"Thank you for your efforts, Vale," Vol said gruffly. That was about the best he could manage. He was in agreement with Pandora. He did not think he would know peace. The closest he came was in moments like these.
It was Penelope that needed Vale's attention, and her love. She'd been so starved of it for the longest time that she clung to Vale as if she was the only supporting pillar that she had. Vol was content to let them be. As long as Penelope continued to progress as she was, it mattered not to him.
He turned away, about to continue with his own task. He still had his mind firmly set on summoning a Fire Sprite. A hand stopped him, though. A small pale hand, of soft flesh, completely without marring. Not even a village girl could escape the sort of labour that made a man's skin as hard as it was.
