While the rest of the Cauthan in the square struggled to deal with the blatantly obvious…whatever it was between Antoth and Ratha, Winters approached the crackling funeral pyre of the hunters, shepherding Veera along with him. The two high priests had broken off their biting and nipping, with Antoth returning again to help his men with the building of their own pyre, a much larger construct by necessity. In his wake Ratha watched like a hawk but made no movement or sound to prevent Winters and Veera from paying their respects. As the heat of the fire began to lick against them Winters let go of Veera, allowing her to honor the dead and pray however she saw fit as a Cauthan. For him, with his sword already drawn, the proper course seemed more or less clear. Winters took a knee in the snow, inverting his sword and bringing the point to rest against the ground. It was an old display, one that had no meaning in the HEL, but to him it seemed to fit the situation nicely. He bowed his head against the pommel as Io removed her cap and took a knee as well. Be at peace, in the service of Valta or however you choose to spend the afterlife. A few of my shipmates might be around here too. Maybe you could get along? I’m sure spirits all speak the same language. Thank you…for helping me defend our home. His prayer complete, Winters stood and sheathed his sword before joining Veera as they moved away from the pyre. Ratha caught his eye and gave him a stiff nod, one that he decided to return. If she and Antoth were an item, or even a prospective item, he reasoned it would be a good idea to bury the hatchet as much as possible. To say nothing of the fact that if Vash is really dead…those two probably lead this village right now by default. Winters was shaken from his thoughts as Veera left his side, racing to the ring of Cauthan who remained at a respectful distance from the pyres. A fair share of eyes followed her, curiosity growing as the ‘village mutt’ was treated with respect by hunters and guardsmen alike.

“Asha!” She cried, skidding to a stop before reaching her friend. The two of them decided to forego the typical greetings of their people, instead embracing one another in a fierce hug. Recent trials demanded a more direct confirmation that they were each well. “Thank Meylith; I’m so glad you’re alright!” The two females nuzzled one another before breaking apart speaking hurriedly, catching one another up on the events of last night.

“I am Veera, thank you. The fighting never reached our home, thank the gods.” She tilted her head and looked past Veera to see Winters approaching. “Sorry, excuse me Veera!” In a moment the human was impacted by a light gray missile, her bushy tail waving furiously. He stumbled backward a step, caught completely off-guard by an action he’d really only have expected from Veera before that moment.

“Uh…Asha? You doing alright?” He spoke nervously, bringing a hand to her shoulder nevertheless. Veera gave him a tender and approving look as Asha began to cry.

“He told me about last night, about what happened at the temple,” she sobbed freely, her hormones easily getting the better of her as she thought about how close she’d come to raising a cub alone. Io looked down at the Cauthan’s feathered head and sighed happily, wiping a tear of her own from her eye. Capacitors discharged and circuits sparked as her emotional subroutines kicked in, now integrated with those that governed her ‘vitals’.

‘We did manage to do some good things…didn’t we sir?’

“Yeah Io we did, you and me both.” Winters agreed quietly before speaking to Asha again, ignoring a look or two of disapproval from random bystanders. “I’m glad he found you safely, Asha. Is he alright? He was forced to kill last night,” Winters recounted, wondering how Zolta was taking the events of the raid. Asha set him at ease, resting a hand on his arm and stepping away from him to a more respectable distance.

“He’s fine Russell. He defended his temple, his home, his mate, and his cub. That’s what he said to me when he finally found me. I had been so scared; scared for him but too scared to leave my home. I’ve never known relief like what I felt when he burst through the door. We…we gave thanks for just a moment in the night. Our cub was conceived in Kel’s season, and through you Kel protected our cub and its parents. Thank you so much Russell.” The HEL Jumper stood rigid in the snow as the mantle of Kel fell upon his shoulders again. He gave thanks for his helmet as he allowed tears to fall from his eyes. To have saved the life of one Cauthan and the future of one cub in the midst of so much death somehow touched him in a way that nebulous concepts like ‘saving the village’ or ‘saving his home’ ever could. After a moment to collect himself, during which time Veera walked to his side, he replied.

“There’s no need to thank me, Asha. It’s the reason I joined my species’ armed forces in the first place. If you don’t mind my asking, where is Zolta?” Veera nodded, clearly also curious as to the answer. Asha smiled as her crest feathers waved gently with thoughts of her mate.

