“Astrid!” Dev called, desperation evident in his voice. He rose to his knees, hanging on with one hand to her pillowy skin and pleading, “Please turn around. Please! I… need to go back. I need… to go… home.”

An Unwelcome Visitor

If Drock comes to the cavelands with news of the other black-eyed people, you must tell him where I am,” Dev told Astrid as she prepared to leave for the cavelands again, this time without him. “Can you remember to do that?”

“I promise,” said Astrid.

Dev found it hard to believe her. “Wait. I’ll tie a ribbon of grass around your claw.”

“A ribbon of grass?” said Astrid, completely befuddled. “Why would I want that?”

“It’ll help you remember,” said Dev. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” He ran out toward the river, where the grass grew long and sturdy, and plucked three pieces of equal length. He tied off one end, braided the strands tightly, then tied off the remaining end and brought it back to Astrid. “Hold out your talons, please,” he said.

Astrid obliged. Dev knelt and tied the grass ribbon around her smallest claw, making several knots to keep it from slipping off or untying. “Whenever you look at this ribbon, you will think of me,” said Dev. “And you’ll remember that you need to tell Drock where I am. Okay?”

Astrid frowned. The grass ribbon felt like she had something undesirable stuck between her claws, and she didn’t really like it. “Okay,” she said doubtfully. “If you say so.” She didn’t seem sure of this plan at all.

“I believe in you,” said Dev. “And… thank you, Astrid. For everything you’ve done for me. I’m very grateful.”

“Take good care of yourself,” said Astrid. “I’ve grown fond of you since the moment I first discovered you in Ashguard’s tower. I knew there was someone up there. Did I tell you?”

Dev smiled uneasily but didn’t correct her. He worried that a grass ribbon around her claw wasn’t going to help her one bit. But it was something. “I’ve grown fond of you, too. Don’t forget me here.”

“I could never forget you, ah…” She blinked.

“Dev,” said Dev.

“That… was a joke,” said Astrid slyly.

“Oh,” said Dev, trying to laugh but failing miserably.

“Good-bye, Dev,” said Astrid. And with that, she took her leave.

Dev waved until she stopped looking back, and then he shielded his eyes from the sun and watched until she grew small. He thought he saw a tiny something drop from her claw to the ground below. Dev shook his head and sighed. Hopefully, if Drock asked about him, that would jar Astrid’s memory. But if not, Dev would have to deal with whatever came his way indefinitely. Alone.

The thought made his stomach churn. He hadn’t spent much time alone, and he didn’t like it. He’d told Fifer as much when he’d joined her rescue team, and he wasn’t used to making his own decisions after a life of having someone dictate his every move. But he was ready now. Or at least he hoped he was.