Page 83 of The Storm
Renata kissed his hand. “No, not forever. But for a very long time.”
“Do you remember what I said to you at Midwinter? About the thing that I feared?”
I think what I’m most afraid of in this life is that I will get to the end of it—die in battle or just from exhaustion—and have no memories of home.
She kissed him. “Do you have memories of home now?”
“I have memories of you, and that is the same thing.” Max rolled to the side and tucked Renata against his body. “And Artis has memories by the hundreds. Memories of growing up here and falling in love with a beautiful and gifted singer. Memories of his mate baking the most delicious bread and his daughters rocking in a cradle by the stream. Memories of his daughters finding love and having their own children.”
Renata said, “And now he has memories of his grandchildren finding love. Of a new generation being born.”
Max nodded. “His life has been full, and now he is ready to leave. He would not be drifting away if the Creator didn’t know he was ready.”
“I know that.”
“But…?”
She looked across the glowing coals of the fire to where Peter sat in vigil next to Artis’s prone body.
“I’m still going to miss him.”
* * *
Leo wokein the night to see his father watching his grandfather with the most tender expression Leo had ever seen on the man’s face. He rose from his bed, covered Kyra with a heavy blanket, and walked to sit beside them.
Peter brushed a tuft of grey hair back from Artis’s forehead. “I will miss him.”
“I know.”
“He was my teacher. Then he was my family. The only thing I had left.”
Leo took a deep breath and came to a decision. “You have me and Max. And Kyra and Renata. You’ll have the baby too. You have family, Father.”
Peter looked at Leo for a long time. “I am sorry, Leontios.”
“For what?”
Peter frowned. “You know.”
Did Leo need the words? Would he demand them for his own vindication or accept what his father was offering?
Let it be,the wind whispered through the forest.Let it be.
“I know,” Leo said. “I forgive you.”
“You are stronger than I am.”
Leo shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.”
“You are.” Peter put a hand on Leo’s shoulder. “I can see.”
“Thank you.”
Peter stretched his legs out, pointing his feet toward the fire. “I think I will tell the scribes in Riga I have need of an apprentice.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“There is room here. The world is changing, but we always need smiths.”
