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[gypsy_merrique]

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It was unfortunate, really, that Merrique wound up giving birth to Walter's son alone and far from those she considered her family now. She understood perfectly that she felt the need to be away, what with all the political upheavals that had been going on. The woman was grateful to the person who was kind enough to open his home to her while he was off on an extended adventure. The thing she was not prepared for was the sudden and deeply spiritual attachment she felt toward this spot since the birth. It was as if she were connected to that place, the blood shed during Shalcross' birth creating a bond that held a trinity of attachments: herself, the babe, and the place.

Without consulting her husband, she took all her savings from her work at the Den as well as a fine check she was handed by that funny goat herdsman from Moonglow back at that festival, and made a handsome offer to the owner of the property. Merrique was very surprised when the return messenger arrived with a parchment declaring that the owner had fallen in love in his travels and likely would not return. The house was hers for a nominal fee that left her with most of her funds intact.

Merrique still had not reached out to another female to discuss these confusing feelings she often felt. Luck was not with her in meeting with Audrina to just talk. Not knowing for certain whether she could open up and discuss the pervasive fears and sadness that seemed to be swarming her, and often without notice, Merri decided to just stay busy.

Merrique set about getting the house renovated more to her liking. Each morning when Walter would go out to do his thing, she would pack up the infant Shalcross and head toward this new endeavor. The work paid off well, though it left her supremely fatigued. Hours alone working, dealing with the workers, and the constant need of feedings demanded by the baby was, for the time, keeping her mind off of the mental suffering she'd been feeling since the birth.

After a particularly busy day moving around crates and arranging furniture, she looked around at her handiwork and wondered to herself...

"Just what good use could I make of this place? Perhaps it could serve Umbra and her allies well. Certainly the very location could be strategic."

She sat atop a metal chest and smiled into the gloom of the Malas evening.
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. . . But the dark is very trustworthy.
It's always as dark as you thought it was.
And you don't have to work at staying there.
All you have to do is survive it.
And I've been doing that forever.
from the novel "Dark Debts" by Karen Hall