Child of the Kindred, page 54
part #2 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“I am happy to hear that, as I look forward to seeing her as well. I found a lovely silver bracelet for her, crafted by an amazing silversmith that Prince Aiden recommended. I hope that she will like it,” Cian answered, his voice unable to hide his growing fatigue from the long trip.
“I have no doubt that she will. Go now, and get some rest Cian, and welcome home,” Deaglan replied in a kind tone, as the young Guard stood up extending his hand as Deaglan shook it.
“Thank you, Commander, and goodnight,” Cian said then walked out of the room, closing the door quietly.
Deaglan sighed, reaching for Kerrie’s binder first, taking a sip from his tea mug. He opened the binder, carefully removing the protective first layer of paper, his eyes widening at seeing the very realistic drawing of Kerrie. He held it up for a moment, laughing lightly, and shaking his head.
“My dear Kerrie, you cheeky lass. Now where do you expect me to hang this?” he asked out loud, his smile broader than ever.
The newest family members had now been in Heathwin for just over two months. The children were adjusting well to their new home and becoming very comfortable in their new surroundings, the nightmares becoming more infrequent, only occurring if the children became overtired.
Imagin smiled warmly upon entering the children’s room, seeing that their little faces were pressed against the cold panes of glass. Oriel turned and when seeing Imagin, ran over to her excitedly taking her hand.
“Imagin come look out the window. It snowed last night. Is it not wonderful?” Oriel asked in happy surprise, leading Imagin over to the window.
Imagin laughed at their excitement, as she had forgotten they had never really experienced winter before.
“Yes, it is wonderful. Now let us go to breakfast. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can go outside. I will teach you how to make snow people today,” Imagin said, becoming excited herself.
The children began in giggle in eager anticipation and taking Imagin’s hands, hurriedly made their way to the family dining room.
“We were wondering when you would show up. What was keeping you?” Caleb asked, looking at Imagin with a grin.
“A bit of excited distraction,” Imagin replied with a giggle.
“I have never seen so much snow in my whole life! I cannot wait to go outside!” Oriel spoke with delightful, childish enthusiasm.
“Imagin is going to show us how to make snow people!” Jamison chimed in, equally excited.
All the adults laughed enjoying their eagerness.
“Well no one will be going outside without breakfast, so tuck in and finish your meal,” Caleb replied, smiling at them.
King Fergus and Queen Alana smiled at each other, enjoying both the presence of children in the house, as well as Caleb’s new role as a father figure. Caleb’s affection for the children was becoming more apparent, each day. He and Aiden enjoyed playing games with them in the evening, and Caleb would read them stories every night before bed. He would at times, scold them for bickering and whining to get their way, especially when they would do this to Marina. He was, however, very compassionate when they would sometimes still grieve for their mother. The youngsters had endeared themselves to the King and Queen and most of the Lodge staff as well.
The children hurriedly ate their breakfast, anxious to go outside to play in the new fallen snow. The adults were still enjoying their meal, talking casually and relaxed. Winter, though long and often harsh, was also a time of rest and peace for Heathwin. Apart from regular monthly meetings and seeing that all were well supplied with firewood, the King and his sons were home quite often, as there were no regular patrols in winter. This was one of the reasons, Queen Alana had instituted the idea of the Family Gathering for that time of the year. Most of the talk at breakfast surrounded this event, as it would be held in just a fortnight. Caleb leant over, kissing Laurel on her temple and putting his hand on her belly, happy to have something so exciting to talk about at the annual gathering this season.
“My dear, it is so nice to see you once again having breakfast with us. Can I safely assume, your morning illness has now passed?” the Queen asked with a warm smile.
“Well, she is still a bit queasy early in the morning. That is why, I make sure she has a few biscuits by her bedside, before she gets up,” Caleb spoke warmly, looking at Laurel adoringly, as he continued to gently caress her belly.
Laurel smiled at Caleb with amusement, as he had not yet realised what he had done. This was, however, not missed by anyone at the table, who all just shook their heads or laughed quietly. Except for Aiden, who rolled his eyes and grinned at him.
