The Rabbit and the Raven: Book Two in the Solas Beir Trilogy by Melissa Eskue Ousley Page B

enough that I cannot say for sure if you actually communicated with each other. Let us try a different approach. Choose a location that has meaning to you both and focus on that image as you fall asleep tonight. As you dream, try to make yourself aware that it is a dream, and then meet each other at that location. Try to remember as much as possible, but do not tell one another your dreams. I will want you to each tell me separately so we can see if a true connection has been made.”
    “All right,” David said. “I’m not very good at remembering the details, but I’ll try. I’ll write down the dream as soon as I wake up. Where should we meet, Abby? Where we first danced?” He took her hand and squeezed it.
    Abby smiled, remembering that night. “The steps by the beach …sounds good,” she said. “That’s a special memory for me. I think there’s enough of an emotional connection there to draw us together.”
    “Yes, that is exactly the kind of place you need,” Eulalia agreed.
    “It’s a date,” David said.
     
     
     
    The session was interrupted by a gentle knock on Eulalia’s chamber door. “Come,” she called.
    David looked up to see Cael enter hesitantly. “I do not wish to intrude,” he said.
    “Cael! Congratulations!” Abby jumped up and pulled the knight into a hug.
    David chuckled at Cael’s look of surprise. Cael was, as a rule, not the huggy type, but the emotional armor he’d kept so close over the years had just about melted away now that he was free to express his love for Eulalia, and now that he had four protégés who were becoming like children to him. David smiled as he watched Cael laugh and hug Abby back.
    David’s relationship with Cael was still more formal, but mutual respect was growing day by day. Standing, David went to shake Cael’s hand. “I’m very happy for you both. These last few weeks—you’ve helped me so much by mentoring me that it already feels like you’re part of my family. It’s an honor to make it official.”
    “The honor is mine, David. Thank you.” Cael smiled, and then, since he was apparently on a roll with the hug thing, pulled David into an embrace. “I hope you know that I will always love your mother, and will ever keep her safe, so long as I have breath.”
    “I do know that. And I know you’ve done your best to care for her in far less happy circumstances than this. You have both sacrificed so much—I hope we will have better days ahead,” David said.
    “And alas, that brings me to my reason for interrupting you. I, too, hope for better days, but they seem to be far off just yet,” Cael stated.
    “Oh no,” Eulalia said, concerned. “What happened?”
    “We received a report that Nuren, a village on the Great Plains near the South Forest, was attacked last evening,” Cael reported. “It was mostly livestock that were taken, but…”
    “How many villagers?” Eulalia asked.
    Cael looked at his feet. “Six,” he said gravely.
    “Six,” Eulalia breathed. “The Kruorumbrae have grown bold in the knowledge that their master has returned. We must quickly go to offer our condolences and see what can be done to help.”
    “Yes,” David nodded. “That should be our first priority. I imagine we should take some of our own stock to ease the loss and replenish other supplies as well. Cael, what other damage was done?”
    “Some buildings were destroyed. I do not wish to sound callous, but this may be an opportunity for you, David, to use your powers to assist them and win their trust,” Cael proposed.
    “No, you make a good point,” David replied. “I can help them rebuild and tend the wounded. That’s why I’m here, isn’t it?”
    “Yes, dear one,” Eulalia said, taking David’s hand. “That is why you are here.”
    “All right then—it’s decided,” David declared. “Abby, can you pass on the news to Jon and Marisol? They should join us so they can see what we’re up against. Mother, could you please make