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Ashton carefully sat on the bed, wiping at his face. “Let me help you,” said Orym quietly, stepping into the room with a small basin and a fresh rag.
“I’m fine,” he said, looking away.
Orym crossed over and stood in front of him, gently cleaning his face. “I know that was a lot,” he said.
“It’s good, though,” answered Ashton, sniffling a bit as he sat back. “I know now. And like Letters said, we know more what we don’t know.”
Orym deposited the basin and rag on the dresser, then came and sat next to Ashton. “What do you need?”
“To drink myself unconscious?”
Orym inclined his head. “I didn’t know that it hurts all the time.”
Ashton shrugged. “What would be the point of complaining about it?”
“That maybe I do understand,” said Orym.
“Yeah. I’m sorry about your family.”
“We’ve all lost people. We’ll get Laudna back.”
Ashton stood up and started pacing, nervous energy. “Do you think they’ll help?”
“Yeah. I really do.” Orym watched him. “She’s lost people, too. That’s why there’s ravens now in Zephrah.”
Ashton stopped and looked at him. “Must be nice to believe in someone.”
This time it was Orym’s turn to shrug. “I believe in this family, too.”
Ashton sighed and sat next to Orym again. “I’m glad you’re still with us.”
Orym scrubbed his face in his hands. “I wanted to stay there,” he admitted quietly. “Will said I wasn’t done.”
“Fuck,” muttered Ashton. He took out his flask and offered it to Orym. Orym took a swig and passed it back. Ashton took a longer swig. “Are you going to be okay to go back there?”
“I went before we came to Marquet. It’s still home. And we might not go to Zephrah if she’s still in Vasselheim.”
“True.” Ashton took another swig and put the flask aside, getting settled into bed. “We should sleep.”
“I’ll stay up a bit longer. You get some rest, though.”
“Fat chance,” muttered Ashton, but he closed his eyes.
Orym watched Ashton slowly fall asleep, the light in his brain pulsing faintly as he drifted deeper into unconsciousness. Getting to his feet, Orym went to the window and looked up at the sky. Catha was bright and nearly full. Ruidus was hiding. There’s a city on the moon. He shook his head. Get Laudna back, then they could work on the moon. Maybe the Voice of the Tempest knew more about it. After all, there had to be a reason for the attack on Zephrah.
Ashton whimpered softly in his sleep. Orym looked back at them. Sighing, he made sure his sword and shield were close at hand, then stripped out of his armor. With only a little hesitation he climbed into bed next to Ashton. Probably with everything he shouldn’t be alone tonight.
Ashton tensed at his presence, then relaxed, one hand reaching out to rest on Orym’s chest as if anchoring himself.
Orym covered Ashton’s hand with his own, looking up at the ceiling. Traveling with folks, he’d grown used to sharing a bed again. There was something comforting in sleeping with a larger person. And besides, if there was trouble he was there to deal with it.
Closing his eyes he was troubled by everything that had happened in Bassarus. Flashes of memory of pain and excitement, of danger and revelation.
He must have made some noise of his own because Ashton scooted closer, still not quite touching save his hand.
Orym took a calming breath, then another. Tomorrow would be another big day. But no matter what happened, they’d get through it together.