From: ldyaja@aol.com (LdyAja)
Date: 01 Mar 1998 16:26:50 EST
Morning----
Aja awoke with the dawn, and sat silently up in bed. Huma laying beside her still in deep sleep, Merlin curled up at his feet. She watched the cat lazily stretch and return to it's sleeping position. Aja swung her feet out of the bed and grabbed her robe. She took a look back at the bed and Huma, and closed the door silently. Aja made her way downstairs to find Maria already up and busy in the kitchen.
"Did I wake you?" She looked with concern at Aja, who was leaning in the doorway of the kitchen.
"No, Maria..I woke myself." Aja stood from her leaning position and went to the refridgerator. She pulled the orange juice out and grabbed a glass from the dish rack on the counter. Maria watched her for a moment, before speaking again.
"Miss Lily came in late last night." Aja sipped the juice and looked up at Maria.
"Lily is going through a bit of a rough patch, Maria. I wouldn't worry about her hours as much as I would worry about her heart." Aja glanced up at Maria and tried to ease the worried expression. "She'll be fine. She knows I'm here if she needs. But I think she needs to work through this for herself." she sipped the juice, watching Maria.
"It isn't right, the child needs someone to comfort her." Maria folded some towels while she spoke, Aja smiled.
"Lily knows that we are always here. Sometimes independance is more important than comfort."
"Speaking from expirence, Miss Aja?" Maria smiled almost mischievously at her.
"You know I am, Maria. You've been with me a long time." Aja leaned against the counter and looked around the kitchen. Maria chuckled.
"You still need someone to look after you."
"I'm getting too old to be mothered." Aja made a face at Maria, who had been just like a mother to Aja. Maria laughed and patted her shoulder as she passed to put away the towels.
"You've been telling me that for years."
Aja couldn't help but smile, she remembered various times when she had told Maria that she needed no one and each time Maria had stood by and caught her when she fell. Patched her up when she lost, held her when she cried, and laughed with her during the good times. Maria had been so much more than a cook, and housekeeper. She was a friend and someone Aja would dearly miss if anything ever happened to her. Aja sipped her juice and looked out
the window at the sunrise.
"No wonder you get up so early..It's a great view out the window."
"Yeah, it is. This house has a wonderful of the sunset too." Maria looked at Aja in concern. "Not that you would know, you're always in the Yards office till well after dark." Maria passed her again and stopped to smile at her. "I have noticed that you have cut down your hours at the yards. Everything alright there?"
"Wonderful. Hectic, but wonderful." Aja took a seat at the kitchen table and smiled at Maria. "I've been taking time off for Huma."
"I have noticed. Lord Huma has been in a much better mood as of late." Maria smiled knowingly at Aja. Aja nodded a bit.
"He should be. The guys at the yards aren't too pleased, but my marriage isn't in as bad a shape anymore." Maria stopped her preparations of breakfast and looked at Aja.
"You need to worry less about everyone else."
"You sound like Huma." Aja said wryly and sipped her juice.
"Maybe he's right."
"And maybe he's not. All I know is I've built that business up with Tristan. And when he died, no one, especially the guys, thought I could do it. Now, years later, it's more profitable than it has ever been."
"So, when do you get to stop trying to prove your point?" Maria cracked an egg into the pan and looked at her.
"What point would that be, Maria?"
"The one that says you can do it better than they thought."
"Maybe never." Aja sighed and stood up. "Who knows." Aja walked out into the living room under Maria's watchful gaze. Aja walked upstairs and peeked into Lily's room, just to check on her. Happy that she seemed to be sleeping peacefully, Aja walked back downstairs and into the den. She found her smokes and lit one. Maria had the fire going, as always. Aja sat in the chair near the fireplace and stared out into space.
Destruction
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From: ldyaja@aol.com (LdyAja)
Date: 01 Mar 1998 16:54:15 EST
Noon----
Aja had finally gotten the motivation up to get ready and go to work before anyone else got up. As she rode to the ship yards, she noticed what a truely beautiful day it was turning out to be.
"Be a pity to stay all day in that stuffy office. Maybe a half day is in order." As she rode into the yards, Chiron reared back and almost threw her. She noted that he threw a shoe. "Well, so much for playing hooky today, big guy. Now, we gotta get you shod." Chiron neighed and waited for her to dismount before prancing around. Aja watched, slightly amused at her horse being antsy.
"You put a burr under Chiron's saddle, boss?" Aja turned at Alon's voice.
"No, he just seems highspirted today for some reason."
"You sure it's the horse you're talkin about?" Alon smiled at her.
"Maybe." Aja patted Alon's shoulder and grinned. "Let's get some work done."
"Anything you say." Alon and Aja walked into the ship yard office and immediately Aja found herself sunk into the business.
Around lunch time, with papers and plans stacked on her desk, she grinned.
"Time to play hooky." Aja grabbed her stuff and headed out. She saw Rico and the boys turn into their usual luch spot and she rode Chiron straight out of town and to the arena.
Aja walked in and smiled at Huma, whose was grousing about his breakfast.
"Lily ate it?" Aja repeated.."Didn't Maria make more?" Huma laughed and it turned out to be a big joke.
Huma, Belle, Gnim, Prin, Malkier and Aja all hung out and talked about any ol' thing that came up. They laughed watching Gnim, who'd been transparent all morning, float through Seregill when he wandered down from the upstairs inn. Aja decided to take care of Chiron while Gnim went on a foo tiraid.
As she left the arena, she headed to the local blacksmith and while he shod Chiron, Aja browsed the local shops. She bought Lily a couple shirts and a few skirts. Huma some new shirts, and herself a couple new skirts and sweaters. She had her boots cleaned, bought Maria a new book, and some perfume that she thought Maria would like. Then rode home and put the gifts in the perspective rooms. As she walked into her room, she found Huma sleepin and
put the things down and quietly left.
As she rode back towards the ship yards, she saw it....Smoke. Thick, black and coming from the direction of her ship yards. She rode Chiron for all he was worth.
Date: 01 Mar 1998 16:54:15 EST
Noon----
Aja had finally gotten the motivation up to get ready and go to work before anyone else got up. As she rode to the ship yards, she noticed what a truely beautiful day it was turning out to be.
"Be a pity to stay all day in that stuffy office. Maybe a half day is in order." As she rode into the yards, Chiron reared back and almost threw her. She noted that he threw a shoe. "Well, so much for playing hooky today, big guy. Now, we gotta get you shod." Chiron neighed and waited for her to dismount before prancing around. Aja watched, slightly amused at her horse being antsy.
"You put a burr under Chiron's saddle, boss?" Aja turned at Alon's voice.
"No, he just seems highspirted today for some reason."
"You sure it's the horse you're talkin about?" Alon smiled at her.
"Maybe." Aja patted Alon's shoulder and grinned. "Let's get some work done."
"Anything you say." Alon and Aja walked into the ship yard office and immediately Aja found herself sunk into the business.
