One thing in particular caught Delly's eye and held it.

Catti-brie was shaking her head before Delly ever finished the thought.

"Do you believe you should have been here, protecting Delly and the child?"

"But ye must be going," Delly continued solemnly, and she fell back on the bed.

The surviving half-ogre rolled off of Delly and onto its feet.

Yet it was a sight that quickly melted into sameness, Delly had come to know.

She flashed that perfect smile again, the light of it searing Delly's heart.

For a brief moment, Delly wanted to claw her.

Delly Curtie entered the room just then, her eyes red and still lined with tears.

Before he finished, Delly was at his side, tugging at one arm.

"When did Delly Curtie become so wise in the course of life?"

She just grinned, shook her head, and turned her sights back on Delly.

"Delly told us of your heroics," Robillard was quick to add.

When was the last time Delly and Wulfgar had laughed like that?

Because now... now his relationship with Delly and their adopted child had become something more.

To Delly's dismay, the woman merely waved away the ugly creature, giving in.

"Delly Curtie's lost to us, and the little kid's not anywhere to be found.

She stalked up to Delly, eyeing her every inch.

Delly Curtie had become an extension of the sword.

Just to the side of them, Delly was equally at ease with Wulfgar.

Now, suddenly, he had become the adult in their relationship, and Delly's needs had begun to overshadow his own.

I was thinking of dragging Delly Curtie along as well."

As Delly fell away, the stranger tore Colson from her arms.

"Well, then ye're not for avenging that one," Delly reasoned.

He came up straight before Delly, facing her directly, and placed his huge hands on her slender shoulders.