The truth comes out

Posted on 16 Apr 2022 @ 1:13am by Warrior Katya Charbonnet (Shar-bon-ay) & Mage Kalian Winter

1,854 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Summerday La Fête
Location: Jader - the Orphanage
Timeline: Cloudreach 26, morning

OOC: Following the night of wine investigation

It was the day after the wine investigation. Katya and Kalian at the Ravens Roost trying to figure out what to do next. The town was abuzz and old man Charbonnet had finally died. It was the talk of the town. Now Katya, well she figured good riddance! They never liked Katya and she never liked them either.

One of the children from the orphanage came in and spoke to Katya. "Katya, Miss Caroline wants you to come to the orphanage right away. She said to bring Kalian too." the boy said.

Katya looked over at Kalian and back to the boy, "Is she alright? Is miss Caroline hurt?"

"No she just said for you to come right away!"

Katya was worried. "Kalian do you mind coming with me? Now I'm worried."

"Absolutely, of course I will come," said Kalian. He was pretty sure Miss Caroline was all right, otherwise the child would have been distraught. All of the children at the orphanage loved Caroline, she was a truly good person who did right by the youngsters in her care. He got to his feet and said, "Let's go."
The two of them and the child made their way through town, quiet now in the morning with the festival revelers sleeping off their indulgences of the previous night. Here and there were elves pushing wheelbarrows of trash, cleaning up after the previous night's celebration and preparing for that night's continuation. They left the mess and street vendors behind as they made their way through hightown to the orphanage's unlikely location – a well-kept mansion.

When they entered the place Miss Caroline was there to greet them. "I'm glad you came Dear heart. I. Well I need to tell you some things privately. Kalian, could you please watch the children.." she leaned in close, "Katya may need a friend to talk to after we finish. I'm not sure how she will take what I have to tell her."

Kalian looked from Miss Caroline to Katya, worried. He had gathered that Caroline was estranged from her father. Even still, the death of a family member affected people in different ways. For someone as kind and compassionate as Miss Caroline, she might regret that the possibility of reconciliation was gone forever. But just now it seemed Caroline was concerned for Katya. "Of course, Miss Caroline. I'll be out in the play yard."
He gripped Katya's shoulder reassuringly, then headed to the grassy area out back where he expected most of the children to be at this time of day.

"Come dear heart. We have much to discuss." she took katya into her office. "Please dear, sit down." she motioned to a couch that was more than big enough for both of them. Caroline sat down besides Katya. "I always told you that when the time is right, I would tell you who your birth mother is."

Katya caught her breath in anticipation. "Does that mean..."

Caroline nodded, "Yes, now I can tell you who your birth mother is." Caroline took a breath. "All I ask is that you hear me out and try not to think too harshly of me."

"OK." she trusted Miss Caroline.

She took another deep breath in. "I am you birth mother, Katya. I wanted to tell you for so long but because of a deal I was forced to strike with your grandfather, The one you know as old man Charbonnet!"

Katya felt like she had been struck by a wall. Miss Caroline was a Charbonnet and more importantly she was her birth mother.

Miss Caroline continues, "It all started when I met your father. Oh you remind me of him so much Katya dear. His name was Tomas. He was a warrior, much like you. He had a big heart and oh was he ever handsome. I fell rather quickly. He was loving and gentle, especially with the children. That was one of the things that I loved about him." she paused. "Unfortunately, I was a Charbonnet and my father made clear his objections to our relationship. Father always was very controlling. However I was always different. I didn't look down on people like the rest of the family. I loved Thomas and we ran off together in defiance of my father. We married. Father disowned me. We were happy for two, almost three years. Then he was killed in battle. The money we had was not enough as I was pregnant with you my darling. Plus Tomas and I had started the orphanage.

I had to crawl back to my father. He supported me and the orphanage on one condition. I had to keep it from you that you were my daughter. I had to treat you like the other orphans. At least until he died. I hate to say it but there were times when I hated that man. Now he is gone. I was surprised when I shed tears over his death. Despite it all he was still my father."

Katya was trying to take all this in. It was a lot to take in. All her life she had wondered who her birth mother was and now to find out she was right there all the time but just couldn't say. Part of her was angry and part of her was happy to finally know.

