The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

mark12_30 · 12-20-2002, 10:07 AM

Phura sat up and counted the five boys, fondly, and looked over at the damp-haired, snoring Gamba. For some strange reason, Gamba had left all the boys with him a great deal lately. Phura had not complained; as much as he was going to miss the four young ones, he had determined to enjoy their company as much as he could. And once he saw that Nitir and Gamba were working things out, he gave them as much time as he could together.

But he wished that Gamba had been around more. He got up and walked over to his snoring brother, and laid a hand on his shoulder, expecting him to be warm to the touch. But he was not. "Gamba. Why are you cold? And damp?"

Gamba woke, and sat up, and sneezed several times. "I went swimming with Levanto, " he said.

Phura nodded. "You'll miss him. There'll be too many goodbyes."

"Don't." Gamba's face twisted.

Phura faltered, and fell silent, and watched as his brother struggled for composure; he reached for little Maura, picked him up, and handed him to Gamba.

"Thanks, " said Gamba, and held the boy close, as he stirred and reluctantly woke up. "Gamba. Breakfast?" The child squirmed, and Phura woke the rest of them, and they all groggily trooped to the galley. Phura hummed The Snowbattle Of Ladros, and everyone but Ban and Maura hummed along.

"You'll get to see snow, if you go far enough north, " Phura smiled.

"Don't, " said Gamba.

Phura sighed, and fell silent.

[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

12-20-2002, 10:07 AM	#487
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,367	Phura sat up and counted the five boys, fondly, and looked over at the damp-haired, snoring Gamba. For some strange reason, Gamba had left all the boys with him a great deal lately. Phura had not complained; as much as he was going to miss the four young ones, he had determined to enjoy their company as much as he could. And once he saw that Nitir and Gamba were working things out, he gave them as much time as he could together. But he wished that Gamba had been around more. He got up and walked over to his snoring brother, and laid a hand on his shoulder, expecting him to be warm to the touch. But he was not. "Gamba. Why are you cold? And damp?" Gamba woke, and sat up, and sneezed several times. "I went swimming with Levanto, " he said. Phura nodded. "You'll miss him. There'll be too many goodbyes." "Don't." Gamba's face twisted. Phura faltered, and fell silent, and watched as his brother struggled for composure; he reached for little Maura, picked him up, and handed him to Gamba. "Thanks, " said Gamba, and held the boy close, as he stirred and reluctantly woke up. "Gamba. Breakfast?" The child squirmed, and Phura woke the rest of them, and they all groggily trooped to the galley. Phura hummed The Snowbattle Of Ladros, and everyone but Ban and Maura hummed along. "You'll get to see snow, if you go far enough north, " Phura smiled. "Don't, " said Gamba. Phura sighed, and fell silent. [ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] [ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.