“That is all well and good Caleb, but I believe Mother asked Laurel,” Aiden mentioned dryly, which elicited much laughter from the others.
Caleb just looked over at him with a sarcastic smile.
“Yes, my dear husband has made sure that I do not get out of bed until I have had a biscuit or two and some tea. He has even had the Master Baker make special biscuits for me,” Laurel spoke endearingly, as Caleb leant over smiling and kissing Laurel tenderly on the lips.
The children wrinkled their noses at the couple’s display of affection, while Imagin, Marina, and the Queen looked at each other smiling warmly. King Fergus chuckled softly as he continued to enjoy his meal. Aiden smirked and shook his head.
“That is the most disgustingly adorable display I have ever seen. I am going to need a few biscuits myself, for my queasiness,” Aiden said dryly, shaking his head as he resumed eating.
Caleb smiled, kissing Laurel again and pretending to ignore Aiden’s comment.
“May we go outside now?” Oriel asked impatiently.
Imagin swallowed and began to stand up at hearing the little girl’s request.
Caleb looked over and saw that Imagin still had not finished eating.
“Just a moment Imagin, sit back down, please. Oriel, allow your poor faithful companion to finish her meal. She needs her strength to be able to keep up with the two of you,” Caleb said to Oriel pointedly.
“But Jamison and I have already finished eating,” Oriel spoke, with a whine in her voice.
“Well good for you. Now if you continue with that annoying whine, however, you will get no further than your room. That will be far more entertaining than going outside, will it not?” Caleb asked her expectantly.
Oriel looked over and merely pouted her answer, as she sighed heavily and leant back in her chair. Marina smiled sadly at her sister, still not accustomed to having someone other than herself or her mother, care for the children. Though she did appreciate how much Caleb took his role as their guardian seriously. She truly thought, that at first, with Caleb making them all his wards and members of the family Clann, it was a mere formality. Aiden did tell her, however, that Caleb took everything he did seriously, and being their guardian would be no exception. He had no tolerance whatsoever, for bickering or whining, or deliberately doing something they were told not to do, and had threatened to spank them several times. Aiden laughed when Marina asked if he would carry out his threat.
“Trust me, the little urchins are pushing him to the brink, it is most certainly going to happen at some point. He has been more patient than usual, because of what all of you went through, but that is only going to last for so long,” he answered her, with a laugh.
Jamison had a tendency, some referred to it as a gift, to bring in animals such as rabbits, small birds, and sometimes on warmer days, squirrels, into the Lodge, just as he had done in Gwenlais. Caleb had told him repeatedly to stop doing this, as it caused the maids much distress. Less than a week earlier, a midday meal was ruined with a disastrous mess of many broken dishes and a burnt stew, caused by a squirrel running around loose in the kitchen. This happened, because Jamison had once again, brought one inside. At this point, Caleb finally lost his patience. It took Caleb, Aiden and Cahir, with two of the male servants, as the women were too terrified to try and touch the crazed little animal, to finally catch it. King Fergus joined in as well, but only as a bystander, laughing and encouraging his sons in their efforts to grab the squirrel. Caleb held it by the tail with a gloved hand, as it had already bitten him once when Jamison walked into the kitchen.
“Do not hurt him, Caleb. I will put him back out,” Jamison implored him, as he reached up, and took the squirrel from Caleb.
Jamison then walked over to the rear door of the kitchen, and put the squirrel back outside, as he stood for a moment watching it spring away and scurrying up a tree.
“Do you mean to tell me, you could have come in here at any time, and put the bloody thing back out?” Caleb asked him incredulously, as Aiden and Cahir looked on with exasperated annoyance.
“Um…I suppose so,” Jamison answered hesitantly, seeing Caleb’s stern expression.
“How many times have I told you not to bring in animals?” Caleb asked him, his voice indicating his patience failing quickly.
“I…um…I do not remember,” Jamison answered, as Aiden and Cahir glanced over at each other, trying not to snicker out loud.
“Come over here,” Caleb directed, his voice clearly indicating his frustration and irritation.
