“Kinko.”

Barry pauses in showing Essie how to draw a flower. His entire face lights up when I step from behind a snow covered bush.

“Be right back,” he says to Essie.

Essie nods, not even taking her eyes off the squiggling lump that is her… drawing. The cub loves to draw, but she doesn’t have the knack for it yet. Stark white pointed teeth show as she sucks on her bottom lip, concentrating.

Barry tugs at my arm, and my entire body softens as I crouch down.

“Hey, bud. How you doing?”

He looks out at the fields of lush snow from beneath his fur hat, dodging my gaze just like our Pa did when he didn’t want to answer.

The little man finally sighs, looking up at me.

“I’m scared. Ma and Jed… and you, hurt. I’m scared.“

My breath escapes in a sigh and I close my eyes. “I know. I am too. But you know something I’ve learned recently?”

I open my eyes to find him watching me. I squat down, putting us at eye level.

“Do you remember Pa’s teachings about the Allfather?”

He nods. “Do you remember what he always said to do?”

“When things get bad, trust badder.”

That almost draws a chuckle from my lips, but I’m trying to stay serious. “Close enough. The Allfather has shown me recently that he is working stuff out.” I mostly believe my words. “He allowed me to rescue you. All we can do for now is trust.”

“Trust the one who allowed this in the first place?” Anger beyond his years colors his voice as he kicks a puff of snow. His boot strikes a rock within the snow, and he yells his outrage at the sky in a squawk that has Essie looking up from her page. I wave her back down, knowing there’s not much anyone can do at this point.

He’s going to have to learn how to deal with pain and heartbreak on his own. I can only be there to listen and hold him when he needs it. I wish I could do more, but I've learned never to underestimate the power of a listening ear.

He bends down and tucks his legs into his chest, hiding his face in his knees.

“Trust the one who knows more than us. I’m new to this whole thing, too.”

He sniffles and looks up. His gaunt cheeks are better, but he’s not the chubby-cheeked boy I remember. And that hurts.

“Do you really believe that?” His voice warbles.

I plop down in the snow beside him, resting one arm on my knee. “I’m working hard to, bud. But honestly? Not really.”

Barry nods sagely, still sniffling. “If you figure it out, let me know?”

I ruffle his hair. “Absolutely.”

Something wet, cold, and soft explodes against the back of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.

My lips turn up in a snarl as my fingers grip my hidden knife in a white-knuckled grip.

“I’m going to kill that cat.”

Essie giggles from where she’s still working on her flower, some four horse lengths away.

“FLASH!” I yell as another strikes my cheek when I turn my head to look for the crazy cat.

A dark head peeks above a snow covered rock, a cocky grin on the angular, pale face.

The snowball hits him square in the face.

He sputters.

I grin, patting another lump of snow into a ball.

He ducks back down behind the rock when I lob it his way. A giggle comes from Barry when I whisper a battle plan.

He nods, jumping up to whisper to Essie. She grins with her eyes dilating into slits and her teeth elongating into fangs.

“Let’s get him!” she yells with a high-pitched battle yell as Barry tries to shush her.

I allow a small smile to form on my face and nod at Flash when he pops his head back up, who returns it with a lopsided smile. My brother needed something to smile about, and my constant tail gave it. I might hate the need for what the Imperial has called a bodyguard, but for once I’m grateful.

Essie and Barry split after loading their small arms with snowballs, and I dart behind a tree as Flash throws a whopper at me. The snow puffs into a cloud, and before Flash can get any ideas, I throw another snowball to keep the cat’s eyes on me.

A growing pile lays at my feet, and the dusting of snow in my hair makes my scalp tingle as the cold water drips down my face when I allow the cat to have a few hits to keep him interested in me.

A small cat with a black coat and silver stripes darts up a tree behind Flash. I yell and Barry does the same from where he’s throwing from a bush.

Flash seems to pause, looking for the one he's missing, but it’s much too late. The little tigress pounces on a snow-laden bough above her mischievous uncle.

Barry jumps out and shouts a battle cry as Flash is buried under the avalanche of snow from the tree limb.

I decide in that moment to give Barry the choice. He’s not a man, but he’s no longer a boy. And I will be there to make sure he’s safe. Besides, this will only be a scouting trip to see what is needed. Perhaps there will be no action at all.