To hear the narration and learn how I put this episode together, check out this video:
*****
A whirlwind. It's been an absolute whirlwind. And a certain someone, who can safely be called my favourite bard in the world, sits at its centre. Wherever she is, song seemingly bursts forth! We can be walking in the woods with no one around for kilometres and then, seemingly out of the air, there's music! Aside from the various faerie folk who can appear, the birds themselves change from simple calls to songs! Melodies, harmonies, even percussion! (Although, to be fair, the percussion is more often squirrels banging nuts together, deer scraping antlers against trees, or frogs croaking, or... this girl is like music magic incarnate! And while I continue to gawk and gape, she just joins in, like it's the most normal thing in the world. I guess it makes sense that, for her it is, but it still blows me away. She just watches my jaw drop and laughs.
Such joyousness. Pure effervescence. And it's so infectious! Admittedly, I like my quiet, my calm, my solitude, but I can't help but be caught up in her energy, her fun, her joy.
She's been playing at The Copper Fox regularly, consistently drawing crowds. And those crowds are growing! Which makes sense; the Spring Festival is approaching. Vendors and exhibitors are slowly but surely arriving, setting up tents, wagons, and even little mobile homesteads outside High Rannoc's decaying gates. A lot of what is being vended is food - all sorts of things being served. Some roasted over flavourful wood, others marinated in different types of sauces and rubs. Most of them are mouth-wateringly delicious. Of course there's always that one stall that sells something that, enjoyed by some, is heart-stoppingly, disgustingly,... yuck! (Which, for whatever reason, is mobbed by teenage boys daring each other to eat more of whatever it is that they're serving).
Anyway! I've been spending time at the cottage keeping it up but also spending a lot of time in town. Aside from being a rapt listener as Bess plays, I also help a lot at the tavern. And during that time, I've been able to catch up with Bob, Francie, Robert, and Madame Hightower, along with starting to mend bridges with Madam Wintergleam (my herbology teacher. For all of an hour or two, a couple of months ago), and initiate relationships with others like Mrs. Ruffage (the old witch's cousin). And maybe all this conversation and healing of relationships would've happened naturally, but I can't help but think that Bess, somehow, was helping things along.
The only people I consciously avoided was the mayor and his wife. Aside from the mayor doing nothing to help stem the rumours that his actions had started, his wife, the more I saw and heard, was even more toxic that him. For instance, on reflection, it seemed suspicious that she disappeared right after I cured Bess and didn't start appearing in public again until after her cold, or whatever caused her to dab at her nose repeatedly, was gone. Just one day, days after staying in her house out of public view, she stepped into the tavern, frowned when she spotted Bess, and made some sort of disapproving noise when she started playing her mandolin. But there was no dabbing at her nose or any other sign of sickness. But her voice sounded like it'd been abused, like she'd coughed a lot. It seemed likely Bess had been cursed by this hateful woman.
Note to self - talk to the spirit of the cottage about my suspicions. And discuss setting up protections! I don't want to be attacked by anyone, but in particular not by someone who's malicious, perhaps even malevolent.
But enough about that situation! Let's talk more about Bess. Like how last night, during a break in her playing, she came up to me, put her arm around my waist, snuggled up close with her head on my shoulder, and just... stayed there. It was close, comfortable, even a little bit exciting. I think my body language just melted into that casual contact; my insides were grinning like an idiot. And then later, after everything was done for the night, she stopped me before I headed home and said we should do something tomorrow. Which was, I think, really today (because it was so late). Anyway, my heart leaped for joy. It's amazing that I slept at all!
Soon enough, either tomorrow came or today continued or... the sun rose. That, I'm sure of! And Bess arrived, riding on Marvin. I was so happy to see her and, considering how that poor donkey must've been put on a tether or in a stall, I was happy he'd be able to wander and roam and stretch his legs.
"I hope you don't mind that I...", she started.
"No! I'm glad he's here! He's..."
"... he won't be any trouble at all..."
"...very welcome and I'm sure won't be a bother."
"...so, thank you!", Bess exclaimed.
Through all this, Marvin just stood there, watching. Almost like he was waiting. For what, I didn't know.
And then I felt a weight on my head. "Good morning. I hear you have a lovely day not-yet-planned." MouseEye. The mysterious, the mischievous, the mercurial. The now-standing-on-my-head-and-bowing-low-to-Bess.
