|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 10:11 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
At the rebound in Fallon’s expression, Zekiel’s eyes warmed in kind. “I do trust so,” he agreed. Perhaps it would not be what he imagined, or perhaps it would, but in the meantime it was not his place to judge or to harry, only to be patient and grateful for the blessings he did have. “Each day is still wondrous as the gods give them to me,” he said, “and I am blessed to have this company. I will await whatever the future brings with readiness, I hope.”
At the shift in focus to Marleya, the older woman scoffed good-naturedly.
“Oh, the gods have put many people in my life, child. Only one man of that nature, and he has for some years been gone with them already, but I have my children and my children’s children…” Her gaze lifted from her food to Zekiel, and then Fallon. “And several other children who come in my doors and are like my own for a time. I have told the boy, though, he only needs to find his balance between dawdling and impatience…the gods will bring the girl in time, but I would like to see more young faces before I’m gone from this world and he can’t keep me waiting forever. These bones only have so long.”
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 5:23 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
Fallon’s eyes flit to him, and out came another bubble of sound—Zekiel felt a new ease roll into his posture, pleased that his friend no longer seemed embarrassed, but rather seemed to appreciate where Marleya was coming from. Granted she was an older and reasonably blunt woman, which on occasion threw some of his favored company for uncomfortable loops, but now it felt that the air had settled into one of understanding.
There were few things he would have loved more than to bring Marleya his wife and children when the time came, if he time came. But all of it could and would wait, for he did not dig the paths of fate for anyone, even himself.
Marleya, though, managed to look surprised—and then touched in her own way in turn. “Any friend of this child and the church and all their family are welcome here, gods be praised…” she murmured with a crinkled smile.
“I hope I should know the moment it might be so, though,” Zekiel added. “I should like to be told of any man so blessed as to inspire such an interest.”
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2018 9:10 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
“It is wondrous here,” Zekiel said. Both, he supposed, in Marleya’s hut for its sentimental value and her presence, and in this small village post, but also in Ilidan itself where he had taken up permanent residence. It was smaller than Pajore, certainly, but he found it all just as well that way. He could come to know almost everyone individually, and many of them personally.
In time, he felt the village would feel like family, and the sense of community already was welcome.
At Fallon’s latter comments, Zekiel glanced back up and found that he mirrored her general sentiment. Good things awaited in the future, but there was much about them now already to appreciate and dedicate themselves to, and at this moment, the gods seemed to need service and study first, before personal aspirations.
“You must be near to progressing rank,” Zekiel said. “I wish you success in your studies…a time of need is upon our people, and your service will be appreciated I am sure.”
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 11:52 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
Zekiel supposed it wasn’t surprising. The gods had inspired in Fallon a great interest in her greenery, and in their youth there had been no harm in it—nothing but boons, so far as he had seen. And he could hardly judge anyone for being prone to distraction, much as he had always been so. Fallon had a gift for flowers, alongside a various selection of other grown things that she could name the parts of and uses for.
Zekiel did not keep such information in his mind, but he knew it dwelt in hers.
At the offer, he beamed. “I would love to, and I hope to soon,” he said. He wasn’t sure when next he would get the chance to visit Pajore, but though he did not have the talent or even concentration and patience for it that Fallon did, he had always found her garden space to be peaceful and relaxing. There was life there, in those plants, just such a quieter and more gradual thing than active lives were used to.
As he finished his own meal, he gathered bowl and utensil, bringing it to the small washbasin where he would take care of the rest as the others finished.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 10:51 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
“I am sure it would warm the place,” Zekiel said, and even his temple, if she indeed sent them to him and Marleya.
It inspired in him the passing thought that perhaps he ought to start a small garden of his own on temple property—or encourage one of his congregation to help him with such a thing, as he wouldn’t know where to begin personally. Little as he knew of the details, though, he did think a little extra blooming life about the place couldn’t hurt anything.
“Oh, you are the guest here,” Zekiel said, “so you may do whatever please you, but it will only take a moment…”
It was just the three of them to clean up after, after all, and in no time, the dishes were handled, and Zekiel had opportunity to step outside for a moment with Fallon, at which point he made certain to thank her again for coming before inquiring, “You came all this way…do you have a place to remain for the night, or will you be beginning your way back so soon? If you need space, you are welcome to any of the spare rooms in my temple, as it’s not so far from here…”
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|