Kaeli had finally stepped out to tell them that Tarra seemed to be resting quietly now, and that all of them needed to get their rest too. Hallie had set up, rubbed her eyes then looked to her and whispered a very quite thank you. Ulrich had steeped forward and crouched down to tell Hallie and Arkus that he would talk them to Kam's wagons so that they could get some rest. Thankfully, they did not protest, and being with Kam was probably the best for them right now. They were both emotionally and physically drained, and needed food, sleep and the love of their Grandfather.
She had stayed for a time after they left staring into the fire, trying to find the strength to get up and go to her own wagons. Was that it, or was she still worried? A shadow cast over her and she looked up expecting Rook, but found it was not him, it was that damned Ayguili. He held down a hand to help her up, and she brushed it away and got to her feet. As she turned to walk towards her wagons she told him that she was fine and did not need an escort, like that was going to deter the man. He just grunted in that way he has, which irritates her to no end, and said he knew that, but he had promised Ba'atar to keep an eye on her while he was gone. With a bit of a huff, she picked up her pace until she came within the lights of her own wagons, where she turned and thanked him, the went to check on the boys. Thankfully he went to his own wagons to do whatever it is that he does there. She shivered watching him walk away. There was just something about him that rubbed her wrong.
The boys were clean, fed, and pretty much settled for the night. She crawled in the wagon with them and spent time just listening to the tales of their day. Two was already asleep and Also crawled up into her lap and turned those big dark eyes on her.........Where the man? The man? She studied him for a time, then laughed softly and explained to him that the man was Fonce, and that he was probably in his wagon, sleeping. Warriors need lots of sleep. He said nothing more on the subject, and just leaned his little back against her as he watched his two older brothers vying for her attention to tell her of how well they had done with their weapons training with Uncle Rook. A small smile came to her as Tug bragged on Another One, and how well he was doing. There was just this generosity of spirit in her eldest son. He could be a handful, but then he would turn around and show his concern for his younger siblings and it touched her heart.
It took a story to get them all settled down and to sleep. She sat for a time watching them, seeing how they looked like a little of sleen pups all entwined with each other. Covering them up, a kiss was placed to each little dark head and she stepped out of the wagon, and stood for a time just taking in the sounds of the harigga.
She had just stepped down from the platform and was walking towards her wagon when a slave ran up, excited to tell her that the Master Trilok and Mistress Noya had twins! A boy and a girl! Her hand automatically went to her own swelling middle, and she could not help herself, tears came to her eyes. Her nephew, with a son and a daughter, the Sky had certainly sent her blessings.
It was late, but she did not care. She would not disturb them tonight, knowing how this first night was special, but there would be gifts there for them on the morrow. She had already gathered up blankets, tiny furs, nappies and things of that nature, but this new development called for something more, and she knew exactly what it was.
Going to Rook's wagon, she found him lounged back on the platform, having a cup of tea. She asked for him to walk with her to the pens and he unfurled and stood. She roused the slaves, and had twist to gather up the basket of things she had put away, and she sent juneau to her family's wagons to make sure that Trilok's parents knew of the arrivals.
At the pens, she also woke Gabe to give him the news, and had him help her to single out the two foals that she had in mind. They were twins from Taycos' black war kaiila and one of her dark mares. The were positively beautiful, and would make wonderful mounts for her new great nephew and niece.
With Rook's help, they put halters on the foals and walked back through the lanes of wagons. The baskets of goods were already on the step of Trilok's wagons, and they quietly tied the foals to the wheel then slipped back away.
Back in her own wagon, she finally undressed and crawled into the furs. For a long time, she lay there running her hand over the swell of her middle and thinking of Ba'atar. She missed him so much. She missed the look of him, the smell of him, the way the corner of his eyes wrinkled when he laughed, the slow steady beating of his heart under her ear at night when she lay with her head on his chest. She even missed his arrogance and his sometimes infuriating ideas on some things.
She just missed him.
No comments:
Post a Comment