Around lunch time, with papers and plans stacked on her desk, she grinned.
"Time to play hooky." Aja grabbed her stuff and headed out. She saw Rico and the boys turn into their usual luch spot and she rode Chiron straight out of town and to the arena.
Aja walked in and smiled at Huma, whose was grousing about his breakfast.
"Lily ate it?" Aja repeated.."Didn't Maria make more?" Huma laughed and it turned out to be a big joke.
Huma, Belle, Gnim, Prin, Malkier and Aja all hung out and talked about any ol' thing that came up. They laughed watching Gnim, who'd been transparent all morning, float through Seregill when he wandered down from the upstairs inn. Aja decided to take care of Chiron while Gnim went on a foo tiraid.
As she left the arena, she headed to the local blacksmith and while he shod Chiron, Aja browsed the local shops. She bought Lily a couple shirts and a few skirts. Huma some new shirts, and herself a couple new skirts and sweaters. She had her boots cleaned, bought Maria a new book, and some perfume that she thought Maria would like. Then rode home and put the gifts in the perspective rooms. As she walked into her room, she found Huma sleepin and
put the things down and quietly left.
As she rode back towards the ship yards, she saw it....Smoke. Thick, black and coming from the direction of her ship yards. She rode Chiron for all he was worth.
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From: ldyaja@aol.com (LdyAja)
Date: 01 Mar 1998 16:54:15 EST
Noon----
Aja had finally gotten the motivation up to get ready and go to work before anyone else got up. As she rode to the ship yards, she noticed what a truely beautiful day it was turning out to be.
"Be a pity to stay all day in that stuffy office. Maybe a half day is in order." As she rode into the yards, Chiron reared back and almost threw her. She noted that he threw a shoe. "Well, so much for playing hooky today, big guy. Now, we gotta get you shod." Chiron neighed and waited for her to dismount before prancing around. Aja watched, slightly amused at her horse being antsy.
"You put a burr under Chiron's saddle, boss?" Aja turned at Alon's voice.
"No, he just seems highspirted today for some reason."
"You sure it's the horse you're talkin about?" Alon smiled at her.
"Maybe." Aja patted Alon's shoulder and grinned. "Let's get some work done."
"Anything you say." Alon and Aja walked into the ship yard office and immediately Aja found herself sunk into the business.
Around lunch time, with papers and plans stacked on her desk, she grinned.
"Time to play hooky." Aja grabbed her stuff and headed out. She saw Rico and the boys turn into their usual luch spot and she rode Chiron straight out of town and to the arena.
Aja walked in and smiled at Huma, whose was grousing about his breakfast.
"Lily ate it?" Aja repeated.."Didn't Maria make more?" Huma laughed and it turned out to be a big joke.
Huma, Belle, Gnim, Prin, Malkier and Aja all hung out and talked about any ol' thing that came up. They laughed watching Gnim, who'd been transparent all morning, float through Seregill when he wandered down from the upstairs inn. Aja decided to take care of Chiron while Gnim went on a foo tiraid.
As she left the arena, she headed to the local blacksmith and while he shod Chiron, Aja browsed the local shops. She bought Lily a couple shirts and a few skirts. Huma some new shirts, and herself a couple new skirts and sweaters. She had her boots cleaned, bought Maria a new book, and some perfume that she thought Maria would like. Then rode home and put the gifts in the perspective rooms. As she walked into her room, she found Huma sleepin and
put the things down and quietly left.
As she rode back towards the ship yards, she saw it....Smoke. Thick, black and coming from the direction of her ship yards. She rode Chiron for all he was worth.
Date: 01 Mar 1998 16:54:15 EST
Noon----
Aja had finally gotten the motivation up to get ready and go to work before anyone else got up. As she rode to the ship yards, she noticed what a truely beautiful day it was turning out to be.
"Be a pity to stay all day in that stuffy office. Maybe a half day is in order." As she rode into the yards, Chiron reared back and almost threw her. She noted that he threw a shoe. "Well, so much for playing hooky today, big guy. Now, we gotta get you shod." Chiron neighed and waited for her to dismount before prancing around. Aja watched, slightly amused at her horse being antsy.
"You put a burr under Chiron's saddle, boss?" Aja turned at Alon's voice.
"No, he just seems highspirted today for some reason."
"You sure it's the horse you're talkin about?" Alon smiled at her.
"Maybe." Aja patted Alon's shoulder and grinned. "Let's get some work done."
"Anything you say." Alon and Aja walked into the ship yard office and immediately Aja found herself sunk into the business.
Around lunch time, with papers and plans stacked on her desk, she grinned.
"Time to play hooky." Aja grabbed her stuff and headed out. She saw Rico and the boys turn into their usual luch spot and she rode Chiron straight out of town and to the arena.
Aja walked in and smiled at Huma, whose was grousing about his breakfast.
"Lily ate it?" Aja repeated.."Didn't Maria make more?" Huma laughed and it turned out to be a big joke.
Huma, Belle, Gnim, Prin, Malkier and Aja all hung out and talked about any ol' thing that came up. They laughed watching Gnim, who'd been transparent all morning, float through Seregill when he wandered down from the upstairs inn. Aja decided to take care of Chiron while Gnim went on a foo tiraid.
As she left the arena, she headed to the local blacksmith and while he shod Chiron, Aja browsed the local shops. She bought Lily a couple shirts and a few skirts. Huma some new shirts, and herself a couple new skirts and sweaters. She had her boots cleaned, bought Maria a new book, and some perfume that she thought Maria would like. Then rode home and put the gifts in the perspective rooms. As she walked into her room, she found Huma sleepin and
put the things down and quietly left.
As she rode back towards the ship yards, she saw it....Smoke. Thick, black and coming from the direction of her ship yards. She rode Chiron for all he was worth.
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From: ldyaja@aol.com (LdyAja)
Date: 01 Mar 1998 17:20:50 EST
Afternoon---
Aja jumped off Chiron as she reached the yards. She hit the ground runnin towards the fight she saw going on in the yards. Vikings! Aja charged into the battle, drawing her sword and stuck one through the heart as he was about to finish off Rico.
"My God, what happened?" Aja fended off a guy and screamed back at Rico. Rico staggered to his feet and put the guy down.
"Raiders!" Rico clutched his side which was bleeding bad. Aja ripped a part of her shirt and handed it to him.
"Stick that on it." Aja turned in time to see a man coming towards her. They battled it out, until he fell at her feet. Aja looked around, not many maruders were left standing and they were working on a retreat. Aja started towards them, Rico Alon and Christoph right behind her. They worked their way to the final mauraders and chased them off with the help of the other men.
Aja surveyed the damage. Parker ran from guy to guy, checking wounds, Aja noticed that he stayed a bit longer on one and walked over.
