In the hall of his own home, Jeraddin unbuckled his travelling cloak. He was just about to announce his presence with a simple "I'm home!" (as though he had been out for a quick errand, rather than having spent many months across the sea, laying siege to a city that, until now, had been considered impenetrable), when his ears were suddenly filled by a crashing noise.
Jeraddin did not hesitate: Tossing the cloak aside, he hurried towards the kitchen, where the sound had come from. Once there, he was met with a sight that caused his heart to skip a beat:
Albert was lying unconscious on the floor, pieces of broken plates strewn around him. Flora, Jeraddin's housekeeper was kneeling next to the old servant, desperately trying to resuscitate him. When she heard Jeraddin entering, the hedgehog looked up.
"Sir" she said, her voice breaking. "It's Albert, we were cleaning the dishes and he...he just collapsed."
Jeraddin said nothing, but instead crouched down beside her and checked Albert's pulse.
"S-should I fetch a doctor, Sir?" Flora asked.
"I'm afraid it would make no difference to him" Jeraddin replied, wondering if his voice sounded as flat and unnatural to the young woman beside him, as it did to himself. "He has no need for a doctor, anymore."
****
The Funeral was held a week later. Albert had no living relatives and so, Jeraddin and Flora were the only two in attendance. Jeraddin listened with only half an ear to the droning voice of the cleric and the muffled sounds of his housekeeper, sobbing into her handkerchief. His thought was on the person, whose remains were inside the coffin being lowered into the ground.
Albert had been a part of Jeraddin's life almost since the beginning. He had not only watched the lynx grow up, but his children as well. How strange to know that he was now gone forever.
At least Albert had not suffered, that was something of a comfort. According to the female doctor, who had examined the body, death had been instantaneous; as if the Reaper had merely snapped his (or her) skeletal fingers. The Lynx had always thought that the ideal way to go would be to simply drift away; surrounded by those who loved you and that was how Jeraddin wished to pass, if he could chose.
However, he was also aware that no one mortal truly decided when their time had come or under which circumstances. With that in mind, a quick and painless death was maybe the best one could hope for? At the very least, it was infinitely preferable to the alternative.
Farewell, Albert, Jeraddin thought, saluting the coffin as tears streamed down his whiskers. If we meet in the afterlife, it won't be as master and servant, that I promise you.
"When you were away, he sometimes complained about feeling dizzy" Flora told Jeraddin, once the funeral was over and the two of them were leaving the cemetery. "I told him to seek medical help, but he just brushed me off."
"Albert was stubborn that way. I think he viewed being sick as something shameful. I remember one time when he had the flu and my wife and I had to tie him to the bed so that he wouldn't get up and do his chores, just to prove that he still could."
"Sir?"
"Yes, Flora?"
"What's going to happen now?"
"You're welcome to stay on as my housekeeper if you want. If not, I'll write up a good recommendation letter for you. You've earned it."
Flora thought about this for a moment.
"I'll stay on. You've been good to me, Sir. Ever since I served under you, in the army."
"Do you miss it?" Jeraddin asked. "Being a soldier?"
Flora shook her head.
"No, Sir. Though sometimes I can't help but wonder: Of all the people you could have given an employment in your household, why me?"
"Simple, I know that Albert was getting on in years and while I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, there need to be someone around to watch the house when I'm away. I knew that you were the right person for the job. Although, I did have one more reason for hiring you."
"What reason is that?"
"I have a daughter. Of course, you already know that, since you have seen her in the family-portrait that hangs in the living-room. It's an old picture, painted ten years ago. She's an adult now, only a couple of years younger than you. Anyway, you remind me of her."
"Oh" Flora said. "That's nice."
The Hedgehog was not sure if the General had caught the disappointment in her voice. His daughter? But, I don't want him to think of me that way, she thought to herself and blushed slightly.
"Now then" Jeraddin said. "I don't know about you, but I could use something to eat. I know a place, if you care to join me. My treat."
"Thank you, Sir. I would like that, very much."
The Hedgehog moved closer to Jeraddin and took the arm he offered her.
Just wait, Jeraddin, she thought. One day, I'll make you see me in another light. Somehow.
