Gawaith, Gawain, and Ursala welcomed him with open arms. Ursala took the old Niscian’s hand and guided him into the caves and sat him down by a blazing fire. The old warrior was almost frozen from his journey. Layers of snow sat like a heavy coat of guilt across his shoulders and the look on the old man’s face as he watched the child flutter about him like a butterfly made my eyes water with emotion. She chatted gaily as she served him roast pig and wild potatoes before sweeping the snow off his frame. Finding a heavy cloak, she threw it over his shoulders before bending over and kissing the old man on his cheek.
Bellus and Hakim stood to one side and said nothing as they watched the child try to lift the old man’s spirits. They barely knew the old man and had yet to hear the full story a