"I wondered who first greeted me when I first arrived!" Then she stopped and looked at me in confusion. "Is it ok for me to address your familiar directly?"
Before I could answer, MouseEye said, "Of course! And please address all concerns and complaints to me, directly, out of anyone's earshot. Compliments should be given to my mistress - the more detailed the better."
Bess laughed. And then stopped when MouseEye asked, "May I address Marvin directly or should I talk to him through you?"
Like I said, Bess stopped laughing. But Marvin started. A donkey's laugh is... quite the sound. It's like a hee haw on repeat, but with hooves stomping on the ground besides. "I told you they knew." Marvin's voice is deep, sonorous, almost mournful. But as easy to understand as anyone else.
Bess looked at me. "You knew?" It was almost accusatory.
I was lost for words. Luckily, MouseEye was on a roll. "No. She had no idea. But I... I watch. And listen. So when a supposedly mute farm animal is muttering that he's one of the most intelligent creatures ever in the history of the world, eating hay he wouldn't wish on the least of rodents, let alone on noble beasts like himself, I pay attention."
We were all standing there. Quiet. Confused.
"I... ummm... no offence meant.", said Marvin.
"None taken. Now, if everyone will allow me, I'll show Marvin where I think some of the tastier grasses and other greens are growing on the land. And some places that could use some extra fertilizer." I felt MouseEye leap off my head, then saw him reappear on Marvin. "Head that way, Runcio."
"I'm not dappled, nor owned by a squire, Mortimer."
"That's funny! You know, there are people in town who think my name is that because..."
"Yeah. I know. You aren't the only one who watches. And listens."
As they rode off, they both nodded to us and MouseEye reached for his non-existent forelock. And their voices faded as they continued to banter, and, I believe, tried to one-up the other.
Bess and I looked at each other.
"Did you understand any of that?", I asked.
"Only the Mortimer bit. I think.", she replied.
"Well, it's not much of a story, but I can tell it over breakfast."
We agreed that I should cook. And while Bess would normally entertain me, she sat back and heard the tale of how MouseEye came to be known as Mortimer in town.
"So... I'm confused. What was the motivation for making up such an elaborate name when Francie asked?"
To be honest, I don't remember why I did it. It made sense at the time. I think. Or not! Which is why the first sounds I made trying to answer Bess' question consisted of "ums", "ahs", false starts, and a fair amount of chuckling. I finally landed on, "I don't know!"
She laughed. "Fair enough. It made sense in the moment. Got it!"
We ate, cleaned up, checked to make sure MouseEye and Marvin were doing ok (they were), then moved on to discussing the adventure du jour.
"How would you feel about visiting The Cloud Isles?", I asked.
"Sounds fun! Are they isles that are seemingly made of clouds but are otherwise properly on the ground? Or are they more like seemingly ground but are otherwise floating in the air?"
"If I say the second option is much closer to the truth, would that be ok?"
"Ummm... sure. Why not? Let's go!"
Which is how we ended up in front of the cottage, Vapour Trail ready to board, and the two of us getting ready.
"If it's ok with you, I'd like to do something a little different today. You game?" Bess gave me an uncertain smile. "Sure. In for a penny, in for a pound."
I had her stand on the bristles, facing front, with me standing behind with my arms around her waist, keeping us close. And then we lifted off, more like hovered, just a few metres above the ground. I felt her relax as she got used to the sensation of standing and flying. And then I had the broom start on our way. The only difference between my usual flying and now was the gentle way we gained altitude. It took a little longer to get up to the Isles but it was fun and relaxed. Bess enjoyed seeing the lands around the cottage and High Rannoc. And then seeing the undersides of the floating islands closing in closer and closer.
I shared the story about my balloon trip with Madcap. And it was as wonderful to share this time, with Bess seeing the Isles for the first time. It allowed me to relive my first time and also to understand what Madcap must experience every time he beings someone new to this magical place. And in that spirit, I whispered in her ear, "Your wish is my command."
She looked over her shoulder. "My wish is to land somewhere. Like... that island - that big one over there."
Minutes later, we were on the indicated island. She breathed a sigh of relief, then kissed the ground.
"Was it that bad?", I asked, concerned I'd gone too far with my desire to share (and show off).
She laughed. "I got used to it after a bit. But it's nice to be able to walk around! And sit!"
