She saw the change in them as well. Though it was far from surprising. She had seen a great more than he ever had. Now at least he knew it was not just something he was imagining, making up to settle the tough choice he had made. His children had found the growth he had hoped for. It made less room for regret. In the small moment he wondered if his own parents may have made the same sacrifice when settling these lands.

He smiled his agreement. Trey would probably always have her dramatic flair. The hardest thing he had had to endure was knowing of their empty bellies. Trying to show them this was all for their own good. As getting here hadn't even been half of this new journey they'd taken. But, it seemed necessary that they had had to rely on themselves, and each other. It had merely worked out that they had found Kerb and Maera to help them truly settle in the end. It was for this reason he could sometimes believe not everything was ill fated. Things worked out for the better. His eyes came to rest on the small family, and he smiled. He could never have all he wanted, but this was rather close.

{end}

Triell Tainn