Activity

Yay! We’ve started and I’m so behind! So good to hear from you, Kylie, so good to hear from Gammon, Maraly, Kalmar, and now Sylvie!!! Yay!!!

Oh, and Kinnan, I think I’m Maraly. I’m pretty sure. BTW, y’all are so funny! I love this, LOL

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Artham grinned at Kalmar, who was busy looking cranky. Nia had buttoned up his collar, and the boy was as stiff-necked as if a pole was stuck up his back. But Artham wasn’t faring any better. Nia and Arundelle had insisted upon making him a special shirt: one with slits in the back for his feathery appendages. It had been a difficult tussle trying to get it on, and Artham was pretty sure the collar was made to permanently force your chin up. He stood next to Arundelle, clasping her hand in his. She didn’t mind his talons in the least. At first, though, she had winced when  he touched her. It was no fault of her own — they were cold and sharp, inhuman and a severe reminder of all that had transpired in the past ten years.

Artham no longer felt the overwhelming shame of leaving his brother to his death, for it hadn’t been his fault; but when he walked through the streets of the Hollows and Anneira, he was painfully aware of the people’s gentle smiles and averted eyes. They were kind, kinder than they had probably ever been before the fall of the Isle. But he was a living memory-jogger of their sorrow and suffering. There were no fangs in the Hollows, no lizards or wolves or bats in the Shining Isle. But there was the birdman. Artham sighed, and Arundelle looked up into his face and smiled. She laid her head on his shoulder, and he was comforted. After the ceremony, Artham stood chatting with a few Hollish men, including Bunge, when he saw Kal and Janner wander off with Brosa. He was glad they had friends, and were able to enjoy a peaceful childhood at last. Kal was king, that was for sure; but Artham and Nia and the other elders took care of much of the ruling for him. They guided him in directions, and made sure he made many important decisions by himself. But eleven year old boys were not made to sit on a throne all day long. Certainly not Kalmar. Artham was jerked out of his thoughts by Orcal, who had a very loud and obnoxious voice.

“–and then Rabbic stuck his hand in the fire trying to grab the pearl out. Shouldn’t have dropped his mum’s necklace in the first place. Dumbest thing I’ve ever seen, aside from when Hays tried to mount his horse from the right side. I say, we have enough youth. How about a fountain of “smart,” men? Right?”

Artham shook his head and laughed with the others. He was going to cherish laughter as long as he lived. As. long. as. he. lived.