Lafrenia

Coriel Ilk

Origin:

20 years ago

Coriel was walking to work at the local sawmill. It wasn't the easiest job and far from the highest paying, but he didn't complain. Every living creature in this world had a place. His place was here, where he produced the most useful goods for those around him. Indeed, what would a peasant build his hut from, what would a carpenter make a table or chair from, what would they build a ship or a carriage or a guitar from? All of this was made from wood. Therefore, although it seemed strange to many that an elf would voluntarily cut down trees, Coriel was happy because he knew that his work benefited countless people.

Today, there were anxious conversations at work. Many were discussing the war that had begun, fearing or, conversely, expecting general mobilization to the front to fight the war until complete and final victory. But Coriel neither feared nor hoped. He understood that no one in their right mind would send him to fight, for it was obvious that it was not his place. His place, like that of any self-respecting man, was here, at work, or at home, beside a beloved wife. Unfortunately, Coriel was not yet married, as women paid him little attention, and he himself, realizing his place, never attempted to take the first step with them. What right did he have to do so?

9 years ago

Coriel, as before, was walking to work at the local sawmill. Not the easiest job, but there was nothing to be done—someone had to do it. Many men had been taken to the front, and now Coriel was asked to take on extra hours at work, and he did not refuse. After all, if no one else could do it, what right did he have to refuse? People still needed the same things as before, and Coriel was still ready to fulfill his duty to them.

As before, he was not married. But this did not bother him. After all, sooner or later, the very girl who would become the center of his universe, to whom he would dedicate himself entirely, would notice him. Coriel didn't mind being the second, third, or even fourth husband in a family. If any woman bestowed her attention upon him, that in itself would be the highest reward. Especially now, at 40, when it had become obvious that no self-respecting lady would want to involve herself with him. But such is life, and there is nothing to be done.

A few days ago

Coriel wandered aimlessly through the streets of Kimika. He had been doing this for several years, ever since the sawmill burned down during a war between criminal factions, in which the owner refused to pay for the protection of one of the gangs. It couldn't be said that Coriel couldn't find work—he was willing to take on anything, and such a person would always find an occupation. But something had broken in his soul, something that prevented him from simply changing workplaces and continuing to live as before. He wandered the streets of his hometown trying to understand exactly what it was.

"Kimika," he thought, "my beautiful Kimika. My loving mother and wife. What happened? Why was I always so happy in your embrace, and why am I tormented by anxiety now?" After long years, for some reason during this walk, it suddenly became clear to him what had happened. His only beloved, the only woman of his life—had been defiled and subjected to the will of usurpers and tyrants. And as much as he shunned violence, he had to do something. He remembered Princess Celestia Moon. Or rather, she was technically already a queen after the death—no, after the vile murder of her mother. A thought suddenly struck him—if he imagined that Kimika had a woman's face, a personification in the flesh—it would be her, Celestia. Suddenly, everything became obvious. He understood what he needed to do. He understood how he could serve his only love...

When Coriel stepped outside the city walls, he checked that the purchased pistol and bola were with him. These were last resorts in case of self-defense—overall, he hoped that even if he encountered an enemy, he could immobilize them without causing harm, but the pistol would not hurt for the worst-case scenario. Having made sure everything was in order, he turned around and, to the surprise of the guards, tenderly kissed one of the stones in the wall:

"Someday," he whispered, "I will return to you."