Recent content by Fife

Masselin leaned back in his seat and scratched his beard as he thought. He relayed all the information he knew about Ulric’s family. They were locals and all of their family tanners for generations. They were pariahs for more than just their trade; Ulric’s father had been (if Fife could imagine...

Masselin frowned gently, a momentary deepening of the crease in his brow. He listened, his attention never leaving Raigryn, and Fife didn't look away from him. Finally, he pursed his lips. "I understand," he offered. Her brother turned to meet her gaze. “You noticed when we were there. That’s...

She had been right to let him do the talking. Raigryn got right down to the heart of the matter. Fife nodded beside him, her eyes earnest. Masselin's smile faltered and the telltale crease reappeared on his brow. "Leifric? Dangerous?" His short laugh was dry and laden with confusion. "No, he's...

She nodded. As Raigryn suggested, they could ask Masselin for advice. Which meant telling him. That, at least, would be easier. She and Masselin had said nothing to each other about crossing paths sneaking out of their rooms the night before, but it had been apparent they had both been caught...

Fife's smile didn't diminish as she listened. Even recalling Jocelyn couldn't unseat her utter joy. She missed the odd creature and not a day went By that she didn't think of her. She thought of the hours they had spent together, just the three of them around campfires and hearths. Hopefully...

The future was such a daunting prospect, but for once Fife faced it with excitement. It had been a while since she had felt this eager for the unknown. She liked plans, liked knowing where she was going tomorrow. Having a goal gave her a sense of purpose, and now that goal was him. She felt...

Of course she had to think about it. Raigryn might have had more time to be miserable than her, but they had both believed they'd spend their lives alone. There were bound to be many more things that gave her pause, too. Maybe one of these days she would make his mind stumble, too. She did like...

She’d expected him to tease her, at least a little. Instead, he leveled her with that deep, dark gaze and lovingly tucked her hair behind her ear. Fife’s skin hummed and she drew in a shallow breath as her eyes dipped to his lips. She contemplated leaning up to kiss him, but she didn’t dare...

Do not be sorry. It was a simple affirmation, permission to not be okay sometimes. Her heart surged, a flutter in her chest that made her ribs tight and her breath hitch. Gods be merciful. Was it possible to fall in love with someone over and over again forever? She basked in the feeling. Fife...

Her gut instinct said tell him. She wanted to confide in her brother. Of course she understood why they shouldn't, but that didn't make it feel any more right. Not about Empathy, she told him after some silent deliberation. She wasn't going to disagree with Raigryn today; no matter how much she...

Fife listened, eyes forward and trained on his as she absorbed every word. When he finished she nodded in understanding. The boy – Leifric, Masselin had called him – was probably a preteen. The only reason she could estimate his age was because there had been several kids his age training at the...

Fife nodded and made an Idemni tonal gesture for certainty. If she had come across this several months ago, she might not have been so sure. The grueling weight of her recent experience and the mental training it resulted in, however, had brought her a far keener sense. Experience was her best...

As much as she wanted to go, Fife still hesitated. Surprise and uncertainty momentarily wiped the grin from her face. She looked at the road, as if looking might assuage her concerns. It didn't. And why was she so worried? Raigryn would be fine. He had better be fine. If he managed to find...

Fife nodded succinctly. Masselin echoed the gesture. The two busied themselves. Masselin meticulously organized his wares in the order of his stops before loading them onto his small wagon. He then took the time to explain to Fife how to hitch the horse to the wagon. Masselin instructed and she...

She smiled back with equal warmth, nodding. He would get stronger with time. Good sense told her he was right and she worried too much. Lingering in the past never did either of them any good, anyways. Fife gladly welcomed the promise of grumpiness if it meant he was with her. Masselin's...