Difference between revisions of "Logs:Timing Is Everything"

The air was freezing as he crossed through the inner caverns to the lavatory, leaning heavily on the gnarled walking stick that his grandfather had lent him. V'teri was there, as promised, and waved off his guard. It was a smooth enough escape, even if Riuscyth's movement between was unwarned and happened mere wingbeats off the ground.

Between was colder, and made coming out above River Bend Hold seem warmer by comparison, despite the snow that fell. The sun brushed the clouds, making the whole sky seem golden. There was a tightness in his chest that had nothing to with being sick, and everything to do with seeing an amazing sight that he knew his youngest sister would never see.

Devaki stayed silent while V'teri -- who seemed to possess a gift of the gab -- talked his way inside.

They were both silent as they traversed the halls, and down into the cellar. Stunned into silence, in Devaki's case. The portraits were -- unmistakable. They all, the Blooded of Islands, bore the hallmarks that adorned the various Lord Holders of River Bend. The same blond hair. The same blue eyes. The same rakish cant of head. It was eerie, looking at men who were undoubtedly -- and unmistakeably -- ancestor to them both, bronzerider and exiled islander.

His fingers were white as they clutched at the stick, knowing that, without its presence, he would've toppled over. He felt weak. Weak and sick, a sickness that, he worried, might never leave him. That's what the healers said. Why hadn't he told others? Best they not worry. There'd been enough heartbreak, and he wasn't sure Evali could handle such a cloud.

He broke the silence, finally, his voice thick and uneven: "We have to make them see, cousin. We must find proof. It will lie here, somewhere, I suspect."

V'teri's agreement was quick. They made plans to come back again.

Much later, when Riuscyth appeared over the High Reaches bowl, Devaki didn't notice that the sun hadn't moved an inch.

He had too much else on his mind.