Sweeping up the last of the soot, I wondered how the monkey family would fare without Lellip here soon.
Nebl was back on his feet, seemingly fine as far as I could tell, but neither Pram or Drandle helped much if it all in the smithy. That ant Nebl would be on his own in here, and it was honestly too much for a single person. Even one as stout and strong as him.
But none of them seed too worried about it. In fact, we'd already be on our way back north if not for the wagon being unfinished still.
Our original plan had been to go buy a wagon or two once we got here, since not only did rit have a bunch of stuff so did Lellip… but Nebl had obviously thought ahead and was already handling it. A large wagon, one that would need at least two horses to pull, was being built in the workshop across from the furnaces. It was nearly done; Nebl was just finishing up the covering wrap. It was kind of weird to see an unfinished wagon cover, since it was just a bunch of hoops and bows of wood that were getting wrapped with linen. Nebl for so reason was adding leather to it, which was why it wasn't done just yet.
No matter. We still had several weeks before the official end of winter, so Randle wasn't in danger just yet. Plus I kind of liked staying here, since it gave ti to both spend ti with little Copper and do stuff like this.
Tapping the broom against the ground, and causing a small cloud of ash and dirt to form, I smiled softly as I stood up straight and looked around at my work.
The floor was clean again. For now.
It was sothing Vim would have done. Or well, Vim likely would have helped Nebl finish the wagon, but I couldn't do that. Not just because I didn't really know how to do it, but also because Lellip was the one helping him. No one had said it, not outright, but I knew what it was.
It was, potentially, one of the last tis they would work together. So to them it was special. And likely why they were taking longer than they needed to.
How could I fault them for that? And even more so, how could I possibly think about intruding in such a special mont…?
"Turning into Vim, are you?"
I blinked and turned, and watched rit enter the smithy as she glanced around.
"Hm?" I wondered what she ant. Did she an my little attempt to help out? I had just thought it was what Vim would have done too, I guess.
"Getting so dirty all the ti," rit said with a gesture at .
Oh. I glanced down and smirked, and couldn't do anything but sheepishly nod. Yes, I now had a bunch of soot and ash all over . The fact she was comparing to Vim, not because I was doing little odd things around the place but instead because I was getting dirty made kind of happy for so reason.
"I can only spend so much ti with Copper, else I'll want to take her with when we leave," I said.
"Hm… I myself have never cared much for children," rit said as I went to put the broom away.
"Why's that?" I asked. I had noticed she had been prickly with Mono and Tundra, but I had just assud it was because she had not liked their personalities. Not because they had been children.
"I an… look at , Renn," rit mumbled.
"Hm…?" I turned and did so, wondering what she was saying. Was the answer in her expression…? Her clothes or…? Oh… "Wait…" I frowned as I realized, what I assud, was the aning of her statent.
She nodded, a little stiffly. "They can't see past my appearance. It's one thing to be mistaken for a kid on first impressions, but to do it again and again? Children can't comprehend it," she said.
I crossed my arms as I thought of the way Tundra and Mono had treated her after first eting her. I had been there for most of their interactions, and…
"Is that true though?" I asked. Tundra and Mono had indeed treated rit kind of oddly, but I had felt that had simply been because of their personalities. Mono liked pain and annoying people, and rit was a perfect target for such a thing. And Tundra just simply liked, and was friendly, with anyone who she saw as strong and with a backbone. rit, although tiny, was mighty. So that too made sense.
"You think I'd not be bothered by it if it wasn't…?" rit asked, sounding a little annoyed I didn't believe her.
I nodded. "I suppose… but surely Copper doesn't have such a problem with you, does she? She's too young to even notice such a thing!" I said.
"You obviously haven't spent much ti with children, have you Renn? Babies can tell, yes. Enough about this, I have a question for you," rit said, reminding of Vim in the way he changed topics forcefully.
Allowing it, I nodded gently and waited for her question. Should we go sit down sowhere? There were so chairs near the other side of the room, by the cold furnaces and forges.
rit didn't seem to mind us both just stand here, near the soot pile, as she gestured at . "This ho we're to build up north. Is it going to be in the forest? With Lilly and her family?" she asked.