"I know it's a lot to take in. Why don't you talk to Kalian. He's a good friend and it may help to talk to a friend right now."

Katya nodded and the pair headed out.

"Kalian, I think Katya could use someone to talk to right now. I'll watch the kids. You two talk." Caroline said.

Katya nodded and the pair walked outside into the fresh air.

As they walked, Katya related the whole story to him. "I don't know what to think Kalian. "I love her but part of me is mad she didn't tell me."

Kalian listened quietly while Katya spoke, then stopped walking to face her. "Oh, Katya. I'm so sorry, this must be such a shock." He paused, thinking about his own family. "The thing about families is, they're messy. A family isn't just about being related by blood. Family is the people you love and who love you, no matter what. Of course you are angry with Miss Caroline for not telling you. But you'll be able to forgive her eventually. In every way that matters, she has always been your mother. You love her, and she loves you."

"Yeah, I know you're right Kalian! All my life, I'd hoped she could be my mother and now I find out she is! I'm mad for her not telling me but I understand why! It's just a lot to take in all at once! I know what a wonderful person she is but..aagggh! I hate all these feelings! So hard to sort everything out!"

"I have always considered this place my home and the other kids my family. I guess that's truer now more than ever! It weird I choose my real last name without knowing it! I just did it to spite the brats who teased us. I guess that means they're my cousins. Eww! Now that's a distasteful thought!"

"It must have been so difficult for Miss... for your mother to keep your true identity secret, to wait until her father died to tell you." Kalian was quiet a moment, imagining. He was surprised Caroline hadn't told Katya when she was old enough to keep a secret. But one slip might have put the whole orphanage at risk. "Now that she can publicly acknowledge you as her daughter, I suppose that means she will want you to inherit the orphanage someday, to keep it out of your cousin's hands and maybe to continue her work with the orphans." Kalian looked into his friend's face. It was one thing for Katya to be Miss Caroline's dedicated helper, it was another thing to take on Miss Caroline's vocation as her own. "How do you feel about that?"

"Honestly, I don't like to think about her not being here, but if something were to happen to her, I would be happy to take over. This is my home. That has not changed. Better me than somebody who didn't care. I like being a warrior, but this place means so much to my mother and me. It would break my heart if anything happened to it! I guess I really am my mother's daughter."

"In her own way, your mother is a warrior, so I think you take after her," said Kalian with a broad smile. He thought of his own mother, and how much he missed her. But at least he still had his father, and his sister, her husband, and their new baby. "Now you know who your father was. Did your mother say anything about his family? Are his parents still alive? Did he have siblings?"

"I didn't ask. I could barely think after she told me she was my mother. I probably should ask her. I guess we have a lot to talk about. At least she has always been a part of my life. I almost feel like we are getting to know each other all over again!"

"I imagine there are many aspects of your parentage that you'll need to adjust to. Your relationship to the rest of your mother's family, your position among the nobility of Jader, and such. I'm sure Miss Caroline has already considered every implication, and she will help you navigate the changes without forcing you into anything you don't want or aren't ready for. You know you can always talk to me." Kalian held out his arms, offering a brotherly hug.

She embraced her friend. "Thank you Kalian, for being my friend and being here for me. Huh, me , nobility? Now that's funny!"

"You'll be the same person," said Kalian confidently. "Plus, if your change in status gives you better position in Jader, or access to the ears of people in power, I know you'll use whatever influence you have to make Jader a better place."

"Thanks! Yeah knowing my mother, she has it all worked out. So that said, guess I'd better go tell Mom I do love her and accept her. I hope you will stay for dinner Kalian. You are always welcome here."

"Thanks, Katya. Miss Caroline is like an aunt to me, and I know I'm always welcome here," said Kalian as he walked Katya back to her mother. "But, it's the second day of the festival, and I have some other, uh... friends to check-in with." He blushed slightly, thinking of Rhiannon.

"Ohh I get it! Uh huh!" She said with a grin. "Ok then go back to Rhiannon. Thanks again for being there for me. I have things to do here, so I'll see you when I see you my friend." With that she turned and went to her mother whom she hugged as Caroline held her daughter close.

 

RSS Feed