[Flashback] A Widow's Family

[Colombina]

Summer, 500 AV

As years past, Jenelle's family lost hopes of suitors for their daughter. She was still young enough to wed, but had ceased to glance up from the life she had built for herself.

On the southern outskirt of Syliras, she had her own cottage surrounded by elms and apple orchards that produced a modest crop.
Several days a week, she minded the books of some businesses within the city. Voreasos would accompany her into the city proper on occasion, drawing wards against evil and hissed epithets. Jenelle mostly ignored them, but covered Voreasos's ears when she chose to retaliate in kind.

Maturity came quickly to Jenelle, hastened by circumstances. The temper of her youth now met restraint and her tongue found discretion. Liveliness of spirit still lingered, though. She could outrun her brothers, was quick to a game and courted laughter. She loved her trees and loved even more how Voreasos would sit in the elms with her for hours. However, Kalinor had not left her entirely. Jenelle still feared the dark and slept by windows for the rest of her life, covetous of starlight.

Eleven years difference in their age had turned Jenelle motherly toward Voreasos. Though he was not hers by right, she felt he was hers by effort. Every care she could afford was rendered to him, and her youngest siblings were his playmates. Jaden and Jerem, the eldest of the boys were wary of him, as they understood more fully the tortures their sister had experienced among his kind.

It was a late morning in summer, Voreasos was wandering near the house and Jenelle was in front of their home. Her head was covered in a kerchief and her smock was smeared with dust.
"Vor!" she called into the maze of trees.
"Vor! Where are you?"