*In the Night*

"I miss Da," Sajti whispered, holding on to General Hondoel. It was early in the morning; four o'clock to be precise. Sajti had been lonely in his room and went to see his guardian.
"Oh, Sajti." General Hondoel stroked his boy's straight blonde hair. Such a little child. "I know you do." He had not been terribly angry when Sajti woke him up by climbing into bed next to him. The Ventwenoian and the Wulen had been getting along very well after the court ordeal.
"When will Sajou come back?"
"I haven't gotten his response yet. He may not be able to come back till the Gratitude Festival."
"That's months away," Sajti groaned. He snuggled closer to General Hondoel. It was so cold outside.
"Only five weeks."
"That's so long."
If it was daytime, General Hondoel probably would have slapped the boy's bottom for complaining. But now, with the cold and loneliness around them, General Hondoel only held him closer. "Just try to sleep, Sajti," he said, closing his eyes. "You'll be so tired later if you don't."
"Yes, General Hondoel," Sajti whispered.