Child of the Kindred, page 63
part #2 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“Oriel dearest. You are supposed to let everyone choose for themselves please,” Caleb directed, laughing lightly.
“But I am helping Caleb, then everyone will get some,” Oriel explained, smiling excitedly as she continued to fill the children’s baskets.
“She is a bossy little thing. Are you sure she is not related to Laurel?” Cahir asked quietly, smirking at Caleb.
“Yes, the similarities are uncanny,” Aiden answered, laughing heartily.
Caleb just shook his head smiling, as he watched Oriel continue to fill everyone’s baskets.
“Oriel my girl, that is enough. We have not even reached the main room as yet. There are still more things to find,” Caleb directed, grinning at her.
“Look Orrie, the map says we need to keep going down this way,” Ardal showed her, as he pointed down the corridor straight ahead.
The children all ran down the hallway laughing noisily, following Ardal and Oriel. Ardal looked at the map and showed Beacam the next clue. They stopped running to think about the picture on the map, showing where the next treat would be hidden. It showed a picture with two large windows, as well as a picture which made both brothers grin and look at each other.
“It is a picture of a bald head,” Beacam announced with a bemused grin.
Everyone laughed, and then the search for the two large windows began as the children ran down the hallway once again. They all stopped when they entered the widest part of the corridor, and to their right stood two, floor length windows, overlooking the side yard.
“This is where the next surprise is supposed to be,” Ardal announced, as everyone stopped once again to look about.
“Do we need to look for a bald head?” Tolemais’ son Rory asked loudly, causing the children to laugh.
“I have not chopped off any bald heads lately. Have you Cahir?” Aiden asked, amid much laughter.
“No, not lately,” Cahir answered back, making a face, encouraging the children’s amusement.
“Look at the picture again Ardal,” Caleb directed, grinning drolly at the two of them and shaking his head.
With this, all the children moved in closer to look at the map, except for Quinlan’s two youngest, who he and Aiden were holding.
“There is a small arrow pointing at the head. What does that mean Caleb?” Oriel asked him curiously.
“Maybe the map is asking what you would put on a bald head, especially in winter,” Caleb asked back, causing the children to look at each other with questioning expressions.
“You would put on a cap! Like those up there!” Jamison spoke up once again, as he pointed to the ceiling.
All the children looked up and began to laugh in delight at seeing brightly coloured wool felt caps of every size and shape hanging from long tassels. Caleb and Cahir stepped forward, reaching up and taking down the caps, and passing them to the children.
“Hey! Do not be stingy old man. Give me the pointed orange one there,” Aiden directed to Caleb, who just smirked, as he tossed the cap to him.
Aiden placed it on his head, causing little Fallon, whom he was holding to laugh at him.
“Hand me that ugly green one there, Cahir,” Quinlan requested laughing.
When all the children were wearing their caps, Ardal looked at the map once more.
“It says we need to go down the left side now,” Ardal said, as the corridor ended and led away in two directions.
Everyone proceeded forward until they reached the large reception room doors at the end of the corridor. When Ardal attempted to open the doors, he found that the doors were locked. He and the other children looked up at Caleb, expectantly.
“Look at the map again Ardal. What is the next clue?” Caleb asked, smiling knowingly.
“It is a picture of an open hand, holding a key,” Ardal answered, looking in front of the entrance to the Reception room.
On either side of the doors, stood several life-size statues of Sentinels in different states of rank.
“We need to find the one with the open hand,” Ardal told the other children, as they looked at the statues for a moment.
All the children then ran up to the statues, touching and looking at them closely.
“We found it!” Heather yelled out triumphantly, as she held up a large brass key, her identical sister, hopping up and down next to her.
“Well done, my girls!” Quinlan yelled back, praising them.
They ran over to the door, Heather’s small hands shaking as she tried to force the key in the lock, the other children crowding around her, all talking excitedly at once.
“Let me see it. Let me see it. We do not need the key broken in the lock,” Caleb chided gently, taking the key from the excited little girl.
