Respects for the Dead

[Rattrap]

Ariel O'Cynen stood in the open field, surrounded by others. Their attention was not, for the most part, focused on her - although many certainly were. Those who surrounded her were a part of the O'Cynen household, though not by name; others were those who worked closely, daily, with the late councilor and his daughter out on the fields. Those that did knew how close the two were. And those that did knew such a death was untimely and foul - Joseph had many years to go. Or he was supposed to, many thought.

At the edge of the field, not far from where the people were gathered was a large, old oak over a hill. It had been Ariel's mother's favorite spot on the farm; even during the O'Cynen's brief residencies in other places, Myrken Wood and that very hill had always been a special place to her. This, Ariel only knew from her father's stories, as her mother had passed before Ariel could know her.

Joseph had planted the oak on his wife's final resting place, allowing her to continue living as part of the magnificent tree that stood testament.

Today, Joseph would be joining his long parted wife, and another tree would be planted. The funeral would be held, only hours away. Some people would grieve. Some would cry, perhaps. All would move on.

Ariel knew this to be the nature of life, of growth. Still, she would be sad.