Blood in Snow (35 page)

“What?” he asked.

“So help me, Ed, if you’re giving me some mission to make me happy—”

Abby, realizing what she’d just said, laughed and threw her arms around Edmund. She kissed his cheek.

“Becoming happy is exactly what I need,” she admitted. “Still, don’t manufacture something meaningless; I want to do something worthwhile.”

“I don’t know if the trip will be worthless or not. I’d go myself if I could, so that should tell you something. Just go and snoop around. See what you find.” Edmund was reluctant to stop hugging her.

“I’ll set out tomorrow!” She scooped Ellie up and kissed her, too. “I’ll miss you!” she told Ellie.

Ellie pointed outside and babbled.

Abby hugged her again.

“I’d better start getting ready! I’m going to need a horse, and extra clothes, and food. Maybe Gabe can make me something easy to carry.”

She opened the screen door and paused, looking back at Edmund and Ellie.

“Thanks, Ed,” she said. “Thanks for everything you’ve done for me.”

Edmund smiled. “Go talk to Toby. Have him give you a short sword and a chainmail shirt.”

“I will.”

Abby stepped out onto the porch.

“And have Hendrick show you how to hold a sword!” Edmund called after her as she ran down the stairs. “It’s not as easy as it looks!”

She disappeared into the crowd carrying supplies to various building sites. For a long moment, Edmund stared at where she’d been. In his arms, Ellie flapped her hand toward the door and said, as clear as anybody could, “Bye-bye.”

Faintly, her fingers began to glow.

THE END

About the Author

By day, Robert Evert is an ordinary university professor bent on stamping out ignorance and apathy wherever they may rear their ugly heads. By night, and during various faculty meetings, he is a fantasy writer. Living in northeast Ohio with his wife, two sons, dog, four cats, and a host of imaginary friends, Robert enjoys teaching, yoga, hiking, and writing. You may learn more about Robert Evert at
robertevert.blogspot.com
where he discusses being a neurotic writer.

If you’ve enjoyed this book, please tell your friends or contact the author at
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