Duendewood: Children of Ruin, part four

"Do you think they'll be okay?" asked Aesa. She was a half-elf, and ran the local chapel of Amun where Sun was now part of the clergy. "I can't believe your three..." 

"That was a surprise," Amaranth admitted. "Tybalt's always been... goal-oriented, but I hadn't imagined that he'd reach out to Ruin like that. If we're all being honest, I'm still surprised that it worked."

"I think they'll be fine," said Eva. "I suspect Grandfather may have lent a hand; he's had a bit of a soft spot for Ruin since our time at the Temple."

Alnira and Nym were holding hands, for all appearances True Elf and Elf. They'd been married for decades before Ruin departed for Asgard, with the result that Skyflower and Morrigan had grown up essentially as twin sisters, even though they only shared a father. Nym said, "I still worry, though."

"So do I," Eva admitted. She was the only one present who wasn't technically a parent; Sun, Risk, and Scar had all three been born of Ruin and her sister Rita. Still, as an aunt and de facto parent, she always came to the family gatherings. 

"How did you arrange the wizard?" asked Alnira, looking at Aesa.

"I knew Tavros in happier times, back at the Temple of Amun," the half-elf admitted. "When I sent him a message, he arranged it." She paused, reflective. "I was so relieved when I found out that he and Ruin had become friends." She looked at Amaranth. "I'm still a little jealous that you actually got to marry him, though."

Amaranth lowered her head. "It was... It was good. And I'm still sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," Aesa said, and wiped away an unexpected tear for Vendril. She had a husband now, and other children, but they were still too young to go off and slay gnolls -- and her husband had contented himself with grilling food and providing drinks for the gathering. 

Nym said, "Have you considered joining the... well, the kids are calling it the Disorder. I think everybody except Sun has already, and she's still made offerings." 

"Amun won't mind that," said Aesa, and offered Eva a smile. "I know Grandfather well enough to understand that, at least."

Eva smiled back at her. "No, he won't. I don't think I can pledge myself, but I'm with Sun -- I'd still make offerings."

"Same," said Aesa. 

"Yes, me as well," said Alnira. 

"I've been thinking about it," Amaranth admitted. "They have a shrine, back behind my forge. I'm still just trying to decide if I want talk to him again, or if I desperately want to avoid it."

"He's not dead," pointed out Aesa. 

"No," Amaranth returned, "but he's gone."

Aesa closed her eyes and lowered her head, conceding the point.

"I just hope those gnolls aren't too much trouble," Nym said. 

"For a horde of our children?" Alnira responded. "And if the wizard's routing them through Caristhium, maybe Tavros' as well?"

"Those gods-cursed gnolls won't know what hit them," Aesa predicted.