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Neood life here, at least How is, ah…" I sarlic amid the onions

"He’s better," I said "Do you want to talk to him? He went to the market Should be back soon"

"Went to the h "Will wonders never cease"

We got the onions into a basket I sat back,my noeaty broith a dirty hand She sat there beside hts "I think he’d be happy if you stayed," I said softly "Or came back at some point in the future I think he misses all of you"

"I’h her tone said soot to her feet, brushing off her knees unnecessarily "I’ll think about it"

I rose as well "All right" I considered whether to invite her to stay for dinner, then decided against it Despite what it ht have meant to Shiny, I didn’t really want her to stay She didn’t really want to, either An aard silence descended between us

"I’lad you’re well, Oree Shoth," she said finally

I extended od If dirt bothered her, she could will it away "It was good seeing you, Lady Nemmer"

She laughed, easing the aardness "I told you not to call me ‘Lady’ You mortals all make me feel so old, I swear" But she took

I puttered about in the shed awhile, then went into the house and upstairs to bathe After that, I put my hair back in a braid, donned a thick, war

Evening fell I heard Shiny co away the supplies he’d bought Eventually he ca atforHe talked more these days, but only when the mood took him, and that was rare For the most part, he was just a very quiet man I liked that about him, especially now His silent presence soothedwould only have irritated