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[Genna]

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Genna rode through the forest on her horse she named Honor. She reached a calm and deep stream,slid off the back of Honor and stooped to gather water in her cupped hands. She carefully brought the cool water to her parched lips. Honor came to stand beside her. He lowered his powerful head to drink his fill.
Genna sat back on her heels, looking at her reflection in the water. She looked the same except for the blue hue to her hair. She smiled at the memories.
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After the death of her beloved husband she had taken her children to his gypsy relations. Watching them grow and being with them was beyond what she could ever imagine. But after years had passed
she couldn’t bear the sorrow in her heart and the children were grown beyond the age of needing their mother constantly hovering over them.
The gypsies had been delighted to see them even after hearing the sad news of the loss of one of their own. Anne, the mother figure Genna had come to love and respect, had seen her pain and without restraint told her to leave the lands of her husband.
Anne said to her,” You can not die with him. Life is a precious gift. You must find a new reason, a new will to live. You have drowned the pain in drink but you have not faced the truth.”
Anne sat on a fallen log close to the forest floor. Genna knelt at her feet looking into her eyes.
“ What truth, Anne? What have I not learned?”
Anne held Genna’s face in her hands. She looked into her eyes. “ Vingo’me, your husband, is gone.”
Genna bowed her head as the tears of pain and anguish streamed down her face.
Anne spoke in a soft voice to Genna throughout the night.
“ The life you had has withered. You have stopped living and taken on the visage of a wandering spirit. This is not the way to give thanks to the Mother for the life and memories you have had. You must leave this place. Your children will be safe and happy here among the gypsy people. They have their own lives to live now.”
As Genna sat on the ground, her back to Anne, Anna stroked her auburn hair . She took a small pouch from the pocket of her skirt and showed it to Genna. Genna silently nodded and leaned her head back towards Anne’s capable and loving hands. The contents of the pouch were spread over Genna’s hair. Each strand was covered in a blue hue. Anne spoke once more, “ This is the mark of a great loss. The mark of a widow. This mark is not just of sorrow and pain but also a reminder of the love you shared. A love your heart will never forget. Only when your heart is healed can it be removed according to custom.”
Genna stayed in the gypsy camp for a few more weeks, saying goodbye to the people who had been her family for so many years. She and her children had long conversations about the past, their father and the future. Her son, Noble, was a tamer of animals and a wonderful musician. His twin sister Jewel was already a better archer then Genna had been at that age. They told her she needed to find a new life. They were growing and would always have each other and the gypsies. The memories were to much for her here. They wanted her to be happy. They wanted her to find purpose in her life.
She gave them each a small lock of her hair before leaving and told them to send a message to the old Tower that once housed the Knights of the Golden Phoenix. She would check as often as she could and come as fast as she could if they ever needed her.
Honor carried her from the lands of Ilshenar and away from the life she knew.
She would explore the lands of Britannia, visit the homes of old friends and seek a purpose for her life once again.
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Genna stood and mounted Honor, she smiled and patted his long, sleek neck. “ Let’s go boy”