He turned his head to look at Bollocks, who sat on the wall with Morena.
“Yes, of course. He’ll come with us.”
She stepped back, and Lonrach rose up. With a spread of ruby wings, he flew into the night, toward the Dragon’s Nest.
“Never in my life have I seen such a thing, nor has anyone.”
With a nod, Breen walked over to sit on the wall with Morena, and Bollocks between them.
“Nan told me this was a first in her memory. That when a dragon dies, it’s taken in private.”
“Aye, but this wasn’t a death of great age or in battle. This was… well, it’s beyond my words what it was. The tribute was beautiful.”
“It was.”
“They went bright. You could see the fire all this way, and I swear, not even the littles made a sound.” She glanced behind her. “Harken needed a walk, and on his own—well, with his other wife, as that dog wouldn’t leave him. His dragon lost a nest mate, and he feels it. I know I can’t in the same way, so he needed a walk on his own.”
Breen took Morena’s hand, found comfort, gave comfort.
“It may not be in the same way, but everyone in Talamh feels it. They know that, the dragons. I think that’s why they allowed us to be part of this.”
“I think the same. And gods, Breen, though beautiful, I hope to never see such a thing again. I should tell you Marco’s gone over with Brian. I saw Keegan fly east on Cróga. You’re welcome to share the evening meal, such as it is, with us.”
“I think Harken will need you when he gets back from his walk. I could use a walk myself. Bollocks and I will take our time going back to the cottage.”
“I’ll go in and wait for him. He waited for me, after all, and for more than the time to take a walk.”
Scattering lights ahead, Breen took her own walk. “I know you’d have gone with us today,” she said to Bollocks. “And I know Lonrach would have liked it. But it just wasn’t allowed this time. Next time we go up, it’ll be the three of us.”
She’d never forget the sights and sounds and feelings of this day, she thought. All those hearts beating, and all the hearts that never would again.
When they came out of the woods, she walked down to the bay. While Bollocks swam, she sat on the shale, studied the stars and the thumbnail moon.
What comes next? she wondered, and wished she could see. But she’d looked in the fire, searched the labradorite globe, and nothing showed itself.
She’d seen the attack too late to save those who’d gone to their rest today. How could she have this power and duty, and still not see before it was too late?
When Bollocks came out, she dried him. Then he sat with her awhile longer, looking out over the water and up to the stars.
Inside, Marco waited alone.
“Brian?”
“He just went upstairs.” Marco came over for a hug. “You know when we went to the Leaving at the castle? I thought I’d never see anything more beautiful and heartbreaking. Today I did.”
On a sigh, he gave her a last squeeze. “You need to eat.”
“I will. Go upstairs, be with him.”
“I will. It was hard for him. For you. For everybody, but the riders especially. I get that. But I think he’s better. I think today helped. He ate some, and he told me he felt Hero found peace. That he gave his life to protect others, and found peace. And…”
He slid his hands into his pockets. “I told him how I’d stay when you went to New York.”
“We could put the trip off,” Breen began, but Marco shook his head.
“He said no. And I mean he said no fucking way no. Got a little, you know, miffed with it. I was going with you, and stop being a git about it. He reminded me about Sally, and the birthday present.”
Now Marco smiled. “So I know he’s doing better, because he got miffed, and he’s really damn proud of the present.”