Twilight Between: Day 7

Word Count: 42,038

Summary of Events:

Torben was working on writing down his thoughts for his private audience when he and Emma were summoned to supper, where Torben was asked by the Häuptling what he'd been up to; when he answered, Torben was accused of seeking to get slavery abolished, and he spent the entire meal explaining his stance of slavery reform, but coming away discouraged because he failed to address everything he'd wanted to, and that the Häuptling, although impressed by his argumentative skill, still believed that Torben would fail. Emma was troubled by her father's distress and refused to let him shut himself away, and even spoke firmly to him despite the fact that she didn't like to do it, eventually getting her father to admit his fears to her . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

“I do not believe Kronprinz Theoderich will listen to me,” Papa said. “I do not believe it is worth the effort to take the chance. I do not even have a courage equal to that of my father, who said with his own mouth he was a coward, when he had even said that I had a greater courage than he did. I am afraid.”

She could see it in his eyes, and she felt troubled to see it there. So many emotions she had seen in Papa’s eyes but fear had never been one of them.

“I’m sorry Emma,” Papa said, turning away, rather as if ashamed.

He walked back to the window, but this time leaned forward to rest his elbows on the sill, and his head in his hands, his shoulders quivering with shaky breaths.

“You are not alone Papa,” Emma said. “The Verbund agrees with you.”

“We are so few,” Papa said, his voice a weary whisper.

“There is also all the important men of Außtöst, Deuchbren, Aifos, Beldonersteine, and Arbrienne,” Emma said.

“They wouldn’t come and help,” Papa said. “To them, if Zeig wills to die, it may die, and they will merely take possession if its effects thereafter.”

Emma felt tears pricking her own eyes, which she was sure were more than just because of the emotion in Papa’s voice, but also because of her mind’s imagining what Papa had said. She loved Zeig, and if it were to cease to exist, she would be without a homeland.

“Oh Papa,” Emma said, emotion choking her voice. “I know that Häuptling Ölberg didn’t want to listen to you, but you didn’t say it to him like you said it at the Bear Square, which is how you’re going to say it to Kronprinz Theoderich. You’re going to tell him how bad it is for Zeig, and as the head of Zeig he will want to do what is best for his country.”

Papa straightened and turned to look at Emma, looking troubled. “Men are not often won over in a day Emma, especially considering that this is the way things have been for over eight hundred years.”

“But still Papa,” Emma said. “He surely will not be hostile to you when you tell him that you wish for him to at least consider the Außtöst Munster for the good of Zeig. A good König wants to do what is best for his people, and no König wants to be a better König than a new König.”

With a sympathetic look, Papa stepped up to Emma and brushed at the tears on her cheeks with his thumbs gently. “You are right, and you are wise beyond your tender years my little Emma. Danke schön.”

He bent down and kissed her forehead.

“I will try Emma,” he said softly. “For you, and that the Bärenjunge of which you are a part will be stronger and healthier than the aged bear which was mine.”

Emma wrapped her arms around Papa and held him tightly. Papa wrapped his arms around her in return, but much more gently. She knew well the uphill battle that Papa had committed himself to, and she didn’t want to see him giving up now.

Pronunciations:

Aifos: ayefohss

Beldonersteine: belldohnerst'ayn

Arbrienne: ahbreeehn

Ölberg: uhllberg

Danke: dahnkeh

Schön: shuhn