“I think he’s sleeping at the temple. The both of us joined the efforts to fight the fires last night once the guards went around the neighborhood and informed us that the threat was over. I participated during the beginning but once the worst blazes were under control the men began to insist that women and children head home and sleep, especially me and the few other pregnant females in the village. They didn’t want us getting cold or inhaling too much smoke. I don’t know how long he was at it but I’m sure Zolta’s getting some much needed rest.” Winters looked over at Veera.

“Asha, do you think we could go try to find him? It was a…trying night for me after all of the fighting. It would do me some good to know that everyone’s alright.” The young mother smiled.

“Of course, Russell. We should have time before the second pyre is lit. Let’s go track him down. I’m sure he’ll want to pay his respects to the guard force as well.” With Asha’s assent the three of them walked west out of the square towards the temple of Tyrdus. As they approached Veera pressed herself against his side. The scene was only slightly less grisly in the purifying light of day. Her human’s gait was stiff and controlled as they looked over the bodies in the street.

“You know it was us or them, right darling?” She asked in a hard tone of voice. Veera clearly spared little sympathy for the invaders. Io nodded as well, her temporal distance from the fighting allowing her to evaluate the situation clinically, the way she would have as an unaltered VI.

‘She is correct sir. Our modern sensibilities may be grossly shaken but death seems to be a constant companion on this planet, as it was on Earth for almost all of history. In the time since the battle I have come to realize that our strength was needed.’ Winters nodded before replying to both of his companions.

“The fact that we’re all still standing is…comforting. I did a terrible thing but I don’t think I regret it either. My mind is still…rather conflicted.” Asha lent her own thoughts before they ducked into the temple. The bodies of the two raiders that Winters and Zolta had killed were laying there, just outside the doorway. She pointed to them.

“Would either of them have cared for my cub? I am happy to see them dead.” Smiling in shock at the normally mild-mannered woman’s words, Winters pointed to the body that hadn’t been split in two, the constant affirmation of the Cauthan around him helping to dispel his poisonous thoughts.

“That’s your mate’s work. His arms are strong.”

-----

“Zolta my love, wake up please.” Asha gently shook her mate awake, having found him asleep on one of the beds in the back of the temple. A couple other smiths were resting there as well, all showing signs of a long night and possibly morning of work.

“Nnn…Asha, just a bit longer?” He requested, still not fully cognizant of where he was or what had transpired the night before. She accentuated her point with a gentle tap on the nose.

“No Zolta, there will be no more sleep this morning. The pyre for the guards is almost lit and we still haven’t visited Xan.” The mention of his friend in the guard force had Zolta sitting straight up in bed, memories of the prior night flooding back. As he embraced Asha tightly he looked over her shoulder and saw Winters and Veera waiting patiently in the doorway. He couldn’t really tell because of Winters’ armor, but Veera was definitely holding herself differently. She seemed composed in a way he’d never seen before, her manner almost regal as she surveyed the room and stood by her mate.

“Did something happen with Winters and Veera?” He whispered to Asha.

“You mean other than the both of them fighting and killing last night?” Asha replied sarcastically.

“Uh…maybe? They just seem different, that’s all.”

“It can wait Zolta, come now.” Asha hauled him out of bed and they exited the sleeping quarters. Winters bumped Zolta’s forearm as they met one another.

“You alright kid?” The young smith made no protest at the nickname.

“Yeah, I’m alright Winters. Thanks for saving my ass…again.”

“You’re welcome Zolta. But you pulled your own weight last night too. Do either of you know about Xan’s condition?” He asked, wanting to alleviate potential worry in the event they were still in the dark.

“No Russell, we don’t,” Asha told him as they stepped out into the streets, heading east for the main square. Both she and Zolta looked uneasy.

“Well I can’t say for sure how his recovery will go, but Antoth told me that he’s stable and doing better than last night. With luck he’ll walk again, though he might need a cane well before his age. Veera and I sewed him up last night.” The human sighed heavily as he faintly remembered the beginnings of his mental implosion. Veera saved him the burden of having to continue the conversation.

“I don’t mind telling you Asha, I really wish you’d been there last night. I’m not nearly as skilled with a needle as you are.”

“Wait, you like…actually sewed him up? Like with thread or sinew?!” Zolta cut in. “Was it that bad?” Veera nodded.

“He took a very deep wound to his leg, Zolta. If we hadn’t arrived at the north gate when we did he might not have made it. Russell used some of his human technology to keep him alive long enough for us to drive them all out. He lost a lot of blood.”

