It was well after sunset before Cyrion Tabris returned to the hut where his son slept. He entered as quietly as he could, lighting a single candle and settling onto a chair with a slight groan to pull muddy boots off his swollen feet.
“Papa?” a small voice called from the darkest corner.
“You should be sleeping,” Cyrion said softly.
“I was,” Beleg said defensively. “Auntie sent over some stew. It’s in the pot.”
“Did you eat?” Cyrion rose with another groan and poked the embers in the hearth.
“Mmhm. And Shianni got whipped ’cause she got mud on her new dress,” Beleg gloated.
“You shouldn’t laugh at your cousin’s misfortune,” Cyrion said, stirring the pot. “We’ve only got each other in the alienage. Never forget that.”
“Yes, Papa,” Beleg said quietly.
Cyrion came over to the bed, his movements slow and stiff, and sat down, wrapping an arm around his son. “Did you have a good day?” he asked kindly.
Beleg’s eyes lit up. “Got all of the targets in one try! Well, not the one that was furthest away, but the rest of them!”
Cyrion clenched his teeth a moment before he responded. “You’re improving,” he finally said. “Tomorrow you should help your aunt fix that window of hers. And now you should get some sleep.”
“Will you be here when I wake up?”
“I have to be back at work early. But I’ll see you in the evening. Now get some sleep.”