362 Announcements and Honor

AARYN

When he learned that Elreth was going in search of Gar, to tell him that she was formally establishing the tribe in a few days, he was eager to join her—even if his stomach went a little hollow. He'd yearned for this day. Known she would do it. And he celebrated it. He couldn't wait to see the disformed finally take their place among the tribes.

Yet… he'd envisioned himself at their head when that happened. And even though he knew Gar was going to be great… it hurt. It ached. It burned a little bit that she hadn't jumped as quickly into this before.

They found Gar at home, face lined and eyes puffy and with dark smudges underneath. He looked like he'd slept even less than Aaryn recently.

When he opened the door, his eyebrows rose, but he just pulled it wider and ushered them inside. "What's up?"

Elreth stalked in, then turned to stand in the middle of the living area and faced her brother like she was bracing for an argument.