"Parker?" He looked up at her, clearing a path for Aja to see the damage done. She faltered back as she saw Warner laying there, bleeding heavily and unconcious. "Oh dear God." Aja kneeled next to him. Parker shook his head and Aja let hers fall. There was nothing that could be done. Parker stood and went to another fallen man. Aja held Warner's hand and whispered. "You family shall hear of this from me, old friend. I shall make sure they are taken
care of. That I promise you." Rico layed a hand on her shoulder and looked at Warner.
"He fought well, Aja." She merely nodded afraid to speak anymore. "All the men did." Rico's voice was low and weak. Aja looked up at him.
"I should have been here." Rico shook his head at her, you would have been killed, since it was you they were looking for."
"So, this is my fault." Aja stood up and looked around the yards. The ship they were working on for Gimmzak Stoncutter blazed away in the harbor. She sighed, knowing that they'd have to start over. And the date of the finish would be pushed back. The vessel flamed and started to sink, thick, black smoke rose up as it sank, blacking out the sun and covering everything in soot. She wwatched it for a moment and shook her head. Looking around as the guys
mended their wounds and started cleaning up the yards. The destruction was incredible, she had never seen the yards in such sad shape. With a sigh, she walked over to Parker, seeing another man felled at his feet.
Parker looked up and shook his head, she stared down at the young man at his feet. She stared at the young face and touched Parker's shoulder. He touched her hand gently.
"Just a baby, Parker." She kneeled down and covered him with the sheet parker held in his hands. "Kevlin was just a baby." Aja glanced up at Parker feelin too much shock to say much more.
All afternoon, they tended to the wounded, cleaned up some of the yards. The Aracadia fire department put out the flames on the ship. Aja watched the bodies of her loyal workers get carried off. She stared at the wagon as it left the yard and walked to Rico.
"Tell everyone to go home, Rico." Aja's voice was even and steady.
"But, we have work to do."
"Home, Rico." she said as stern as she could manage. "The yards will be here in the morning when we wake up." her gaze followed the cart until it was out of sight. "Those men won't be." Aja looked at Rico. "Everyone goes home early."
"Alright, Aja. What ever you say." Rico headed towards the guys and gave the whistle for quittin time. The men gathered around Aja as they reached the gate.
"Are you sure, Boss?"
"We can get it done."
"No hassle." The litany of her men passed by her until she heard one from the back say.
"Sorry it got this way, boss." Aja snapped her head in his direction.
"Sorry it got this way? I can't believe your worried about the yards!" Aja stepped back and jumped on a box to look them all over. "If anyone is sorry, it's me for not being here. You all fought your hearts out, and four fine men gave their lives for me and this place." she scanned the group standing before her. "Look at yourselves! Covered in blood and soot, and trying to tell me your sorry you can't do more?"
"Aja, you have been worse and still toughin it out with us." Rico looked at her seriously.
"I don't give a damn. I lost four very good men..they were beyond employees, they were friends. As all of you are." she paused and looked around. "Now, go on home. Go to the bar..Just get out of here for today. You've done more than your share today."
"Aja.."
"Out, Rico! All of you, go!"
She watched the men walk out and stepped off the box and faced Rico. He stared at her for a moment before touching her face.
"You ok?"
"I'll be fine..You just get." She looked at Alon, Parker and Christoph standing there. "And take them with you."
The guys knew better than to argue and left. She locked the gates and mounted Chiron. Not even knowing where she was going, she rode fast...And ended up at the arena.
(I'm not great at battle scenes but you get the idea.)
Date: 01 Mar 1998 17:20:50 EST
Afternoon---
Aja jumped off Chiron as she reached the yards. She hit the ground runnin towards the fight she saw going on in the yards. Vikings! Aja charged into the battle, drawing her sword and stuck one through the heart as he was about to finish off Rico.
"My God, what happened?" Aja fended off a guy and screamed back at Rico. Rico staggered to his feet and put the guy down.
"Raiders!" Rico clutched his side which was bleeding bad. Aja ripped a part of her shirt and handed it to him.
"Stick that on it." Aja turned in time to see a man coming towards her. They battled it out, until he fell at her feet. Aja looked around, not many maruders were left standing and they were working on a retreat. Aja started towards them, Rico Alon and Christoph right behind her. They worked their way to the final mauraders and chased them off with the help of the other men.
Aja surveyed the damage. Parker ran from guy to guy, checking wounds, Aja noticed that he stayed a bit longer on one and walked over.
"Parker?" He looked up at her, clearing a path for Aja to see the damage done. She faltered back as she saw Warner laying there, bleeding heavily and unconcious. "Oh dear God." Aja kneeled next to him. Parker shook his head and Aja let hers fall. There was nothing that could be done. Parker stood and went to another fallen man. Aja held Warner's hand and whispered. "You family shall hear of this from me, old friend. I shall make sure they are taken
care of. That I promise you." Rico layed a hand on her shoulder and looked at Warner.
"He fought well, Aja." She merely nodded afraid to speak anymore. "All the men did." Rico's voice was low and weak. Aja looked up at him.
"I should have been here." Rico shook his head at her, you would have been killed, since it was you they were looking for."
"So, this is my fault." Aja stood up and looked around the yards. The ship they were working on for Gimmzak Stoncutter blazed away in the harbor. She sighed, knowing that they'd have to start over. And the date of the finish would be pushed back. The vessel flamed and started to sink, thick, black smoke rose up as it sank, blacking out the sun and covering everything in soot. She wwatched it for a moment and shook her head. Looking around as the guys
mended their wounds and started cleaning up the yards. The destruction was incredible, she had never seen the yards in such sad shape. With a sigh, she walked over to Parker, seeing another man felled at his feet.
Parker looked up and shook his head, she stared down at the young man at his feet. She stared at the young face and touched Parker's shoulder. He touched her hand gently.
"Just a baby, Parker." She kneeled down and covered him with the sheet parker held in his hands. "Kevlin was just a baby." Aja glanced up at Parker feelin too much shock to say much more.
All afternoon, they tended to the wounded, cleaned up some of the yards. The Aracadia fire department put out the flames on the ship. Aja watched the bodies of her loyal workers get carried off. She stared at the wagon as it left the yard and walked to Rico.
"Tell everyone to go home, Rico." Aja's voice was even and steady.
"But, we have work to do."
"Home, Rico." she said as stern as she could manage. "The yards will be here in the morning when we wake up." her gaze followed the cart until it was out of sight. "Those men won't be." Aja looked at Rico. "Everyone goes home early."
"Alright, Aja. What ever you say." Rico headed towards the guys and gave the whistle for quittin time. The men gathered around Aja as they reached the gate.
"Are you sure, Boss?"
"We can get it done."
"No hassle." The litany of her men passed by her until she heard one from the back say.
"Sorry it got this way, boss." Aja snapped her head in his direction.
"Sorry it got this way? I can't believe your worried about the yards!" Aja stepped back and jumped on a box to look them all over. "If anyone is sorry, it's me for not being here. You all fought your hearts out, and four fine men gave their lives for me and this place." she scanned the group standing before her. "Look at yourselves! Covered in blood and soot, and trying to tell me your sorry you can't do more?"
