Page 117 of To Fight and To Fold

"Guess that means I'm out of the job," Runa teased.

"Actually, we can—I mean, once you get settled, and see to your parents," Thea began, "we can find somewhere for you in Claw Hold. If you want that." At the confusion on Runa’s gaze, Thea chuckled. “Claw Hold is where our version of a First Guard trains.”

Runa's eyes lit up. "Really? Because I think my dad mentioned something about knitting, and I almost saw red. My skills lie elsewhere."

"Of course. Just let me know when you feel up to it," Thea said. "We can vouch for you."

Thea glanced at Aaryn expectantly and she nodded.

"Alright, then I'll see you at home?"

Home uttered by Thea felt like so much, and Aaryn's cheeks heated once more. "See you there," Aaryn agreed.

Runa cleared her throat softly. "I'd love to catch up and talk about… everything, I suppose."

"We have ten years to fill in," Thea supplied.

"You can find me?" Runa asked, and Aaryn suppressed her frown, keeping her expression happily neutral.

"Yeah, I'll find you," Thea promised, and Aaryn glanced away as they embraced again.

She did not recognize the prickly feeling in her chest, but she certainly didn't like it, and tried her best to bury it deep, deep down as they bid Thea goodbye.

It wasn't until Thea was gone from view that Runa bumped their shoulders together, more casual than they'd ever been in Evergale. "Home, huh?" she asked with a teasing delight in both her voice and gaze. "That sounds cozy."

"Let's go see Carissa," Aaryn redirected them, and waved at the house.

That smile was a little too knowing as Runa stepped back and let her lead the way.

26

TENDER

"How is she?" Thea asked when Aaryn finally returned home.

"I'm relieved she has Stormstrike, at least." Aaryn's expression was crestfallen. "She's… not doing well."

Thea swallowed, her throat still sore from all the smoke. "We didn't find him today."

With embers still hot, Thea worked with a small team throughout the day to find any lasting survivors. Rolim was not amongst them, and Thea's fingers were singed and stinging.

She collapsed into the chair of her small table, the drawings still stacked neatly to the side. She hadn't had time to hang them yet.

Thea shook her head, grief tightening her chest like a vise. She'd known Rolim for years. She didn't even remember how they'd first met, really, but knew it must have been before they'd hid the druid circle in the clouds. They'd sparred often, bickered aplenty, and teased each other like family. To Thea, he was her family.

"I hope we find him," Aaryn said.

"Me too." But she was scared for him.

"You're covered in soot."

"I know." Thea stared down at the crayon marks on the paper. "There's not much left of Skymore."

Even the docked boats had burned away, the empty shells filled with ash sinking into the water and pulled into the tide.

"We didn't find many survivors. Just a few. The school is gone. The hospitals. Entire neighborhoods. The market."

It was pure destruction, plain and simple. And why? What purpose did it serve?