Redtail Rise amoroso

Prophet’s voice was kind enough, but the words had him immediately shake his head. His throat grew thick with embarrassment, but there was peace with this too. He had known from the start what his place would be.

It won’t be different. He replied softly, looking away briefly. I’ll know. But they won’t know me. The respect of the rise was different, and none of the children aside from Reki looked to him the way they did Prophet and Augur. He would not expect it… and he would not ask it.

But they’ll be here. And that in itself was enough. True fatherhood was something that he would never have, but at least this year he would not be torn.