moving down the water
"Bolearis. It's good to see you well."
What had he expected, after all? No one who got in with Ouroboros got on less than shining, with their Flame Clock tidily sorted and their provisions assured, aside of Castles' Rank.
But Bolearis was the sort who took things hard, and Ethel's...fading had been sure to wear hard on him.
All the more truth to his esteeming statement, and all the more confidence that there was hope for the future, if even the most hangdogged (grinning, now) could pick themselves up - and be picked up, by willing comrades in winged arms.