We settled in and looked around. The islands, made of cloud nestled in cloud... it was amazing. We took it all in, walked around, explored the forest growing on this bit of ground... what an adventure!
"Sweet? Do these islands ever crash into each other?"
"I don't know. Why?"
"That island over there is getting awfully close."
I looked where she was looking at the approaching island. I had no idea if they collide but better to be safe than sorry. I ran to where Bess was standing, called for Vapour Trail, then had her grip the broom. "Trust me on this. Don't let go of the handle. We're going to take three strides towards the approaching island. Ready? One! Two! Three!" On three, I had the broom gently life us above the land.
It was effective, but awkward, the two of us gripping the handle of a flying broom as two land masses bumped into each other. And it was interesting, watching as the smaller one (the one we jumped towards) crumpled a bit, becoming smaller, while the pieces of debris floated off. The bigger island (what we had been standing on) had a small ripple, like an earthquake, run over it entirely.
I wondered - if this was how the various islands formed - collisions and joinings and calvings and whatnot. I started wondering if anyone knew the history, the science, the...
"Um... Sweet?"
Bess' voice, normally filled with confidence, sounded a bit panicked.
"Hi there. I'm not sure what the plan is, but would you mind doing it soon?"
I realized that I'd sent us towards where the smaller island had come from, but hadn't adjusted to where it was now. We were currently holding onto Vapour Trail as we sailed through empty air.
"Sorry! Here... let's do... this...", I said as I aimed the broom towards the smaller island. A few seconds later, we were on firm, or at least floating, ground again.
As we touched down, Bess went immediately onto her knees and kissed the ground. Then, looking at me, amidst a bit of laughing (which held an uncomfortable amount of hysteria), "Ground, I've never fully appreciated the importance of your job until this moment!" And then she half-folded, half-collapsed, ending up on her back, arms outstretched, like she was maximizing contact with the ground. "You, Sweet... do you show all of your guests this good of a time?"
I stood there, dying inside. All I'd wanted to do was to show Bess my world, and here I was scaring her, panicking her, disappointing her. I...
Which is when I more felt than anything else Bess gently hug me. "You are a daredevil. But an amazing daredevil. You kept your head, kept us safe... I mean, yes, scared the bejeebers out of me... but you!" Her laughter, thankfully, had lost its edge. "How about we agree that we have no more adventures today. Is that ok?"
I was just about to agree when another adventure reared its head. Or "baaa'ed" plaintively is more accurate. Stepping out from behind some rocks, a sheep slowly, shyly, approached. "Baaa!"
Bess and I both began asking each other, ourselves, and I think the air, how a sheep had gotten onto this island. I, without really paying attention to what I was doing (being more focused on asking the same questions over and over again and being surprised that answers weren't magically coming forth), slowly approached the wayward farm animal. And realized there was no way for me to know where this sheep belonged. It did look similar to one I'd found on Moonbreaker Mountain a few weeks ago, but I'd had MouseEye there to translate. Here and now, I had just me.
Half-jokingly, I asked Bess, "You don't happen to speak sheep, do you?"
She thought I was fully joking. "No, unfortunately. When I was choosing courses at the Bard Academy, I opted to lean Prehistory."
"There's a Bard Academy?"
"Proud graduate."
"And they teach Prehistory?"
"Um... no."
"Oh."
I began to wonder - could I get anywhere with sheep in the same way MouseEye could? And so I started to focus - on MouseEye and his ability to communicate, on the sheep and its language, on Bess and her ability to transcend language with song, and on the spirit house and its ability to harmonize with everything. I imagined being at the cottage with the sheep in front of me. I felt meaning and compassion rise up from deep inside me, the sounds coming up my throat and out my mouth, even to the point of feeling like I was a sheep. The sounds I made were, to my human ears, absolute nonsense, but when the sheep answered back, I knew where we had to go. "She belongs to the Bleaters."
"What's that? A traveling troupe of sheep?"
"No. It's a family that live on a farm near Moonbreaker Mountain."
"And we're... what? We're going to rescue this sheep? How? There's barely enough room to fit the two of us on the bristles."
And that was certainly true. How could a rescue be effected with Bess and me, a stranded sheep, and one broom? I needed help. So I called for Vapour Trail.
I held her, communed, explained, and... an idea came. A surprising idea. A brilliant idea. And by brilliant, I mean something brilliant. The Pop O'Lock that had enhanced the broom morphed, shifted, changed. A platform appeared along the shaft of the broom. One large enough to fit one lost sheep.
