Alter Aeon The Great Library

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Note - as with any topic, researchers should question the reliability
and veracity of these texts.  The library's aim is to preserve
documents, not verify accuracy.

AABN:  76625
Title: a book titled 'Tess's Tales: The White Dress'

Tess had been working on the white dress for hours. The candles that been
long and new when Tess had originally lit them had melted nearly halfway
down. Her eyes strained by the firelight, but her purpose was clear, so she
kept going.  She needed to finish the dress tonight as Kitty would need it
on the morrow. All her children currently living at home had needed extra
love and comfort before bed, but she had been willing to give it despite
knowing the task that was laid before her.

Mordin came in to find Tess hunched over the dress. To his eyes, it was a
pile of white fabric that seemed to swallow Tess's frame whole. He spoke
plainly, "Tess, whatever are you doing? You should be resting. It will be
dawn in a few hours. You need your strength."

Tess looked up, her face tearstained and anguished, "This was supposed to
be Kitty's wedding dress but now... all I ask is that she be buried in it.
I had to finish it so she could wear it into the eternal world beyond. I've
also embroidered the symbols of the Order onto it as I'm sure she would
have wanted."

Mordin closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them once
more. He gazed at the dress and his heart ached for his little girl now
gone, as well as her beloved mother whose grief was sewn into each stitch.
He swallowed before he spoke praying his voice would come out strong, "It
is lovely, Tess. Kitty would have loved it and been honored to wear it. How
much longer do you think you will need to work on it?"

Tess shook her head, "I don't know. But I must finish it before..."

Mordin sat down next to Tess and cupped her chin in his palm before raising
her head to meet his eyes. He then spoke gently, "My love, I swear I will
not allow her to be buried without this dress. But please come upstairs and
rest for a few hours. Kitty would not want you to take ill on her account
and nor do I."

Mordin let go for Tess's chin before rising to pick up the dress off Tess's
lap and lovingly draping it over his chair. He held out his arms and spoke
softly, "Come here, let me help you to bed." 

Tess rose from her chair tears streaming down her cheeks and walked into
Mordin's waiting arms. Mordin lifted Tess up into his arms and carried her
upstairs.  He walked to their bedroom and then gingerly laid Tess down on
the bed before covering her with thick blanket. He laid down beside her and
whispered, "Sleep. I'll take care of the children if they arise before you
do. You just worry about finishing the dress when you awaken. I love you."

Tess whispered back that she loved him as well before silence overtook the
room. Mordin soon heard the quiet sounds of Tess's breath as it steadied
when sleep fell upon her. He returned downstairs and sat in the chair by
the fire.  It was only now that Mordin let himself cry.  He thought about
Katiana's life from her birth to just three days ago when she has spoken to
him about her desire to do more for the Order to prove her worth.  He had
failed to protect her and in doing so had caused sorrow for so many. He
would do better, he had to. He gazed into the fire pondering as the minutes
faded into hours. The morning came quickly, but Mordin was ready to meet
the dawn as it came.

The house was filled with the smells of breakfast and the clatter of dishes
and quiet conversation about Katiana, their Kitty. Tess awoke and came
downstairs around midmorning and began work on the dress again in earnest.
She worked for another four hours before she deemed it done, only stopping
briefly to take a few bites of the food Mordin insisted she eat. When the
dress was completed, it was laid inside a wooden chest and placed in a
wagon to be taken to where Katiana was. The wagon soon departed from the
cottage and headed to the Order's Headquarters.

A few hours later, Katiana was buried with all the pomp and respect
afforded a member of the Order of the White Knight. The white dress was
remarked upon many times in the days, weeks, months, and years that
followed. After this day it became a tradition of the Order to be buried in
white garments along with a sash embroidered with the symbols of the order
made by Lady Tess herself. A tradition that continues to this very day.