"Aja, you have been worse and still toughin it out with us." Rico looked at her seriously.
"I don't give a damn. I lost four very good men..they were beyond employees, they were friends. As all of you are." she paused and looked around. "Now, go on home. Go to the bar..Just get out of here for today. You've done more than your share today."
"Aja.."
"Out, Rico! All of you, go!"
She watched the men walk out and stepped off the box and faced Rico. He stared at her for a moment before touching her face.
"You ok?"
"I'll be fine..You just get." She looked at Alon, Parker and Christoph standing there. "And take them with you."
The guys knew better than to argue and left. She locked the gates and mounted Chiron. Not even knowing where she was going, she rode fast...And ended up at the arena.
(I'm not great at battle scenes but you get the idea.)
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From: ldyaja@aol.com (LdyAja)
Date: 01 Mar 1998 18:24:54 EST
The Arena~
Aja walked into the arena, dazed. Many people said hello to her, as they always did. She nodded her reply, keeping her cloak tight about her. She searched the full arena for Huma, and was startled when he walked up behind her.
"Babe?" Aja turned at his voice and went to him, her cloak falling open and revealing the blood soaked white shirt. Huma held her at arms length and looked at her soot and blood streaked face,. "What the hell happened to you?" She heard the anger start up in his voice. She stared at him blankly, and realized he must be looking at the blood.
"It's not mine."
"No?" Huma sounded confused, or maybe disbelieveing, she couldn't tell which.
"Dead...they are dead, Huma." she slowly let the details of the last few hours.
"Who's dead?"
"Warner...Kevlin..two more...gone.." her mind scrambled all the images together..the smoke, flames...the blood, the death.
"What happened?" Huma seemed quite angry.
"Mauraders...over ran the yards...it's a mess." she looked up at him slowly. "I should have been there when this started...Maybe I could have stopped it somehow...maybe those men wouldn't..."
"Don't you dare take the blame for this!"
"Those were my men, my responibility." Aja babbled semi confused as a few people wandered up and asked a mess of questions she couldn't comprehend enough to answer right then.
"Let me get you home." Huma took her arm and waved someone back.
"She's my wife, I'll care for her." Aja vaugely heard the response that came back, but Huma picked her up off the floor and carried her out the door, and away from the arena. "Come on, babe. Let's get you home and cleaned up." Aja clung to his chest and listened to the steady hoof beats of his horse, Dogfood and Chiron as they made their way to the manor.
Huma slipped down from Dogfood and pulled Aja down into his arms.
"You really should rename that horse."
"Babe, Dogfood is the last of my worries." Huma smiled down at her worriedly as he stepped through the door that Maria held open for them.
Immediately she started fussin over Aja.
"What happened? Rico stopped by saying everything was a mess. That the entire shipyards were covered in soot." Maria looked over Aja as Huma laid her back on the couch. She took off Aja's boots and looked at Huma. "That child needs a bath and lots of sleep."
"I'm not a child, and I'm not deaf either." Aja got up and walked up the stairs.
Once in her room, she let her sword clattered to the floor. Huma followed her and picked up her clothes and her sword as she disguarded them. She ran the water and sat quietly letting the hot water surrond her, trying to piece together what needed to be done in the next couple days.
All things were jumbled, but she knew a few things very well. Four men were dead, and she didn't have a clue why.
Date: 01 Mar 1998 18:24:54 EST
The Arena~
Aja walked into the arena, dazed. Many people said hello to her, as they always did. She nodded her reply, keeping her cloak tight about her. She searched the full arena for Huma, and was startled when he walked up behind her.
"Babe?" Aja turned at his voice and went to him, her cloak falling open and revealing the blood soaked white shirt. Huma held her at arms length and looked at her soot and blood streaked face,. "What the hell happened to you?" She heard the anger start up in his voice. She stared at him blankly, and realized he must be looking at the blood.
"It's not mine."
"No?" Huma sounded confused, or maybe disbelieveing, she couldn't tell which.
"Dead...they are dead, Huma." she slowly let the details of the last few hours.
"Who's dead?"
"Warner...Kevlin..two more...gone.." her mind scrambled all the images together..the smoke, flames...the blood, the death.
"What happened?" Huma seemed quite angry.
"Mauraders...over ran the yards...it's a mess." she looked up at him slowly. "I should have been there when this started...Maybe I could have stopped it somehow...maybe those men wouldn't..."
"Don't you dare take the blame for this!"
"Those were my men, my responibility." Aja babbled semi confused as a few people wandered up and asked a mess of questions she couldn't comprehend enough to answer right then.
"Let me get you home." Huma took her arm and waved someone back.
"She's my wife, I'll care for her." Aja vaugely heard the response that came back, but Huma picked her up off the floor and carried her out the door, and away from the arena. "Come on, babe. Let's get you home and cleaned up." Aja clung to his chest and listened to the steady hoof beats of his horse, Dogfood and Chiron as they made their way to the manor.
Huma slipped down from Dogfood and pulled Aja down into his arms.
"You really should rename that horse."
"Babe, Dogfood is the last of my worries." Huma smiled down at her worriedly as he stepped through the door that Maria held open for them.
Immediately she started fussin over Aja.
"What happened? Rico stopped by saying everything was a mess. That the entire shipyards were covered in soot." Maria looked over Aja as Huma laid her back on the couch. She took off Aja's boots and looked at Huma. "That child needs a bath and lots of sleep."
"I'm not a child, and I'm not deaf either." Aja got up and walked up the stairs.
Once in her room, she let her sword clattered to the floor. Huma followed her and picked up her clothes and her sword as she disguarded them. She ran the water and sat quietly letting the hot water surrond her, trying to piece together what needed to be done in the next couple days.
All things were jumbled, but she knew a few things very well. Four men were dead, and she didn't have a clue why.
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From: ldyaja@aol.com (LdyAja)
Date: 02 Mar 1998 04:32:39 EST
Aftermath—
Aja woke up with the sun blinding her. For a moment she forgot what day it was. She sat up in bed and looked around.
'Huma must left for the bar already.' she thought and rubbed her eyes, trying to wake up when it hit her. 'He's never up before me! What time is it?' She grabbed the time piece off the night stand and nearly screamed.
"I can not believe I overslept!" Aja walked into the bathroom nearly stepping on Merlin, who was asleep in front of the sink. He scampered out. Aja was about to head downstairs to talk to Maria and stopped when she looked in the mirror.
"Oh dear.." Aja stared at the bump on her head. A scrap along her cheek, things she didn't remember getting yesterday. She brushed her hair and headed out of the bathroom. She dressed in a hurry, grabbed her tachi and headed down the stairs. Huma, Lily and Maria were sitting in the kitchen. She stopped on the stairs when she heard her name.
"Aja is stubborn, Huma. You had to known that when you married her."
"She was never stubborn like this, Maria."
