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[not_his_pa]

When they returned from the festival and found Carlotta, William had a hard time sleeping. Early the next morning, when the sun was barely up, he went walking to the mound in case anyone else had come through. In the morning light he sees a gray shape in the snow and walks slowly forward saying, "Oh Beaut, where is she?"

If Miss Barlow sent Beaut away then whatever's happening is even worse than before and as he's able to calm Beaut, William buries his head in his mane and sheds a few tears. This wasn't supposed to happen, not to Milliways, not to everyone there.

Comments

[gotland_npc]

"You must still feed him milk, he is that little," Agilulf says. "I am glad one of them has found a new home with you, though. You will make each other happy."

[not_his_pa]

"I'll do that. I'm good at takin' care of those that need it. Been doin' it for my brother all our lives,"

Myrrh leans up and bats at his chest which helps him to swallow down the lump in his throat.

[gotland_npc]

"I must be on my way," Agilulf says, "the others will need placing as well. Värmod's brother took one, but there are still two left. But I know who to call on."

Adalgoth walks with him, talking amiably, back to his horse, to see him off as is polite.

[not_his_pa]

As William is becatted, he doesn't join them and pets Myrrh and Horus, who are investigating each other and him.

[ostro_goth]

Myrrh is licking the little one's ears, happy to have found a new friend who's littler than she is.

[not_his_pa]

They're wonderful cats and William smiles, he'll figure out a way to give Horus a home somehow.

[gotland_npc]

There is not much milk yet at this time of year, but there is enough to spare so the little kitten can be fed.

Cats are treasured, and everybody finds little Horus quite charming, even jumpy Kitty, and lazy Ferdinand by the hearth-fire.

[not_his_pa]

Caring for Horus and Beaut is a good way for William to keep even busier and constantly push down his worries.

He's only allowing himself to go check for a door every other day, because it hurts too much when it isn't there.

[gotland_npc]

Little Athalwin comes with him whenever he is allowed to, because he likes both William and the horses. As far as he is concerned, William could just stay. What with everybody and Carlotta and her baby being around, one more William can't make much of a difference in food, but a lot of difference in fun! He's never mean, like Alaric and Witichis can be.

[not_his_pa]

It's nice to have Athalwin around, he reminds William a lot of Mark when he was smaller and Bill when he came in as a little boy.

On the days when he rides out to the burial mound, Athalwin rides in front of him and the two cats either sneak rides in his pockets or are held by Athalwin.

On a day when it feels like Spring is starting to be a reality, there's a shimmering look of another place on the mound.

William slows the horses as he doesn't want to scare off the possible door.

[gotland_npc]

"Oh, look at that!" Athalwin breathes. "Is that what the king's afterlife looks like?"

[not_his_pa]

"Yeah, it is. Don't go too close just yet," The sky is clearly blue again but it looks like a battle took place.

"I'm goin' to go on through so you need to go down and tell everyone I'm leavin'."

He hugs Athalwin before helping him down to the ground.

[gotland_npc]

"Would that mean the king is well and Adalgoth can stop bawling when he thinks nobody is seeing it?" Athalwin asks, looking up at William.

Taking an Important Message to everybody is almost as good as getting to keep William.

Only almost.

"Would you come back to visit us again? You're our friend!"

[not_his_pa]

"I think it does and I'd like to. Now I need to go and see how things are in Milliways,"

He's afraid that the door will disappear but it's never easy to say goodbye so he smiles at Athalwin as he slowly starts through the door.

[gotland_npc]

Athalwin watches with big, fascinated eyes.

[not_his_pa]

First William passes through on Les and then Beaut behind him before the hole closes up and there's only the burial mound once more.