Placing it in the lock, he turned it until a loud click could be heard. Caleb looked at all the anxious little faces around him, as he smiled slyly at them, pausing for what seemed like an eternity.
“Are you ready?” he asked teasingly, answered by a chorus of yes, aye and please. “Are you sure?” he asked again, smiling broadly as their pleas continued louder, causing the other adults to laugh.
Aiden and Quinlan placed the younger children down, as they too were excited to join the others.
“Alright then,” Caleb answered, as he slowly opened the doors, which was followed by gasps of surprise and then squeals and shrieks of delighted laughter.
The children ran into the large reception room to find wooden boxes of all sizes placed throughout. Each box had a note attached to it with the name of a different child on each one. Queen Alana had asked the mothers what the children had both needed and wanted for this season’s game of Search and Find. They were all excited and surprised, to find things they had requested at some time during the entire season and things they had not. All the gifts were individual to each child, something that Queen Alana took great care in doing.
“Her Highness has certainly outdone herself this season,” Aiden remarked, walking into the room, smiling and shaking his head in disbelief.
“She certainly has,” Caleb laughed, as he looked about the room.
“Besides having the children come to the other side of the Lodge, what has Mother done that is so different? Does she not always have treats and gifts for the younger ones?” Cahir asked smiling, as he watched the children opening up their gifts and start to play with them.
“Yes, but not nearly as many or elaborately thought out as this. She actually had Marina and me, write out what we thought Oriel and Jamison needed or would want. As you can see, Oriel is beside herself right now, holding her new dress,” Caleb smiled as he watched the little girl suddenly burst into tears as she held her new dress up to her chest. “Well, I best go over there,” Caleb said as he shook his head and smiled, walking over to the very emotional child.
Caleb approached Oriel as she sat on the floor, holding her ornate and frilly pale rose coloured dress in her arms, still crying. He sat down next to her, putting his arm around her gently.
“What is it my little Orrie? Why are you crying dearest?” Caleb asked her softly.
“Oh Caleb,” she sobbed. “It is just like one of my dresses I had to leave behind. How did you know?” she asked with happy tears and trembling lips.
“I did not know dearest. This is something that Marina and Maimeo worked on together. What Laurel and I picked for you, is in that box over there,” Caleb pointed to a small box, on one of the many tables in the room. “Now dry your eyes, and go see what it is, and then you can tell me if you like it,” Caleb said smiling warmly, wiping her tears.
“Alright,” Oriel said sniffing back tears, as she stood up to look at the next gift, still holding her dress tightly to her.
Caleb stood up as Aiden walked up to him, looking a bit concerned.
“How is she?” Aiden asked, looking over at her.
“She will be alright. She is just a bit overwhelmed by it all. Apparently, the dress that Marina and Mother had made for her, looks very similar to one of her favourites she left behind in Gwenlais,” Caleb said smiling at her.
“One of her many favourites. I swear when I saw all she had, it was worse then what Laurel ended up bringing with her,” Aiden laughed.
“I know, and I was terrified when I saw all that Laurel had. When I saw Orrie’s vast collection, I felt we would need entire waggon just for her,” Caleb laughed lightly.
“I am glad to see Cahir enjoying himself so much. I would have never thought he would look so amused at watching children open gifts. Eavan has made him a complete sop,” Aiden said as he pointed out Cahir, sitting on the floor with Ardal, showing him how to arrange the pieces on a small but elaborate Tablut board.
“He actually admitted to it as well, to me just a short while ago,” Caleb said, with a grin.
“I do not know about you two, but all this walking and opening of gifts has made me starving. I say we gather up the youngsters, and head back to the Hall,” Quinlan suddenly appeared smiling broadly, still wearing the silly green hat and holding Fallon, who was clutching a soft cloth horse and sucking her thumb.
“I think you should wear that hat on the next patrol Quinlan, it suits you,” Aiden remarked dryly.
