Stars above and hope below

Sah

Although the last time he had done this, Sah had placed the amulets in his front yard, he chose a different option tonight. These rings were for Luka and even if it doesn't alter their strength, the Wild Thunder wanted them to be as close to the stars as possible as he completed his quest.

Sah found a hill in the Citadel, one that offered him a clear view of the rest of the city. Rolling out a blanket, he sat down and pulled out his bag. From within came a wrapped cloth that he unwound to reveal the twin rings. They were still flecked with dried blood. The Wild Thunder reverently placed them down on the blanket, in clear view of the stars. As the sun set and the stars rose into the sky, Sah relaxed. There was nothing else for him to do, but wait for dawn.

His hands fell back, holding himself up as the hybrid watched the stars.

I think therefore I am,
But what if all I do is bleed?

It was past time to be headed back to the delivery depot and the rooms he stayed in there while they were making their rounds. The house he'd once built had been carefully shut up and locked, the furniture covered and the windows sealed against cataclysm with stout boards, but he hadn't had the heart to sell it. Not when he and Alys had been talking about maybe moving back to Halo part-time. But...

But then Sascha had died. And those plans had been set aside for awhile.

So Tal made the delivery run to Halo alone for the moment, working long hours to get everything delivered as quickly as possible before he returned to King's End. It was on the way back from his last delivery of the day that Boreal snorted and took off at a right angle suddenly, forcing her companion to stop and change direction too. "Boreal, what th'hail's gotten into you? It's late, y'lizard-brained--oh! Hey, Sah."

The courier's steps slowed as he saw the person his dragon had pushed her horned head up against his frenemy with a happy rumble. Rubbing the back of his neck as he remembered their last meeting, he cleared his throat and ambled over to the blanket, looking down at the rings curiously. "What're y'doin' out so late?"

Sah

Sah heard the pounding steps of something large approaching, and his head snapped up, instantly relaxing as he recognized Boreal. Her immediate affection pulled a delighted laugh from the hybrid as he immediately began scratching behind her horns and showering her in praise. In the bond, he could feel Lilly's outrage that she wasn't there to greet her best friend, pulling another laugh from the Wild Thunder

Where Boreal was, Tal followed. As the man approached, Sah scanned him. Much to his relief, he seemed to be in a much better place than their last encounter. "Hey, Tal." At the question, he nodded towards the rings, "Completing a quest. I have to let these rings absorb starlight." Dawn would be coming in a few hours, and he'd head straight for the shrine.

There was the sound of snow rustling under lighter paws and a silver blur came in and crashed into Boreal. Lilly let out a delighted bark as she attempted to pull the dragon into a game of chase. Snorting a laugh, Sah waved a hand for Tal to join him, "You might as well sit while they play."

It took some time for the companions to tire themselves out, giving the two men the chance to catch up. As dawn broke, they parted ways, tired but happy companions trailing behind them.

-[FIN]

I think therefore I am,
But what if all I do is bleed?