A Cautionary Tale

There are many that describe routine as dull I know this because I have unfortunately heard them drone on about it on more than one occasion, personally I have always found routine to be a source of settling comfort, for it leaves little room for surprise or error.
I mention this due to the fact that over the last couple of hands, the settling comfort that I have come to rely upon has been altered, I am not sure what is to be gained from avoidance, yet it is the path I have chosen when it comes to weekly review of my business ledgers. I simply don't wish to be reminded of the documented truth that seems to only grow worse with each passing day. The salt I had previously acquired, dwindles, normally steady flow of customers following suit. The majority taking the path that I have concerning my finances and simply began avoiding me, sending their slaves into the bakery with word of their canceled orders. I desperately want to publicly threaten lash out at them, demanding they take notice of what they not only doing to me.
I want to blame them. I need to blame them.
Yet I can not. They are simply attempting to survive, just like me.
It is not their fault, what is however their fault is the blind compliance that now seems to rule supreme.
I don't understand this mentality.
There are many things I don't understand.
The dark inner turmoil I feel has made one thing abundantly clear, I miss the Poet.
I find it difficult to clearly sum up my feelings concerning him, I only know that I trust his judgement and respect his opinions.
I would like to speak to him before I proceed with my scheduled meeting at the 'Bactorae Loan Offices,' in regards to selling my Inn.

I paused in order to review that last couple of lines for I am compelled to remove the private admission.
I will leave it as a personal reminder that am not as strong as I would like to believe.
______

I am not certain that amount of time that passed, I only know that it was the sound of Savana's voice that broke my concentration.

"I ran into Szol again today, he asked about you. Have younot gone to visit him yet? You really should." Turning back to the displaycase of goods, she feigned interest in them. "It appears he has enslavedNoemi. Yes, enslaved the little trollop. She was in shackles at theSquare today. He back handed her for mouthing off and everything."
Savana smiled.

Previous thoughts rapidly vanquished replaced by a shared smile, one immediately borne from smug satisfaction.
I had after predicted her downfall, publicly in fact.
I shouldn't have been surprised.
And truthfully I am not.

Soon after they both departed my initial response changed as the truth sunk in. The victorious smile I wore so proudly slowly fading replaced by something I still find difficult to accurately describe. In no way do I compare myself to the former Free Woman, the only common thread that bound us together was our statues beyond that I found her completely and utterly insufferable not to mention tragically transparent.
The surge of victory, overshadowed as I am reminded of my own vulnerability.

The celebration of the just remains elusive.