fandomania | The Adventure continues...

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Our eggs:

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Our hatchlings:

It was very late when Donal and I stopped our love making and finally feel asleep. So when morning came and with it my early morning feeding of Yusaf, I was surprised how alive I felt. As Yusaf nursed, he also got serenaded by me with lullabies and any other children’s songs that I could think of. After his hunger was assuaged and he was properly burped, I gave him to one of the nursery maids to be changed and dressed. I then spent time with Eryssa and then the twins.

I took some time and contacted Orlando telepathically.

“I hope I am not interrupting anything important, Orlando?”

“NOT AT THE MOMENT, LITTLE ONE.”

“Would you be able to come to the compound in the next day or so? It is important, but it isn’t vital or critical. But I do need your opinion on something that has come up.”

“LIKE WHAT?”

“It concerns that entity that I told you about, just before you left last time.”

“OH?”

I sighed. “I suppose you want to know the whole reason, before you come.”

“IT WOULD HELP ME PREPARE WHAT TO BRING. YOU KNOW I DON’T LIKE BEING CAUGHT OFF GUARD.”

“I have found the entity, the source of the power.”

“HMMMM. YOU ARE DOING MUCH BETTER THAN I HAVE IN MY RESEARCH. WHAT IS THE SOURCE?”

“The Crown of the Gyventi.”

“I WILL BE THERE BY NOON TOMORROW.”

“Thank you.”

I then wrote a note to Uncle Haral and asked him to please come for a meeting here at Noon tomorrow.

As per my routine, I went and met with Cora the housekeeper and Ifon the chef. We went over the day’s schedule. Afterwards, I asked Ifon to make a large picnic basket of food for Donal, myself and all of our children. I asked if it would have enough foods to please the children as well as Donal and me. He said that he would personally make everything for us and that it would be ready at noon.

I then went to Pahpey’s office. He was there already, but I had, for once, gotten to the office before Aunt Suthi.

“Good. Pahpey, are you available tomorrow at noon? Donal and I wish to consult with you and with Haral and Orlando for your opinions on a matter that has recently come up.”

Pahpey looked at me with concern. “No, Pahpey, it isn’t anything nearly as bad as the last time. We just want unbiased opinions of something that is important to us, but nothing nearly as horrendous as before.”

Pahpey then checked his calendar and said that he would be free, and wrote us in for that time.

Aunt Suthi arrived, still looking as sick as she did yesterday. “I always found ginger tea to be very soothing and helpful against morning sickness.” I commented.

She looked at me sharply. “It isn’t working with me. At least, not yet. And yes, I have tried both raspberry and peppermint teas. I am a midwife, you know.”

I blushed, but decided better about saying anything further.

We then discussed and made plans for the multiple weddings. Pahpey had talked the men into marrying the young women they had gotten pregnant. Of the four extras, Pahpey had settled Vitha in her own home elsewhere in Daihor. One of the potential fathers of one of the maids decided he loved her enough to marry her. The other two girls Pahpey had dismissed; no one wanted to acknowledge their babies. Pahpey sent them home to their families and sent the families some money to help them care for their future grandchildren.

We discussed when to have the wedding, where, and other plans. I would talk with the girls as to their wishes and bring back their answers as soon as I could. With other business on the agenda, this meeting didn’t end until almost eleven o’clock. I had just enough time to go change and round up my children.

The day was nice out. The sun shone brightly, but there was a cool breeze that kept the temperatures at a comfortable level. The children were happy and loud and played with each other exuberantly. We ate Ifon’s excellent food; we laughed, played games and had so much fun. We hadn’t had a day like this together in a long, long time. It was such a wonderful day.

Of course, Reuel insisted on bringing Kosimar, his dog, to the picnic. This was fine with me, but it did bring up some old issues about the older girls having dogs of their own. They hadn’t forgotten our promise that they could have dogs, if they helped Reuel care for the dog. But as we discussed it together, it turned out that Melia and Melisant wanted ponies instead. That made Celianne pout, saying that she wanted a pony also. And then Reuel clamored for one also.

It was Donal who settled the matter. He asked my four oldest children, “You can only have one pet. That is all. And when you get this pet, you are going to have to take total responsibility for it, whichever you choose. That means getting up early to feed, care for, clean up after and groom a pony, as well as training it. You are not going to be allowed to be lazy and let the servants take of them. Do you understand me? If it is found that you are neglecting your pet, it will be taken away and you will not see it again. I mean it. So tell us now, which do you prefer? A pony or a puppy?”

The girls thought about it carefully and all three decided that they each wanted ponies. Since he could only have one pet, Reuel decided not to give up Kosimar. It was also impressed upon him that since he was now six years old, he was going to have to take full care of him from now on.

Donal told the girls that he would talk to Pahpey and the stable master about finding them appropriate ponies, giving them riding lessons and teaching them about the care and feeding of horses.

The girls were ecstatic. Donal again warned them about the responsibilities of owning a pony and they all swore that they would take very good care of their pets.

With all of the exercise, fresh air and good food, the children started to grow tired and showed that they needed their naps. But they begged us to stay, so I gave in and let them move the blankets under the shade of a tree and they took their naps while Donal and I got some quiet time together.

But as all things had to end, with the sun was starting to set, we decided that it was time to go back home. We were met there by Pahpey, who was instantly besieged by the children who had to share their experiences with him. He was a good grandfather and allowed them to dominate his time before supper.

After supper, it was bath time and then bed time for them all. I went off with them to help and supervise, while Donal remained behind with Pahpey. Hours later, with all the children asleep, I finally got to take my bath. Donal, with his uncanny knack, walked in and sat watching as I washed my naked body. This led to his joining me in the tub, with lots of splashing, laughter and love making. By the time we crawled into bed, we both fell instantly asleep.

It was hours later that I woke up to the sound of Kosimar barking. This was unusual this late at night, so I got up and investigated. As I entered the corridor between the rooms, I found that the barking came from the nursery. I wondered why the maids allowed the dog in and why they didn’t keep him quiet.

When I entered the nursery, there was a Rajfaharan soldier leaning over Yusaf’s crib. When I started to scream, I was grabbed from behind and a large black hand was clamped over my mouth.