#valdir

To a young Obsidian brave, there is almost no greater honor than being allowed to share body heat with Tyr Morga in the cold of the mines. But in the dark of night, Valdir dreams of more.

Set during the Rat War on Mars, but vaguely spoilery for Light Bringer just to be safe.

The silver moon hangs in the heavens, weeping quicksilver rays onto my face, its nearly circular visage peeking over the treeline bearing the omen of the night.

There are many hours till the moon reaches its peak. Till my communion.

Sitting on the edge of a grove, shielded from the darkness by the dense ring of trees, I sit. I feel it before I see it, a dimly glowing wisp of azure flits into the light. I reach out with my soul towards it, beckoning. It looks into me, as I look into it. She's a yöno, a wandering spirit of someone long past. She drips with longing, of loneliness, yet I suddenly feel less alone.

"Come with me"

"Do you think you're ready"

"For what?"

"Your new beginning?"

"The initiation?"

"Perhaps"

"What do you mean?"

"You're falling, are you a stone, or a bird?"

We wait in silence for what seems like eternity, the weight of her words settling into my stomach.

"We'll see"