PENUMBRA (how the flowers grow)

19. Faces

Sabina has a bowl of steaming food on her lap and she feels content with this. The sky is just starting to turn pinks and oranges. They have a fire going and everyone is sitting around it. Tuluvey is right by her side. They're probably sitting a bit too close, but she's comfortable. Nothing else matters.

There's a conversation going, one that Sabina isn't really paying attention to. Ag'druch is playing with the logs in the fire pit and Jitho pulls her out and sets her back over by Vetsalla.

"What about you, Sabina," Eggel says, directing the conversation to her. "Looking forward to anything there?"

They're talking about Stillhaven, Sabina realizes, blinking dumbly. We should be there in about five days, L'gaoia said.

"Uh, the food," she answers, because she doesn't have anything else to offer. She just kind of... goes. Still does, even now.

"They have meat pies in Stillhaven," Vetsalla says, sounding wistful. "I really could go for one of those."

"They also have a bath house," Tremas points out.

"Thank the Gods for that," Eggel comments.

The conversation drifts away from her and she relaxes. She pays more attention this time, listening to everyone pine over warm beds and bath houses and places to buy things. Stillhaven is a larger city, Sabina's figured out. Lots of people pass through there.

I'll be fine. I have my pendant.

It's hard not to remember Honeywallow, the last time she was in a city that big. She was reckless, not having protection for that long. She's surprised it took as long as it did for anyone to get her.

Stupid.

She pinches her thigh and pulls herself back out of her thoughts. Now isn't the time for that.

The conversation goes around and around her, shifting from topic to topic. Robb tells a story about how he almost lost an arm. The look that crosses L'gaoia's face tells Sabina she must know this one. The way he phrases things is comedic even though the story isn't really fun at all. Still, by the end, everyone is laughing. Eggel tells an enrapturing story about the time he visited the Ruins of Cathkar that Sabina pays close attention to. He describes everything with such vividness she can't help but be pulled into it.

Eventually, the conversation turns to what kind of job they want to take. Tremas suggests something more low key, to which Alinrou protests.

"We did that last time! Lets find something worthwhile, get us a fucking huge pile of gold."

"I am so down for fucking huge piles of gold," Jitho agrees.

"I want to get to burn something down," Xaniphe adds. "I didn't get to do anything last time."

Eggel rolls his eyes and shares an exasperated look with L'gaoia, who only appears to be amused. He scratches at his red beard, resting his arms on his knees. "It would be interesting to do something bigger."

"I heard the Divine Order is trying to set up outside of Delegan," Vetsalla says.

"They're still trying to set up in Delegan," Tremas says. "I don't think we need to be getting into their pile of shit."

Flix looks agitated. "Is your father doing something about that?" they ask L'gaoia. "Someone needs to do something about that. Bunch of crazies."