The Huntsman's Hope Book 4 (draft )

the lighthouse keeper

Falk Wünsch - Lost  

"What was it like in the old kingdom, before the Cataclysm? Did you fight in the great war against the Xelusians? Where did you live? Where you always a woodsmith? Did you work for the great high houses of old?" Yuli was full of questions.

"There will be plenty of time to badger him when he heals," Fleur admonished him. "Sorry about him, he loves history. My son is practically obsessed with the pre-cataclysm kingdom and the lost houses."

Rieth smiled, and in swift strokes admitted, 'I was apprenticed to a forester when I was young. I had a natural talent that no one else in my family had. Because of my skills, I have worked for or with several of the high houses. I still do. I did my term of service in the great war, but I did not like it, many I knew died. The old kingdom was a difficult place to live for those who did not have rank or wealth. Work was hard for unhoused and unranked citizens.'

"Thank you for answering, but Yuli can wait until you've recovered, if you don't mind. He is more curious than his cat," Fleur teased her son.

"I don't mind. What about you and your eyes?" Rieth wrote and Yuli read. "Isn't there someone else to do the work? How do you keep the Lighthouse and teach if you are blind?"

Fluer grinned and held out her hand and took the tablet from Yuli. "As a disabled veteran, I get assistive devices."

She clicked an image of his identity and travel papers, then tapped the device, the surface raised up slightly over the letters and she ran her fingers over the raised parts. "I see, you have worked on Olympia, Dauntless, and most recently Aetheria."

She grinned at his surprise. "It's cool, isn't it. But the polymer uses a lot of power to keep the surface elevated, so I have regular books in braille for reading and teaching from. I just use this for reading messages sent to me, and grading school work."

Rieth was thoughtful for a minute then asked the question he was dreading. 'Does your husband live here?'

Yuli hesitated as he read, but Fleur patted her son's hand. "I was never married. We planned to be joined after the war. But... but I survived, and he didn't. I was severely injured when Meridian 3 was attacked, I should be dead. When I woke in a healing sarcophagus, the war had been over for more than a century, and the Relic Refugees had been rescued. It was a miracle I survived at all but I was blind, and I was pregnant with Yuli. We came here with my elderly Aunt Meara. She ran the café and tended the Lighthouse, I helped her. When she passed, I took them over."

'I am sorry your aunt died. Family is all we have. I lost my family except my brother. Briel is a metalworker and sword maker. Thank you for keeping me alive. You fight very well.' Yuli read Reith's words aloud then responded, "Mom is a master swordswoman, she fought with the guardsman corps up to the battle of Meridian 3. My father Yuriel was an archer, who died in the final battle of the war, but Mom was already asleep with me in a sarcophagus."

'I am glad you both survived. Did you know the Oracle or the Guardian? I have heard so much about them.'

Fluer looked down as her right hand touched something hidden under her shirt. "In a manner." She answered evasively. "I have brain damage from my injuries... I have forgotten a lot."

Rieth coughed, and she tipped her face toward him. "Does your throat hurt? I can make you more of the tea Callie sent."

Rieth nodded once and Yuli revealed, "He said yes, I'll get the numbing tea."

Rieth wrote, then pushed the button before putting the modified tablet in her hand. 'I think you knew them well, but don't want to talk about it in front of your son.'