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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Boddynock" data-source="post: 2214635" data-attributes="member: 21506">Alton walks home, his mind filled with images of the night before - the appearance of the boar, its goring of Kiylea, the agonizing fact that he was too far away from his friend to prevent it, the charge, Bubbles leaping to the fray (his mind dwells on that memory for a while), the downing of the beast, his own fervent prayers and the way his hands moved decisively about the task of stanching Kiylea's wounds - "Thank you, Lady, for saving her life!"He is glad of the chance to be alone, to come to terms with his failure to protect his friend. Briefly a chasm of despair yawns for his spirit but he feels a whisper-light touch of breeze and the warm kiss of the sun - and then, although still appalled at how easily it could have ended badly, he takes heart from the Lady's presence with them, and even feels some pride at how they had together achieved what they had set out to do.By the time he reaches Amblestock Alton is more upbeat. Although more tired than he wanted to admit, he takes time out to visit his mother at the Bakery before heading home. She is very busy but he still manages to give her the thumbs up, and to let her know that he would be going out for training before she got home. She smiles at him, secretly relieved and not a little proud of her fine, tall son. She would let him know just how proud later - for now, it was enough to beckon him over and hand him a steaming meat pasty - "For your father and you both, mind." He grins at her, and pantomimes tucking in as he leaves the shop. In the corner, Hugh Highdumple snorts quietly before meeting Talia's eye and smiling at her. A moment later, Hugh's eyes are closed and he begins to snore, ever so gently.After a long lunch with his father, who listens attentively to Alton's recounting of their adventures and asks a few penetrating questions about the boar and Welsly's theories about its origins, Alton lies down to rest. A couple of hours later he wakes, stretches luxuriously, and realizes that he'll be in good time to swing by the armoury before heading back to train with the others. After packing up his gear - he decides to wear his armour again, because it is easier than carrying it - he makes his way to see Mero.</blockquote>

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