"Love is blind. " Lily snorted, Huma shot her a look and Aja put a hand to her mouth to stop from laughing. The next thing she heard sobered her quickly.
"The funeral for those boys is today."
"I know Maria. I've been letting her sleep. She needs the rest." Huma looked at Maria with a sad expression.
"She'll be fine, Huma."
"I hope so. She hasn't barely said a word to me in days."
"She gets quiet sometimes." Maria said and Lily looked at her in shock.
"No way! Are we talking about the same Aja?" Maria laughed and Huma shot her another look. "Would you quit lookin at me like that." She gave Huma a glare of her own. Aja decided to make her presence known before it broke into a fist fight.
"Morning all." Aja walked past the trio and grabbed a mug and poured herself some coffee.
"Should you be drinking that? With the baby and all?" Lily looked at her concerned, Aja looked over the mug at her.
"Probably not, But I'm gonna do it anyway." Aja grabbed some toast, kissed Huma's cheek and waved at Lily and Maria. "See ya later." She headed out the door and started down the street. Huma called from the front door.
"Aja!" She turned and looked at him. "What time is the funeral." She made a face but answered.
"Round 2. " Aja turned and started back down the street. Huma watched her till she turned the corner and went back inside.
Aja stopped at the dress shop and bought a black dress. She walked onto the yards lot and looked around. The guys were working. She figured they wanted to work through the pain like she wanted to do. She listened closely, the noise of the guys working was all that was heard. None of the lively chatter she was used to hearing. She knew all too well why it was like that, and headed to her office.
Rico gave her a nod as she opened the door. Flowers were sitting on her desk, the couch was piled high with mail. She sighed and leaned against the door. 'This was not a sight I needed right now.' Aja drew the shades and sat in the office sorting through the mail, putting the cards for the different men in some boxes. Their families would appreciate it. She just wasn' t sure she did.
Aja opened the bottom drawer and pulled out the scotch that she had shared with Warner a couple weeks ago, when he was waiting for the birth of his son. She poured a glass and toasted each man that was lost silently. Kevlin, Warner, Marth, Lysander, and Harlen. She slammed the last shot solemnly and then she allowed herself to do the unacceptable. She cried.
Date: 02 Mar 1998 04:32:39 EST
Aftermath—
Aja woke up with the sun blinding her. For a moment she forgot what day it was. She sat up in bed and looked around.
'Huma must left for the bar already.' she thought and rubbed her eyes, trying to wake up when it hit her. 'He's never up before me! What time is it?' She grabbed the time piece off the night stand and nearly screamed.
"I can not believe I overslept!" Aja walked into the bathroom nearly stepping on Merlin, who was asleep in front of the sink. He scampered out. Aja was about to head downstairs to talk to Maria and stopped when she looked in the mirror.
"Oh dear.." Aja stared at the bump on her head. A scrap along her cheek, things she didn't remember getting yesterday. She brushed her hair and headed out of the bathroom. She dressed in a hurry, grabbed her tachi and headed down the stairs. Huma, Lily and Maria were sitting in the kitchen. She stopped on the stairs when she heard her name.
"Aja is stubborn, Huma. You had to known that when you married her."
"She was never stubborn like this, Maria."
"Love is blind. " Lily snorted, Huma shot her a look and Aja put a hand to her mouth to stop from laughing. The next thing she heard sobered her quickly.
"The funeral for those boys is today."
"I know Maria. I've been letting her sleep. She needs the rest." Huma looked at Maria with a sad expression.
"She'll be fine, Huma."
"I hope so. She hasn't barely said a word to me in days."
"She gets quiet sometimes." Maria said and Lily looked at her in shock.
"No way! Are we talking about the same Aja?" Maria laughed and Huma shot her another look. "Would you quit lookin at me like that." She gave Huma a glare of her own. Aja decided to make her presence known before it broke into a fist fight.
"Morning all." Aja walked past the trio and grabbed a mug and poured herself some coffee.
"Should you be drinking that? With the baby and all?" Lily looked at her concerned, Aja looked over the mug at her.
"Probably not, But I'm gonna do it anyway." Aja grabbed some toast, kissed Huma's cheek and waved at Lily and Maria. "See ya later." She headed out the door and started down the street. Huma called from the front door.
"Aja!" She turned and looked at him. "What time is the funeral." She made a face but answered.
"Round 2. " Aja turned and started back down the street. Huma watched her till she turned the corner and went back inside.
Aja stopped at the dress shop and bought a black dress. She walked onto the yards lot and looked around. The guys were working. She figured they wanted to work through the pain like she wanted to do. She listened closely, the noise of the guys working was all that was heard. None of the lively chatter she was used to hearing. She knew all too well why it was like that, and headed to her office.
Rico gave her a nod as she opened the door. Flowers were sitting on her desk, the couch was piled high with mail. She sighed and leaned against the door. 'This was not a sight I needed right now.' Aja drew the shades and sat in the office sorting through the mail, putting the cards for the different men in some boxes. Their families would appreciate it. She just wasn' t sure she did.
Aja opened the bottom drawer and pulled out the scotch that she had shared with Warner a couple weeks ago, when he was waiting for the birth of his son. She poured a glass and toasted each man that was lost silently. Kevlin, Warner, Marth, Lysander, and Harlen. She slammed the last shot solemnly and then she allowed herself to do the unacceptable. She cried.
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From: ldyaja@aol.com (LdyAja)
Date: 02 Mar 1998 20:45:37 EST
Of Honor and Ashes---
"Aja?" Rico raped his knuckles on the door and opened it to find her standing by the window, dressed in black staring out at the street. "Aja? Everyone is waiting for you."
"Ya know..." She began softly "I keep hoping that if I stand here long enough, that this would be some dream I'm having..that at any moment I will wake up to Huma bitchin at Lily, or something." She paused and followed the movement of something outside before turning to face Rico. "That four good men won't be dead, and I won't have to watch them be placed in the ground today."
"None of us want this to be real. And you can't blame yourself."
"Can't I?" Aja walked over by the desk and pointed to the boxes on the floor in front of it. "See those? " Rico nodded and Aja made a face as if to hold back her anger. "That is what those mens' lives have come down to...A box of cards and letters to the family. Poor Kevlin..didn't even have a family. We were it, Rico." Aja blinked rapidly and then seemed to settle. "Us..this ship yard was his life and his life had barely begun." Aja whirled
around, looking out the window again. "And you wanna know why?"
"Why what, Aja?" Rico dared to step closer but it just reminded her to keep silent.
"Nothing. We gotta go." Aja walked to the door and walked out to walk with her men to the funeral.
The men stood silently, all dressed in their best clothes. All cleaned up to honor the memory of their friends. She realized that they all worked today, even though she didn't expect the too. She had been lost in her own grief so much that she hadn't really noticed theirs. Aja looked at Parker, Alon and Christoph. The three of them looked back at her, their looks supporting and grieving. She shook her head slightly to hold the tears at bay.
