When The Petal Fell

11-2

She entered the kitchens of the Garden and switched to the Veil of Child-like Amusement. The Veil of No-Countenance would be of no help with who she was here to speak with. Passing through the kitchens, she exited the building, into the rear courtyard and smiled at the gathered faces. Today was not only a day of mourning, but of appreciation. The funerals would not stop the regular workings of the Court.

"Miss Cierene! You look lovely!" The young Seedling, Brella, almost jumped to hug Cierene, but stopped, catching herself. "I have news! I saw a Sender in the Underside, just this morning. It's true, I swear!"

"It's not 'Miss Cierene', idiot! She's the High Gardener now!" An older Seedling, Paldre, chimed in. He always thought of himself as a leader of the Seedlings. "Sorry, High Gardener. She's still young."

"I'm not young! I'm ten! And I'm not an idiot." Brella stuck her tongue out at Paldre and then turned her smile back to Cierene.

"Now, now, little ones. I'm not High Gardener. That's still to be voted for." Cierene felt glad that, with these children, she could show her happy side, however fleeting it would be. "And you're not here to give news. You can do that with Gabria, later. Right now, you're here to eat. Are you hungry?"

Six grubby, enraptured faces nodded as one and Cierene ruffled the hair of Brella before taking her hand and leading the children back into the Garden. Leading them through the kitchens, turning left and then right until they emerged into a room with a table and chairs set for six. She led Brella to the seat at the head of the table, helping her into the chair, and then clapped her hands.

Several Buds entered the room, carrying plates and platters and jugs of fresh fruit juices. As the Seedling children dove into their plates of food, a Petal entered the room, carrying a lute, and began playing jaunty songs fit for children and Cierene smiled.

"Miss Cierene-High-Gardener, can you sing for us? I like your voice." Brella, her mouth full of food looked towards Cierene with the most adorable, pleading look upon her face.

"I'm afraid I cannot, my sweet. I'm late for something very important, but next time I'll sing 'The Maiden of the Tall Tree' for you." Brella clapped her hands at the thought and Cierene passed around the table, kissing each of the Seedlings on the head, before turning to leave. "And don't forget, eat as much as you want, but don't make yourselves sick."

She left the Seedlings to their meal and returned to the Veil of No-Countenance. At any other time, she would have stayed and entertained the children. Today, however, she could not. The funeral awaited and, even though she had told the children she was late, this was one event that she could not choose to be late for.

Cierene realised, with a heavy heart, that if she were, after all, voted as High Gardener, she would never be able to entertain the Seedlings again. And, perhaps, that was the reason she had chosen to hire Sora to investigate Luhsn's death. She would be above going into the Underside, in disguise or not. Her duty would be to the Court of Blossoms more complete than ever and old acquaintances would have to fall away. Left, but never forgotten.

She wanted, for one last time, to connect with her old friend and then to part forever.

She stopped before the front door of the Court of Blossoms. A Bud came to her side and knelt as Cierene raised her feet to allow the Bud to place the high-heeled, blood red shoes upon them. Now, she set her face into the Veil of Stern Serenity, clasping her hands together at her waist. The Bud opened the door and Cierene made a graceful duck of her head, stepping out into the street to meet with her City Guard escort and on to the funeral.

The High Gardener in all but name, she held her head high and set off toward the Temple District.

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