Through the Fire and the Flame we Carry On

Epitaph was quick to answer him with a one worded answer at first, with the early morning it didn’t surprise him with the follow up that they were still sleeping. He watched the former slave from the corner of his eye as the man came to sit more near to him. Rhyme didn’t miss how rough the dark man’s voice still remained, and he wondered if it would ever heal. The rest of him seemed to be doing well, especially his spirit.

He described how ready they were to see the outside world. Both girls had a curiosity that couldn’t be satisfied. Though Rhyme wouldn’t have it any other way. They were going to grow up to be brilliant young ladies. The thought almost brought a smile to his somber features, but Epitaph was quick to add a question of his own. Proof of his continued healing.

Rhyme felt his head hang a little lower at the words, his gaze finding the antler as his focus once more as he sighed softly. The pain felt obvious as it rolled off his shoulders in waves. "Grieving." He answered quietly, his eyes stinging as images of Tana giving birth resurfaced. "We never announced the loss," he began, feeling like Epitaph deserved an explanation. "Tana and I lost one of our pups, and we laid him here." He hadn’t even shown Shaye the too tiny grave, the experience made him feel closer to Epitaph though. Simply mentioning the place made him feel slightly more at ease, though the pain was no easier.