Northstar Vale Through the Hurt

The trio was obviously very happy to be with each other once more, but the tragedy of Burr's demise cast a pallor over the reunion, and they traveled mostly in silence, more than ready to return home. Like Pema, Shale kept close to Burr, not wanting to let him out of earshot--hell, out of sight--for even a moment.

Children could be snagged away from you in the blink of an eye. Didn't matter whether it was a sickness or a villain--it was a constant, ever-present threat.

Pema's restlessness woke him, and he followed her out into the crisp night, sitting beside her, one ear canted backwards toward the den. The valley was beautiful even in the dead of winter, the conifers tall and proud and the vastness of it all promising great abundance when the snow finally started to melt. He imagined it was quite lovely in the warmer seasons.

"Whoever lived here last was very lucky," he remarked casually, with a small whistle through his lips of appreciation. He looked over at her, smiling. "I'm so happy to see you again." His voice had grown serious, but the warmth had not left his tone. Indeed, he'd been thinking about her for days on end, had dreamt of this moment since she had left. He didn't know why he felt such a pull to the healer, only that he knew he had some sort of crush on her, the depth of which remained to be seen.

For now, it was touch and go. He knew better to put all his eggs into one basket, and she knew better not to go for an old, washed-up widower like himself.