All this Jesse knew only from the sharing of tales from his mother. She shared these things by whisper, by candlelight, to both children and husband, and until she was dying, he didn’t understand she wasn’t sharing tales at all, but memories. Knowledge. How Hamish had kept her secret all those years spoke to her careful nature.
What would she say now, Jesse wondered, as he gazed across the expanse, toward the land of her people? Would she encourage him in his quest to protect his brother’s love, having left her own home for a love of her own? Or would she think him foolish for fighting a battle not meant for him?
Jesse uncapped the skin of water and drained what was left. Not enough to slake his thirst, but his expectations of satisfaction in such things had become much adjusted over the
