Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

MEMOIRS OF HAVAS [05]

(SET TEN YEARS BEFORE HAVAS IS BREACHED)

'The greatest tragedy of our nation thus far has been the death of Councilman Bervik and his beloved wife. On the twenty-fifth of December, on the cold night of Yule, the Bervik manor was set alight. No one came to their rescue, and no one knows what began the blaze. All the noble family left behind was a charred manor and their young daughter.'

-An extract from an article on the mysterious tragedy of Lord and Lady Bervik.

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MEMOIRS OF HAVAS

05

Wall Maria, North Region, Havas, Western O'Haen, Hyde Residence

"By Larken." Lorelai paced back and forth in front of the fireplace. "Tamsin's still not back?"

"The damned idiot," said Romero dully, gesturing to the snowstorm raging outside the window. "She'll freeze to death."

"This is all your fault," Gabriel spoke up, glaring daggers at Lorelai.

He had been lingering in the corner, watching the two sinners wallow in their guilt. So far, he had said nothing, but his composure was breaking. Neither could meet his eyes.

"You split my family apart just to ease your consciences." He took to his feet. "My mother is out there, freezing to death because of what you did."

"I know, kid," reasoned Romero. "But this storm has us trapped 'ere whether we like it or not. We'll go looking for Tamsin at first light; then we'll figure somethin' out."

"Are you kidding me? She'll be dead by first light. Then you'll be a liar and a murderer!"

"Well, what would you like us to do, huh? Go out there and freeze with her?"

"Larken knows the both of you would deserve it," Gabriel grumbled.

"She won't be dead," Lorelai began.

Romero placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "That's a little optimistic, kid. How do you know?"

She turned around to face them both. Her face was too composed for this moment. "She'd have gone back to the Bervik manor; it's the only thing that makes sense."

In that moment, she scared Gabriel just a little. Even if he did hate her right now, Lorelai was still the girl he had grown up with, right?

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First light arrived slowly and painstakingly. It was almost ironic; the sunrise cast a pretty glow over O'Haen, bathing the wintry landscape in warm shades of pink and primrose. It was almost as if the world had all but forgotten the sins she had confessed; why else would Lorelai be awoken so kindly?

There was no time left for delusions. Lorelai's childhood and the golden memories it had held had crossed into the past. It had all been built on lies, anyway.

She had walked into this house with the intention of putting it all behind her, of finally living unafraid and unconcealed. She had thought the consequences minor; she thought, given her revelation, she could pass from this house unmissed and unmourned. But this was sorely not the case.

She had been so eager for truth that the real costs of it had evaded her. And now, Lorelai was left with but one question: Was it worth it? Because perhaps her lies might have been kinder than her truth.