The hug very nearly broke her. Sigyn was holding on to her composure by a very thin thread, and when Isis’ arms went around her, all she wanted to do was to give in. To crumble under what felt like a world of weight, and just lean on her friend until everything was better again.
But she couldn’t do that. She was one of those that had to make things better again, at least for those servants left here. Failing them would be failing Hedylogos, and she refused to consider doing that. Despite the overriding inclination to cling to her friend and cry until the pain stopped, Sigyn gently pulled herself away. There were things that needed to be done, and she needed Isis for that even more than she needed her for the hug.
Later, she promised herself, later she would allow herself to be comforted. But her people had to come first. “I need a place for them, Isis. I was going to take them to the kitchen, but I’m uncertain how much damage the rest of the chateau has taken. They need to be clean, and safe, and be able to rest. They can’t do that here. Can you help me?”
Sigyn knew that it was only the beginning of what she was going to ask her friend. There was so much to be done. Caring for the living came first, both those gathered here and whoever had managed to get away, but she could not ignore her duties to the dead. She hadn’t needed the reminder from the rude healer to know that their disposition would fall to her. And after that, repairs needed to be started on her home. It was all so much, and it all needed to be done before she could attempt to get Hedylogos returned to her.
She wanted to scream in frustration and impatience. Instead, she tried to give Isis a smile through the tears. She failed miserably. “I’m going to owe you quite a lot before this is over, I’m afraid.”