[werebeargoddess]

Kieshe walked along side the horse, chuckling a little at Tyrell, who was skipping along humming, and who was occasionally braking off to go after some bug or butterfly. After finding Tyrell, Kieshe had taken him back to Athkatla. There, she had not only gotten a horse, blankets, and more provisions, but had also gotten Tyrell some more clothes. Kieshe couldn’t help but grin; when she told Tyrell that he could have a pallet to himself, he had seemed absolutely petrified. She had even started working on making something of as doll for him. From what she had learned so far, he had had a doll that he occasionally shared with his siblings. Seeing as Kieshe was no bad hand with a needle and thread (you kind of had to be, to be a traveling bard), and seeing as she (nor Tyrell, for that matter) had not cared for the dolls sold at various merchant stands, Kieshe had immediately set about making a doll for him.

Kieshe frowned slightly. She couldn’t help but have a feeling that she shouldn’t be taking Tyrell with her on the road, but should be finding him a home to stay at until she could settle down permanently and take care of him. She sighed a little. Tyrell looked up briefly, then returned to chasing after a frog. She probably should find a temporary home for him- it would be much safer for him. She wanted to take him with her, wanted the company, but she had lived for several years now on her own, and could do so for a number of years longer. But there was another thing. Tyrell was already starting to take to her. By the time she got to the next town, he would be so firmly attached to her that he would be heartbroken if she tried to leave him with someone else. And she didn’t want him to go through that again. No, for now, he would stay with her.

Tyrell ran up to her then to show her a frog that he had caught, stepping warily around the horse. Kieshe suppressed a smile, exclaiming over the frog. Tyrell had been a little afraid of the horse (strangely named Starshine) when she had first gotten him, suggesting that Tyrell had had few horses on the farm. But Tyrell had gotten over it quickly when Kieshe picked him up, placed him on the saddle, mounted up behind him, and putting her arms around him to keep him from falling (and to grab the reins) she took off. Now, he was relatively calm around Starshine, though he was still a little wary of the horse’s hooves. Kieshe exclaimed a little more over the frog, then told Tyrell to put the frog back into its home. Tyrell did so, skipping merrily. When he came back, Kieshe picked him up again, then mounted up. They rode for several hours until the sun started setting. By then, Tyrell had started to complain some of weariness. Kieshe, already looking around for a place to camp, soon found it in a small clearing. She set Tyrell to find some sticks for kindling for a fire as she picketed Starshine and rubbed him down. Done with that, Starshine bent down to crop the nearby grass as Kieshe went to gather wood.

It wasn’t long before they had a blazing fire going. Kieshe had brought down some rabbits and a quail while they had hunted for wood, so tonight, at least, the two of them wouldn’t have to eat travel rations. When she and Tyrell were done, they sat close to the fire, keeping warm, but not quite ready to sleep yet. Tyrell snuggled up close to her. Kieshe put her arms around the little boy. She was surprised to find that he was shaking. She put her hand against his forehead, but he felt fine.

“Little one, is there something wrong?”

Tyrell gulped. Kieshe could see that he was holding back tears.

“I miss my mommy and daddy.” A couple tears fell down his cheeks.

“Ah” Kieshe pulled him gently into her lap, letting his head rest against her chest. Tyrell gave the occasional sob, but otherwise his tears were silent. After a while, Kieshe lifted his chin up so that he could see her face, and she his.

“Tyrell, you have been a very, very brave boy. Your parents would be very proud of you. I remember when I lost my own daddy, and it was just me, my mommy, and my brothers and sisters. We helped each other. I will be more than happy to help you. I will be your friend, Tyrell. If you need help, just talk.”

Kieshe knew that she was mostly babbling, and that Tyrell wouldn’t understand most of what she said. But the little boy nodded, and leaned into her a little more. Kieshe began to sing softly, rocking Tyrell a little. She could feel the little boy relaxing as she sang. After a good while, he got up, went over to the pallet, and fell asleep. Kieshe sat for a little while longer, contemplating. I should probably head for Windhaven next. If I remember correctly, it’s right near the Tethyr/ Amnish border. It’s got a few alehouses, so the people there are probably pretty rowdy, but I’m sure I can find somewhere where I can play. I can go on from there. She got up then, and got her lute out, and sat back down. She checked to make sure her lute was in tune, then began to play softly so as not to disturb Tyrell. She began to hum, then sing softly along with the music. When she got too play the correct notes she carefully put her lute into its case, then laid down next to Tyrell to sleep.