Noah
Noah took the image as it formed between Deimos’ palms, studying the rendered face with a quiet, practiced focus. He committed it to memory without comment, storing it like an arrow in the quiver—sharp, silent, ready. He pocketed the depiction. That’s smart, he said, nodding once. Keep it off the board for now. Let it move quiet. Our people talk fast when they need to.
He followed Deimos’ gaze across the Citadel, the frost-glazed roofs and smoke-threaded chimneys, the stubborn warmth of life in the cold. A place they’d bled for. A place they would again, if needed. He took in a deep breath, letting the cold bite at his lungs and throat.
At the mention of the wyrm, his jaw tightened, then eased. He hoped Remi and Ronin would be up for the tasks ahead, to join them in the fray. They might need Remi's size and strength more than before, with the description Alys gave. We’ll be ready for that too.
He shifted his weight, letting the silence settle naturally, without tension. The cold pressed in, but it felt cleaner now—bracing, not smothering. A pause. Then, "Go home, Deimos. Go hold your son. I’ll see you soon.”
FIN
He followed Deimos’ gaze across the Citadel, the frost-glazed roofs and smoke-threaded chimneys, the stubborn warmth of life in the cold. A place they’d bled for. A place they would again, if needed. He took in a deep breath, letting the cold bite at his lungs and throat.
At the mention of the wyrm, his jaw tightened, then eased. He hoped Remi and Ronin would be up for the tasks ahead, to join them in the fray. They might need Remi's size and strength more than before, with the description Alys gave. We’ll be ready for that too.
He shifted his weight, letting the silence settle naturally, without tension. The cold pressed in, but it felt cleaner now—bracing, not smothering. A pause. Then, "Go home, Deimos. Go hold your son. I’ll see you soon.”
FIN
are you out there on the front lines
or at home keeping score?
or at home keeping score?
