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[Eclyse Christian]

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Pity, poor children.

Eclyse tied a smock apron around her loose-fitting robes. She wore armour so often of late that it felt odd for the soft fabric to caress her skin, as if she were wearing bedclothes to work in public. But this was the least of things putting her ill-at-ease at the moment. Per Sir Kaylor's assignment, she was working to heal the infirm at Jhelom's orphanage. She had spent the night in communion and meditation at the Shrine of Compassion. With no sleep and no food, her head ached dully as she tried to concentrate on what the orphanage matron was teaching her.

She could nearly hear Sir Kaylor's voice in her head, telling her to take care of herself, lest she find herself unable to take care of others. More and more, lately, she felt his guiding hand on the decisions that she made, the way she treated others, even the way she carried herself and moved. Tonight, she must be sure to eat and rest well.

"And this little one is Angelica." The matron's words did not so much bring her back from her reverie as did the gentle pressure as a child clung fast to her leg. She looked down at the blue eyes that shone brightly, veiled with light lashes. Blonde curls created a halo for the baby angel who looked up adoringly at Eclyse.

"Well 'ello there, Angelica." Eclyse smiled and knelt beside the child, who at once released Eclyse's leg and held her arms out pleadingly. Their gazes locked on one another, Eclyse encicled the child with her arms and picked her up, rising to bounce the girl soothingly.

"She's our saddest case, M'Lady." The matron spoke in hushed tones behind the child's back, as Angelica ran tiny, thin fingers through Eclyse's long black waves, separating and examining every strand. "Only four years old, but she won't outlive the winter." The last words were no more than a whisper, but they dropped the bottom out of Eclyse's heart and echoed through her soul. The tiny girl turned solemn eyes back to Eclyse. The girl's eyes held sorrows beyond any Eclyse could comprehend, and purplish blue circles beneath them betrayed pain and suffering no child should ever know.

The rest of the day, Eclyse tended the children of the infirmary in back of the orphanage. Angelica was her constant shadow. And when the time came to return to Stonegate Valley, Eclyse gently tousled the child's wild blonde curls and promised to return in the morning, then pressed a kiss to her tiny forehead. Angelica watched through the window, all dimples as she smiled. Her hollow gaze lingered on Eclyse as the child waved goodbye to her new friend. Eclyse waved until she could no longer see the window, and even then was reluctant to stop. Quietly, she pulled herself together, then flipped through a runebook until she found the rune home. Unable to carry the burden any longer, she allowed her spell to carry her heavy heart home to the cold and snow of Stonegate.

Kal Ort Por