Xan blinked.

“I’m sorry, what?” he said.

Taika looked away awkwardly, running a hand through her curls.

“Look, I know I’ve been a real jerk to you and Dee, and I know I don’t deserve to ask. But I can’t stay here. Despite being a Verdan, my Ignas cousins still see me as an outsider. I’m clearly not welcome here,” she said.

Xan immediately thought of Keeper Hovo and how he had treated all of them since they had arrived. He waved a hand dismissively.

“Keeper Hovo can stuff it, he’s just an old—”

“It’s not just Keeper Hovo,” Taika said. “It’s all of them. I can see it on all of their faces. They may outwardly treat me with sympathy, but I can tell that they want me to leave.”

Xan’s brow furrowed.

“What about Rowan and Camilla?” he said. Taika gave him a sad smile.

“It’s true that they’ve shown me genuine kindness, and I’m grateful to them. But I don’t want to overstay my welcome,” she said.

They sat in silence for a moment, both staring into the glow of the Ember Sang.

Then Xan asked, “What are you going to do, then?”

Taika sighed.

“If I can make it to Vaimea, I’ll try to find a ship to take me to Rezan. Then I’ll make my way to the Dawn Shrine,” she said.

“You mean, you’ll be heading back to your family,” Xan said.

Taika nodded wordlessly. Xan didn’t say anything either. Her answer brought up a whole swirl of emotions, and he was trying his best to sort through them. Then Taika spoke up again, bringing him back to the present.

“You have every right to refuse me, after the way I treated you. I’ll understand if you say no,” she said.

Xan stared at Taika for a moment. He drummed his fingers on his leg. Then he took in a deep breath and let it out with a long sigh.

“It was your father’s last request, after all. I would be remiss not to fulfill it. I’ll help you get to the Dawn Shrine,” he finally said.

“You don’t have to go that far—” Taika tried to protest.

“I’m not doing it for you,” Xan said.

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They sat in silence for a long while. Then Shadow suddenly appeared on top of Xan’s head, clinging to his hair with her claws and squealing fearfully.

“OW! Shadow, what the-?” Xan cried.

The next instant, he was surrounded by Rowan’s children. He immediately stood up to keep Shadow away from them.

“Children, that’s enough now. You’re scaring her,” Taika said. She gently shooed them away. The children groaned in disappointment, but they all went back to their seats without arguing. Xan gently pulled Shadow down off of his head to cradle her in his arms. She was still shaking.

“There, there, Shadow. They won’t bother you anymore,” Taika reassured her. She reached out to pet Shadow, gently stroking the top of her head between her furry antennae. At her touch Shadow finally began to relax.

Heavy footfalls approached, and Xan looked up to see Rowan coming over to sit on his other side.

“Me apologies. The little ones can be quite rambunctious,” Rowan said.

“It’s alright,” Xan said, stroking Shadow’s back.

“Dee tells me ye will be heading back to Vaimea tomorrow,” Rowan then said.

“Aye, bright and early,” Xan said. Rowan chuckled.

“I’m sure Keeper Hovo will be glad to see that. But we’ll miss ye, lad. All of ye. Although I wish it had been under better circumstances, having the three of ye here has been a breath of fresh air for us,” he said.

“I suppose our cousins have been none too happy with you being here either, huh?” Taika interposed.

“They’ve tolerated us, lass. But ye’re right. And come the spring thaw, we’ll be packing up and making our way as well,” Rowan said.

“Where are you going?” Xan asked.

“Wherever the wind takes us, lad. Mayhap the eyes of destiny will look favorably on us, and we’ll meet all of ye again someday,” Rowan said.

Xan glanced over at Taika. For the first time since they had met, she was smiling – a true, genuine smile. And he was surprised to find himself smiling as well.

“I’d like that, cousin Rowan,” Taika said.

“So would I,” Xan agreed. “You and yours have been kind to us. I hope to return the favor someday.”

“That’s not necessary, lad. Just make sure to pay it forward, and that’ll be enough,” Rowan said, giving him a hearty pat on the back. Xan caught himself as the wind was briefly knocked out of him.

“Da! Mam says we have to go to bed!” Ciara came running over, flinging herself onto her father’s lap.

“Then listen to yer Mam,” Rowan said, giving her a hug. “It’s time for all little ones to go to sleep.”

Ciara pouted. Then she turned and ran over to Dee, flinging her arms around Dee’s neck in a tight hug.

“I don’t want to! I don’t want ye to go, Dee!” she cried.

Dee was caught off guard, and since Ciara was quite a few inches taller than her, she was almost knocked over. But she quickly composed herself and returned Ciara’s hug.

“It’s alright, Ciara. I’m not leaving until the morning,” she said.

“And we can get up bright and early to see her off. Now, come on, time for bed,” Camilla said, gently pulling Ciara off of Dee. Ciara sniffled morosely, but she complied.

“We should be turning in as well. Got to make sure we’re well rested for our journey,” Xan then said, standing.

“Then we’ll wish ye a restful eve, lad,” Rowan said. He also stood, reaching out to clasp wrists with Xan.

“See you in the mornin’, cousin!” Maeve said, coming over to give Taika a hug. The rest of the Rivule Verdans echoed her sentiment.

As Xan, Taika, and Dee headed back towards their stone hut in the village, they could hear Rowan playing another tune on his lute and singing a melody that was quickly picked up by the other Rivules:

“A lonesome traveler crossed my path –

I heard his mournful cry,

Asking for a miracle

Beneath the murky sky.

Rest your head, oh wanderer,

The storm’s a-comin’ fast.

Find respite

In my home tonight,

Until the danger’s past…”