Decided to skip forward to post-AWE times. Borrowed (without permission) artaxastra's post-AWE scenario, which is so similar to my vision of things. This one's quite a bit longer. Many thanks to hereswith for editing, and to jenthegypsy's suggestions, too. Chapter One is here.

( Chapter Two )

This is a reply to a couple of drabble challenges at Black Pearl Sails, though at almost a thousand words it's hardly a drabble. There will be at least one more part to this, perhaps several, and it may turn spoilery for AWE -- not that we need to warn for that any more, really. Many thanks to hereswith for editing!

( Themes: 'Thief' and 'Red' )