Evesdropping.

They had finally surfaced from the confines of their wagons. Actually, she had surfaced first, leaving Ba'atar and the baby snuggled up in the furs, sleeping. She had spent some time treating herself to a nice long bath in a tub of water laced with oils. Every woman deserved just a little bit of time to herself from time to time, even Tuchuk women.


Returning to the wagon, she found Ba'atar sitting up in the middle of the furs with both boys, talking to them.. Standing outside on the platform, she listened for a time as he explained to them about their people, and how lucky they were to be born among the tribe, and what a good life awaited each of them.


She felt almost guilty standing there listening, but she just could not find it within herself to either go in, or to leave. Her heart ached when she heard Tug ask him if he was his Papa now, like Papa Loch had been. Ba'atar answered yes, that he was his Father now. The next question from Tug, turned that ache into true pain. In that simple way that a child has, he asked.............When are you gonna leave us? She almost burst through that flap to gather her son into her arms to try and take away the fear she heard in his voice, but she didn't. She didn't, because when Ba'atar spoke, there was a gentleness in his voice that took her breath away.


"I am not the one that Fathered you, or Another One. Each of you had Warriors, who in loving your mother and wanting to see the Tribe proved with great Warriors in the future, as they were, helped create you. In doing so, I was given the gift of two wonderful sons that I could spend my life trying to give the best to these gifts. For that I thank those men whose blood runs in your veins. I may not be a Father of your flesh, but I am the Father of both of you in heart. Know you both are blessed. So many who will touch you with history greater then any other. Now its time to embrace such. I have so much to teach both of you. "Ba'atar would lift One's chin to see eye to eye. Giving a smirk before speaking."No more of this 'Papa' either. Your a man, first of the first in these wagons. Father is a word of respect and pride. Save the silly talk for the Wench. You know they like that, bet it will get you another honey cake"

Tug looks up at him, gets a serious look on his face and says. "Yes Father." He then grins. "But, I can use it with the wenches when I want something, right?" A hearty laugh came from the interior of the wagon.


Quietly she slipped from the platform, to find a place to be alone for a time, to gather her emotions back inside, and to think. She was blessed. There had been times when she had cursed the skies, but she realized now, that she was a woman truly blessed. She had been given the love of three fine warriors, very few women have been blessed in this manner. And, she loved each of them. Tayco, Loch, and now Ba'atar. Each had a place in her heart, and always would.