“Actually, I was thinking of wearing it tonight for Cinnie. Looks rather rakish does it not?” Quinlan asked smiling slyly, moving his eyebrows up and down.
Aiden began to laugh heartily as Caleb shook his head grinning at him sardonically.
“I think you need a new hobby, Quinlan. Your youngest of five is not quite a half a season. Your house is not that big. You are on your way of creating your own village,” Caleb answered him in a mocking tone.
“Yes, I have meant to speak with Uncle Fergus about that. It is getting a bit crowded. We could move the whole jolly bunch, right into this room here. It would be more than ample,” Quinlan replied smiling, looking about the large room.
The Reception room was by no means as large as the Grand Hall, but it was quite large and spacious, with its high vaulted ceiling, exposing the massive beams above. Half of the left side of the room was covered in tall windows, which let in the sunlight on bright days. It had two large fireplaces, on either end of the room, with beautiful tiled floors and plush carpets. The two large, ornate thrones used by Caleb’s grandparents, King Niall and Queen Riona, were still there. Right now, they were happily being occupied by Heather and Lilly, who shared her seat with Aoife, Addis and Bebhinn’s young half-sister. All three little girls, smiling and talking as they held their new dolls. King Fergus had no use for formal gatherings, preferring to use the Grand Hall for all affairs private or stately. So the Reception room remained mostly unused, as most of the east wing was.
“No need for a kitchen, we can just use the cooks from the Lodge. Cooking is not one of my dear Cinnie’s talents,” Quinlan admitted, smiling broadly.
“We are all aware of Cinnie’s talent. You need to find her another one,” Caleb replied laughing, Aiden laughed as well, hitting Quinlan’s arm.
“You are a fine one to talk. You have been married for about half a season, and your Bride is already expecting. Seems like your vigorous romps all over the Lodge have proved quite productive,” Quinlan replied, smiling sardonically.
Caleb looked over at Aiden scowling, as Aiden continued to laugh at his expense.
“Exactly how many people have you told about Laurel and me?” Caleb asked Aiden with obvious annoyance.
“Anyone who would listen, old man. How do you think we stayed awake during the night watches? We had to have something new and fascinating to talk about,” Aiden replied, smirking at him.
“What have I missed?” Cahir asked, walking up to them.
“The two perverts here, discussing mine and Laurel’s romantic interludes,” Caleb answered, still scowling.
“Really? Is that what you call them? The two of you mate like rabbits and gorks. You are going to end up with more children than this one here,” Cahir said, gesturing over to Quinlan. “Father is going to have to reopen the whole east wing, just for you and all your little hooligans that you are going to produce,” Cahir said with a wide grin, eliciting more laughter from Aiden and Quinlan.
Caleb looked over at them all, his scowl more pronounced.
“Well, seeing as I am quite sick of all of you, I say we gather the children and head back to the Hall,” Caleb said shaking his head and walking away while they still laughed at him.
Oriel and Jamison walked up to Caleb, both smiling happily. Jamison held a replica of the Great Lodge and a small cloth pouch. Oriel held a new doll, resembling a sleeping newborn. The dolls lovely face carved of soft wax, with a stuffed cloth body, which gave it a realistic appearance.
“So my little Orrie, what do you think of your new doll?” Caleb asked her warmly.
“She is so beautiful Caleb. Now I shall have practice for when our baby comes,” Oriel said with a sweet smile.
“Yes you shall,” Caleb said smiling. “What do you have here Jamison?” Caleb asked the little boy, crouching down in front of him.
“It is the Great Lodge! And look here,” Jamison said excitedly, as he handed the toy Lodge to Caleb. “In the pouch is Sentinels on horses, and these men holding swords. I do not know who they are,” Jamison stated, with a bemused expression.
“Ah, let me see. They look to be raiders. I would think that you would use the Sentinels here, to defend the Lodge against the raiders,” Caleb explained, as he held the beautifully carved and detailed wooden figures.
“You and Aiden shall have to play with me, Caleb. We can have Aiden pretend he is the raiders, and we shall defend Heathwin against him,” Jamison said quite enthusiastically.