“You fought too, Veera?!” Zolta continued to ask questions with growing interest. All he’d known about his friends and the fighting was what Winters had quickly conveyed to him back at the temple. “Wait…was that…were you the one who made that really loud noise?” Asha perked up at that question as well, curiosity mounting as more and more information about the raid came to light.

“Yes, that was me.” Veera pointed to the pistol on Winters’ hip. “Russell taught me how to use that. It’s an extraordinarily powerful weapon. It blew a hole straight through a raider’s chest.”

“Woah…no way,” Zolta exclaimed as they approached the square. “I’m glad you’re on our side Russell.” The human managed a chuckle in the presence of those he’d managed to protect.

“I think I prefer city living to the nomadic lifestyle. Given that this little place is the best looking town around…and happens to contain all of my favorite Cauthan, I’d say I’m happy to be on your side too, kid.” As they crossed the center of town Winters paused for a moment to speak with Antoth as they passed. In a quick exchange he determined that they had time to visit Xan and return before the pyre would be lit. Continuing on out of the square, Winters engaged in a bit of his own curious questioning. “So Zolta, you and Asha said you had a particular house in mind. What uh…happened to it?” Zolta’s face fell.

“Burned to the ground,” he growled. Asha made a sad noise and sought her mate’s comfort. Veera, however, seemed happy at the news.

“Wait Zolta, you’re a craftsman right? If the building burned you and Asha could probably buy the plot right now! Well, that is if anyone’s even running the town at the moment,” she considered, regarding a grouping of clouds in the sky.

“So Vash is still missing then?” Zolta asked, receiving nods from the rest of them. “Well that’s something…isn’t it?”

“What do you think Zolta?” Winters asked, not having even considered Veera’s idea before. “Think the two of you might build your own home?”

‘Are we volunteering?’ Io asked with a hint of accusation in her voice, rifling through a chest of drawers. ‘I’m sure I can find some lumberjack flannel in here somewhere.’ Winters smiled as they finally neared the temple of Kel, Zolta’s reply delayed by the discovery of Veera’s final kill of the prior night. The body had been moved to the side of the temple so as to clear the doorway. Zolta and Asha were both rendered speechless at the destruction that one bullet had wrought. Much more nervous about Xan and intimately familiar with the effects of his pistol, Winters went on ahead.

“Winters!” Xan exclaimed weakly, trying to sit up. A young female pushed him back down, chastising him angrily.

“Xan, I swear if you open up one of these wounds again!”

“C’mon Eris, I think a bit of greeting is appropriate for the guy who saved my life. Is Veera coming too?” The young guard asked. Winters nodded.

“She should be in shortly. We brought Zolta and Asha with us as well. How are you doing Xan?” He looked around and saw what had to have been Xan’s family assembled as well, all crowded around the table where he still lay. His mother and father approached Winters as Veera and the others entered, making the temple feel small and almost intimate thanks to all the Cauthan inside. He turned his helmet to regard the older Cauthan as they bowed. Veera joined him while Asha and Zolta rushed to the table to see Xan. The four young ones began to talk as Xan’s father addressed Winters and Veera.

“Thantis tells me that you two saved my son’s life. I cannot thank you enough.” Winters responded officially, as he might address the family of a comrade.

“Your son is a hero, sir. He and his men fought outnumbered and killed an attacking force. Their sacrifice bought enough time for Veera and myself to secure the north gate. We’re both glad we were able to make it in time. It was actually Veera here who sewed his wounds shut.” Xan’s parents bowed to her, a gesture that she took in stride. Io watched the whole scene with fascination as Xan’s parents returned to their son’s side.

‘Sir, does Veera seem more…well…imperial to you?’ She asked, scratching her head as she tilted it in thought.

“I can’t say I noticed myself, but now that you mention it she has seemed rather composed today,” Winters agreed, placing a hand on Veera’s shoulder as they looked over at what had been an operating table mere hours ago. It was now surrounded by friends and family, smiles and relieved faces. “Hey, feather kitten,” he whispered, keeping the two of them at distance for a moment.

“Yes darling?”

“You did a good job last night. Is everything alright up there?” He asked kindly. She elbowed his armor.

