The sun hung low in the sky and Terric’s tea was growing cold. While the light was becoming too dim to effectively read, it did not mean he could not enjoy the peace and quiet atop the armory. He reclined with his hands laced behind his head and the shaggy shape of Dog Gaidin curled against his side. He’d wanted to find Avyra, to spend this evening with her, but sadly, she was nowhere to be found. Maybe tonight was just a night for a man and his dog. He poured himself some more tea. It wasn’t quite cold, but it was headed that way fast. Dog Gaidin still ignored the saucer Terric had poured for him. He’d seen the dog eat all manner of garbage but he wouldn’t drink tea?
It didn’t really matter. He just needed this time to gather himself, to think. To cope. So much had happened recently. Almost all of the Novices and Soldiers dead. Dramatic shakeups in the leadership of the Tower. Rumors swirled through the remaining students that the Hall of the Sitters was in disarray, and that Shadowrunners roamed the halls pretending to be the very people sworn to protect the Tower. It was almost too much to take in. Looking up at the darkening sky, he let his mind wander. Better than dwelling on things he couldn’t change. He could meet his toh to Telwin Fjord and the rest of his students. He could protect the people he loved. Couldn’t he? He hadn’t been able to protect Rhiale? He’d managed to get there in time though. There just wasn’t a perfect answer.
Just then, Dog Gaidin leapt to his paws and trotted to the edge of the roof wining. The big, golden dog stuck his head over and began to bark excitedly.
“What is it, Dog Gaidin?” Terric asked, carefully making his way towards the edge of the roof. Poking his own head over, he a tall, blonde Novice approaching. He couldn’t see to many details on her face in the gloom, but there weren’t many Novices that tall. Especially now, an unwelcome thought intruded. “I see you, Rhiale!” he called, waving. As she approached, he said, “If you don’t have any chores, come share my tea. It’s a little cold, sadly but it is still tea.”
It didn’t really matter. He just needed this time to gather himself, to think. To cope. So much had happened recently. Almost all of the Novices and Soldiers dead. Dramatic shakeups in the leadership of the Tower. Rumors swirled through the remaining students that the Hall of the Sitters was in disarray, and that Shadowrunners roamed the halls pretending to be the very people sworn to protect the Tower. It was almost too much to take in. Looking up at the darkening sky, he let his mind wander. Better than dwelling on things he couldn’t change. He could meet his toh to Telwin Fjord and the rest of his students. He could protect the people he loved. Couldn’t he? He hadn’t been able to protect Rhiale? He’d managed to get there in time though. There just wasn’t a perfect answer.
Just then, Dog Gaidin leapt to his paws and trotted to the edge of the roof wining. The big, golden dog stuck his head over and began to bark excitedly.
“What is it, Dog Gaidin?” Terric asked, carefully making his way towards the edge of the roof. Poking his own head over, he a tall, blonde Novice approaching. He couldn’t see to many details on her face in the gloom, but there weren’t many Novices that tall. Especially now, an unwelcome thought intruded. “I see you, Rhiale!” he called, waving. As she approached, he said, “If you don’t have any chores, come share my tea. It’s a little cold, sadly but it is still tea.”
