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Though the sun bore down all the day over the Black Shroud, it was plain that the last dregs of winter held on. A draft blew in from a crack underneath the window of X'yahma's inn room, the cold night an uninvited guest. Sleep hadn't come easy. Though Y'shtola had, against all odds, returned to them hale and whole, it was but one small victory among all the ashes.
He could scarcely close his eyes, as the Vault takes the place of his sight. The Ward boasting terrible powers, and the lights in his friend's eyes forever dimmed. Even the key to Azys Lla forever lost to them and in the hands of the Ascians, whatever their design may be. When had he last slept for more than two bells a night?
* * *
Loonh Gah's tail lashed about as she sat in the makeshift hovel. A sandstorm blew in from the west, stranding her in Little Ala Mhigo. With nowhere to stay, the midwife's apprentice, Bertliana brought her to her own home until the storm let up. Yadovv Gah had likely returned to the Ring of Ash ahead of the storm. She idly stroked her stomach as she took in the smell of Aldgoat stew.
But food had been the last thing on her mind. Over four moons it'd been since she last saw him. The whoreson who left her with child and hadn't been seen since. She grit her teeth and drummed her fingers on the table. How dare he leave her alone. All she ever knew was how to take a life, not create one. And he left her on her own to do it. Why, if she ever saw him again, she'd take a knife and-
* * *
A gentle rap at his door. He shifted his weight- his gaze towards the door. Another rap. "X'yahma," Y'shtola's voice came from the other side. "I know you are awake." When silence was his reply, she continued, "I'm coming in." She opened the door and slowly stepped through. One hand wrapped around her waist to keep her loose robes still while the other gently closed the door behind her. X'yahma quickly lit a candle to light her way as she took slow strides across the room.
"Y'shtola, are you sure you should be walking? You've been abed for-"
"My sister had recommended a short walk to gauge my recovery." She stumbled as she stepped forward. X'yahma quickly stood and caught her. "I can walk fine." She straightened her robes as he let go. "But, my thanks." She didn't protest further as he guided her to the bed and help her sit.
X'yahma cleared his throat. "What was it you wanted to talk about? Is this about..?" He didn't finish, knowing she'd fill the in the gap herself.
"Nay. I would rather move on." She looked at him, her white eyes reflecting the candlelight. "Rather, I am concerned for you. Alphinaud was not the only one who had changed in these..." She sighed. "Over four moons, was it?" She looked over her hands as though she were searching for a bruise. "I can scarce believe I live. After all that time." She shook her head and looked back at X'yahma, "You have a different air about you. I no longer see that haughty stride nor hear your arrogant bluster."
X'yahma looked away, lashing his tail against the blankets. "A lot's happened. Things I'd rather leave be."
"Haurchefant, was it?" X'yahma bristled as she said his name.
"Aye. My friend. He gave us succor after everything turned to ash. And now he's dead." He sighed and raked his hands through his hair. He had much and more to say. He felt lost and in darkness. He was always sure he knew his way, but the road had been swallowed up by the forest. Even as the sword of the Scions, he was sure he was in the right.
* * *
A curtain of brown hair filled her vision as her host set a piping bowl in front of her. Bertliana sat across from her, but not at the head of the table. Loonh Gah tore a piece of bread from a loaf and dipped it into the broth, dragging across the surface and let it soak into the bread. Her eyes widened and she dropped the bread. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eat before everyone was served."
Bertliana looked at her for a moment before casting a glance over at the empty seat. "No, everyone's seated. You can eat." Loonh Gah felt her face begin to burn as she lowered her face to the soup before seeing the bread was already lost. "I hope you like it, it's been too long since I cooked for someone else."
"Thank you," Loonh Gah said before taking the spoon set to the side. But she idly stirred the stew, having lost her appetite.
"It's hard, I know." Bertliana said after a moment of silence. "Raising a child all by yourself, their father gone all too soon." Bertliana stroked her own stomach, and Loonh Gah felt a pang of guilt. At least she could say the father of her child was merely missing. And while Bertliana's labor was on the horizon, she went out of her way to aid Loonh Gah in any way she could. And there was no way to repay her.
"Thank you."
"For what?" She gave Loonh Gah a confused look.
"For all you've been doing for me and my child. In spite of your own burden."
"It's no burden," she said sternly. "We wed because I was with child, that much is true. But I will never call this a 'burden.'" She sighed and looked back to the empty chair. "I'd give anything short of our child to have him here, but this is my lot. I'm sure he'd want me to-" she suddenly stopped and sighed. "Yes, my body aches, and I pass water nearly every bell, but in the end, it will be worth the pain. And I wish you'd say the same."
Loonh Gah only nodded in agreement. A dark path between the Sagolii's dunes was all that lay before her, and Bertliana's hand was all that could guide her through. She felt her child shift- she gently rubbed the spot where she felt the kick.
* * *
He flinched as Y'shtola place a hand on his shoulder. He looked back to see her milky eyes staring into his. "His death will not be in vain. We will break that barrier and pursue them. We need only a little more time."
Time he wasn't sure they even had. Every day, Loonh waited for him. If he could only see her, even for just a moment, just to know she was alright. Y'shtola hugged him, startling him. "Y'shtola?"
"I'm simply glad to see you, Alphinaud, and Tataru hale and whole." He thought he heard her voice shake. If it did, he didn't care, and returned the hug.
"Me too. Me too."
* * *
As Loonh Gah reached for another piece of bread, Bertliana took her hand into both of hers, misty-eyed. "He will come home hale and whole. I know he will."
Loonh Gah's ears flattened as she started to wipe her own eye. "I can't say the same." But not because of death. Had he become Nunh and forgotten about her? Did he know and simply abandon them to their fates? Where was he? In the face of uncertainty, she could do naught but worry.