In Which Rona Makes It Better

August 14, 1183

"You were good for Winter while Mama was at the school, I hope?" Rona put her knee to the dirt and tickled her son beneath his arm. Darry giggled, trying and failing to shrink away. "Well?"

"They were all on their best behavior," Winter assured her. She was a cousin to the Armionshire reeve and she'd only arrived from Dovia at the start of the year; Rona and Ashe had been looking for a nanny for a few months before that, so she'd been a godsend by means of Leara. The kids adored her, and she them, but she knew when to be kind and when to be firm. "This little one seemed to want you, though." She bounced Aspen on one hip as Rona stood.

"And yet, now that you've got her comfortable, she won't want to be in anyone else's arms for the rest of the day." She shot her youngest a quick wink. Aspen grinned, a bubble of drool leaking from the corner of her mouth. Winter wasted no time in wiping it aside, leaving Rona to roll her eyes at the current activities of her older daughter.

"Yvanette, sweetie, is that one of those stray cats?" Why couldn't the damn things stay away? They'd have to get a fiercer dog. Of course Lemons was probably off harassing the kitchen staff.

"Yes, Mama."

"Well, let it go. It could be filthy and diseased."

"Auntie Xeta says cats are clean."

Oh, well if Auntie Xeta says it... "They're feral and aloof, and they don't like to be played with. Leave it be."

The words bounced off Yvanette's ears and she squeezed the vile animal a little tighter. Figured.

Winter laughed. "She has a mind of her own, that one."

That she did. Mangy cat or no, Rona had to smile. "Oh, they all do, and any more of them who come along will too. The poor things have stubborn coming at them from both sides. But who knows, maybe Aspen has enough of my mother in her to keep the peace around here when they get old enough to fight."

"Not that I can see any of them fighting, but all right." Winter hoisted Rona's youngest up to her shoulder and kissed her on the forehead. Aspen beamed; Rona's kids were all quite physically affectionate. "She does seem like a born peacekeeper, this one."

Rona nodded. At this point in her life, Aspen may have been all her father in the face, but neither Yvanette nor Darry reminded Rona so much of their grandmother. If another child started crying, Aspen would crawl to their side, not saying much apart from an agitated cooing but the sympathy apparent in her eyes. If Rona or Ashe was having a rough day, Aspen would perch herself in their laps and reach for a cuddle. She'd barely even needed to be taught to share.

"Ow!"

Aspen's squirming didn't wait for the scream to end.

"Yvanette!"

The damn cat hissed as it pulled its fangs from Rona's baby's hand. Rona rushed over and scooped Yvanette up, kicking the animal aside. "Scram, you! Stay away!"

The vile thing sprang to an arc and bolted. Rona hugged Yvanette close, her daughter's blood trickling down her neck as the little girl held on, bawling. Why hadn't she been paying more attention?

And why the fuck wouldn't those damn cats leave her castle alone?

"Oww-ie...!"

"It's all right, baby. It's all right." Probably, at least. She'd have someone run to Mistress Fedurin for some ointment, just in case. "It's all right..."

"Ow..."

"It's all right." I'll make it all right. I'll make sure every wretched stray in this courtyard drowns. "It's all right, baby. Mama's here."

Her hair was damp and sticky with her baby's tears. "Mama will make it better..."

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