Larksong Grotto There's Always Bad News To Go With The Good

Once again, Nova Rose took the knife in Reek's chest and pushed it deeper. Upon hearing that Tavi had indeed given the messengers strict orders not to reveal her location (thus confirming Reek's suspicions), he hung his head even lower. A sad and nearly silent whine passed his lips. Still, there was hope to someday see his son. If Reek's request was properly relayed, and Tavi still had a heart beating in her chest, perhaps she would bring Tambourine to the grotto when he was old enough to travel. The thought was a small comfort, but then it occurred to Reek that he would still be missing the formative and most important years of his son's life. It was time that she had taken from him -- time he would never get back.

To both messengers, he offered a mumbled, "Thank you." Truthfully, Reek was thankful for their arrival, and their insistence that they would pass his request along to Tavi. Nova Rose however, did not see fit to end their conversation there. Instead she tried to pry her way into the details involving Tavi's departure -- resulting in a swift snap from the other messenger.

"He's right, you know," said Reek. "It's not my place to tell you what happened. If Tavi wants you to know, she'll tell you." Of course, Tavi's retelling of the events would surely be slanted in her own favor and cast Reek in a harsh light -- but it wasn't his story to tell. "Just tell her I'm sorry— and that her bug-muncher hasn't smiled since she left."