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been running himself ragged for quite some time.
    Raslin wondered cynically if the council Kyros was fighting would be the death of him, or if Kyros would take care of that himself. Taking a pair of thick socks from the bureau, Raslin pulled them on one at a time, debating for the hundredth time whether he should outright offer to go with Kyros, since he doubted Kyros would ask. He'd probably just get in the way …
    but with Ailynn leaving, and Kyros gone—forever, this time, Kyros had been clear about that—what did Raslin have left in Ourenville?
    His sister, Raslin thought. Technically, he'd be leaving her, and Raslin felt terrible that he didn't feel guilty at the thought of leaving Nikla behind. They'd grown apart, really; Nikla had moved on after their parents had died. She rarely bothered to do more than say hello, unless she wanted him to come help her and Angelos fix something around their house. Sighing, Raslin ran a hand through his hair, making a note to have Ailynn trim it before she left.
    She wasn't happy about leaving, Raslin knew, but she was putting a good face on it. Raslin would miss her, almost as much as he had missed Kyros. It was stupid to want to throw away everything to follow a man he hadn't seen for five years.
    Especially since, by all rights, Kyros and Ailynn were leaving him sitting pretty. Ailynn wouldn't be returning, which meant the house would be his. It was a nicer house than the one he'd let Nikla take over, but that was poor consolation.
    Turning, Raslin stopped in surprised. Kyros was sitting up, looking like he'd love nothing more than to go back to sleep.
    "Good morning," Raslin said, expecting and receiving nothing more than a grunt of acknowledgment. Kyros stumbled to his feet, and Raslin headed for the loft ladder, meaning to get out of Kyros' way and maybe make an escape before Kyros could invite himself along on the day's tasks.
    "Wait," Kyros said, the word hoarse with sleep. Raslin turned back towards him expectantly, but Kyros only waved at him. "Give me a minute. I'll meet you downstairs."
    "You don't have to get up now," Raslin said, well aware that it was a futile exercise to try to keep Kyros in bed. He hadn't stayed the last few days when Raslin had tried to get him to sleep longer.
    Kyros cleared his throat, looking marginally more awake as he pushed the hair from his face. "I need to give you something."
    "What?" Raslin asked, curious but wary.
    "It's … it requires explanation," Kyros said, yawning widely.
    "All right," Raslin said, wondering what in the world Kyros was giving to him. Nothing good, he thought as he climbed down from the loft. Probably something for safekeeping, since his travels had been delayed. Unfortunately, while the snow had tapered off, it was still falling, and the storm looked to be gathering more snow to dump on them.
    The snow was great from the village's standpoint— everyone loved snow for Solstice. It was yet another sign that winter was truly there. However, it was terrible for Kyros and his compatriots who were travelling to take Ailynn to her new home. Unfortunately, Raslin doubted—though he hoped—the snow would deter the men who were after Kyros. Travel was likely only difficult around Ourenville; they'd be able to get close before the snow hindered them.
    "Did I hear Kyros up and about?" Ailynn asked, already setting a bowl of porridge out for him. It was accompanied by a thick slice of bread and a cup of ale.
    "I don't think he'll be up for long," Raslin said, the half-truth rolling off his tongue easily. Kyros would stall if he knew Ailynn was around to fret over him, but Raslin doubted he'd be convinced to return to bed. "Though he might try."
    "Hmm," Ailynn said, casting the loft a quelling look. "We'll see. I'll hang around for a while, then."
    "I can handle feeding him, if you want to get down to Hally's," Raslin offered, knowing Ailynn had plans to spend most of the day baking with her cousin.
    Ailynn considered for a