The Midwife's Wards

Phoebe gestured at the couch, but Loren just moved to a watchful corner, where he could keep an eye on both Pim and the room at large. Maybe it was paranoia, but he preferred having his back to a wall. ”I’m comfortable standing, thank you.” He clasped his hands behind his back, posture ramrod straight. After all, he was here on official business. The dragonling’s constant growling was a reminder of that. However, the healer had other ideas in mind. The Launceleyn remained where he was as the boys shuffled into the room, following the midwife. Then they scattered to go read the books she’d provided as she went to cook, and the summoner couldn’t help the pang in his heart at the picture of simple domesticity. It wasn’t something he’d ever experienced in his own life, and he knew it was something he’d never possess. But he'd made his decisions, and could live with them. LOREN Not quite an open book