Changing Rain

Fall of the father

Elih poked the dismal fire he had barely managed to start in the new rain that pounded down. Its not that he wasn't used to the rain, it filled their lakes and rivers every year without fail, kept their little forest valley green and lush throughout the whole year, but he hated this spring rains.

The flames gave one last sputtering before they gave up with a apologetic puff of smoke. Elih decided to abondon his attempt to build a fire outside, and he knelt back to slick sopping hair away from his face. As much as they needed the meat, Raiyne's deer was proving hard to cook.

They had small cooking fires going inside every finished home, but as large a deer as Raiyne had managed to drag home needed at least one more large fire, or three small to cook it before it started to rot.

Standing in defeat, Elih hunched his shoulders as he started back to Emma's house, amusing himself briefly with the thought of her uncomprehended advances on Delrey. They boy just didn't seem to understand her intentions.

Reaching the crest of the small hill and paused to glance down into the valley. Through the thick rain, he could still see the blackened skeletons that had once been their homes. Closest to him were the newly rebuilt houses, fires warmed and brightened their windows, making all seem well with the world.

Slipping down the slope, Elih stumbled up onto Emma's porch and knocked politely. Emma open the door with a smile and beckoned him inside.

"Come in Elih, You must be freezing!"

"Thanks Emma." He replied as he ducked in through the doorway. As soon as she closed the door the rain cut out, bright light from lanterns and the fire warmed him in a wave, though he was still soaking wet.

Inside was very crowded. Eric and Raiyne were sitting close to the fireplace, Raiyne would lean to check the cooking meat before snuggling back into a sleeping Eric's side, talking to Greck who was busy carving out spoons with his knife. Christina was busy trying to get her children ready for the day with her grandmother. Thomas and Joseph were locked in a solemn discussion. Will was there too, with his brother and two daughters, teaching Arouk, Palik, and Jellal to play tablets. Arouk was staring down at the carved tiles, frowning in concentration as he brushed the charred sides.

Emma swiftly returned to Delrey's side as he carved side by side with Greck, and he seemed pleased by her company. Velsk was wrestling with a boy Elih knew as Paul, his father and Macel, as well as few other men to wait for a hot breakfast in Emma's house, were calling out bets for who would win. Emma's father, mother and three sisters were in their own rooms down the narrow hall, the floor covered with other villagers.

Elih knew that Telrin, and Eric's uncle, Linsum, were hiding away in a back room, Linsum still hurting from yesterday. When he had asked Telrin what happened, Elih had been surprised by the amount of pride Telrin displayed as he told Elih how Raiyne had nearly killed them. As soon as Telrin had drifted off, Elih had more or less bothered Linsum enough to tell him Telrin's impossible story. And Raiyne, his daughter dead to him for years delivered back to the man. It was almost a tale too big to swallow.

Elih knew all the other houses were crammed like this, filled almost to the breaking point. The dry indoors, blazing fire, and fresh food were too great a prize to be left alone.

Delrey glanced up at Elih to wave him over next to him, shoving Eric a bit to name room for him. Eric blinked himself awake as Elih sat down next to him, his arm wrapping around Raiyne without him seeming to realize it.

"The outside fire didn't go so well?" Delrey asked as he smoothed the handle to the spoon.

"No, not even under the cover of the trees. I would try inside one of the tents but I don't think it wise. The canvas could easily catch fire."