“If you had told me a quarter year ago that I would meet an alien and fall in love with him, go from starvation to prosperity, kill three Cauthan, sew a friend’s body back together, wipe blood off your armor, be brought to the edge of despair before being…” she lowered her voice to almost nothing. “The first Cauthan to ever mate with a human, I honestly don’t even know what I would have said Russell. Right now I feel like nothing can harm me, like you and I are heroes. Even after all of that fades I’ll still have memories of last night and this morning forever. Everything is very, very alright.” She gave him a wide, toothy smile that settled his spirit. Movement from the back of the temple caught both their eyes and brought an end to their private moment. They walked forward to greet Thantis.

“Ah my children, be welcome in the house of Kel. Though I must say by now I believe the two of you are well acquainted with him, yes?”

“I suppose so, Thantis,” Veera agreed, allowing the old priest his idea of a joke.

“I see from that look in your eyes that you believe I speak of the ones you sent to death. I have no doubt that weighs on your minds to one degree or another. If you require my aid I will be here for you both. But I did not mean that.” The death priest gestured to Xan. “One less pyre to burn today. One more family kept whole. You fought death last night and prevailed.” Veera felt herself warm at the elder’s words and hoped Winters would find some additional consolation there as well.

“What is his future going to be like, Thantis?” She asked.

“It is hard to say Veera. I believe that he will walk again, but I doubt that he will remain in the service of the Sentinel. He has done his duty.”

“What is there for him then?” Winters asked in a low voice, hoping that Xan’s life would not become a shell of its former self. He was most surprised to see the old priest’s eyes light up. “What are you up to now old man? Does it involve tea somehow?” The elder’s jowls moved in a brief smile.

“Both of you know I am at the end of my years,” Thantis whispered, not wanting to disturb the quiet but lively conversation that surrounded the wounded guard. “When the lad has recovered I will offer to take him into the service of Kel. There is nary a better acolyte than one who has faced death and survived, who has seen a shimmer of Kel’s face. He will not languish if he does not want to, human.”

“Thank you Thantis, I’m glad to hear it. Where are the other wounded?” Winters asked suddenly, realizing that the temple resembled more of a private hospital room than a triage center.

“Fret not. The most seriously wounded of the guards and civilians are being cared for in certain rooms in the barracks just behind us. The less severe cases are at the temple of Meylith, along with those made homeless by fires. On that subject I must make ready to perform my rounds with the other wounded. Please excuse me.”

“Go in peace Thantis.” Veera bade him farewell before turning to Winters. The death priest was already filling a satchel full of herbs and tinctures. “Back to the pyres?”

“Yeah, I think so. Seeing Xan like this actually helped a lot.”

“Aww, I didn’t know you cared!” Xan joked over his shoulder, clearly having listened to the whole conversation. Winters moved to his side along with Veera.

“You’re lucky you’re wounded or else I’d hit you, hard,” Winters replied. “You really had us worried there kid. Way to fight it off.”

“Do you think it’s true? Am I really done fighting?” Xan asked the warrior, looking for a veteran’s guidance. A sorrowful look fell over Zolta’s face as he remembered Winters’ words from many cycles prior, when he’d said that Xan might not come home one day. The current situation was close enough.

“I can’t say for sure Xan, but that’s what it looks like,” Winters said, not wanting to give him false hope. Xan closed his eyes for a moment and breathed deeply; his mother weeping as she stroked his feathers.

“Do you think Thantis would let me have a cane made out of bones?” Xan asked Winters. Veera began laughing as her feathers fluttered.

“You see darling? Xan was never the type to roll over and die.”

“Thanks for cleaning up my mess Veera. I heard you took out two more,” Xan told her, drawing awestruck looks from Eris and his family. Veera nodded and bared her teeth.

“I slit one’s throat like a wounded chesko and speared the other one in the chest, deep.” Fire burned in Xan’s eyes.

“They came at us with arrows in the dark. Only the horn saved me. I was on top of the wall. I’m glad you gave those cowards what they deserved,” he growled, wincing as he brought a hand up to the wound on his flank. Veera grabbed his hand.

“Hang on Xan, be gentle. They have to heal first.”

“Alright, I know. Sorry. They just itch is all.” He looked up at Eris and his friends and family. “I think I’ll take the old man up on his offer when I’m able. Veera, you can have my place on the guard force,” he informed her, his tone bittersweet. “I never got my revenge against Tarn. Think you can handle it?” Veera smiled sadly at him.

“Maybe one day Xan, when he’s mourned his father.” The guard’s eyes widened as he looked around at the assembled Cauthan.

