In Which Raia Coins a Family Motto

November 17, 1202

"My God! You are so handsome." Raia kissed her son on the cheek, caught off-guard by his stubble on her lips despite his having had stubble for Lord only knew how long. Hadn't Rio just been a baby all that long ago, with the reddish fuzz growing on his head the only hair on him? "And I'm so damn old."

"You're not old, Mother--though I won't protest the part about my handsomeness." Rio smirked--as if he wasn't her third child to be married. "I'd like to think I'll be a welcome sight for the pretty lady walking down the aisle."

"You had better be! What really makes a man a welcome sight for his bride is how well he treats her, and I'd like to think I raised my boys to treat their lovers well."

"I daresay you did! Rahileine proposed to me, remember?" Rio beamed with a fond, sly grin. He'd inherited a fair share of his father's sweetness, but Falidor had never been so natural with his teasing. "I don't think many people would knowingly suggest that they spend the rest of their life with a complete ass."

"Alas, if only all asses were readily apparent as such." Poor Jeda, for one, had quite liked the idea of Ietrin in her youth--and, frankly, Raia and Leara and the others hadn't realized just how repulsive a man that boy would grow to be either. Thank God she had Fred now. "But, I daresay you and your siblings have enough Kemorin in you that if you were asses, you'd at least be upfront about it."

Her son chuckled. His laugh, at least, was akin to Falidor's. So was his voice, she mused, even if he favored a more playful tone most of the time. "A sentiment worthy of a Latin translation beneath the family crest! Grandfather would approve."

"Then I shall have to run it by him." Raia winked, knowing full well that such a thing may have been one of the more polite options for a Kemorin motto. "But, you're also a Wythleit, and I think it's safe to say that's a winning combination in a spouse: sweet, considerate, and just naughty enough to keep things interesting."

"I've never aspired to be anything less." And, red hair and pale tunic notwithstanding, he was for a second the very image of her father. "I don't know about all of that in just one person--but if Rahileine and I are half so well matched as you and Father, then I'd say we're in for a happy marriage indeed."

NEXT CHAPTER:

In Which Celina Is Almost Accused

May 9, 1202

Celina gritted her teeth as she sat up, only bothering to rise because the conversation at hand would be counter-productive to relaxation. For the present term, the only students at Scorpio House with no classes scheduled for Thursday afternoons were herself and Dani. On most Thursday afternoons, they had little reason to talk to each other and more or less made a mutual point to avoid doing so.

Most Thursday afternoons didn't follow an ill-timed meeting of Dani's insomnia and Celina's slip-ups on Wednesday night.

"Look, there's no use in trying to blackmail me, if that's what you're thinking. No one in their right mind would believe you."

The other woman sniffed. Not for the first time, Celina fought off the bewilderment that two reasonably attractive people such as Sir Neilor and Lady Tivie had produced a pug-faced perma-scowler like Dani. Her cousin Severin had either terrible eyesight or a gross misconception of Dani's personality, if not both. The room was a less comfortable place for her mere presence in it, even if she'd been minding her own business and Celina hadn't seen her enter. "I have no interest in blackmail. I doubt you have anything I want, and I couldn't care less about whatever the hell it is you do to yourself anyway."

Whatever the hell it is you do to yourself. A phrasing both shockingly apathetic and insultingly unimpressed. What Dani had stumbled across the night before was bound to be the most remarkable thing she'd ever see in her life, and yet here she was, rolling her eyes as if forced to tell yet another distant relation how her studies were going. "Then why bother with this conversation, exactly?"

"Because." With an uncharacteristic swiftness, Dani strode toward her and set herself on the other bench like a judge commencing court. "While I don't fault you your curiosity, I'm compelled to point out the element of non-disclosure in your liaisons."

"Pardon?" There had to have been a plainer way of saying it. Dani must have figured that roundabout language demonstrated her moral high ground. Bitch. "First of all, you don't even know that I'm having liaisons."

"Actually, I do. One of the guards here on campus also works for my father, and I know for a fact that he's a man of... certain tastes, shall we say? He and I are on friendly enough terms, so I happened to mention a classmate of your description who might have been interested--but, as it turns out, you already were interested."

