Back to Chapter 19
“Take care of each other, protect each other as you grow.”
There were more cheers as Sable and Ash were held up, the silty water from the Grey covering their feet and striping their foreheads. The ceremony was under the stars in the Great Hall of the Hill, the fire pits crackling and the torches waving in the slight breeze. It was a good ceremony, though no phasma flies had shown up to flit above the crowd this time.
A barrel of ale was broken into and many people gladly took their share. It was not going to last more than half an hour with the eager tankards at the ready, but it was a glorious half hour.
Laun accepted sips from many people’s tankards, sipping on her tea between. She could feel the effect of the alcohol immediately and the flush on her cheeks did not go away. It was pleasant to feel the strong brew going through her, a few body pains she had deadening for a while.
Pain was not as much of an issue as it had been. She had been able to do more each morning, more each night. Her hips still ached if she was still for too long, but that was not as much of a problem as it had been.
Laun looked around at the people around her. Family. The soldiers had blended in, even when they had on full uniforms. The people who had been sent to her, who she had claimed as her own. The babies who had been born and who were now blessed and named. Her loves and lovers. »Read More