Jack of Ravens

11

Days passed dismally in the Court of the Soaring Spirit. Church mourned, and wrestled desperately with his memory, but it would not give up its ghosts. In the end, he was left with a terrible heartache, but no remembrance of good times to light up his grief.

Then, one evening, Tom came to him with Niamh. ‘I’ve had enough of this,’ he said. ‘Without you, it’s all a waste of time. I just want to make the most of what few days I’ve got left. I’m going home.’

Church considered this, and said, I’ll come with you.’ He glanced at Niamh. ‘If you’ll let me.’

‘Of course.’ A deep sadness shadowed her eyes. ‘I will come, too.’

‘But what about your responsibilities here in the court?’ Church said.

Niamh bowed her head. ‘I have given up my throne. The first queen to turn her back on her court in the long history of the Golden Ones.’

‘Why?’

She smiled sadly. ‘Because it is the right thing to do.’

‘I was hoping for a bit of free time,’ Tom said sourly, ‘but it looks as if I’m going to be wiping your snotty noses for a while longer.’

As he turned away, the others didn’t see his smile.