River sat quietly, her hands folded in what remained of her lap, her eyes closed. She was listening to the small sounds of the night as it pressed in around her, the old building behind her creaking and groaning as timbers cooled, insects playing their symphonies in the trees, and out beyond the wall something small and furry ended its life in a high-pitched squeak, and something else flew back off on silent wings, its prize clasped tightly in razor talons.

Almost at the edge of her perception she could feel others, the souls who had come to this place seeking redemption, safety … or just someone to talk to. Some stayed, became Shepherds like Book, others took what they needed and moved on, but they had all left their imprint on the Abbey like pictures on a capture tab. If she reached out just a little more, she could see them, clustered around the old building like moths to a flame …

“What are you doing?” Freya asked, standing observing the young woman as much as she could in the starlight.

“Communing.”

“Who with?”

“Whoever wishes to speak to me.” River opened her eyes and looked up. “Is that for me?”

Freya looked down at Jayne’s coat in her hands. “It is. It’s somewhat chilly out tonight, and I don’t want you catching cold before the wedding tomorrow.”

“You know that’s a fallacy, don’t you?” the young woman said, standing up anyway and slipping it on. She hugged it around herself, like Jayne’s arms.

“Fallacy or not, you have to keep well. For all our sakes.”

River sat down again. “Why are you here?” she asked, arranging her knees under the large jacket. “I thought you were tired.”

Freya joined her on the stone seat. “Mal’s put Ethan and Jesse to bed, and he’s reading them a story about a boy who jumps through doorways into different worlds. It’s fun and energetic and will keep them awake for ages, so I thought I’d come and find out why you aren’t in bed.”

“Not sleepy.”

“Big day tomorrow.”

“A beginning. And an ending.”

“Ending?”

“No more River T