READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you Trindisco, for suggesting the name "Rhoda"! I hope you enjoy her!

*****

AARYN

Aaryn snuck across the landing at the top of the stairs of his old home and noticed the door into his own bedroom, off to the left, cracked open. The moonlight showing from behind the door, so the window's curtains must be open. He hoped that Eadhye was taking advantage of his now-empty room and not making herself sleep with his mother, or on the couch. He hadn't seen her downstairs. Hopefully the door was cracked so she would hear if his mother needed something. He'd often slept that way himself.

He turned the handle on his mother's bedroom door with a soft knock, then pushed it open to peer around it. It was so dark inside it took a moment for his eyes to pick up enough light to see clearly. And when he did, his stomach sank.

He pushed the door open and leaned across to the small lantern on the dresser, striking the flint to light it. But it didn't illuminate any more than he already knew.

His mother wasn't here. The sheets and blankets of her bed were tangled, crunched up as if she'd been in it, then thrown them back and pushed herself out of the bed.

She wasn't here.

It was the middle of the night and she wasn't here.

And she hadn't been here the last two times he came through.

What the fuck was happening.

No longer trying to be quiet, he darted out of the room and down the hall to his own room, swinging the door open wide.

There was no need for a lantern in here. The moonlight shone through the uncovered window, illuminating everything.

The neatly made bed. His books still on the small desk. A bag at the foot of the bed that had to be Eadhye's.

If she wasn't here also, he felt slightly better—surely they were together. Perhaps his mother really was walking a lot. She often did that when she was agitated.

But…

He checked the rest of the house quickly to be certain they weren't hidden in some strange corner. But seconds later he was flying out of the house and down the path.

There was a building near the market where the Wise Women attended in shifts, to be able to help any Anima who needed it, even if it was an inconvenient time like the middle of the night.

He'd go there and pray they hadn't been called away.

His feet flew along the trails and he arrived at the building panting slightly, relieved to see a light on inside. He knocked and opened the door to find a small room, no bigger than his bedroom, with a bed, a desk, and a countertop along the side with a sink and stove for cooking, along with jars of herbs and a variety of dried things.

There was an older female seated at the desk, her brown hair just beginning to gray, the streaks pulling into her still-thick braid very prettily.

She looked up as Aaryn stepped in and her face got serious. "Aaryn, it's good to see you. What's wrong?"

Rhodha. Her name was Rhodha, he thought. He swallowed hard and realized how this was going to sound. "I… I've been trying to find my mother," he said, his voice shakier than he would have hoped. "I tried to see her the other day, and before I left for our honeymoon… she's not at home, and Eadhye who's been helping her wasn't there either, and I'm starting to get worried. It's the middle of the night. They should be home! Have you seen them, either of them? Has Eadhye shared anything with you all about how she's doing?"

Rhodha frowned. "I know I saw Eadhye a few days ago. She mentioned they were thinking about taking a break, but they were due back on the same day you and Elreth were to return. She looked tired. But it's very draining having solo care of another Anima like that. I just put it down to—" she caught herself and gave a soft smile. "I'm certain we'll find them, Aaryn. Don't be frightened. It's not unusual for those in the dark to have strange sleep patterns."

"I haven't actually seen either of them since the day of the Smoke and Flames," he said firmly. "I'm glad to hear that you have, but I am worried. Eadhye's bag is in the house. If they'd gone somewhere wouldn't she have taken that?"

"I'm not certain if they were going for a reflection time," Rhodha said carefully, referring to the tradition among some of the females of spending time in nature without resources, to consider the Creator and seek enlightenment.

His mother had never been particularly into those traditions though. Her faith in the Creator was a simple thing. He simply was. And she simply believed.

He couldn't imagine her taking any of the steps of devotion.

Was it possible Eadhye had talked her into it? But to what purpose?

Aaryn paced the small space.

Rhodha got to her feet and grasped his arm to pull him to a stop. "Don't worry, Aaryn. Wherever they are, we'll find them. It's good that you came. We will work it out, okay?"

"I just… it's been so long now since I've seen her, I can't be sure how long they've been gone if they are gone."

"Did the house look the same as the last time you visited?" she asked carefully.

"I don't know. I don't think so… but I wasn't really paying that much attention. I know things are dusty, but she's always struggled to clean when she's feeling bad. I just assumed…"

"Okay, it's late. We know they aren't there now. You should go to sleep. I will check at the Tree House through the night. If they haven't returned by breakfast when my shift ends, I'll put out the call and we'll start the search, okay? But I'd gamble that they are just out talking or reflecting, and they'll be back in the morning. And if they are, we'll send a message immediately so you can come see her, okay?"

"But—"

"Aaryn, listen," Rhodha said, her hands on his arms, her eyes fixed on his. "Your mother is a grown adult. If she's chosen to take some time away, that's okay. It's often helpful for people afflicted as she is. So, you go rest. I will keep looking for her—and the moment I hear anything, anything at all, I will send a messenger. And if she's found, we'll come for you. Until then, get your rest. You have a big job to do, son, and we're all proud of you."

She grinned and Aaryn gaped. Since when were the Wise Women… proud of him?

"Thank you," he spluttered.

She nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Don't worry," she whispered, ushering him to the door. "We'll find her."

Then suddenly he was outside the building and in the dark, on his way back to the cave and to Elreth. And he didn't know how to feel.

She was a solid female, he knew. She'd been around for a long time and had helped him in an illness when he was younger. She wouldn't tell him she'd do something, then not do it. But…

But his mother was gone.

He looked back at the little building, but realized she was right. There was little he could do just then. She would check for his mother and send word.

He would focus on that.

And until then… Until then he would hold Elreth and try to rest.

Tomorrow. He'd see his mother tomorrow, he reassured himself. He would.

He had to.

*****

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