Swiftcurrent Creek combat—i'm ready for combat

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Eshe was soothed—it felt to the Mayfair as if somehow he had managed to absorb her fear and grief—compartmentalizing it within his own mind and moving through the motions, now. A man who had worn many internal wounds before—Moss, another notch on the belt of grief.

She murmured happily, but he did not fully hear her. Only when he looked down as she pressed closer did he plant a final kiss to her brow, pulling away. “If I can,” he promised, not truly believing he would be resting with them any time soon. At least he knew the boys would be looked after for now, and he shifted, eyes drifting to the direction of the borders. “I need to go. Get some rest, okay?”

He paused—another handful of nights he would be gone. “Tell the boys…” His jaw clenched, the words failing him—once more, he would be gone. “Tell @Nicodem and @Jakub I’ll be home soon and I love them.”