The dam had been let loose once and threatened to over flow again. She would not allow that to happen. She couldn't. She was not only the boss, she was the leader. If she broke, what kind of respect would they hold for her.
"Are we ready?" She tried her best to keep her emotions in check, but somehow her voice sounded distant to her. The guys nodded and followed her as she started down the road to the cemetery. The families of the men were gathered at the site. The wives and mothers all dressed in black. The children too. Here to see their fathers laid to rest. Aja greeted each of them. Personally conveying her prayers and offers of help to each family.
The preacher stood at the head of the caskets and started on the burial rites. Warner's widow sobbed and Aja held her as she cried. The men held the other women as they cried through the service. Each widow threw a handful of dirt on the graves. Aja threw the handful of dirt on Kevlin's grave and stared down at the casket solemnly. The men each filed past the graves and put some personal effect into the graves for the deceased. A gesture which
brought many of them to tears. Parker prayed in front of each grave, Alon and Christoph followed suit. Rico got through the first three, but when he came to Kevlin's grave, he looked up at Aja with tears in his eyes.
"He was a good kid."
"One of the best." Aja said and held Rico as his tears started to fall.
The funeral party gathered in the town hall and traded stories of the men. Aja sat back with the wives and talked over what they would need to be able to support their family now that their husbands were gone. Many of the men came by to offer their help in the upkeep of the houses, and to be "uncles" to the children. A gesture that made the widows hug them gratefully.
When the last of the people had left. Aja thanked the preacher.
"It was a beautiful service, Father."
"I regret that any had to hear it."
"Death is a part of life, Father. Many of us know that too well." Aja's words were not missed by the man.
"You are too young to know of the death you speak."
"Young, Father? " Aja stared at him as if he had just suggested that the sky was polka dotted. "No one is ever old enough to see that kind of death."
"Yes, my child. But one such as yourself, should not have ever had to deal with such losses."
"Young or old, Father, it is the way of it. Everyone must die. " Aja looked up toward the window and then back at him. "For some of us, it's just a way of life. To live and die by the sword."
"And would you have your child live this way?" The preacher asked carefully, to which, Aja made a small tilt of her head.
"Maybe it is best that way. If you don't grow up expecting to live forever, you are nay surprised when you die." Aja patted his shoulder and started out the door. The preachers words followed her out.
"And if you live your life the way the good book says, you may find it lasts longer than you expected." Aja walked out the door and looked at the door as it closed behind her.
"And if you live your life with honor, you need not worry about the length of your life." The thought followed her as she made her way back to the ship yards.
Date: 02 Mar 1998 20:45:37 EST
Of Honor and Ashes---
"Aja?" Rico raped his knuckles on the door and opened it to find her standing by the window, dressed in black staring out at the street. "Aja? Everyone is waiting for you."
"Ya know..." She began softly "I keep hoping that if I stand here long enough, that this would be some dream I'm having..that at any moment I will wake up to Huma bitchin at Lily, or something." She paused and followed the movement of something outside before turning to face Rico. "That four good men won't be dead, and I won't have to watch them be placed in the ground today."
"None of us want this to be real. And you can't blame yourself."
"Can't I?" Aja walked over by the desk and pointed to the boxes on the floor in front of it. "See those? " Rico nodded and Aja made a face as if to hold back her anger. "That is what those mens' lives have come down to...A box of cards and letters to the family. Poor Kevlin..didn't even have a family. We were it, Rico." Aja blinked rapidly and then seemed to settle. "Us..this ship yard was his life and his life had barely begun." Aja whirled
around, looking out the window again. "And you wanna know why?"
"Why what, Aja?" Rico dared to step closer but it just reminded her to keep silent.
"Nothing. We gotta go." Aja walked to the door and walked out to walk with her men to the funeral.
The men stood silently, all dressed in their best clothes. All cleaned up to honor the memory of their friends. She realized that they all worked today, even though she didn't expect the too. She had been lost in her own grief so much that she hadn't really noticed theirs. Aja looked at Parker, Alon and Christoph. The three of them looked back at her, their looks supporting and grieving. She shook her head slightly to hold the tears at bay.
The dam had been let loose once and threatened to over flow again. She would not allow that to happen. She couldn't. She was not only the boss, she was the leader. If she broke, what kind of respect would they hold for her.
"Are we ready?" She tried her best to keep her emotions in check, but somehow her voice sounded distant to her. The guys nodded and followed her as she started down the road to the cemetery. The families of the men were gathered at the site. The wives and mothers all dressed in black. The children too. Here to see their fathers laid to rest. Aja greeted each of them. Personally conveying her prayers and offers of help to each family.
The preacher stood at the head of the caskets and started on the burial rites. Warner's widow sobbed and Aja held her as she cried. The men held the other women as they cried through the service. Each widow threw a handful of dirt on the graves. Aja threw the handful of dirt on Kevlin's grave and stared down at the casket solemnly. The men each filed past the graves and put some personal effect into the graves for the deceased. A gesture which
brought many of them to tears. Parker prayed in front of each grave, Alon and Christoph followed suit. Rico got through the first three, but when he came to Kevlin's grave, he looked up at Aja with tears in his eyes.
"He was a good kid."
"One of the best." Aja said and held Rico as his tears started to fall.
The funeral party gathered in the town hall and traded stories of the men. Aja sat back with the wives and talked over what they would need to be able to support their family now that their husbands were gone. Many of the men came by to offer their help in the upkeep of the houses, and to be "uncles" to the children. A gesture that made the widows hug them gratefully.
When the last of the people had left. Aja thanked the preacher.
"It was a beautiful service, Father."
"I regret that any had to hear it."
"Death is a part of life, Father. Many of us know that too well." Aja's words were not missed by the man.
"You are too young to know of the death you speak."
"Young, Father? " Aja stared at him as if he had just suggested that the sky was polka dotted. "No one is ever old enough to see that kind of death."
"Yes, my child. But one such as yourself, should not have ever had to deal with such losses."
"Young or old, Father, it is the way of it. Everyone must die. " Aja looked up toward the window and then back at him. "For some of us, it's just a way of life. To live and die by the sword."
"And would you have your child live this way?" The preacher asked carefully, to which, Aja made a small tilt of her head.
"Maybe it is best that way. If you don't grow up expecting to live forever, you are nay surprised when you die." Aja patted his shoulder and started out the door. The preachers words followed her out.
"And if you live your life the way the good book says, you may find it lasts longer than you expected." Aja walked out the door and looked at the door as it closed behind her.
"And if you live your life with honor, you need not worry about the length of your life." The thought followed her as she made her way back to the ship yards.
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From: ldyaja@aol.com (LdyAja)
Date: 03 Mar 1998 04:47:23 EST
~Memory Lane~
Aja walked the distance back to the shipyards. Looking around at the town she called home. Stopping by the old dock, she sat on the fence looking around.
Arcadia. Beautiful, dangerous, home and refuge to her for the past nine almost ten years. She had been married here, started and ended many business relationships, many friendships and grown to love this place more than she ever thought she would.
