Our hearts call us by name
Eulalie had been one of the first to welcome the fearful and the weary into the citadel. It had been easier than she expected to keep the twins from running around, but she suspected even they could feel the gravity of this situation. The sunshine and ivory woman feared, however, that Regis' condition would only worsen with the smoke in the air. Winter had hardly begun and already she could see how weak he had come. Her heart ached to see his illness hold him back, and yet he was still so strong in many other ways. Every day her son inspired her.
When the young boy stepped up to her side, Eulalie's eyes softened in only the way a parent's could when looking at their child. "Yes, my love?" she said when his inquiry began. He was so astute for being so young, and she leaned down to gently nuzzle her nose against his cheek. "Oh, my sweet boy," she began, holding in the sigh that tightened her chest, "They are sad because the fire could take away their homes. But your papa is out there doing a very brave thing with Uncle Ulric. They and the others are trying to stop it from reaching us here."
There was a hushed sort of uneasiness blanketing the large room. Indeed, some cried and Eulalie hurt for them. Others were silent, some dutifully making rounds. All, she thought, were probably uncertain, waiting for news on whether they would be safe within the court walls or not. Somnus and Ulric would return along with the others, either with news that the fire would not spread, or with a warning that they needed to evacuate as soon as possible. Some had already gone, in fear, and she had directed them to the sea; told them to stay near the water.
Eulalie did not want to abandon her home of course, but she would do whatever was necessary to keep her family safe, even if it meant leaving.
When the young boy stepped up to her side, Eulalie's eyes softened in only the way a parent's could when looking at their child. "Yes, my love?" she said when his inquiry began. He was so astute for being so young, and she leaned down to gently nuzzle her nose against his cheek. "Oh, my sweet boy," she began, holding in the sigh that tightened her chest, "They are sad because the fire could take away their homes. But your papa is out there doing a very brave thing with Uncle Ulric. They and the others are trying to stop it from reaching us here."
There was a hushed sort of uneasiness blanketing the large room. Indeed, some cried and Eulalie hurt for them. Others were silent, some dutifully making rounds. All, she thought, were probably uncertain, waiting for news on whether they would be safe within the court walls or not. Somnus and Ulric would return along with the others, either with news that the fire would not spread, or with a warning that they needed to evacuate as soon as possible. Some had already gone, in fear, and she had directed them to the sea; told them to stay near the water.
Eulalie did not want to abandon her home of course, but she would do whatever was necessary to keep her family safe, even if it meant leaving.
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