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"Hugh," Carwyn called again and stepped forward The old man finally looked toward the door, and his eyes lit up

"Father Carwyn!" he called, reaching up to switch on the hearing aid that had, apparently, been turned off "I have to say that the benefits of hearing loss far outweigh the negatives when one is trying to finish writing letters Why, just a quick switch of the batteries and I aed into a most pleasant silence, the likes of which not even Father Sih stood and a immortal He wrapped spindly arms around Carwyn’s shoulders as they eood to see you, my friend"

"I think it may be one of the last ti h I think that’s a bit hard to--"

"No, no" Hugh waved a dismissive hand "Don’t spoil e the earthly body for the celestial one, thank you My walks around the garden are getting shorter and shorter, and I can hardly taste food anyh patted Carwyn’s shoulder and led them toward the low chairs that surrounded the fire in the sitting rooood-bye to another friend when I’ve just said good-bye to Ioan?"

Carasfor a few years The signs and scents of i death were evident It would be a h went to his eternal home

The priest looked up and s shortly Why else would he call my old friend Ioan to keep me company in eternity?"

The fae, another friend lost Carwyn’s voice was hoarse "Well, our Father h’s eyes twinkled "Carwyn, everyone needs a few bad jokes about Irishhed as the old man settled into the chair and pointed the vampire toward the sherry "Help yourself If you could pour lad"

"Of course" He walked over and poured a sht them over

"How is your family? I received a lovely letter from Deirdre when I wrote her after Ioan’s loss She see as well as she can"

"She is And she has a new member of her clan who has… kept her busy"

"A new child?" Father Hugh’s eyes furrowed "So?"

Carwyn had never elaborated on the specifics of siring vaid for the thousandth ti…’

"Yes" He nodded "It was a… a friend in need of healing She seerateful for that"

"Why the unexpected visit? I hope Sister Maggie is satisfied with Father Saular updates and seeh’s eyes twinkled "A very enthusiastic boy The young ones are often like that"

"And often lose it in tiift of joy Soh…"