Dinodas found himself staring at Branda as he thought, because Branda was involved in what he was thinking about. He could feel Robin nudging him, but he did not want to speak yet. Glancing out the window, he saw the stars twinkling down on the glistening snow. He stood up, and then felt himself going red as he tried to think of what he should say.
"I'll go icefishing with you," he said simply.
"Good lad," Branda said, smiling at him. "Do you know how?"
"No, sir," Dinodas said, shaking his head. Why were his knees trembling? He had only offered to go icefishing with Branda.
"Bullroarer, what do you say to Dinodas accompanying me?" Branda asked their leader, and the two began to discuss it.
Meanwhile Dinodas turned to Robin and saw she was yawning. "I'm going to bed," she said, smiling sleepily at him. "Good for you in volunteering." She stumbled off to her room.
Dinodas gave a deep sigh and continued to watch Robin go to her room. He could feel the eyes of Branda and Bullroarer on him, waiting for him to turn around, but he didn't want to.
He did.
__________________
In the fury of the moment I can see the Master's hand
in every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand.
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