Submitted: 16 July 2000

Farewell Iruel

by Naresha, Solrac and Zuellier

"Baresh, I think I will try one of those Spiced Rums that Solrac is so fond of," Naresha announced as she placed her coins on the bar. Naresha sat down at the bar and as soon as Baresh sat the drink in front of her she turned it up and finished it in one swallow. The awful grimice she made would have made Baresh chuckle if he hadn't known that she was obviously in mourning.

"Solrac and Zuellier are going to meet me here soon but I needed to come a little early ..." Naresha paused as her bottom lip began to quiver and tears began to flow. Naresha took a deep breath and bit her bottom lip stopping the tears and continued, "we are meeting here tonight to celebrate the life of our friend Iruel, who was taken at such a young age."

"Iruel was a young barbarian who had advanced quickly in his guild. The last time I saw him he was wearing the title of Warrior." The tears began to flow again and this time Naresha was unable to stop them. She took a lace handkerchief from her pocket tried to wipe the tears.

"Why is it, Baresh that we don't treat the people we love as if every minute with them is a precious gift? Iruel is gone now and I didn't hug him and tell him I loved him the last time I saw him. He wasn't perfect of course and I could get really mad at him but I always loved him. I don't think he knew that. That is my heartbreak tonight, Baresh."

The door opened and another blast of cold air filled the barroom. Zuellier quickly closes the door to stop the rush of the bar's warmth from escaping into the night. Solrac and Zuellier share a glance when they realize that Naresha has already arrived and is alone at the bar. They make their way to the bar, uncharacteristically somber and strangely quiet, with faces that are written with sorrow. Solrac sees Naresha looking at him and throws her an understanding smile. Interestingly, Solrac left a empty stool between Naresha and himself when he hopped up onto his stool and Zuellier appropriately took a stool next to Solrac. Baresh quietly got them their drinks, spiced rum for Sorlac and an elven dark ale for Zuellier and this time a sassafras tea for Naresha.

As they raised their drinks toward the empty stool between Solrac and Naresha, Solrac offered a toast in memory of their fallen friend.

Solrac raises his glass of Spiced Rum... scratches his head and with a soft voice says "To Iruel, guild brother, friend, human, and a young man whom Everild of course had to want to have close to himself... Salud!"

Solrac gulps his shot and his eyes water, he grunts shyly to himself and tells Naresha "Is just the rum..." Naresha, who knows his heart as she knows his scars, leans on him sharing her strengh and easing his pain.