Jamison did as he was told, though he took his time in doing so. When finally he had walked up to Caleb, he stood there looking pitiful, pouting with trembling lips. Caleb then handed him a broom.
“You are going to sweep up this ridiculous mess your friend made, and do so until I am satisfied with how you have done,” Caleb spoke in a scolding tone, looking down at him sternly. “Now get to work, and I had better not hear one whine or complaint coming from you. Do not look at me that way, Mother,” Caleb replied to Queen Alana’s disapproving expression. “I will be back in a short while to inspect your work Jamison, and it had better look considerably cleaner, and no one is to help you. Understood?” Caleb declared as he, Aiden and Cahir began to leave the kitchen, giving the little boy stern looks and shaking their heads.
“Yes Caleb,” Jamison answered with a small pitiful voice, his lips trembling more than ever.
The King looked over from his seat, taking a sip of tea, smiling at the little boy sympathetically. Queen Alana then walked over to Jamison when she was sure Caleb was well out of hearing range.
“Come, dear, let Maimeo show you how it is done,” Queen Alana spoke quietly, as she took the broom from the child.
“Alana darling, the boy is not to be helped in doing this,” King Fergus reminded her with a knowing grin.
“I am not helping, merely instructing,” Queen Alana explained, as she began to sweep the floor.
“Oh really? And when is the last time you swept a floor?” King Fergus asked, his voice full of amused mockery.
“You know that I have cleaned many floors before, and besides…Oh, do be quiet Fergus,” Queen Alana, responded curtly, King Fergus laughing back in reply.
When Caleb returned a short time later, he found Jamison sweeping up what was left of a small pile of broken plates, herbs, flour, and other such kitchen provisions. The rest of the staff continued to look busy, glancing over nervously at each other and then Jamison. Caleb looked around, noticing the floor did indeed appear to be considerably cleaner.
“Splendid Jamison. Now go to your room and rest until dinner,” Caleb instructed, with a less stern expression.
Jamison walked out of the kitchen, as the staff watched him leave with slight grins and secretive smiles.
“Eubh, did my mother help him with cleaning up?” Caleb asked the head cook, with an officious tone.
“Not to my knowledge, Sire. Her Majesty was merely supervising the boy,” Eubh countered with a wry grin and twinkle in her eye.
“Hmm. Yes, I see. Exactly what I thought would happen,” Caleb said, as he rolled his eyes and walked out of the room.
Jamison was still sulking at dinner from Caleb scolding him and telling him he would go to bed earlier than usual, for once again not heeding the mandate concerning animals brought into the Lodge. He was all smiles shortly after, as the Queen had insisted his favourite dessert was made for him. Caleb smiled mordantly at his mother’s smug grin, shaking his head at her.
“I am finished, Caleb. I can take Orrie and Jamison outside now,” Imagin replied, looking over at Caleb expectantly.
Caleb looked up and smiled as he saw the children’s impatient expressions.
“Very well Imagin. The both of you are to listen to what Imagin tells you. When she feels it is time for you to come in, I expect you both to do so without your annoying whining. Is that understood?” Caleb asked, looking at them both intently.
“Yes, we will,” Oriel said, already standing as she pulled out her brother’s chair.
They ran out of the dining room laughing and giggling, making Imagin hurry to catch up with them. They ran to their room and hurriedly dressed for the outside, with Imagin having to make sure scarves and mittens were secure. They made their way down the main staircase, the Grand Hall was busy with servants moving about and the citizens of Heathwin coming in and out, standing by the enormous fireplace, catching up with the latest goings on. Imagin walked over and took one of the small hearth shovels, to dig through the frozen top layer of snow. That way she would be able to get to the softer snow underneath, to show the children how to make snow people. They left the Grand Hall and walked over to large side yard bordering the forest. The snow being crusted over allowed them to walk over the top of it without sinking more than a few inches. Imagin got to her knees and began to break away at the crusted snow, showing the children how to make snowballs. Oriel and Jamison were fascinated by how the snow stuck together so well and when Imagin made a small snow person they both laughed with delight. The children were only accustomed to a few inches of snow at a time, and that would often disappear by the day’s end. Imagin then stood up and made a large snowball and then began to roll in along the ground as it grew in size.