“Yes, we shall. I certainly look forward to it,” Caleb said with a laugh, enjoying the boy’s happiness with his gift.
“Can we play tonight?” Jamison asked, with bright eyes.
“No, I am afraid it will be too late to play tonight. After breakfast tomorrow, Aiden and I shall defend Heathwin with you. Here let me hold it for you, we need to head back to the Hall now as it will soon be time for supper. Come along children, we must all head back to the Hall,” Caleb called out, as the children began to pick up their gifts and ran to join the others at the doors.
Caleb smiled over at Ardal and his brother Beacam, as they walked towards him holding their gifts and still wearing the funny felt hats.
“So my young friends. How have you enjoyed this season’s Search and Find?” Caleb asked them warmly, as he put his arm around Beacam’s shoulder.
“It was so much fun!” Beacam replied enthusiastically. “Look, Caleb, I was given a Hunter and a Keeper,” the little boy held up his carved wooden toys, for Caleb’s inspection.
“Very impressive Beacam. You shall have to play with Jamison tonight and defend the Great Lodge with him,” Caleb suggested, handing back the toys.
The two little boys smiled at each other at the suggestion of playing with their new gifts together. Being the same age and both suffering loss, the two young boys became close friends, finding solace and comfort in each other’s company. Queen Alana had encouraged frequent visits between the two of them, which also brought Ardal and Beacam’s mother Ealish, comfort from her loss as well. She was grateful that Caleb had kept his word and did indeed look after her sons.
“Let me see your Tablut board Ardal,” Caleb instructed, as the boy handed him the beautifully carved game.
“You see Caleb. The board opens in the middle, and all the pieces fit inside,” Ardal showed him happily.
“Very impressive as well, and convenient. Then you will not lose the pieces. After supper, bring your board over to the small couch by the fireplace, and we shall play a game. How does that sound?” Caleb asked kindly.
“I would like that very much. Cahir said he was going to play a game with me also,” Ardal replied, his eyes dancing with happiness.
“Wonderful. In this family my boy, you shall never lack for someone to play Tablut with. Your Aunt Alana herself is an excellent player, she taught me,” Caleb told him, enjoying the boy’s surprised expression.
Referring to his mother as Aunt Alana, was no mistake. All the children, except for Oriel and Jamison, called the King and Queen, Uncle and Aunt. Aiden walked up to them with a smirk.
“Look who has just shown up,” Aiden said with a sarcastic tone, gesturing over to the doorway.
Edin walked into the spacious room, with his bell like trill. He began to hum very loudly, as the children came up to him, petting him and giving him bites of their treats, and laughing at his comical grin.
“Pppring!” Edin replied with eager anticipation, for each treat he was given.
“Of course he is here. There are food and children here. Where else would he be?” Caleb asked, shaking his head and smiling in amusement at the comical animal.
“Have you figured out if it is actually a he or not?” Quinlan asked with a laugh.
“No, we are still just assuming,” Aiden replied distastefully.
“That ‘Fah thing’ is here,” Cahir remarked in obvious annoyance, walking up to them.
“Yes, we know. One of the children will be picking him up at any moment to carry him back to the Hall,” Caleb said with a smile, as he watched the children shower the funny animal with affection.
Even though most of the adults found Edin to be quite strange and even annoying, Caleb was satisfied that the strange animal had indeed served his purpose. Edin had become a loving companion to the children, as well as an amusing distraction. The long walk back to the Hall was a pleasant one, the children happily talking amongst themselves, showing each other their gifts. The two youngest children, both being Quinlan’s, were sleeping. Fallon was in her father’s arms, and Quinn, being carried by Cahir, who was rather enjoying his time spent in the company of the children. Beacam had decided to carry Edin back to the Hall, as Jamison carried both of their gifts. Edin’s back feet nearly dragged on the floor, as the little boy struggled to hold up the heavy, and ever growing animal. Edin hummed and grinned in happy satisfaction.
