Opening Up and Meeting Dandy

Late autumn, Combe. Ryheric came to visit Tate. His mind and heart grounded. He knew Tate needed him to lend stability and strength, so they spoke in depth for the first time. Tate was quick of mind, excitable. The dark side of it was the recent hysteria; talks of something Tate knew about his own fate. An object from his dreams that he sought like treasure. Atharann came looking for Ryheric once Tate had calmed to reason. They spoke, and Dandy found herself accidentally eavesdropping from her nearby room in the inn. Her integrity led her to knock on the door frame and admit what she had heard. Enveloped then, in the same conversation. Atharann spoke of his love for the highly sought, elusive Winnie. And the discussion turned less towards grim matters, and more towards bonding and getting to know one another better. The openness was so refreshing, Ryheric had never seen Atharann so candid. Combined with the exuberant Tate and Dandy, he found himself swept up in the candor. No longer shying from these friendships. No longer the imposter. No longer out of place. The sense of belonging in the room that evening was momentary, fleeting, but a treasure never to be taken away from his heart.