Ralph and the Pixie

Theuli noticed straightaway Pran’s discomfort. Part of it was the lack of privacy in the infirmary. Some of it may have been due to the loss of their home, and the close call suffered by his wife and family.

‘Pran, you are not adept at keeping secrets from me.’

He nodded, and thinking of a conversation he’d had with Ralph, said, ‘I have been asked if I wish to be reinstated. I told Birin that I would consult with you first.’

After an uncomfortable silence, she replied, ‘I see. What do you wish to do?’

He sighed. ‘Therein lies the problem. I no longer wish to serve another, and I do not want to be involved in something that takes me far away from my family for prolonged periods of time. The death of my brother and his family has taught me that each moment we spend together is very precious. I have missed out on much of Rani’s childhood, and that which is missed is gone forever.’

‘Is there no other task you could perform?’

‘There is, but it still involves travel.’

Theuli sighed, accepted this tiredly. ‘So you would be away again?’

‘No,’ he replied, looking her uncertainly in the eye, ‘we would be away.’