Safe Haven

The infant laying on the bed didn't respond; it made no noise at all, in fact, which is what had earned it Heacha's compliment. The only indication Haven made that she'd heard her aunt was evidenced by her continuous, curious gaze focused upon Heacha's face.

"I mean, I know that you're supposed to make annoying noises when you need something, but I can't see any reason why you should be less needy than Serenade or Tia. You're efficient in asking for help. I like that."

Heacha was sitting against the headboard of her bed, her legs extended parallel with the wall to her left that the side of her bed rested against.

"This is ridiculous, though. Why am I even talking to you? You can't respond to me, I doubt you can understand me, and I know that you're not going to remember this conversation when you're older. You're too young to be a proper conversational partner."

Between her legs and the wall lay Haven, who, while not strong enough to roll over on her own, was at a slight risk of being tossed off the bed by the motion of the boat, were it not for Heacha blocking her egress.

"But Netwi's left, Tricksy's sleeping, and I don't really want to disturb Calsh right now. Even if I am worried about him."

The infant clenched its fists vaguely, but otherwise did not respond, seemingly content to allow Heacha to continue the one-sided conversation.

"What do you mean, why? You've got siblings too. Surely you can tell when something's wrong with one of them?

"Well, it's just that he's... I know he's concerned about my safety, and your safety, and Tricksy's safety, and your sisters' safety, but just rushing off like this... something must have happened that he didn't like.

"I don't know what! But his behavior since the last guild meeting has been off. Homrend's assassination has to have been startling, but this isn't the first time he's had someone he knows die."

Heacha brushed her hands down her trousers. "Well, you're right, he has more to protect now. But — and please don't think me arrogant for saying this — he's had plenty to protect before. I still don't know why he's felt it so important to invest so much of his time into my welfare, but invest he has, so for whatever reason, I'm valuable to him.

"Besides. As unfortunate as the events of the past week are, I just can't see that we'd be targets. Himself and Tricksy, maybe, but you can't do a whole lot yet, and I'm not much more useful, other than that I can help with you.

"Well, yes, Calsh made that argument too. If someone was trying to punish him, it would make more sense to kill those he cares about and leave him living. But I don't buy it.

"Well, because that method of taking out Homrend seemed almost theatrical, in a way. Engineered to be horrific — engineered to get the attention of the whole Gang. I don't know if Calsh's death would get anywhere near the same response — I know he doesn't think he's worthy of such — but I know that you and I and your sisters are of basically no importance. Perhaps you young ones all will be eventually, but I am who I am, and neither of us are worthwhile targets to anyone but those closest to us now.

"So it's odd for him to just... run like that. Despite his claims, there's no way it can be completely for our protection. I think at least part of it is that he can't do anything for Homrend — avenging him won't do anything, as far as Calsh is concerned. He'll still be dead."

"How do I know?" She gave a glare at Haven, who had no idea what she'd done to deserve such a stare, and made a face herself until Heacha finally made a slight smile. "Well, that we've turned around now should be solid evidence of that! We can't do anything for Homrend, but as Netwi said, Farie and others have been injured badly. They're not gone yet. Calsh doesn't have to feel useless, and we're going back to see what we can do to help.

"Well, I don't know what I can do, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try. If nothing else, I'm assuming those recovering could use some company, which I'm more than capable of providing. I mean, look at me. I've just spent a good chunk of my time talking to you, for no good reason that I can discern!"

Heacha sighed, and allowed herself to slide down the headboard until she was laying properly on the bed. "And despite having no good reason to do so, I can't say that I haven't been enjoying talking to you. I'm weird, huh?"

Haven yawned.

"That's not a bad idea, girl. How about the two of us get some rest?"

((Posted 25 October 2009))