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[gypsy_merrique]

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Disgusted by the lack of initiative to get the murderous kitsune reined in, Merrique decided she'd had enough.

She packed a few small satchels of necessary items, penned a note for her husband explaining she would be back in time, and stepped out onto the porch of the home she loved.

Soon enough, she found herself in Ilshenar, seeking the people she had missed for so long; hope welled in her heart that she could set right the things that had gone wrong so many years ago and have her conscience free and clear.
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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

[gypsy_merrique]

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The few days she'd spent in Ilshenar were, at first, wonderful. Seeing cousins and other extended family was truly something that Merrique needed.

However, late one evening as the campfire burned to embers and the wine bottles were long empty, a discussion with one of her distant aunts turned somewhat savage. It was to her aunt that Merri poured her heart out--telling her of woes at home and problems in Umbra. The scathing command from her kin came as a slap to the face; she accused Merri of weakness, of leaving when she should have stayed, of giving one of the revered crystal skulls to a near-stranger and then leaving--reckless and unforgivable! On and on went the list of Merri's shortcomings. Too many were close to the truth.

Bruised but humbled, Merrique gave a mute nod to each of the charges made by the harsh, near toothless elder. When the diatribe was over, the woman embraced Merrique. As one would a child, she assured Merrique that everything works out in the end; she reminded Merri of the simplistic beliefs of their blood, reminded her not to stray too far from who she was. Words of encouragement were given quietly. A small leather drawstring pouch was pressed into Merri's hand once there was nothing left to say.

Without waiting for the dawn, Merri gathered her few belongings and set out on foot toward the moongate. Once she returned to Umbra, she would head home; Merri hoped she would find Walter at their mountain home before the sun smiled down on the world.

Gods knew, there was plenty to say, and Merrique realized with a smile that she was actually homesick.
_________________


. . . 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