fandomania | The Adventure continues...

Our hatchlings:

Our Story:

Haral moved quickly and had the whole complex locked down. He brought in trusted priests and inquisitors to find out how far the heresy had spread. He also brought in doctors and therapists to evaluate both the patients of the mental ward and the inmates of the retreat. Those deemed no longer a threat to themselves or others were released to their families. Those who had no families or were disowned were sent to other facilities where they could find a way to be reintegrated into society. Those who still needed care were transferred to other hospitals elsewhere in Alfaria. Of the thirty-five nuns, twelve were found guilty of heresy and burned at the stake for their sins. The other twenty-three were sent to various cloisters around Alfaria and lived their lives in contemplative seclusion. After all the people were moved, Haral had the monastery razed and the earth salted, so that nothing would ever be built there and nothing would ever grow there.

Although one could say that I was given priority because I was related to Haral, but that really wouldn’t be true. I went through the evaluation process and was released along with others. When explained to Justice Zinovas, he agreed and declared the judgment fulfilled. I was a free woman once more.

The day that I released, Donal was there waiting for me and our sons with a carriage and we rode home in style. When we arrived, the family threw a huge party to welcome me home. It touched my heart to know how much they cared for me. Donal stayed by my side the entire party. It was as if he didn’t want to be away from me ever again. We laughed, we ate, we drank too much wine, we danced, and later that night, we made passionate love all night long.

Pahpey gave me several wonderful gifts. When he found out about my lack of schooling, he hired a special tutor for me to guide me through all the studies that I missed. When I commented casually about how I had enjoyed doing meditation and yoga, he hired instructors to allow me continue my interests.

My children were very happy to have me back. I heard that Celianne had had problems in school because she couldn’t concentrate on her lessons while I was gone. But with my return, she started to settle down and I got her special tutoring to help her catch up with the others. Soon, she was excelling in school again.

The other child who was very affected by my absence was Reuel. While he might look like his father, I think he has my temperament. So much so that he felt that he was to blame for my problems. While I was away, he suffered from nightmares. It took time and extra care to help him through this. Several times a week he would cry and beg to sleep with Donal and me. I was much too soft hearted and let him join us, although I think that it frustrated Donal a bit. But it was Pahpey who found the perfect solution. He allowed Reuel to accompany him when he would oversee the operations of the compound. He also started tucking him in at night and reading him bedtime stories and telling him stories of his childhood. Many were the times I stood outside Reuel’s bedroom and listened in on the stories. They gave me a lot of insight into Pahpey.

One day, they came back from their rounds and Reuel was holding a puppy. Pahpey had allowed him to pick out a puppy from a litter that had just been weaned. He told Reuel that this was a special puppy, who would protect him and scare the bad dreams away. And that is how Kosimar was added to our family.

The girls were seriously envious and begged to have puppies of their own. I told them that if they helped their brother care for and walk Kosimar, I would consider it. Soon, the puppy became the family dog, but who always slept with Reuel. And interestingly, Pahpey continued his routine with Reuel even after Reuel stopped having nightmares.

My twin daughters remained happy and content. They always seemed to be in a world of their own. They did well in school and made friends, but never separately.

Loysa was a beautiful toddler of 22 months. Her sunny disposition, golden curls and happy face made her the favorite of everyone. She could charm even grumpy old men into smiling for her.

Little Jayzon was over a year old. He was starting to look different from his brothers and sisters. His eyes were light gray and his hair was almost black. His skin tone was very fair. He had the typical vanDraco coloring. He was already trying to walk. I am happy to say that he took his first steps coming to me.

The twins were happy four month olds. I kept seeing a lot of Donal in them, but Donal insisted they looked very much like me. I was just happy that they were healthy and thriving.

The weeks after my return were so happy and so busy. I rarely had a moment to myself. Donal was busy working in his studio, when he wasn’t helping me with the children. I wanted to see what he was doing, but he asked me not to come in until he had finished. I had never seen him so content and so inspired. I made a special effort to find a shrine to Dailė, to thank her for granting my petition.

One day, Donal came out of his studio. He was in a jubilant mood. He finally asked me to enter his studio. There in the center of the studio was his finished sculpture. It was a depiction of me. I was sitting on a bench, with my left leg down and my right leg up on the bench. My right arm was extended with my palm up and resting on my knee. I was leaning on my left arm and hand, which was palm down on the bench. He had put draperies all around my hips and legs, but I was bare from the waist up. My face was looking directly forward and I was smiling. My hair was loose and curly. My breasts looked full and my belly looked about five months pregnant. It was stunningly beautiful. I didn’t know what to say.

Donal looked at me so expectantly. “Well? What do you think? Have I captured the beauty of my subject?”

I blushed. “It is the most extraordinarily beautiful sculpture that I have ever seen in my life. But you have made your subject more beautiful than she actually is.”

“She is as I see you. You are so beautiful that you have inspired me. You are my muse. Just as I never wish to part with you again, I am not sure that I will be able to part with this sculpture either. But I suppose that I will have to. Would you mind my showing this off to the family?”

“It is your sculpture. Why should I mind?”

“Because the subject is you.”

“Would you really not show it to anyone if I minded?”

“Yes.”

I sighed. “You should show it to the world and show them what a brilliant sculptor that you are.”

“Thank you, love. That means everything to me.”

He stood behind me and put his arms around me as we looked at the statue. “Why did you depict me as pregnant?”

“Because you are always at your most beautiful when you are. You were so when you were carrying Jayzon and again when you were carrying our sons.”

We stood in silence for a while longer as I tried to carefully form my words. “I am almost positive that I am pregnant again. I have missed my last two periods.”

Donal turned me around and looked at me stunned. “But I have always been careful and have worn protection. How could this have happened?”

“Have we always been careful? I seem to recall that after the party, six weeks ago, we weren’t very sober and I don’t remember you wearing a sheath the last few times we did it that night.”

Donal turned pale when he realized that his memories coincided with mine. “Oh my ghod!” he cried. “I am so sorry Patra!”

“Why are you sorry? You don’t want me to have this baby?”

“No. I am not sure that I do. I love you, but this will be your third pregnancy in as many years. It can’t be healthy for you. I don’t want anything that will bring you harm. I love with all my heart the sons you have given me. I love all of your children. They all are enough for me. I don’t think we need to add any more children to our family.”

I broke from his hold and ran sobbing from the studio.