THE POISONED YOUTH
Even if it meant doing the work myself.
When Elsa came to our worksite, I'd been hoisting boulders to the far side of the mountain, our temporary scrapyard. After dropping the load I slowly returned, arriving in time to see the pale mother working on that final room. A thankful smile glides to my face; she had impeccable timing, "Yar, good to see ye." Crown jerkingly dips to my right leg, with a quick dash against the fleshy muscle I cleared some itchy sweat from my brow. "I almost miss the chill of Frostfall," tone is mild with a touch of humor, "This is hot work," my grin rose a touch higher. Despite discomfort, this flesh enjoyed hard labor. Tis good for the mind also, it had a calming effect.
Gilden gaze drifted with masked expression to the adjacent rooms, they lay empty of course -- though I knew a familiar scent lingered upon yon threshold. Africa was obviously elsewhere. Keeping distraction at bay...as though such were possible when a mind kept pondering ideals best left for dreams.