The River Beyond

Chapter 4

The bleakness of night would often be neutralized by the beauty of the moon. This lunar power, often held to the highest of standards with mysticism from the people of the Province, has become a key point in our lives. The Province area, over the course of many centuries, has garnered a more gracious look to the natural world around us. The Divine hold our paths in life, and we are mixed in beliefs of how the Divine work. Some elders believe the Divine stands for one being, and others choose to be discordant on such a belief. Most within the Province's land know of the Divine and choose to solely believe in the power the natural work has on us as beings who live in its fortress of cascading mountains, trees, and flowing streams. 

With the night creeping ever so closer, the moon now peeking out from its hidden length of time on the sun's highlight of day, I decided to take a walk and bask in its glow. Carilla joined me outside as I took the white gown I now wore, it's lace trims easily catching the draft of wind from the mountain peaks, to journey out. 

"Do you need anything, Miss?" Carilla looked at me, a puzzled expression running across her features for the slightest of moments as she looked me up and down. "You are missing your cardigan, shall I fetch it?" 

"Thank you, Carilla." I watched her leave and now understood how important she has been to my family, willing to do anything for us, without thought of retribution or reward. Her kindness has aided us, in dark times and times of prosperity. 

While those on the council and the Strongholds are deemed as "prosperous", I have chosen to not think of us as such, for my parent's duties lie in helping the lesser-coveted families within Province to rise in succession of family lineage, earnings, and sustenance. The way my parent's work has aided them, they choose to believe it is the inner working of the Divine creating a stronghold for their humanitarian efforts to reach advancements within the community itself.

"Miss, do you feel the Divine are here to help tonight? The moon is considerably full tonight." As Carilla returned, she carried with her a large shawl made from the cotton fields in the outer regions, imported by way of trade routes around the River. The distinct light cream coloring of the shawl made the moon's radiant glow catch on the fibers in an elegant manner. I thanked her for delivering the shawl as we stood in preparation for Mother and Father to return. 

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Mother and Father appeared as distant shadows over the mountain's range, carrying meals in baskets for the nightly supper. Although the moon was full now, the sun not far behind it, I would always choose to eat with the household in accordance of missing time with them during the daylight hours. 

As they pulled into the pasture's acreage, riding horses from the long journey, I decided it best to greet them with the most kind way for our people, with a hug. Pulling Mother and Father close, I held them in a tight embrace and we stood there in this way for the moments which passed. In these moments, I thanked the Divine for bringing them home.