We made camp the first time the night of the Happening. After the three of us had been killed. After they'd been put back together at the monument and I had not. After that awful darkness.

It took some wrangling to get them to stay. Been a bit of adjustment for us all. That Kairiel is like fire, all right. Waiting for someone to get careless. Waiting for a bit of attention to wander. Then she strikes hard and fast like a sharp toothed spark. Got to keep an eye on that woman. Got to keep her from getting bored.

Solde likes her. Brightens up around her. Laughs out loud at and with her. Like having the two of them around. Makes the camp feel like home. That's what I told Kairiel. Said it felt like home and family.

Been a while since I had that. Didn't work out so good for me last time.

Solde left to take some time. Left me a note. Didn't have to do that. Told me that she was gonna take time to heal, and I can't fault her none for wanting that. Told me if I found someone else to walk out with, she'd understand. I didn't even look. I can wait for her to come back, and wait longer still for her to give me the nod. I reckon it will come eventually. I hope it will.

So it's been Kairiel and me at the camp and we've been getting on real good. She told me a little about where she was from and a little about what happened to her. She's been carrying a lot of baggage. Ain't ready to put it down yet, neither. But I hope I took away some of the sadness and the hate, even if it was just a little. Told her she tends the hearth. And the hearth is what makes the home. Told her we need her.

All true.

It's a newborn family. Still opening its eyes and gaining its feet. But it's a good family. A strong family. And I'm gonna do everything I can to help it grow stronger.

Miss you, Solde.

Been a lot of things in my life. Farmer. Fisher. Hunter. Cuckold. Drunk.

Some them things I'll never be again, and some of them I reckon I'll drift back towards at some point. My boots won't, though. Boots are staying put. Digging my heels in.

Solde asked me in the temple if I'd tell her why I wanted to be a warrior finally. First time she asked, I told her my reasons were my own. She didn't press. I liked that.

Didn't mind so much when she asked in the temple. Told her about Evie and Derric. Told her about betrayal. Told her I didn't fight when I should've. Told her I just walked away.

Been walking ever since, seems like.

Solde's a good woman. Sensible. Listens more than she talks. Doesn't giggle and fuss. A woman you can depend on. There's a powerful sadness in those copper eyes sometimes, but seems to me that smile is dawning more and more.

People ask me why I stand when a lady enters the room. I tell them I was raised to believe women are as close to gods as us humans can get. Maybe the gods made them first, and formed us men out of whatever was left over, I don't know. If so, I reckon Solde's smile broke the mold. Ain't never gonna be a smile like hers again.

Don't think the world could stand it.

"Dullness gets no prizes."

"That's the truth there. Dullness gets no prizes. Well I know it."


It was amusing, getting the Firebug all heated up, but like most things in this world it had a bitter note, too. She said that and I couldn't help but think of Evelyn and Derric.

It was a good life. Man can't ask for much more in this world other than the love of a good woman and the friendship of a good man. When it curdles, the whole world turns dark.

I didn't stand in their way. I could have. Evie told me she would stay with me, that she owed it to me. Not the sort of man to believe love can be owed. Derric had that way about him, like sunshine after a good hard rain. Couldn't hold a candle to that, and so I moved on.

Been moving on ever since, feels like.

I remember, though. Remember the fine hairs that always curled against her neck. Remember pressing my face there and smelling her woman sweat and the lavender water she rinsed with. Remember sharing laughter and work with Derric, and lifting ales with him after dusk.

Remember finding them together, too, and feeling the double loss.

No, dullness gets no prizes, but I have to believe there's a reward for steadiness.

I am a drifter, but that don't mean I ain't a man of my word.