Kirjava had recited the words the same way Xaphania had spoken them the first time, with an angel's strength and indifference. 6 years are a long time for a human, especially if one is young.
Will didn't know the truth for that long.
Thus Kirjava had coveredly prepared Will for almost 4 years, until she finally hit him with the full extent of what she had heard. That was about 2 years in the past.
Will's experience with school of life had not been what he had dreamed it would be: Even if, in the end, he did not achieve the degree of any higher school, but he learned to do everything there is need to know to survive on the sea or in free landscape. Mary had been a good friend and teacher, teaching him everything that he needed to know,.. and Will wondered if he would ever see her again...
He raised his look upwards for a moment and eventually said: " The sun is going to set in due time. Only 2 more hours and we're going to sit in complete darkness. It would be best if we just stayed here, considering that the rocks and the watercourse provide an excellent cover against the wind." Kirjava purred in agreement and thus the case was decided.
As his daemon searched their surroundings for sticks and other combustible material, Will put up his tent and prepared a small dinner. After an hour, the tent stood tall and a fireplace had been set up, Will and Kirjava ate bread and ham, while they watched the sun setting to it's rest on the horizon.
"Most of all I miss her courage and the way she is always beaming with joy." Will suddenly said breaking up the total silence. Kirjava could fully understand his sudden outburst since she herself knew that she would never ever forget only a tiny little thing of Lyra. Instead, the moment she felt his inner pain, she moved closer to his chest and started purring again in an effort of calming him down. Will, even if it would not entirely banish the desire in his heart, had to admit that the sudden burst of warmth originating from his very own soul felt very good.
"Kir"?
"Yes"?
"Everythings going to be fine, isn't it?"
"Everythings going to be great!" she answered, keeping the faint doubts haunting her to herself. Even if they did so, speaking them out would cause Will only more pain.
Not long after they bowed to the the enemy that was tiredness, cuddled up in their tent and sank into the world of dreams.