Bess just stood there, in shock and disbelief. "You know, often when I hear tales of wondrous things, I get the feeling that somewhere in the telling and retelling, things get added simply to make it more interesting. If I ever figure out how to tell my experiences up here, I'm going to have to dial it back, otherwise no one will believe me."
In the few minutes it took to get everything situated, Bess was repeating the events of the day. And then muttering about not believing things herself. And then back to recounting the day's events.
If only she'd known things were going to be even more unbelievable before our outing concluded!
Now... by "unbelievable", I don't mean Bess' reaction to my suggestion that, with the rescued sheep perched on the just-created perch on the broom, that we should sit/stand/be downwind of said sheep and any... how should I say this?... waste material that could fly at us. And for some reason, whether Bess would be in front of or behind me didn't really matter. Since I'd always flown Vapour Trail handle-end in front, it didn't dawn on me (until Bess' adamant refusal to fly that way) that we could fly bristle-end first.
Which then got me thinking about everything we'd done so far with Pop making the needed modifications, which led to my taking a minute with the broom, having a bit of a chat about a thought or two, and...
"What the...? Where did...? What...?" That, probably needless to say, was Bess after she saw the... I suppose "edifice" is an adequate word for what now sat on the bristles. Made purely of light (but as solid as rock) was a tower. Of sorts. It wasn't big in terms of footprint, but was big enough to allow for small rooms stacked one on top of the other. Sleeping cubbies, sitting rooms, an observation deck on top... I think I forgot to mention that there need not be too many rooms or levels.
Bess approached it, seemingly having a difficult time processing it. "It's like something from an epic story The nemesis in the Ramayana was Ravana. And he'd managed to get his hands on a shape-shifting chariot called Pushpaka. With that he made something similar to this. Which just casually appeared after talking to your broom. I mean... who are you?!?"
I didn't know how to answer that, so I went with the familiar. "I'm Sweet. Just "Sweet". A witch. And someone who tends not to ask for help when she should because when I do, things like this are possible."
"Is there a bouncy castle in this thing?"
"What's a bouncy castle?"
She told me. Thinking she was serious, I asked Vapour Trail. A small adjustment later... "Yes. There is now."
"Of course there is." She started to enter the tower, then looked over her shoulder. "Bouncy castles are way more fun when bouncing in them is more than one." And then she smiled.
Tears started to flow. My heart exploded. My mind felt a tremendous pressure release of a sudden, leaving me a complete wreck on the inside. Happily miserable, that was me.
And again, felt more than anything, she slid in, held me, embraced me, hummed a lullaby, and just let me release my anxieties, my fears, my insecurities. I held on to her, my lifeline, my safety, my comfort. "Thank you for being my friend, for coming here with me, seeing the world as I experience it."
She kissed my cheek in acknowledgement, then said, "Do you know what will make this rescue even better? The bouncy castle!" She pulled out of the embrace, wiped the tears from my eyes, then grabbed my hand and led me to the tower. "I know you probably know where it is but don't tell me! Let's find it together!" Which is how we flew to the Bleaters' Farm - one sheep on a platform (which became more of a stall) and two silly women jumping and bouncing and laughing and exhausting themselves. And one broom on more-or-less autopilot (because, since I'd been to the farm once already, it could follow my mental map).
Later, two sweaty women were laying on the springy floor, all played out. "Sweet? Did I ever tell you about my fear of heights?"
"No. But I got the idea."
"I could get used to this, though! Imagine! Flying from place to place in a light palace. Would you ever consider...?"
"Consider what?"
Bess hesitated, then, "No. Nothing. Forget I said anything."
I shrugged. "Ok."
We sat quietly for a minute or two. I was on the verge of not forgetting about whatever Bess had been about to ask when we felt a slight weight press down on us, then release. The thought came to me that we might have landed. That was followed up by sheep bleating, children calling out, and farm smells seeping through the walls.
It took a minute to descend, which gave one of the Bleater's older children time to approach the broom. "Ah! Mistress Sweetwater! This is an impressive... vehicle. What brings you here?"
The baaaa of the sheet came before my answer. "I believe that sheep is yours?"
"I believe so. Find her on Moonbreaker Mountain?"
"No. The Cloud Isles."
That stopped him. "But... how?"
