyes. It didn’t help that she had mentioned Sean. I knew I had to push him to try and go outside again, but I was just too scared for him.

I tried to keep Sean’s fear of the outside in the back of my mind. It was something that I hoped he would overcome as he grew. What really worried me was Aaron. Life hadn’t been easy, and I didn’t want our worries to affect Sean. These thoughts passed over me as I approached the town’s gates. I heard yelling and sounds of many footsteps as I turned the corner to put the gate in my view. A couple hundred soldiers were marching through them, many wounded, but already patched up, likely from the doctors that traveled with them. The soldiers probably traveled from the east, near the River of Division, likely sent away from the front lines due to their injuries. Fear boiled up inside of me as memories from the past filled my head. The sight of so many wounded soldiers hit too close to home.

As the soldiers passed, some so horribly mutilated it made my skin crawl, everyone on the side of the road just stared. Children were ushered away from the sight while men and women gasped in fear. Corvin may be in The Bloodied Plains, but it was so far west that the snowy peaks of the Endevis Mountains could be seen clearly, far from any battle that might occur. No one here could imagine what it was like closer to the River of Division. Everyone's eyes stayed glued to the pack of men and women walking down the road.

As the last soldier made their way past me, I quickly turned and walked down the road they had just come up. My feet felt heavy, as if I was walking over a grave. Getting home was my priority, not dwelling on the past or those injured soldiers. It felt wrong, not giving these people more respect and just hurrying on my way, but I had a responsibility to my family, and a fear that Aaron might have caught a glimpse of the soldiers as well. My last thought as I passed through the gates was a wish. A wish that Sean may never have to go through the same things those soldiers, or that Aaron and I, had to.