She remembered her first day within the city.
Tanner Quistguard had brought her here, far from the Quistguard clans reach, so she might live free of their rules and find a life of her own, and to live out the rest of his days. He was the closest thing Aja knew to a father, and she never doubted him when it came to most things, but she had questioned his decision to stay in Arcadia.
"What in Zeus's name could be that great about this place?" Aja looked around as she stepped off the dock and looked down the main street. She looked at the run down tavern and the inn next to it. She eyed up the general store and the old man sleeping in a rocking chair on the porch. Aja made a face and the sarcasm in her voice was clear. "I could have stayed on Avalon with Mami and her adoring little boy, Rico."
"Aja, you and I are settling here in Arcadia. And that is the last I will hear of this nonsense." Tanner's voice was stern. "And as far as Rico and the isle of Avalon go. You and I will be helping them in their efforts to rebuild after that attack."
Oh we will, will we?" Aja crossed her arms and stared at Tanner, who ran a distracted hand through his salt and pepper hair.
"Yes, and you'll do so happily" He started for the inn and left Aja staring at him in confusion.
"You wanna tell me why all of a sudden we're taking such an interest in something we've never in my lifetime, given a second thought to?" She leaned against the fence and waited for Tanner to stop walking toward the inn to answer. He did stop and motion for her to catch up.
"Come on, I'll tell you." Aja sensed something going on with Tanner, but since he was the one to teach her the ways of mind reading, he also was better at blocking her out.
"There's no discussion on this, is there?" Aja walked over to him and stared at him.
"No, not really. But I will answer that question." He put a comforting arm around her shoulder and smiled while they walked to the inn. "All your life you have been traveling from place to place. Learning all the wrong things. Seeing the worst in people. So much so, that you expect it from everyone you meet now."
"I learned those lessons well, Tanner. You, yourself said if I intended to live, I better get tough and stop expecting to see the best out of anyone. That no one could be trusted." She looked up at Tanner to see his frown.
"I know what was said, Aja. It was necessary then. You had to be taught that to survive the days with the clan."
"And now, I'm suppose to throw everything I knew out the window?"
"In a manner of speaking." Tanner held the door open for her and smiled.
"It makes no sense." Aja walked into the inn/tavern ahead of Tanner and looked around. The ladies for sale were hanging around by rooms upstairs, a few men sat at the bar and turned when they walked in. A couple men sat at a table playing cards, only to glance up at the strangers.
Tanner arranged for their rooms and ordered two ales for them. Aja saw the man's curious look in her direction and sighed. Tanner shook his head and nodded to a table near the back. Aja took the corner chair and sipped the ale while Tanner removed his coat and sat down.
"We're going to settle here. I want you to behave. Act like a lady."
"A lady?" Aja laughed. "Those girls up there are more lady like than I, Tanner." Aja motioned to the women upstairs with grin. Tanner shook his head.
"No. Not like that either." he reached a hand across the table. "I have loved you like my own daughter. I want you to have the best this world has to offer. I want someone to take care of you after I am gone."
"Gone? Where are you going?"
"I'm dying, my dear. My time here in this world is almost up." Tanner stared straight at her. Aja looked at him, her brows furrowing together in disbelief.
"No. You're too young."
"No, Aja. I am not. The Gods have allowed me little time to take care of my business here. And you are all I am worried about." Aja swallowed hard as she stared at him. She learned a long time ago, that tears were useless. But there they were anyway, threatening to spill over and run down her cheeks. She stared up at the ceiling and then back at Tanner when she had better control. Tanner touched her cheek. "I want the best for you. I want you to
be happy. And I want to be able to join Josie and tell her that I took care of you the best I could."
"So, basically you've come here to die?"
"I suppose you could put it that way." Tanner looked across the table at Aja who nodded slightly.
"So, this is gonna be retraining of sorts?" She looked at him solemnly. He smiled at her.
"Of sorts. Just retraining your attitude."
"My attitude is fine."
"You're a brat."
"I am not." Aja grinned at him. Tanner laughed.
"I knew you'd understand this."
"I don't like it, but I understand it."
"I know." They drank their ales in silence.
Aja slid from the fence, and looked over at the inn. The place had cleaned up considerably in the past years. Tanner had bought the place and rebuilt it, in hopes that the town would follow suit and clean up their establishments. Looking around at the quaint section of town, she saw that his efforts were not wasted. Tanner had left the inn to the previous owners son, a fact that was still looked upon as one
of the kindest acts this place had ever seen. And for every rotten deed Tanner may have done in his life, his work in this place had an equally nice deed to balance it out. She smiled as she passed the small park that bore his name.
Yep. Tanner Quistgard had taken care of her as he had hoped to. Aja would say he did better than he had hoped, and saved her soul.
Date: 03 Mar 1998 04:47:23 EST
~Memory Lane~
Aja walked the distance back to the shipyards. Looking around at the town she called home. Stopping by the old dock, she sat on the fence looking around.
Arcadia. Beautiful, dangerous, home and refuge to her for the past nine almost ten years. She had been married here, started and ended many business relationships, many friendships and grown to love this place more than she ever thought she would.
She remembered her first day within the city.
Tanner Quistguard had brought her here, far from the Quistguard clans reach, so she might live free of their rules and find a life of her own, and to live out the rest of his days. He was the closest thing Aja knew to a father, and she never doubted him when it came to most things, but she had questioned his decision to stay in Arcadia.
"What in Zeus's name could be that great about this place?" Aja looked around as she stepped off the dock and looked down the main street. She looked at the run down tavern and the inn next to it. She eyed up the general store and the old man sleeping in a rocking chair on the porch. Aja made a face and the sarcasm in her voice was clear. "I could have stayed on Avalon with Mami and her adoring little boy, Rico."
"Aja, you and I are settling here in Arcadia. And that is the last I will hear of this nonsense." Tanner's voice was stern. "And as far as Rico and the isle of Avalon go. You and I will be helping them in their efforts to rebuild after that attack."
Oh we will, will we?" Aja crossed her arms and stared at Tanner, who ran a distracted hand through his salt and pepper hair.
"Yes, and you'll do so happily" He started for the inn and left Aja staring at him in confusion.
"You wanna tell me why all of a sudden we're taking such an interest in something we've never in my lifetime, given a second thought to?" She leaned against the fence and waited for Tanner to stop walking toward the inn to answer. He did stop and motion for her to catch up.
"Come on, I'll tell you." Aja sensed something going on with Tanner, but since he was the one to teach her the ways of mind reading, he also was better at blocking her out.
"There's no discussion on this, is there?" Aja walked over to him and stared at him.
"No, not really. But I will answer that question." He put a comforting arm around her shoulder and smiled while they walked to the inn. "All your life you have been traveling from place to place. Learning all the wrong things. Seeing the worst in people. So much so, that you expect it from everyone you meet now."
