Trickster's Queen - Weebly

him to somersault. She did not want to think of him cold
and alone in Kyprioth's uncaring waters. Instead she lit
a stick of incense to the Wave-Walker, the merciful sea
goddess, in the hope thatshe would see Elsren properly
to the Peaceful Realms. Aly did not know how she
would attend the memorial service held when there was
no body to bury, but she knew that she must.
It was almost noon when the clamor of crows drew
Aly out into the garden. A cloud of them flew overhead,
calling to each other, telling the native crows that they
were allies, come from the north. Aly watched them,
numb. Tomorrow I must get to work, she told herself.
There are opportunities now, with the Crown unsettled.
I must not sit here like a lump, or allow my people to do
so.
At least she had custom on her side. With the
announcement of the emergency coronation had come
the proclamation of a week of mourning for the Isles, a
week when all but the most necessary work was to be
set aside. Aly did not mean to idle that entire week
away, but she needed at least one day to collect herself.