Role

Chapter 6

Much time has passed since it happened. For an Arial, that is. But to
Amriith, it was merely yesterday. She can still smell the farmlands even if
surrounded by incense. She can smell the grease from Arabrab's beard. See
the shadows move as Jexer fiddles just out of the corner of her eye.

Amriith was leading a small band of Squires and Squire-hopefuls. Facing
down the servants of death and sickness, she led her group into the farmlands
to make a stand against Evil and all that is unholy. But in her haste to
fight, she did not see the child. Given how well trained she has been, she
still doesn't quite know how she missed him.

The *click* of the trap is what first got Amriith's attention. As the trap
went off, and the spear came out, all Amriith could think was: "No!".

The world moved in slow motion. The light within Amriith faded for a time.
And the boy was struck dead. Blood spouted from the boy like a fountain.
And his eyes went white before he even hit the ground.

The fight was over, of course. The Squirelings disbanded. For they had
failed. Amriith most of all.

To say this event has devastated Amriith is an understatement. It effects her
as a Maran, as a follower of Einoh, and as a person. She has done a lot to
make amends. She has paid money to the family of the boy. She has paid for a
funeral and ceremony for the boy. She has admitted wrong doing to everyone.
And she gave up her favorite item while having a much-needed trip to see
Monk's grave. The Reason, which often drives her, tells her that she has done
all that she can. That she should move on and focus on saving whom she can.

But the truth is: there isn't a happy ending here. There isn't a bow to put
on this. She lives with PTSD from this event and it haunts her. She threw
herself into combat, sometimes dieing multiple times, over this event. She
made herself believe it was "For the Light", or her "Maran Duty" but
the truth is: some side of herself wanted to die.

Amriith has come a long way from the 'wanting to die' phase, but she is still
haunted by the event of the farmland child. She also has some much deeper
scars on her forearms that have appeared in the month's after the child's
death.

On a brighter note, Amriith now sees herself as a defender and continual
donor to the people of the farmlands. She can often be seen talking to the
farmsfolk, and giving them coin, wares, or food.