Neverwinter Forest Bullet train to Iowa.

Why was it somehow unsurprising to find out Bronco was dead? Had someone already told her about it? Or was death so commonplace, such announcements were no longer particularly unexpected? Towhee sucked in a breath, jaw clenching, as Ceridwen provided the details. She even mentioned Colt, the name evoking dim memories.

She wasn’t sure what to say and her young cohort redirected the topic to other things again. Towhee’s face remained pensive as she watched Dwin’s lips. Her eye sockets were starting to ache. She missed a few words by shutting them, though only for a few seconds.

All sorts of things, I imagine. Some whereabouts I know, others I don’t. I just hope they’re all happy, wherever they are, whatever they’re doing, Towhee replied. That's the thing about loved ones, particularly immediate family. You want to keep them close but you have to let them go so they can do their own thing. It’s nothing personal. But I get it.

She bobbed in the water, considering dunking again. Towhee held off for the moment.

I’m sorry to hear about Bronco, she said with a frown.