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Edward's mother Linette had been pleased as anything to see him alive again, and while his father Bernard's reaction had been rather more muted, the first few weeks after his return had been bliss. Everyone in Hatherton, the nearby town - a bit closer than Bristol, though not by much - had been chattering about it, and many congratulations had been heard at the farm. But such relief could not last long, especially not in lambing season. There was work to be done.
Once, Edward may have felt a deep longing for next month, when shearing season began - his time to shine. Now even the chance to ply his trade as a salesman felt lesser, next to the memories he had of Fandom Island. Not that he had a great deal of time to think about it. Life during lambing season was harsh. He'd find himself in the barns by sun-up, sore head and all, needing to see if any ewes had lambed during the night.
It was the case again this morning, and Edward led the ewe and her child across the way to one of the smaller pens. His father was already waiting there, guiding the ewe into the lambing jug. There, the most mind-numbing part of Edward's work took over: cleaning feeders, filling them up again, changing the hay and the water.
Only one thing had changed. His mother was no longer the only one of them who had any letters. Every now and again, Edward would get a break, picking up their ledger and dutifully writing down the details of the recent births in small terms, so his mother could understand it. There was one small joy about it all, which was watching his parents go about the work together. He'd never seen another two people so in love who had such little need to make a display of the fact. It was good for the soul.
But by the time evening rolled about, Edward was grateful to get out of it. The work numbed his mind, and after two years of schooling, it left him with a greater pit in his innards than he'd ever imagined he'd have.
He missed Cosette, as well, but he had no way to contact her. Sometimes he'd take a moment to settle and work on a letter, but never for long. Other things awaited: to be specific, the tavern. It was his only distraction, and after the day's work, he was more than pleased to be heading down the path into town again.
Jaysus, but he missed Fandom Island.
[[ establishy. some of the above taken from the novelization of Assassin's Creed: Black Flag. ]]
Once, Edward may have felt a deep longing for next month, when shearing season began - his time to shine. Now even the chance to ply his trade as a salesman felt lesser, next to the memories he had of Fandom Island. Not that he had a great deal of time to think about it. Life during lambing season was harsh. He'd find himself in the barns by sun-up, sore head and all, needing to see if any ewes had lambed during the night.
It was the case again this morning, and Edward led the ewe and her child across the way to one of the smaller pens. His father was already waiting there, guiding the ewe into the lambing jug. There, the most mind-numbing part of Edward's work took over: cleaning feeders, filling them up again, changing the hay and the water.
Only one thing had changed. His mother was no longer the only one of them who had any letters. Every now and again, Edward would get a break, picking up their ledger and dutifully writing down the details of the recent births in small terms, so his mother could understand it. There was one small joy about it all, which was watching his parents go about the work together. He'd never seen another two people so in love who had such little need to make a display of the fact. It was good for the soul.
But by the time evening rolled about, Edward was grateful to get out of it. The work numbed his mind, and after two years of schooling, it left him with a greater pit in his innards than he'd ever imagined he'd have.
He missed Cosette, as well, but he had no way to contact her. Sometimes he'd take a moment to settle and work on a letter, but never for long. Other things awaited: to be specific, the tavern. It was his only distraction, and after the day's work, he was more than pleased to be heading down the path into town again.
Jaysus, but he missed Fandom Island.
[[ establishy. some of the above taken from the novelization of Assassin's Creed: Black Flag. ]]
