Sometimes helping others with their burdens made his own seem lighter in comparison. Or at least, focusing on others provided welcome distraction from his own problems. A brief respite to help another often yielded insights and solutions he could make use of himself, and so became its own reward.
There would come a time when he could ask Sohalia's advice for the troubles that affected a crowned mermanta who was not always in quite as much control of his region as he might seem on the outside. Tonight, however, in helping her he had found a measure of solace for himself.
And it was easy to wait, patient and unhurried, as the thunder grew softer in the distance and the rain became a gentle patter against the winder instead of a frantic drumming. The tea was excellent, the fire was warm, and Sohalia sought answers within herself with a seriousness that the Tidebreaker could appreciate, for he had not asked his question lightly.
And her answer, when it came, was in the end the same that he had found within himself. He nodded, and sipped his tea, and his solemnity softened beneath a smile that eased some of the wrinkles from his brow. "To sharing the weight," he rumbled, lifting his teacup to hers in a toast. "And not being alone."
~fin~
There would come a time when he could ask Sohalia's advice for the troubles that affected a crowned mermanta who was not always in quite as much control of his region as he might seem on the outside. Tonight, however, in helping her he had found a measure of solace for himself.
And it was easy to wait, patient and unhurried, as the thunder grew softer in the distance and the rain became a gentle patter against the winder instead of a frantic drumming. The tea was excellent, the fire was warm, and Sohalia sought answers within herself with a seriousness that the Tidebreaker could appreciate, for he had not asked his question lightly.
And her answer, when it came, was in the end the same that he had found within himself. He nodded, and sipped his tea, and his solemnity softened beneath a smile that eased some of the wrinkles from his brow. "To sharing the weight," he rumbled, lifting his teacup to hers in a toast. "And not being alone."
~fin~