"I learned those lessons well, Tanner. You, yourself said if I intended to live, I better get tough and stop expecting to see the best out of anyone. That no one could be trusted." She looked up at Tanner to see his frown.
"I know what was said, Aja. It was necessary then. You had to be taught that to survive the days with the clan."
"And now, I'm suppose to throw everything I knew out the window?"
"In a manner of speaking." Tanner held the door open for her and smiled.
"It makes no sense." Aja walked into the inn/tavern ahead of Tanner and looked around. The ladies for sale were hanging around by rooms upstairs, a few men sat at the bar and turned when they walked in. A couple men sat at a table playing cards, only to glance up at the strangers.
Tanner arranged for their rooms and ordered two ales for them. Aja saw the man's curious look in her direction and sighed. Tanner shook his head and nodded to a table near the back. Aja took the corner chair and sipped the ale while Tanner removed his coat and sat down.
"We're going to settle here. I want you to behave. Act like a lady."
"A lady?" Aja laughed. "Those girls up there are more lady like than I, Tanner." Aja motioned to the women upstairs with grin. Tanner shook his head.
"No. Not like that either." he reached a hand across the table. "I have loved you like my own daughter. I want you to have the best this world has to offer. I want someone to take care of you after I am gone."
"Gone? Where are you going?"
"I'm dying, my dear. My time here in this world is almost up." Tanner stared straight at her. Aja looked at him, her brows furrowing together in disbelief.
"No. You're too young."
"No, Aja. I am not. The Gods have allowed me little time to take care of my business here. And you are all I am worried about." Aja swallowed hard as she stared at him. She learned a long time ago, that tears were useless. But there they were anyway, threatening to spill over and run down her cheeks. She stared up at the ceiling and then back at Tanner when she had better control. Tanner touched her cheek. "I want the best for you. I want you to
be happy. And I want to be able to join Josie and tell her that I took care of you the best I could."
"So, basically you've come here to die?"
"I suppose you could put it that way." Tanner looked across the table at Aja who nodded slightly.
"So, this is gonna be retraining of sorts?" She looked at him solemnly. He smiled at her.
"Of sorts. Just retraining your attitude."
"My attitude is fine."
"You're a brat."
"I am not." Aja grinned at him. Tanner laughed.
"I knew you'd understand this."
"I don't like it, but I understand it."
"I know." They drank their ales in silence.
Aja slid from the fence, and looked over at the inn. The place had cleaned up considerably in the past years. Tanner had bought the place and rebuilt it, in hopes that the town would follow suit and clean up their establishments. Looking around at the quaint section of town, she saw that his efforts were not wasted. Tanner had left the inn to the previous owners son, a fact that was still looked upon as one
of the kindest acts this place had ever seen. And for every rotten deed Tanner may have done in his life, his work in this place had an equally nice deed to balance it out. She smiled as she passed the small park that bore his name.
Yep. Tanner Quistgard had taken care of her as he had hoped to. Aja would say he did better than he had hoped, and saved her soul.
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From: ldyaja@aol.com (LdyAja)
Date: 03 Mar 1998 20:43:35 EST
~Rebuilt~
In the days following the attack, the ship yards buzzed with activity. Aja oversaw every detail. Staying later than everyone else making sure all the things that were needed for the ship yards recovery were taken care of. Business had picked up, Aja hired ten new men to the crew. And so far, all were working out nicely. The others made them feel welcome.
One week to the day of the attack the men took a break and went down to the cemetery to pay their respects again to their fallen friends. Something Aja still did daily.
The weeks progressed as Aja watched the men accept the new employees into their circle, the ship yards recover and thrive in spite of the set backs. She was proud of them, of the way they pulled together in the middle of the crisis.
Home and work were working out smoothly. Lily moved out into a cute little cottage, with a nice plot of land, and stables. Aja was proud to see her adopted sibling doing so well for herself. Even if, at times, Aja thought that hurricane speed may not always be a good idea for Lily to run at.
Aja and Huma were doing well and expecting a baby. Aja watched Huma become more and more excited about the baby as the months went on. He even started turning the room Lily used to inhabit, into the nursery. She would sometimes see him standing in the doorway of the room with a small smile. She would stand silently at the bottom of the stairs watching him for a moment before announcing the fact she was home.
Lily and Huma tried to get along, but on occasion, her and Huma still chased each other around the arena when they saw each other. Huma was fond of hanging Lily up on the pegs in the arena and having anyone who was present help him do it. Aja had learned to only step in when it was absolutely necessary. Like, when Huma brought out the duct tape or Lily whacked Huma with her cane.
Life was moving along nicely. She only had a few more things to fulfill and Tanner's wishes for her would be fulfilled.
Aja sat in the den and stared into the fireplace. Maria had come and gone a million times fussing over her and making sure she had no need to get up. Aja chuckled and looked the ceiling. If she closed her eyes, she could almost see Josie and Tanner smiling. Such a long time ago, a lifetime ago it seemed. She smiled slightly and got up. With one last look around, she climbed the stairs and went to bed.
Date: 03 Mar 1998 20:43:35 EST
~Rebuilt~
In the days following the attack, the ship yards buzzed with activity. Aja oversaw every detail. Staying later than everyone else making sure all the things that were needed for the ship yards recovery were taken care of. Business had picked up, Aja hired ten new men to the crew. And so far, all were working out nicely. The others made them feel welcome.
One week to the day of the attack the men took a break and went down to the cemetery to pay their respects again to their fallen friends. Something Aja still did daily.
The weeks progressed as Aja watched the men accept the new employees into their circle, the ship yards recover and thrive in spite of the set backs. She was proud of them, of the way they pulled together in the middle of the crisis.
Home and work were working out smoothly. Lily moved out into a cute little cottage, with a nice plot of land, and stables. Aja was proud to see her adopted sibling doing so well for herself. Even if, at times, Aja thought that hurricane speed may not always be a good idea for Lily to run at.
Aja and Huma were doing well and expecting a baby. Aja watched Huma become more and more excited about the baby as the months went on. He even started turning the room Lily used to inhabit, into the nursery. She would sometimes see him standing in the doorway of the room with a small smile. She would stand silently at the bottom of the stairs watching him for a moment before announcing the fact she was home.
Lily and Huma tried to get along, but on occasion, her and Huma still chased each other around the arena when they saw each other. Huma was fond of hanging Lily up on the pegs in the arena and having anyone who was present help him do it. Aja had learned to only step in when it was absolutely necessary. Like, when Huma brought out the duct tape or Lily whacked Huma with her cane.
Life was moving along nicely. She only had a few more things to fulfill and Tanner's wishes for her would be fulfilled.
Aja sat in the den and stared into the fireplace. Maria had come and gone a million times fussing over her and making sure she had no need to get up. Aja chuckled and looked the ceiling. If she closed her eyes, she could almost see Josie and Tanner smiling. Such a long time ago, a lifetime ago it seemed. She smiled slightly and got up. With one last look around, she climbed the stairs and went to bed.