The Sentinels cemetery and sundown

deirdre tried to think on how long it had been since her mother had been gone. she had truly been raised by the woman, and when she was old enough to be considered independent her mother had gone to return again and leave once more. she believed she left again simply to find if there was any green at all left in the world; deirdre knew that she herself would live and die upon donnelaith's soil, though she would lead no others to death with her.

one day, i should like to hear all about her. i know much, but not all. her voice was soft, and she was anxious to tell peregrine her fears. and so she simply did. peregrine, i do not know how much time my father has left. he is very ill, and there is nothing here to make him heal. we have used what little there was left upon him. i am afraid. i am very afraid. her heart was sore as she said it, admitted it. he may make it yet. we do all we can. we take care of him... but i fear... it may not be enough. she had to stop and collect herself for a moment, to take a breath, to interpret what she herself was saying and to know as she admitted it the truth of it.