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He nodded to her and smiled, and ruffled Bella’s hair. “Stay with Miss Revah for a moment, okay? I’ll be right back.”

And true to his word, he was in the small post and out again in bare minutes, this time with a small jar in one hand. “May I?” he asked Revah, sitting beside her.

He nodded, trusting her expertise. He reached down to ruffle little Bella’s hair where she sat leaning against his calf. Noting the pinpricks, he said, “I’ve some salve that I use after pruning my– my wife’s rosebushes. If you like, I could get it?”

Axis chuckled softly, also watching the children. “It really isn’t a bother at all. My twins could do with a friend their age – their uncle is looking into adopting, but the local orphanage… ah, doesn’t approve of Rye’s living arrangements. And I enjoy playing.” He glanced up at her. “Should we follow, or will they be all right with Reina?”

Axis’ smile grew bigger, though the haunted look stayed in his eyes. “If you’d like, we could help you gather the fruit? And then enjoy some music after?”

Sage and Jess immediately clamoured to help their new friend.

Axis shook his head, letting the bow slide off the fiddle before he set both aside. “She wasn’t bothering us,” he assured the Gerudo woman, still smiling.

Neither are you went unsaid.

“My captain said it was a waste to bring the fiddle along, but the children enjoy it so…”

“Yes they do.” Stepping further into the light of the campfire and the warm glow it offered. Reina perked up “Can we stay just a little while. we don’t have to have the fruit until tomorrow, plenty of time.”

Axis smiled when Revah appeared. “Hello,” he greeted her, noting both her words and the basket in her arms. “Did you need any help in gathering?”

Reina seemed much bolder than she had when they’d first met, and he wondered if it was related to the music he’d been playing.

Axis blinked, seeing the little Gerudo girl come runing up from the encroaching darkness. But he gave her a smile and a soft, “Hello,” as he played. Sage and Jess both waved to the stranger, shifting to one side to make room for her with them. “Is your sister around?” he asked. Revah was a responsible woman; he was certain Reina wasn’t out here alone.

No Reina was not alone.... the taller woman stepping out of the darkness holding a basket of voltfruit “Come back here Reina we need to finish picking the fruit for the food stall.” 

The sun was setting, and the heat was much less intense now. Axis and his three children were outside, little Bella curled up against his thigh while the twins listened raptly to the music he was playing for them.

He hadn’t been too sure about bringing the fiddle with him – it was only a temporary posting - but Sage had begged and he’d relented. And he was glad he had. A little piece of home for the three of them.

Axis smiled warmly at the little girl. “Hello, Reina.”  He accepted the second drink and drank. Even the taste of the cold drink made him feel a little cooler. “And thank you again, Revah.”

“I truly could,” Axis admitted. “My twins are sleeping, but this little one didn’t want a nap yet.” He smiled at Bella anyway. “You’ve your mama’s stubbornness,” he said softly.

Looking up at the woman, he added, “I’m Axis Arra, of Saxham Outpost. Usually a farmer.”

He accepted the drink gratefully. “Thank you,” he said, steadying the cup as Bella drank greedily. “I thought I’d understood how hot it gets here, but I was clearly mistaken.”

Axis managed something like a ragged smile at the woman. “I’m really not,” he admitted. The heat was far worse than he’d ever experienced, even at the height of the war. He couldn’t help but worry about his children, especially Bella. Maybe he should send them back…