I admitted that I didn't know. And then I opened the light pen and allowed the sheep to exit. By that time Mrs. Bleater had made her way to us. "Mistress. You're getting to be quite the shepherd! Will you and your friend join us for dinner?" Bess and I quickly looked at each other, gave affirmative looks, then I said, "We'd be delighted."
"Wonderful! I'll let you freshen up."
Much like last time, there was a parade of children who led us to a room where there was a basin of water and some cloths. What was different this time was the presence of someone who could muster up martial music at the drop of a hat. We all trooped off into the house.
And much like my prior visit, the dinner served by the family was basic, and yet there was plenty and it was all tasty. After dinner and clean up, Bess was introduced to the song the Bleaters like to sing when hosting company (and was also a favourite of the old witch), She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain. While I contributed a couple of verses, like "She'll Be Flying Vapour Trail When She Comes", Bess put together a few gems, and even included one that got the children excited, "She'll Be Bringin' Sweets and Chocolates When She Comes" (until they realized Bess' pockets were empty). Another verse she used made fun of our failed reagent hunt. "She'll Have Failed to Find Some Whale Poop When She Comes".
See - and I forgot to mention it earlier - we'd spotted Star Shards right away and so I thought we could also find ambergris. Technically, ambergris is a whale excretion. So it could be whale sweat. Or whale eye mucous. Or... it's whale poop. And despite looking high and low for it (and we found plenty of things that looked like ambergris but weren't), we didn't find any. Bess, oddly, seemed relieved every time we didn't find some. Weird.
Anyway, the Bleaters very politely offered to have us to stay the night. Bess and I declined at the same time. Which really was a bit weird. I mean, I know with Vapour Trail I can get home from anywhere and do so safely (and, by special request, do so in a bouncy castle). Bess, though - she seemed unusually anxious to not spend the night here. I had told her, on our way during the sheep rescue, about the group bed and how it had been a bit cramped but otherwise very comfortable. However, in the end, we both were in agreement about not staying. A couple of the younger daughters begged us to stay, with another one saying she was glad I wouldn't be snoring in her ear!
We bid farewell, climbed into the much less elaborate broom, and headed off. (We sat in a small enclosed space on the bristles. It allowed us to feel like we were flying through the dark of night but without the cold wind cutting through us).
It'd been a long day. We were both worn out. Vapour Trail was taking us towards High Rannoc as smoothly as can be imagined. And then... I saw the sky move. It was like the field of stars in the sky were jewels sewn onto a blanket and that it had just been smoothed out. I was suddenly awake. And heading up to take a look.
Bess was reclined into a cozy corner of our space. She looked up at me. "What's up, Buttercup?"
I told her I'd spotted something odd and that I wanted to check it out before we got back home. It was probably nothing, but I thought it important to make sure.
"Thank you, by the way, for not putting the bouncy castle in again. I'm exhausted! But it's a shame the kids didn't have a chance to play in it."
While most of me was watching the sky for more unusual movement, a part of me heard and wondered. That was an excellent point - something children could enjoy. I could set it up for the Festival. Aside from entertaining the kids, it might help my reputation with the parents. I'd definitely need to consider it.
As we approached the summit of the mountain, I spotted the lighthouse that had emitted the aura I'd seen previously. Tonight, however, it was dark. But the sky did move again. Something was going on.
I landed Vapour Trail on the peak, then stepped onto the hard rock. Aside from the stars above us, it was all dark. Dark below, dark around, dark most everywhere. Stars above. And as I watched, a grouping of stars started to move, undulate, twist, and start to form a shape. "Bess? You seeing this?"
She stepped next to me, grabbed my hand, pointed with her other hand and asked, "That swirling bit of stars that's impossibly huge?"
"Yeah. That."
"What is it?"
"Aside from a swirling bit of stars that's impossibly huge? I don't know."
As we were speaking, the stars began to coalesce. And from the general area of the stars taking shape, a voice emerged. "Would you care to be enlightened?"
Gulping a little, I addressed the starlight. "Yes, please."
A shape began to form. Large, serpentine, winged. A dragon! Bess released my hand and performed a deep curtsey. "How may we address you, oh grand one?"
The laughter that shot forth was intense, but not aggressive, and changed as the star shape changed, from dragon to human female. "Of course a bard would know the lore about dragons and massive egos", she said. The voice was now rich, sultry - one that any orator would envy. "And a witch will wish to know what parts of me could be used to treat human afflictions. The answer to that is - none. Or perhaps that's not entirely true - I see you've picked up a piece of my shedding."