"What of it? He wasn't any less interested than I was."

"Yes, but that might have been different had he known that you only came to him as a man because he wouldn't have had you as a woman, or that you're only after whatever fun you can have while technically telling the truth when your betrothed takes your maidenhead. Same with some of the other men you might have bedded--and the women, if your obvious drooling over Nearina is anything to go by. Yes, they might enjoy it, but it's occurring under false pretenses."

"It's not--look, do you really think most of them would want to know the truth? Or that I shouldn't make good use of a gift that for all I know is unique to me?"

"It's not as if there aren't people who aren't particular about sex, you know--yourself obviously being one of them. I won't indulge you by pretending to care about how many people you sleep with, but I hope you know you're walking a fine line. Willingness can have its terms, and ceases to be willingness if those terms are disregarded. A violation may as well be--"

A writhing discomfort in Celina's gut guessed at what terrible word Dani had been about to say, but it was left to speculation by a man's knock. Celina bit her lip. She almost wished they hadn't been interrupted, so Dani might have said something less accusatory, or so she could have defended herself had she not. But she wouldn't pretend she'd be sorry to have a less repugnant face to look at. "Come in."

"Celina," her cousin greeted her as he did as she said, fist clenched at his side and his mouth drawn in a wary frown. Celina squinted. Even if Rio--who had already graduated from the university, whose lady love did indeed live at Scorpio House but wasn't there presently--made a habit of calling on her, he wouldn't have done so with such a grim countenance. "Dani."

"Rio." Celina's toes curled inward as he approached. It had to have been bad news, but of what? Of who? She couldn't think of any relatives in particularly poor health. "What's wrong?"

"It's your friend. Nearina."

Her blood froze in her veins and left her flesh for a minute both heavy and numb.

But how smugly self-righteous Dani would have been had she known just how short-lived that feeling wound up being.

"Her husband is dead."

NEXT CHAPTER:

In Which Raia Isn't Told

August 3, 1180

It was Falidor's day off, and he was more than willing to watch Rio. Alina and Sev, having been cooped up inside the past couple of days with a light summer cold, were now in peak condition and had been quite keen to take the dog for a lengthy walk. With the kids off her back for the afternoon, Raia had hoped to finish the detailing on that rocking horse. Her sister wasn't due until November, and after that it would still be some time before the baby was old enough to play with it... but she'd been staring at the unfinished thing long enough. And besides, Riona had a two-year-old who would be delighted to test out the toy for her new little brother (as Riona insisted) or sister (as Isidro dared argue). There wasn't any shortage of reasons for wanting to get it done.

But, as she should have figured, she'd barely had a chance to punch a pattern into the saddle before Falidor was calling her from the front room. "Rio does eat solid foods, you know."

Falidor smirked. "I noticed. But I don't think your brother and his friend are looking for me."

Raia peered over his shoulder to see Lonriad waving at her from the table, Rona's husband seated beside him. Somehow, even all these years after moving out of her father's castle, the assumption that 'your brother and his friend' drew to mind was still 'Searle and Sparron'. "You're sure they're not here to arrange a boys' night?"

"With an old geezer like me? I doubt it."

Raia rolled her eyes. He was never going to get over that one grey hair, was he? "You're not that old."

Her husband indulged himself with a self-deprecating laugh. "Tell that to my grandkids. Besides, they asked for you."

Behind him, Lonriad nodded with an over-the-top grin. Raia ignored him. "You could have just said that."

"Yes, well... I didn't." Good God. That apologetic smile was so pathetic it was adorable. "Anyway, I'll leave them to you. Kiddo here needs a bath anyway."

"Noooo!" Rio wailed in protest as his father landed a tickle beneath his smudged cheek. "Mama, help!"

Raia shook her head. Neither Alina nor Sev had ever put up a fight at bath time; so much for hoping any subsequent children would be the same. "You're on your own there, buddy." She kissed her son on her head and her husband on the mouth as their paths crossed, the two of them headed upstairs while she went to join her guests at the table.

