#earthrunes

"He never touched me. Never hurt me. Never held me. Why do I feel like this? I was not the one hurt..."

"Because you care." Understanding.

"I don't... I wasn't hurt. I have no right to..." She frowns.

"Everyone else was hurt. I wasn't hurt."

"He hurt you." Certain "By hurting others. Like he hurt Coradel. Like he tried to hurt me." A shrug.

"I should be happy."

"You should, you-can- feel however you like, and more than one conflicting feeling if you like."

"Earl wants me to be happy."

"Of course he does."

"And I hate that I... I'm not? Can't? I should be happy."

"I keep waiting for... something. Like it can't be real... that something else will happen. He laughed..."

"Zara it is going to take time. Can you give yourself that? Time?"

"He was triumphant, even, before he... before Coradel..."

"He was mad."

"I think I do not understand the prophecy well enough. I missed something."

"I have his notes."

"Zara...." He steps closer, not quite touching. "Don't give in to him, in the grave."

"I should be happy." Soft, lost.

"Do you believe you -will- be?"

"There's... moments. Aye."

"Good." Simply "I believe it too. You have time." He takes her other hand and holds it as the water flows past them.

"I... yes. Time."

"Summer time. Library quest? And Vassar in the fall." A gentle smile.

"Vassar in the fall. Miriam and Jacob seem like they are adjusting well... Earl and I have the upstairs..."

"You'll have family around you and close by, -real- family."

She nods.

"It will be different."

"I will miss Mama and Papa."

"They're only an hour or two away."

She nods. "Yes."

"And I make it here often enough..."

"I'm glad of that." Sincerely "Really, it's a whole new life starting."

"Yes. Change is good, but.. it can be overwhelming, too. I like having my places to come home to, aye? Too quest, to adventure, surely.. but then, there is the familiar. Haven."

"And you have this place, too." He gestures to the stream.

She smiles at that. "Aye."

"Here." August stools and cups water in his hand sprinkling it on her head. "You are Zara Schwartz. Powerful river witch. White raven. Wonderful nightmare. You control your destiny."

She closes her eyes, nodding.

He steps in and embraces her.

She allows it.

"Thank you for listening."

"Anytime." He smiles. "I should let you get to know your stream privately."

"As you wish." A pause. "If you see Earl..."

"Send him this way?"

A smile and a nod.

"As you wish." He nods, releasing all but for a hand, which he squeezes. Then he lets go and splashes up to his boots.

A little squeeze back.

Dressed, he gives her a sunny grin and bounces off.

If folks look up on the roof, they might see Earl painting...

Alone, she wades deeper into the stream - her tunic's hem gets wet, but she does not mind.

And if Earl casts his eye down and should see through the forested area to find her... well, matters echo again.. the giant high up, gazing down at the river spirit