Redhawk Caldera The Mountain

Maia smiled when Dwin elaborated, looking at the water. I’m sure they did. It would take more than a little ice to stop some of them. Immediately her own mind wanted to go on a tangent. What if some of the bigger fish weren’t just fish, but something else? A story maybe…

But she’d wait on that. Her daughter was asking how she was. Maia didn’t register that she’d almost asked something else, though she did think a moment on the answer. I’m doing fine. she responded honestly. I’m glad you and Sylvie had a good trip and came back safe. Things are quiet here, I know, but I don’t think that’s the worst thing. Maia looked at the water again, hesitating. Maybe she shouldn’t say more.

She did owe her children honesty though. I miss your brothers and sisters. I’m so glad that Chickadee stayed close enough to visit, but I wonder how they are. Jay, Aiden, Hymnal, Frolic and Callahan. Ani’s dad came looking for her a little while ago. I wish I could have told him she was safe. The not knowing was the worst part.

Silently she thought of Jasmine, Diantha, and Roswell too. Ceridwen had never met them and likely never would, but she hoped they were happy somewhere. They weren’t hers to claim as children but that didn’t stop her from loving them like they were her own, even after all this time.