Silverhand

Papa's Will

Eliam breathed a sigh of relief as he checked to see if I was alright.

"Thank the gods, Arawyn," he breathed, "Thank the gods you're safe. What happened?"

I took a deep breath, steadying my racing thoughts. 

"I woke to the smell of smoke. The barn was on fire, and I woke Papa and Anadyn. We rushed out to the barn, only to find it was the king's men who set it ablaze. They took the horses and Anadyn, mentioning how they'd serve the army well. When they attempted to take me as well, Papa tried to stop them, and when he did, their captain killed him. He told me to run - Papa, that is, and come here. I don't know why."

By now, we'd entered the large farmhouse across the fields. At my final statement, Parl sighed, his face grave and weary. 

"I do," he replied, "Come sit down in the parlor. It's about time we talked."

His wife, Juutfoda, entered the room, and Parl held up a hand and gave her a grave look.

"'Foda, fetch the document Revanan gave us. Natch, run across the field and fetch the priest from the church. He should know what has happened and be present at the time of the opening." Natch nodded and left, and Juutfoda's hand flew to her mouth. 

"Revanan is dead?

I felt, rather than saw, Parl nod, and Eliam sat next to me.

"Arawyn, you'll be alright," he said, drawing me into his chest, "You can stay with us." I buried my face in his shoulder before another wave of sobs could threaten to overwhelm me. He tugged me further into his arms.

"Shh," he murmured against my hair, "Everything will be fine."

I don't know how much time passed as we sat there, me taking comfort from him, and he, offering it, but Juutfoda left and returned carrying a brittle piece of parchment smelling of dust and  Natch came back with the village priest in tow. The kind old man took one look at my tear-stained cheeks and the shaky hands that clung to the front of Eliam's shirt, clawing the fabric into wrinkles, and nodded solemnly.

"Revanan is dead, so it is time then."

He held out a hand to Juutfoda, who put the package in it. The priest settled in a seat across from Eliam and me and held up the piece of parchment.

"Arawyn, this is your father's will. He wrote it only months before he died."

The priest broke the wax sealing the paper and began to read it aloud.

"I, Revanan Silverhand, being of sound mind and body at the time this is written, witnessed by Parl and Juutfoda Longsound, do hereby dictate this last will and testament before a representative of the almighty gods on high.

"The farm, breeding stock, and all lands I own shall be given to my future son-in-law as his wife's dowry. He shall be the legal owner of all business ventures I now own.

"To my son, Anadyn, I leave the sum of six thousand Elvish crowns, so that he may travel the world as he has so long desired to do."

I felt tears prick my eyes. My father had known that Anadyn felt stifled on the farm and that he'd wanted to travel the world. Papa had told him that someday he would, and he'd kept his word to my brother.

"And finally, to my daughter Arawyn, I leave three things. First, my sword. Use it well. Second, I leave a package your mother gave me to give you when you came of age. I fear I may not live to see that day. Third, and finally, I leave you a request that comes with a task. If you are still unmarried at the time of this reading, I wish for you to marry Eliam Longsound. However, if you can find someone else to love by the end of three months, I wish for you to marry him. In order to assist you in this and in ordr to give you an additional dowry, I give you my complete fortune of seven hundred thousand Elvish crowns."