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| Chapter 79. Reunited | |
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 | see you came well prepared,” said Mog as he observed the last of three tents rise around the renewed fire pit. They were proper field tents, sturdy enough to withstand gusts of wind and keep out the chill of the night. It was a far cry from the makeshift shelter of a draped oilcloth that he had shared with Maeve. “You can stay with us! It’s much nicer in there and no bugs!” Lemony announced. Armand emerged from the central tent with Brigit beside him. “So, when are you going to tell us where you’ve been?” Armand asked as he sat down beside the fire. “I might ask the same,” Mog grumbled, “Seeing as you’ve had no trouble finding me. Might have been nice if you’d come sooner.” “It wasn’t easy,” Lemony said, “It must have taken us a month to find enough things of yours for Zhou and Pen to use for scrying.” “It would have taken less time if Master Bei had not have been so stubborn about it,” Armand said. “That’s rich coming from you,” Brigit chuckled, “Although in the end I think it worked out for the best. We all got what we wanted and Mog is safe.” “Enough of my things?” Mog muttered, feeling a little uneasy. “Don’t worry, we didn’t give him your old long johns,” Armand chuckled, “Just rubbish like your pipes.” “Hey!” Mog grumbled. “They didn’t destroy them,” Lemony soothed. “Yeah, I’m sure some glue will fix them up just like new,” Armand chuckled. “Armee, you’re so mean,” Brigit chuckled upon seeing the scandalized look on Mog’s face, “They’re unharmed, don’t you worry.” Maeve draped a blanket around his shoulders, then sat down beside him to share it. The desert nights were deceptively cold. He drew her against him fondly, reveling in her warmth. “Aw, you two have grown close! How wonderful,” Lemony announced with her usual penchant for stating the obvious, “I always knew you’d be a perfect match.” “We’ve been through a lot together,” Mog said, hoping to deflect her curiosity. As grateful as he was to see his friends, he was unsure what he should share with them. Once he started explaining how he had been imprisoned by the Shining Blade, it would be difficult to avoid discussing why he had ended up there. “I’m happy for you two,” Brigit said as she clasped Armand’s hand. Mog smiled and Maeve thanked her. He could sense Armand’s curiosity, and not merely about his feelings toward Maeve, but what had led up to it. “So how did you convince Master Joe to find me?” Mog asked, hoping to deflect their questions. Brigit stirred awkwardly but Armand laughed. “He wanted to move his guild to Ironfast and I convinced Anluan that it should be on the condition of you and Maeve coming home in one piece.” “Poor Penny, though, he bore the brunt of it being sent back and forth with people yelling on either end,” Lemony sighed. “Well it wasn’t much fun hunting for Mog’s old toe nails and bits of hair,” Armand said. Brigit laughed when she saw the look on Mog’s face. “It wasn’t that bad, Armee.” “Yeah, because you weren’t the one doing the dirty work.” “Spare me the details,” Mog grumbled. Lemony yawned expansively and wobbled like an exhausted child. “We marched all day from Druid’s Overlook following Pen’s divination. We should get some rest for the march back,” Brigit said. “Agreed,” Mog said. “Stay with us!” Lemony piped, “There’s room! We even brought extra blankets.” “Of course, Lemmy.” He and Maeve rose together and he allowed Lemony to take his hand and lead the two of them to the larger of the three tents. The dun fabric glowed from within with the flickering light of a lantern hanging from its ceiling. They ducked inside to find six bedrolls laid out on the oilcloth floor. Pendaran was already there, fast asleep and oblivious as the five of them shuffled about in their blankets and the light was extinguished. Mog gratefully drew Maeve into his arms. He basked in the warmth of her love and the closeness of friends. She rolled onto her side and used his chest for her pillow. Her fingers roamed slowly over his belly until she found his hand and clasped it. After months of alternately feeling lost and trapped, he succumbed to sleep secure in the knowledge that everything was going to be alright. |