“Wait, what did I miss?” Xan’s father placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke.

“The enemy burned the temple of Seil. One of the sun guards was killed in the fighting. Vash has not been seen since.”

“Wow…” was all Xan could say, his face reflecting the ruminations of a soldier who wondered in vain if he could have done more. Winters tapped Veera, Zolta, and Asha on the shoulder.

“Xan, we’ll come back and visit soon, alright? Is there anything you’d like us to do for you at the pyres? I believe they’re making ready to burn the bodies of your comrades.” Xan shook his head.

“No Winters, thank you. When I can walk again I’ll pay my respects myself. That shield and the crossed spears on the wall in the barracks is our shrine. They’ll hear me. I know they will. Besides, if I’m going to be a death priest someday I’m sure I’ll talk to them soon.”

“Focus on healing first. That can come later,” Eris told him firmly. Winters regarded her with a questioning tilt of his head, wondering how and why she found herself there.

“He was worried for you, you know? Almost killed himself trying to get away from me to find you.” He allowed that information to hang in the air, watching as Eris’ eyes narrowed and her feathers waved in a show of affection and defiance.

“I am already here, human. That should say enough.” Io cocked a brow at Eris’ attitude.

‘Oh la la, we’ve got a spunky one here. Some other time?’ She suggested. Winters agreed, moderately reassured that Xan’s injuries wouldn’t preclude him from taking a mate.

“Yes Eris, that does say plenty,” he acknowledged, turning back one last time to speak to Xan as he stood in the doorway. “There is great glory in surviving your first battle Xan, much more than dying in it. I’m…very proud of you.” Veera felt her heart swell as they headed back towards the village square.

-----

“You want me to what?” Veera asked, shocked as Antoth held a torch out to her. She could feel the eyes of dozens of Cauthan on her. Ratha and the hunters had departed the square, their task done, but even more villagers had replaced them as they day had gone on. More than a few were whispering to one another as guards stood by with torches, their dead lined along a large pyre. Armor and spears would accompany them into the afterlife.

“I want you to help light the pyre, Veera. You and Winters.” Antoth regarded them with the utmost seriousness. Veera stood stock still, utterly speechless. Winters spoke to the captain.

“Is that alright? I’m not even Cauthan and a few cycles ago no one in this village would have cared if Veera simply vanished into the forest and never returned,” he finished with a hard tone. Antoth waved the concerns away, asserting his authority.

“That is precisely why you will help us today. Veera, your kill count is equal to those of many of my own men. Winters, you did what my force and I would not have been able to. Your deeds honored the Sentinel greatly, two civilians rising to defend their homes. Yes Winters, I know you’re not a civilian to your own people but you were under no obligation to save any of us…except maybe your mate. Do not make us delay our brothers’ departure any longer.” His will decreed Antoth shoved the torch into Veera’s hand. Winters stood at her side and took a hold of the handle just above her.

“Let’s do this then.”

“Yeah, together,” she replied.

With the other guards they lowered their fire to the pyre, standing back as the flames jumped to life. All around them Cauthan bowed and knelt in the snow, giving thanks to those who had paid the ultimate price in defense of the village. Widows and children wept as many spoke their prayers aloud. Joining the rest, Winters, Io, and Veera hung their heads silently as the flames leaped higher.

-----

After the funeral of the guards had concluded, Antoth shocked the assembled villagers by informing them that the guard force would participate in the final pyre for the villagers who had died, along with any others who were willing to help assemble it. Veera and Winters departed shortly thereafter, assuring the captain that they would find him after a much needed meal and the final funeral. On their way home they were stopped and thanked by many villagers, clear evidence that Antoth’s actions and words that day had spread. For Winters the truth of what he’d done now felt like a dull ache, a discomfort and pain that wouldn’t prohibit him from functioning. All around him and at his side was evidence of what he’d saved through his brutality, things he’d protected by becoming a monster. He didn’t know if it was right or wrong, but it made everything easier. Best of all was the simple pleasure of preparing a meal with Veera, their small home holding so many emotions and memories after the prior night. They assembled a fire together, lit it together, chopped vegetables and meat together, cooked a stew together, and ate at each other’s side. Io had returned her projection to the countdown: ‘3 Days until Christmas’.

“It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?” Veera asked, picking dirt from under her talons with her knife. She didn’t enjoy the idea of blood remaining in the groove along the bottom. Winters looked over at her, still in his armor but having ditched his helmet and gloves.

