Since I did reach the NaNo summit today, I suppose I should chat with Abigail. A disguise would be best, considering everything… Chris, wanna come? I’m suspending your ban of the Masada for NaNoWriMo. You’re too helpful of a muse to ban.

I thought muses were female.

Can you honestly see me doing this with Loren?

No.

Ready?

One…

Two…

Three…

We appeared behind a clump of evergreens in the Masada’s backyard. “So, how did Elizabeth die again?” Chris asked, adjusting his jacket to disguise his wings.

“Kadosh,” I explained. “A longing so intense, a love so strong, that it burns your body away.

“Hmm,” he nodded. “Like the song you looked up?”

“Yes.” I turned to him. “Even after your talk, she’s kind of sensitive. And she will not cry until tomorrow at the earliest.”

“NaNo time or rose time?”

“Former…or both.” I shrugged. “By the way, the white-cloaked man is Azariah.”

“The Abir? Cool,” Chris whistled. “What name are you using for now?”

“Rebekkah.” I shrugged. “And you?”

“David.”

I tightened my robe’s belt. “We’ll have to get her away from the others.”

“Torrim redea?”

“Maybe.  You know all my tricks.” Jedidah’s song brought tears to my eyes, and I fumbled in my pocket to turn on the recording feature of my MP3 player.

After the burial, Chris and I worked our way through the crowd to Azariah. I was impressed at how well he veiled his power. But mindful of the Director’s injunction in That Hideous Strength about good men and angels, I guarded my words. “Hello, sir. How did you know Elizabeth?”

“I knew her for a long time, child. And you?”

“I live far away, but my friend and I have visited from time to time. My name is Rebekkah; his is David.”

“I don’t see your instruments.”

“Music is not common in our land. We have other gifts.”

“I see. And you?” Azariah turned to Chris.

“I am a bird,” he grinned. “I fly over my troubles.”

Azariah looked amused. “Sometimes you must fight them.”

“Trust me, I do that too.”

 At that moment, Jedidiah called Azariah over, leaving Chris and me alone.

“She died in thirty-six hours?” he whispered.

“Basically,” I replied, stepping closer to the three-budded rose bush and sneaking out my camera. “You should find Across the Wall by Gareth Nix. It has a rose story too, even if it’s not as good as mine. Ow!” I gasped as a thorn brushed my skin.

“Careful!” Chris pressed his fingers against my wrist. “Don’t go anywhere!”

“But it’s really beautiful,” I mused. “So many roses…and the music—“

He yanked out the thorn. “Don’t go kadosh on me.”

I glared at him. “That hurt!”

“You can’t go kadosh—you still haven’t finished my story.”

I laughed. “Chris, I don’t think I’ll ever finish. I like chatting with you.” For a moment, an image of Chris old and drooling appeared in my mind.

Unfortunately, one of the effects of an author-muse connection is mind-reading. “Oh…”

“We are not going to go Twilight,” I announced. “Besides, dragons rarely die of old age.”

At that moment, Abigail stepped outside. I walked over to here. “Hello, Abigail.”

“Hello,” she blinked at me. “Do I know you?”

“I’m a traveler. I’ve passed through here a few times. And when I heard about Elizabeth…”

“Yes. Who exactly are you?”

“I’m Rebekkah, and this is my friend David. We don’t have our roses with us,” I quickly forestalled her question. “What do you think we are doing here?”

“You’ve come to remember. But memories hurt.”

“So do a lot of things.” Chris said. “My mother was harsh sometimes, but I still honor her memory. Even when life is harsh, there are reasons to love.”

“I have not had anyone close to me die. But he is right.” I turned half-away. “There is no reason to be ashamed of tears.”

Chris stepped forward. “I’ve cried a lot. And I know it hurts more when you don’t cry.”

Abigail shook her head. “You don’t understand. My family is dead. Now Elizabeth. And—“ she bit her lip. “I don’t know why I want to tell you this, but—I’m drowning. It’s so many waves, like an ocean.”

“I’ve felt that too. But there is a rope which can always pull you back.”  The lyrics to ‘Hold me, Jesus’ played in my mind.

“I should go inside. It’s too cold to stay out.” Abigail turned and walked in.

Chris turned to me. “Well…”

“Wanna visit your NaNo?” I tossed him an invisibility cloak.

“Why not?”

“—tomorrow,” I amended quickly. “It’s bedtime in my world. Plus, I have a headache.”

“See you tomorrow, then.”

“Till then, my muse.”

He glanced around and sprang into the air. “I’m off to see Skye.”

“He’s got an MC crush.” I chuckled. “Oh, well, so do I. And at least Skye has wings.”