"All right, what do you want, brat?" She pulled up the chair across from her brother and stared him down like he owed her money--but not without sparing a wink for Ashe, who returned it with a shy nudge of the eyebrows. Raia only knew him by sight, but from what she knew of him, the reservation was unsurprising.

Lonriad stuck out his tongue. "I have brats of my own now, in case you haven't been paying attention."

"I have been, so I know that Sevvie and Adonis aren't brats--but you still are." And like with all of her brothers, he always would be and probably knew it--but so they didn't get stuck discussing the obvious, she got right back to the point. "Why are you here?"

Nothing.

"Well?" Her brother turned to his friend with a coaxing gesture. "Tell her."

Ashe frowned. "No, you tell her."

"You tell her."

"No, you."

"Your problem."

"Your sister."

"You tell her."

"No, y--"

"Right, I get it." Ugh. They were worse than children. "I can't say I care who tells me, but if you need any help, there's not much I can do if I don't know what the problem is."

The men--boys, more like--shared a glance. Finally, Lonriad caved and sighed. "Any idea when Tavrin will be visiting next?"

"Given his patterns, probably tomorrow." Not that Lonriad had ever shown any interest in Tavrin beyond the initial fascination and a short-lived experiment in public nudity of which their mother had banned any mention. "Why?"

Another awkward silence, this one marked with a pair of grimaces that made Falidor's look downright bold. "Uh, well... he knows where Deian is, doesn't he?" Ashe ventured, rocking his chair back in his discomfort.

Raia blinked. "Why would you want to see Deian?"

He blanked into that cornered, mock-clueless look she guessed he must have learned from Jadin. "Uh... do I need a reason?"

"Kind of. Known homicidal maniac and all."

"Oh. Right." But he didn't offer any explanation beyond that.

"You're not going to tell me, are you?"

He shrugged. "Trust me, you don't want to know."

"Oh, she does," chided Lonriad, seemingly half in her defense and half teasingly. "But don't get your hopes up, Rai. This idiot doesn't have the greatest record where full disclosure is concern--ow!" Scowling Ashe's way, he reached down to massage his shin. "The hell? Aren't you a little old for kicking people under the table?"

And with that, bath-hating Rio suddenly seemed much more mature. "Just come back tomorrow, all right? For now, get out."

NEXT CHAPTER:

In Which Isidro Gets a Language Lesson

September 28, 1179

With the exceptions of their own children, neither Isidro nor Riona had much claim to being a 'baby person', so it was almost amusing to see Riona making the effort with her newest little nephew. Then again, it stood to reason that she was obliged to at least try. "Huh. One of my siblings finally has the good sense to name a kid after me and the little scamp comes out with the wrong parts."

"What, you think the plan was to actually go with 'Riona'?" Knowing Riona, she probably did. The fact was oddly endearing. "Yes, you won the sibling draw, but we weren't going to use anyone's actual name; that was just for a basis for a derivative. We wouldn't have given a girl your exact name either."

"Then it's a good thing he's not a girl, because I might have been angry about that." She made a clumsy attempt at a baby-sized wave, but her stiff hands turned the minute motions to twitches. Isidro couldn't blame little Rio for shying away. "Already afraid of Auntie Riona, I see. Well, you're smart to be so--isn't that right, girls?"

Alina showed no sign of having heard while Shahira just glanced at her mother and shrugged before returning to their game. Isidro smirked. They were fearless, his girls. When they were old enough to argue, it would be the three of them and Riona shouting every which way while he sought refuge under the table. He just hoped he wouldn't have to emerge at some point to keep them all from killing each other. "They think you're all talk."

"No, but they plan to resist. Girls fight to the end. Boys give too much too soon and they're under your thumb before you know it. Maybe we should have one for an example." She shot him a wink, plus a rather obvious two-handed gesture that prompted a snicker from Raia. Not immune to the giggles herself, Riona turned back to the baby. "How would you like that, Rio? A little cousin to kneel beside you when you bow to Auntie's wrath?"