“What’s that?”

“Two days ago we were just two aliens in love with each other and playing in the snow. Now we’ve killed other Cauthan. We saved our village. We saved a life together. We mated…and became one.” Veera’s eyes glossed over as her lips curled into a small smile. “It’s just so much I don’t know if I’ve even processed it yet,” she admitted, returning focus to her knife.

“Yeah…life tends to work that way,” he agreed, meeting her eyes and finding them quite calming. “War works that way too, long periods of boredom or stasis punctuated by brief moments of terror, blood, and change. I just hope our next major change is less bloody.”

“I hope so too,” Veera said softly. “Just remember that I’ll be waiting for you or at your side, whatever it may be. You can’t run away from me again Russell.” Winters nodded sadly, finding that he was equally as ashamed of what he’d put his lover through as he was of his own brutality.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to thank you enough for that Veera, for what you were willing to do for me.”

“You have our whole lives to try, Russell.” Her feathers rippled softly as she spoke those words. “We are one now.”

“It’s…comforting, isn’t it?” He asked, placing a hand on her knee and softly stroking her thigh.

“Knowing that you are mine and that I am yours? Yes Russell, I find it most comforting.”

“Are you ready to head back out there?”

“Yes. I don’t think Antoth would have come here if the only task at hand was the funeral pyres, even though I appreciate his words immensely.” With a solemn tilt of his head in agreement, Winters gathered his armor and met her at the door, pulling her cloak over her shoulders as she approached him. After a brief moment of barely touched lips they headed back out into a village still in great peril.

----

“Well, I can’t say I envy him right now,” Winters muttered as he and Veera arrived at the barracks. A short line of Cauthan extended out the door, clearly seeking the Guardian’s wisdom and guidance in the wake of the attack. As they approached, an on-duty guard hailed them and motioned them to the front before stepping inside.

“Sir, the human and Veera are here!”

“Thank you Granth; how’s your injury?”

“Just fine sir, no one’s giving anyone any trouble today.”

“Good. Send them in please.”

At Granth’s signal Winters and Veera entered the barracks, passing a sorrowful looking female Cauthan on her way out. Antoth beckoned them to the back with a grim look on his face. He bade them to be seated. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to this, speaking to the ones the dead leave behind. Thantis is too damn sanguine about it all. Hurts like a bitch feeling that powerless.” Confident that they were alone Io projected herself, looking and pointing between Winters, Veera, and herself.

‘You have my condolences Antoth to be sure, but since apparently no one else is going to ask…’ she let the sentence hang in the air between them.

“Yes, spirit?”

‘You and Ratha?!’ Antoth burst out laughing at the confused look on Io’s face.

“I suppose if my actions are enough to throw a spirit for a loop I’ve done something very much out of character. Guardians aren’t exactly supposed to behave that way.”

“But you aren’t just the Guardian, are you?” Winters asked coyly. “That was quite the scene you two put on.”

“Oh please Winters, short of mating in the square itself there’s nothing the two of us could do that would upstage the things you’ve done. That being said…I’m not really sure what happened myself.”

“I think that’s alright Antoth,” Veera cut in. “If Winters and I can find happiness I’m sure you and Ratha can make it work if you want to. It was a difficult night to be alone, right?” Antoth sent a piercing gaze her way.

“Indeed, Veera. Now if your curiosity has been satisfied there is much to discuss.”

“I can imagine Antoth, but why us?” Winters asked. The captain sighed deeply.

“Because when the dead are burned and gone we will have only just begun the process of recovering from this attack. The people are frightened. Their leader is dead. I don’t know why but I appear to have been thrust into that role for now.”

‘I think we all know exactly why that is, Antoth. For what it’s worth I think a relationship, even with Ratha, could be therapeutic in such a time. That’s to say nothing of the status of both of your temples. Is it alright, by the way?’

“So much for putting the curiosity to bed,” he grumbled. “Spirit Io, Ratha has never taken a mate. I know not if what I’m doing is permitted by the gods but…there are many who find themselves irreparably torn from their loved ones this morning. Maybe in the future they can find some solace in a similar way? That is a longer term concern though, one I do not have the luxury of thinking on right now.”

‘I apologize Antoth; I allowed my curiosity to get the better of me.’

“It’s fine, spirit Io. Now Winters,” Antoth demanded, fixing the human with a most serious look. “If you were in my place, what would you do?”