"She was the first, but I encountered a second such creature recently," he admitted, remembering the night beside the river in the Greatwood, Remi and Rory and a group of lost souls called from their beds in the middle of the night to dance to the tune of a creature of water and fire, mischief and blessings. "But... I did not receive anything quite so tangible from that adventure. Isuma is a graceful little creature, though, snowy white fur and brilliant blue primary feathers, with golden eyes and little black beak. She is very dear to me."
Sam's optimism was a painful reminder of what could never be, according to the very gods of this place. From Safrin and the Voice it had been made clear that there was no going back, no return to what had once been.
And in truth he wouldn't want to go back, not even for the original Isuma or his friend Hiraku. He had gained too much, learned too much, become too willingly bound to Caido and those who lived there.
"Perhaps," was all he murmured, before ducking his head in response to Sam's praise and belief in him. He hadn't realized how badly he'd needed to hear those words until he did, and then he managed a sad smile for his friend that warmed a little at the mention of bookmaking. "Of course," he murmured. "What have you been thinking of?"
Sam's optimism was a painful reminder of what could never be, according to the very gods of this place. From Safrin and the Voice it had been made clear that there was no going back, no return to what had once been.
And in truth he wouldn't want to go back, not even for the original Isuma or his friend Hiraku. He had gained too much, learned too much, become too willingly bound to Caido and those who lived there.
"Perhaps," was all he murmured, before ducking his head in response to Sam's praise and belief in him. He hadn't realized how badly he'd needed to hear those words until he did, and then he managed a sad smile for his friend that warmed a little at the mention of bookmaking. "Of course," he murmured. "What have you been thinking of?"
