“My mother is dead.” She whispered quietly. Lifting her eyes, she turned her gaze to Duncan’s face. She didn’t see him though, not really. Instead, she stared blindly at him, lost in her own thoughts for a moment.
Duncan’s face, when she did focus on it, was full of questions. “What did the letter say?” He asked carefully; cautiously. He might have been a man that couldn’t see expressions, but he could feel the pain about Tazrae. It was the same pain he’d asked her about once, during her initiation. She’d never replied to him then. He actually hadn’t expected her to answer him now either. But to his surprise she blinked, glanced down at the letter in her hands, and started to read it aloud.
Tazrae-
It is with great sorrow we write to you of Esta’s death. She gifted us with a fine strong son last year. The pregnancy was difficult and she struggled when our Nicoli and Desmi put in their appearance. Her labor was long and took its toll on her. However, at her insistence, she wanted a second contract and we agreed upon its terms. She took full payment and began her duties. However, a second pregnancy proved difficult if not impossible and the physicians in Riverfall gave us the news that she would not be able to conceive again. My Dear Estra was distraught and took this news hard. She was afraid we would set her aside as our wife and find a replacement more capable than she was.
We did not have plans for such a thing. We cared deeply for your mother and wanted her there for the raising of our son. Her mental state, however, took a blow from the news and her postpartum depression caused her grievous unhappiness and dare we say delusions.
As is custom for my people when our wives prove barren, we acquired a new Nakivak to fulfill our desire to have a large family. Estra did not take this well in her continued sadness even though the woman we had contracted was not someone we had an emotional attachment too. Despite that and despite the constant reassurance that she was not going to be replaced, Estra took her own life. I believe, in the end, her mental state was just too fragile to confront the things she was facing in raising an only son, having other women provide me with children, and your departure.
She took her own life on the 7th of Fall, 520 A.V. It was quick and she did not suffer.
Enclosed is a letter she wrote to you the same day she took her life. In the end, she stated she had things to explain to you that she didn’t want going to her grave. The coin enclosed was her inheritance from her grandmother passing. It should go to you since she did not need it nor get around to using it while she was with me. I hope you can find use for it where she did not.
- Takiv & Sutin Nevamar
Tazrae carefully separated out the letter from Takiv and Sutin, then tossed it into the fire before them – the one she’d been reading by. She rifled through the next letter as Duncan shifted closer to her and wrapped an arm around her. He drew her closer to him and they both leaned back on Bree.
The Ixam watched the pair without comment, her eyes wide in reptilian concern though. Duncan was concerned too. He did not speak, asked her no questions, and just sat there, letting her read the second letter which she did aloud and without a read-through first.