Up The River Road 
Chapter II
When, at last, they entered the capitol, it was late in the afternoon. As they moved through the streets, the 'City of Fountains' glowed with the reflection of sunlight playing in water. Onne was filled with awe, and frequently endangered his nose or feet by failing to notice the little obstacles which lay in his way. Danu said nothing to him, but deftly steered him away from trees and fences, and put out a steadying hand when a section of uneven pavement or a curb tried caught his toes.
All about them the houses and shops were well kept and surrounded with growing things. Every cottage had some yard space and a garden of some sort. People also sprouted everywhere: doing business, on their way to do business, visiting with friends or neighbors, driving wagons and carts through the streets, loading and unloading. Everyone seemed to have something important to do. The two of them were making their way upstream against more bodies, and bustle, and noise, than Onne had experienced in his entire life. He had lost all sense of time, it might have been minuets, or hours, before they arrived in front of the carpenters' shop which had been their goal.
They entered to find a auburn-haired woman of average height behind the counter writing out an order. She looked up to greet new customers with a polite smile that burst into a grin of recognition.
"Danu-tho!" She stepped to the door which led to the workshop, "Ari, come see what fell down the mountain!" Tolu then strode to the travelers and threw her arms around Danu. A second woman appeared at the inner doorway, taller and darker than Tolu, a little older than Danu. Ari looked at her sister with a wry smile, then at the boy.
"He is real, after all. There was some betting in the family that it was all a myth for their benefit."
"The family have a limited imagination." Danu answered quietly.
The sisters looked at one another silently. Tolu had knelt down and was helping Onne remove his gear. She looked up at the others and let out an exasperated puff:
"The way the pair of you act, somebody would think it had been days since you last saw each other, not years. For pity's sake, move!" The Morges both smiled and met in a silent, powerful, embrace.
Dinner that evening was a bright meal, full of chat and news. Onne, who knew nothing of the people under discussion, and found it difficult to follow the rapid Kotraban the three women spoke, concentrated on the food in front of him. It was a pleasant change to sit at a table again, eating from real plates, and no fire smoke shifting to get in his eyes. There was much to be said for dining without induced tears.
Tolu and Ari carried the bulk of the conversation, having most of the news, and Danu only spoke a word here and there in order to clarify a point. Slowly the talk died down and the last of the food sat in the dishes in front of them, no longer as inviting. They enjoyed the moment in silence, the fire on the hearth, a good meal finished, and the re-union of souls whose connection went beyond blood or a common past.
Onne silently watched the three. A glow had come from somewhere deep within, and wrapped the table, and the four of them, in a special magic unlike any he had felt before. He wished that they might sit there forever, warm, safe, and together. He began to feel something, a little un-named thing, come back to him after a absence of many months: a tiny inner glow of his own. He edged closer to his mother sitting next to him on the bench, slipped his head under her arm and leaned in to rest against her. Her arm gathered around him, and she kissed the top of his head without a word.
At last a loud crack from the fire broke the mood. They all stirred and Tolu gave a small laugh.
"Well, I guess that means we've sat long enough, and, as it's my turn for the dishes, you three can get out of my way and go sit in the other room while I clean up this lot. And, No, you cannot help, so don't bother to ask. Out!"
The others rose with meek obedience and left her to the task without objection. Onne had been half asleep and was a bit unsteady on his feet, his fuzzy eyes having difficulty picking a path. His aunt scooped him into her arms.
"There is quite a tired boy here. You ready for a wash and a soft warm bed?" She inquired in Orathian. Onne let out a grand yawn, which had suddenly come upon him.
"I think so."
"I think so, too." She chuckled. "So follow
me, and let your mother sit and be lazy while we get you ready, then she
can tuck you in." Another yawn had snuck up on him, so he could only nod
in answer. Ari smiled broadly, and set him back on his leaden feet and
guided him to the wash room. Wonderful warm water all over him, the world's
best soap, the softest towel ever made, a marvelous-smelling clean shirt
which came to his feet, floating somewhere, soft mattress, warm blankets,
somebody tucking them tighter about him, a gentle kiss, a murmur....
