Guilt is a bitter brew

Winter came and found her just outside of Abaven lands. The girl hadn’t brought out the courage yet to cross over and see her family home. She certainly hadn’t been to Ibis island, and reunited with her family. she still felt numb from her treatment in Ashen, she still missed Poem and regretted leaving her behind.

How she wished she had found the courage, if she had just crossed over, if she had found SHaye, it would have distracted her, it would have meant she wasn’t on that cliff when the earthquake happened. Her mother would be alive.

She walked as through on a dream across the Plains and towards the Rapids where her mother had first taught her how to catch Salamanders. Her chest felt tight, and it was oddly difficult to breathe. Winter was still on her back, quiet as the girl walked. She didn’t know what she would have done, or where she would have gone, but what she did see was Rhyme, standing, heartbroken, in the field. They saw each other at the same time, and Motif froze, before the guilt washed in so hard it caused her physical pain. this was her fault

Crying, Motif turned from her father, and fled Abaven territory. “Find Poem” she told Winter through her tears, she had already told the bird where to find her.