Ret held my hand against his cheek. "Dear wife. I love you. Goes, would you teach me poetry?"

Goes put his hands on the sides of Ret's face. "Close your eyes and rest, and I will sing for you. Nat, I think you know this one, and Pie also."

I walked in the garden today

Sweet scents of home color memories

Flowers nod as I reach, mine in my

Love's hands. Together we walk, our minds

Cling and our tears mix, for dangers as

Real as yesterday threaten our days

But we have now, and we have time yet

And this walk and the colors of love wait

For the next peril when we need them.

The harmonies in a minor key, and all that emotion made me cry. Goes said it was Persennon, a great poet of Zhea~. I held Ret's hand against my cheek, but he slept.

Goes rubbed the back of my head. Nae fear. Rest is also healing. You know, Lady, that King Donterian released him from diplomatic work?

Yes, and I'm scared it'll kill him!

O, Lady, nae! I nae ever lost a diplomat because he had to leave this work!

-- Nicole's Absolute Maybe, an unpublished story