Sofije & Clofindel

An Extract from "Sofije and Clofindel"

The journey back from the Great Northern Chantry of Hjertesgaarten that evening was painfully slow. Sofije struggled to find her footing, as they descended the ancient stone steps of the Lofdescojlne. She seemed even weaker than usual, as she tried to support herself on her walking cane.

Even with her cane in one hand and Clofindel holding the other, it was clear that Sofije was suffering, and progress was painful. Clofindel could now see clearly, that the terrible payment required for a life of exceptional magical ability, was finally taking its awful toll on her.

To an outsider's perspective, Clofindel would have looked very much like the younger partner in their relationship, not Sofije's senior by fifteen years. The gentle wrinkles which contoured his face and his grey-hair were the only obvious mark of his advanced age. Sofije looked at least twenty years older than her sixty three years, and yet, the same phenomenal beauty she had always possessed, shone forth.

As they walked under the pines which line the southern bank of the Hjertesfleuve, the warm carmine hues of late evening filtered through the misty haze filling the Hjertes valley, and lent the whole scene a dreamlike quality. Apart from the distant sound of a tolling bell on the other side of the river, the insistent rhythmic chirping of the crickets, and the gentle murmur of the river, there was no other sound to be heard. The manse was just a little further up the road, coming into view through the rosy haze. The whole atmosphere was charged with magic. At that moment, Sofije abruptly came to a halt, holding back Clofindel and gesturing towards the river with her cane:

"Look, there. In the water; look!"

Clofindel peered intently towards the spot Sofije had marked, "Hmm. Where am I looking... Oh, yes, there. I see it... Is that an.. an otter? No, surely not? Not this close to the city?" then, with a wistful chuckle, he concluded, "Or perhaps it's just another duck's arse, my love?"

Sofije squeezed Clofindel's arm, and chuckled deeply at the memory of their time together in the Nortilkernian glens, before her laughter transformed into another coughing fit, and she doubled over with pain. Clofindel looked, as he often did those days, with concern at his beloved. Her condition had definitely worsened in the last few days.

Then more splashing and squeaking from the river drew their attention. It definitely was an otter. Not only that, but there were now two, playing in the currents, and chirping joyously together.

Sofije and Clofindel stood silent on the bank of the river for quite some time, enjoying the sights and sounds of the water spirits at play, until eventually, the magical creatures gracefully slid back under the surface together.

Silently, Sofije squeezed Clofindel's hand, as he led them both back to the manse. The house was quiet, with no sign of anyone else around. Most of the rest of the household were either out for the evening or retired to their chambers. Entering from the kitchen courtyard, they made their way through the larder and pantry, through the kitchen, the corridors and passageways of the house, and into their private hall at the back of the house, overlooking the river. As Clofindel entered the room, he smiled in gratitude- Alix had built a fire in the hearth for them, and laid out a small supper, comprising some bread rolls, preserves and pickles on the table. A kettle of water sat warming on the brazier in the hearth. Who knows what they would have done without the tireless care and aid of their young friend?

As the couple settled down in the inglenook of the fireplace, Clofindel could feel some of the aches in his own bones beginning to diminish from the warmth of the fire.

By now the evening light, filtering through the casements, was darkening to twilight. As the flames danced in the hearth, Sofije turned to Clofindel, who was clearly lost in the depths of thought. Although her voice had lost much of its volume over the recent months, she still spoke with an intensity and force which neither illness nor age could diminish.