Ralph and the Pixie

‘Pran!’

Jumping off his mount, he handed the reins to Rani, and went to help the girl to her feet.

For a moment, he stared at her in confusion, thinking that there was something familiar about this person-

‘Nevana?’

For an instant, she stared back. Then, averting her gaze, she tried pulling away.

‘What is it?’ It was Pran, who had joined him.

‘Leave me!’ Nevana cried, trying to pull away from him once more.

Ralph caught her by the waist, quickly shifted her so that she lay cradled in his arms.

‘Look at her feet!’

‘Why are you not wearing proper footwear?’ Pran asked her sternly as they brought her to the Healer’s wagon.

Flushed with shame, she made some inaudible response.

‘What’s that?’

‘She said,’ Ralph muttered tersely, having caught her words, as she lay in his arms, ‘that these are all that she has.’

They left her with the Healers, who assured Pran that she was not yet suffering from the effects of frostbite, but that the outcome would have been worse if she had gone on any longer. Much worse. Ralph accompanied Pran as they first deposited the children back in the wagon, then went in search of the wagon of Arlon and Durus. Ralph made no attempt to converse with Pran, sensing his mood. Theuli, too, had accepted the children into the wagon in silence, seeing his expression.