“Come and help me push. Let us see how big we can make it,” Imagin laughed, as she encouraged the children to help her push the rapidly growing snowball.
After a short time of it, Jamison became tired and bored of moving the now very large snowball across the yard. He looked over at the ornate bird feeders that stood at the edge of the forest. He walked over to them with his limped gait, fascinated by how many types of birds were hungrily and noisily eating and resting at the feeders. He watched for several moments, putting his hand out slowly to grasp a handful of seeds. Jamison opened his hand and then giggled, as two small sparrows flew to him to eat the seeds he held. He enjoyed this for a short time when something in the forest caught his eye. Looking about, he saw his sister and Imagin constructing a much larger snowperson, again rolling a big snowball across the yard. He smiled mischievously and slowly made his way into the forest.
“Come Oriel, we need to have Jamison help us with the head of our snowperson,” Imagin said, as she began to look around for the little boy.
She looked around, turning in every direction, but was unable to see him.
“Orrie. Where is your brother?” Imagin asked, beginning to sound alarmed.
“I saw him at the bird feeders, but I do not see him now,” Oriel answered, as she looked over at the bird feeders again.
Imagin lifted her skirts a bit and ran over to the feeders, and began to panic when she saw Jamison’s small footprints enter the forest. She started to go in, but to her alarm could not see him.
“Jamison! Jamison! Where are you? Oh no! Oh no!” she said in a frantic voice, as she ran out of the forest, back into the yard towards Oriel. “Come with me Orrie I cannot find your brother! We must tell Caleb!” she said in a panic-stricken voice, as she took Oriel’s hand and ran back to the Lodge.
Imagin was in an entirely hysterical state, by the time she reached the Grand Hall. The whole family was there, enjoying the large fireplace, and talking with people as they came in and out of the Hall, as was often the custom during the winter months. She ran over to Caleb, frantically telling him how Jamison had disappeared into the forest while she and Oriel were busily constructing their snow person.
“Calm down Imagin. I am sure he could not have gotten very far. You forget that side of the forest has a wall built around it. Nothing dangerous is in there, we will find him. Now take Oriel upstairs, so you can both change into something warmer,” he said, in a calm, reassuring voice.
Marina went up to Imagin and hugged her.
“Do not worry Imagin. Caleb and Aiden will find him. He cannot walk very well in all this snow. Knowing him, he probably found squirrels to play with,” Marina said smiling calmly.
As she led the two young girls upstairs, she turned and glanced meaningfully at Aiden and Caleb, who both smiled at her reassuringly.
“That little beast,” Caleb muttered grumpily. “I cannot believe he did this again. He is not getting away with it this time,” he said while making his way to a large closet, off the kitchen to grab his coat.
“Well, Marina did warn me it would happen,” Aiden smiled at him knowingly, as he joined him.
They returned quickly to find two Sentries waiting for them, that King Fergus had requested join with finding the little boy.
“Do not be too hard on the child, Caleb,” Queen Alana said in a concerned manner.
Laurel and King Fergus just smiled at her with amused expressions, while Caleb said nothing, only grinning at her wryly as they made their way outside. The group made their way hurriedly into the forest and immediately saw the little boy’s footprints. He appeared to be following smaller tracks left in the snow. To Caleb’s and the rest of the group’s relief, they saw Jamison limping his way back slowly, holding something in his arms.
“What is he holding?” Aiden asked, not quite believing what he was seeing.
“It looks like a marneut,” Caleb replied clearly annoyed.
They came up to Jamison quickly, and to their surprise found he was indeed holding a marneut. His cheeks were rosy from the cold, and he was shivering, his clothes and boots covered in snow. The two Sentries that went with Caleb and Aiden were laughing and amazed that the young boy held a quiet and passive looking wild animal. Even though marneuts were known as being relatively calm, none could be held and carried about like a pet cat or dog.