The baby just gurgled. Another glance back at his younger two, Isidro fell to a slouch. He supposed he didn't not want a son, but from all he'd heard they were an unprecedented responsibility. The best way to raise a daughter was simply to love her, let her be herself, show her that you wouldn't trade her for the world. A stricter hand was needed with boys because whether or not they were actually more capable, men did run the world. Maybe that would change one day. For now, though, a boy had to be taught that possession of a cock wasn't a license to be a self-entitled ass. A boy had to learn that historical favoritism was not a basis for one's value as a human being. And no matter how hard you hammered those lessons in, there would always be outside forces at work trying to pry those nails back out.

That was how men like his father came to be.

Thank God for Raia. "Thought you wanted to space them out a bit more, Ri."

"Eh. I don't need to actively try for one." Riona swayed from side to side, skirts swishing as they brushed across the floor. "Just saying that if it happened, I wouldn't be opposed. Besides, the girls could use a little brother to beat on."

Raia chuckled. Isidro opened his mouth to say--well, he wasn't sure, exactly--but he was spared the agony of a reply by a knock at the front door. "I'll get it."

"You don't have to."

"It's really no problem." He got up and brushed past his wife and her sister, stopping only to tickle the baby's toes. The little mouth released a contented sort of squeal. "Probably more well-wishers for little Rio."

"Oh, probably." Raia sighed as the baby took to swatting at a lock of her hair. "Tell you what: if they're new, they're allowed in."

"Right."

Whoever it was, they were still hammering at the door when Isidro left the bedroom, when he reached the stairs, when he'd stepped off the last of them. Of all the qualities Raia looked for in a friend, patience must not have been one of them. "All right, I'm here. You can stop knocking now."

They didn't. Lip clenched between his teeth, Isidro grabbed the handle and yanked open the door. "You know, anything over four knocks is really pushing--" He had to stop and stare. He knew that blue tunic and grey leather surcoat, but it was a shock to the system seeing it with dark hair. "Umm... aren't those Jadin's clothes?"

"That's Raia's red-haired brother, right?" He nodded. The newcomer's grin only widened as he shrugged. "He won't mind."

Hmm. No doubt Jadin spent more time out of his clothes than in them. Still... "It's kind of rude to steal people's clothing."

"Borrow," the other corrected. "You're the brother-in-law?"

"And you're... the strange naked friend with a minimal command of the language?"

The creature laughed. "Oh, I speak the language with the utmost mastery. Don't go around telling everyone that, though; there are certain things one can't get away with if others are certain of his understanding."

"All right?" Somehow, he doubted he'd received sufficient warning about this man.

"Good. Your compliance is appreciated. Perhaps there's something I can do for you." The stranger gave him a pat on the shoulder. He was too stunned to shrug it off. "I take it that they didn't tell you, but did you know that a couple of your knights ran into my grandfather a while back?"

He took it right. "The homicidal maniac?"

"Yes, him." He confirmed it with the casual, almost bored tone he might have used had Isidro said 'cooper' or 'wheelwright'. "He probably threatened them out of telling anyone, but he won't make do on anything he promised. The ancestors are no longer amused with his antics and told him he'd meet a fiery end if he didn't stop with the killings and the other serious redirections of any mortal lives. You have nothing to fear from him but the odd practical joke."

"Uh... good to know?" He supposed he trusted Raia enough to believe her if she vouched for her friend's character. But if this information was true, wasn't it a little too great a reward for simply keeping someone's lingual capabilities a secret? What could the forest dwellers possibly stand to gain if everyone knew they were now all bark and no bite? "Seriously, why are you telling me this?"

"Why not? Grandfather's not the only one who likes to mess with people's heads." Of course he wasn't. "Anyway, I'm just here to see the baby. Is that all right?"

"It should be. Everyone's upstairs in Raia's room right now. Go right in."

It seemed a simple enough instruction. The stranger, however, had to raise a brow. "Don't you have anything to add? A 'there', maybe? Or 'if you will', or 'unless told otherwise'?"

So much for thinking that this odd, odd conversation was over. "Why would I need to add anything?"

"If that's all you have to say, then someone could use a language lesson." Raia's friend smiled, his eyes glinting with primal amusement. "In this language, it's grammatically incorrect to end a sentence with a preposition."

NEXT CHAPTER: