You Never Know Who You Might Bump Into

Compared to her own narrative of the past several years, Creed’s was short, but she listened to every word without fail, ears up and pressed forward to catch the story of her friend’s life. At the mention of his parents passing, her head dipped automatically in a silent gesture of respect. It made her feel somehow better that he too had missing siblings. She wasn’t alone in that respect. When he spoke his last, she shook her head gently. “I don’t know that it would have made any difference in the outcome; Isardis and his lady each had more than one opponent against them, and yet they still came out on top. We didn’t train hard enough, didn’t fight hard enough, in some cases. My cousin Alsander managed to take out one of them, though.” She smiled faintly. Where was her older cousin now? Would there be miniature ‘Sanders coming to her borders someday, searching for the rest of the family?

Cross. She remembered the silent male that had been with Orica the day Erani had intercepted the young healer and her cousin. He’d been quiet, solemn, but had given her a butterfly. That was the only time they’d met. “I remember Cross. He and Orica came to Valhalla’s borders once; well, Orica saw a plant she couldn’t resist and crossed the borders. Luckily, it was my mother and I who intercepted them.” She smiled at Creed, a glint of remembered amusement sparking in her eyes. “I’m sure you don’t need to be told what happens when two healers meets, especially when one is learning, and the other is a master of her knowledge.” Healers… Related by their Craft, even when there was no blood relation existing. Two strangers could become fast friends if they were healers. Share a tidbit of knowledge, and the conversation was running in high gear within seconds.

She straightened slightly, head erect, ears up, regarding him closely. “I’m so close to my goal I can taste it. I just hope Celestial will be everything I hoped for. A safe haven for my family, and other families, but everyone must work hard for their keep. Even my Heir, Regulus, is going to work hard to keep his place and earn his throne.” There was a sure tone to her words, a hopeful pride in the way she spoke of her son. She had no doubts that Regulus would work hard to earn his place at the head of the pack when she was ready to step down. There would be no whispers that he was Heir only because he was first born, and her son.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think