It took me a second to realize what was being referred to. "Do you mean the Star Shard?"
"I do indeed.
"As to what you may call me, I've been given a multitude of names by any number of peoples all over the earth. I choose to have you use 'Nut'".
Nut? That sounded pretty... ordinary. You'd think a grand creature like a dragon would have a more grand name. As I thought that, I lapsed silent. Bess, however, was in her element.
"What peoples use that name for you?"
"People who live many thousands of kilometres away, in a desert, who cluster around a life-giving river. They call themselves 'Egyptians'." Then she changed topics. "To what do I owe the honour of this visit?"
I spoke up. "I saw the sky... ummm... wrinkle. I wasn't sure why, so I decided to take a look."
Starry eyebrows raised. "Indeed? Without knowing what could possibly cause it and certainly without any ability to fix the sky, you came up here anyway?"
"Ah... yes. Nut."
The entire universe reverberated with her laughter. "You are as audacious in person as what I've observed from up high."
I wasn't sure if that had been a good laugh or a bad one. "My deepest apologies if our coming here disturbed you in any way."
She looked at us. "I watch the comings and goings of all things from up here. The Egyptians revere me as a god, to the point of believing I swallow the sun at dusk and give birth to it at dawn. I've watched mountains rise and fall, rivers etch the landscape, forests grow and die off. But what I don't ever experience", and here she paused, "is conversation. I see but am too far away to hear. I observe but can only guess the meanings behind actions. You are a welcome distraction."
Which is how Nut, Bess, and I conversed for most of the night. And by converse, I mean that Nut was full of questions about the whys and wherefores of life in and around High Rannoc. What was a little strange was the lack of questions about Bess and I individually, as if she knew that some questions she might ask cold breach our respective privacy. So I guess, while odd, once I realized what she was doing, I was grateful.
Which... as I'm writing this now, I'm not entirely sure why I would be grateful since I don't have any secrets (that I'm aware of), but maybe Bess did. Does. Whatever.
Anyway, we talked for what seemed like forever. But, as the light of dawn began to glow in the East, Nut said, "It appears I'm getting ready to give birth to the sun. Before it rises into the sky and obscures everything, let me bestow gifts."
Nut reached out and brought into view... something. It had a body, and strings, and... other things... all made of individual points of light. "Play it only in darkness, but however you wish."
"Thank you. May I try it?"
Nut nodded. And Bess... I don't know what exactly it was that she played, but it sounded like something only royalty, and not human royalty, would ever hear. Glistening stars fell from twinkling eyes. "That was magnificent. Thank you, Bess."
To me, Nut gave a crystal. "This is called a Moonstone, harvested from the Moon. It will purify potions. After a few uses, it must itself be purified. You must discover the purification process for yourself - like the moon, Moonstone can be fickle, changeable, and cloak things in layers of shadow."
I curtsied, not as elegantly or smoothly as Bess, but with genuine emotion and gratitude. "My apologies, Nut, but I have nothing to give to you."
"Your curiosity has already given me a gift. Besides, who knows when the needs of a dragon, even a star dragon, might require a skilled witch."
We bowed and bobbed and with all the social niceties observed (I followed Bess for pretty much all of it), we got onto/into Vapour Trail. She lifted off and I pointed her home.
"Sweet? You said, and it feels like ages ago, that my wish is your command. Is that still true?"
"Absolutely."
"Then my wish is that I pass out here and now and not go through all the trouble of going to my wagon tonight. Is that ok?"
"It's your wish, my Lady, so therefore my command."
I felt a change in Vapour Trail - the floor became softer, like a down-filled mattress, and layers of warm blankets materialized. A pillow sprang up from under her head.
"And... join me?"
I looked at her. She'd been through a lot today, said her eyes, and a sleeping companion would be a welcome way to bring a bit of normalcy back to her life. A second pillow emerged, next to Bess'. And I slid under the covers next to her. She threw an arm over me, whispered a thanks into my ear, and quickly gave herself up to a much needed sleep.
Before I dozed off, I instructed Vapour Trail to land on the cottage grounds and to let us sleep uninterrupted until we were ready to wake up.
I just wish Vapour Trail wasn't so easily convinced to allow a nosey mouse and a grumpy donkey to disturb us.
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