Where love and need are one ... ?
Raetsel's house overflows with family; her visits to Charon's smithy go unmarked at first in the bustle. She's pleased to find somewhere her help is needed and noted -- Fakir demanding seconds, Charon complimenting her mending. Her mother sighs over such charity, but everyone else approves (those poor children, that dear man), so she's there to console and restrain Fakir while Charon butters Mytho's burns.
They give the boys a moment alone together afterward. Standing beside her in the hall, Charon sighs and smiles wearily. Thank you, Raetsel.
His hand finds
support on her shoulder and she loves him for it.
Author's Note: Current first-aid for burns advises strongly against using butter on them. In the past, however, this treatment was a standard folk-remedy.