23. A Council of WarTristan watched Aiden disappear into the forest, then folded his arms and scuffed the ground absently with his foot. He took a deep breath and buried his sadness deep inside. He could not go with them. There was no point in moping over something he could not change. It was the right decision but his heart did not want to agree. He did not move, even as the rest of the crowd that had come to see Aiden, Falkor, and Iolair slowly dispersed. The clearing quietened and slowly he became aware of Branwyn and Andor speaking in low voices behind him.
“…should be going with him,” said Andor, his voice sharp. And yet a slight tremor betrayed his fear.
“Don’t be silly,” Branwyn replied calmly and gently. Tristan’s brow creased. What feelings was she really hiding beneath that qui