Oh? "No…? Randle and Angie plan to build an orphanage. One for humans. Vim suggested the town that Lilly's son, Branches, has been living in. It's a newer town, growing wealthy thanks to a gold mine or sothing. It is near the Owl's Nest though," I said.
rit nodded, as if knowingly. "And who will be the leader of this location? Randle? You?"
I smirked at that. "Does it matter…?"
For a tiny mont she didn't say anything, and then she sighed. "Yes, Renn. It does. For now we'll shelve that topic, but know if it ends up being Randle I'll be annoyed," she said.
"Okay…? But technically I'll not be amongst the orphanage, you know?" I said, wondering if I'd even talked to her about this yet or not.
"Huh? You won't be?" rit frowned as she looked up at , as if now more focused on our conversation than she had been monts before.
I nodded. "I plan to make sothing of an inn. For our people. mbers only, not for random people, if I can get away with it. It might be with the orphanage, in the sa place or even building, but I plan for it to be its own thing," I said. I felt a little giddy talking about it, since I hadn't even told Lilly or anyone else this idea yet. Only Vim knew.
rit's tiny mouth frowned deeply for a mont, and then she smiled at . "You an for your little cupid station."
"Cupid station?" I asked. What'd that an?
"Your love-nest. For people to et and beco mates. Like Lellip and Branches are doing," she explained.
I smirked and nodded. "Yeah!"
rit sighed at and shook her head. "And Vim's okay with this?"
"Vim would be okay with anything I do, you know that," I said.
She groaned at .
"What! You know it's true!" I said, a little worried over her reaction. She looked as if she was regretting coming with us!
"It is. Fine. So you'll be the sa location, but with a different focus. Honestly I'm glad to hear it; I was a little worried about the whole orphanage thing. I was worried I was going to have to pretend to be a student, or an orphan, from now on," she said with a sad smile.
Oh! That was why she was asking! "Please, rit. I'd never make you do sothing you don't want to. And I'd sic Vim on anyone who tried to, as well," I said.
Her sad smile turned into a real one as she nodded. "Thanks, Renn. But still, the way you're talking about it is as if you really don't know what we're doing or how we're going to do it… I'm to assu you've only talked about this a few tis with Vim?" she asked.
"Well… yeah? You know he doesn't like talking about stuff like this," I said.
rit sighed at . "Actually when it cos to building a new location, he's one of the best to have at your disposal. Not just the whole building aspect, but the examining and planning. I highly suggest we let Vim pick the spot, and not Randle or anyone else, and let him deal with whatever authority that owns the town," she said.
Ah… I nodded at my friend's wise words, and realized I was now speaking to Queen rit. The one who knew full well the costs and headache that ca with such things. "Are you saying we should wait for Vim to return and join us up north, before we even begin? What about Randle's banishnt?" I asked.
"He can do what we will. Just sit and wait. From what I understand it's not like the kids are going to be holess, right? He just wants to open a new orphanage and church? So what if it's a few months late? He can snivel but he'll get over it," rit said.
And there was typical rit. Or well, maybe that was also Queen rit too. Supposedly she had been rather feisty. "To be honest I'm not really sure how it's going to go. I assu we're not taking any children with us, but…" I said with a shrug. No one had told if we'd be taking any of the kids in Telmik with us or not.
"Hopefully not. This ans we'll need humans too, you know? I'm used to living amongst them, but what of the rest? What of Lellip?" rit asked.
"Well… I had assud Lellip would be living with Lilly, what with Branches and all," I said.
rit frowned and shook her head. "Lilly believes in children going out on their own after a point. She'll let them be near, and visit any ti they wish, but she doesn't like her children sticking around once older," rit said.
"Wait really…?" I asked. That was news to . So she didn't just have her children leave her nest as to grow and see the world, but because she actually didn't want them there in the first place? Really?
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
She nodded and sighed. "There's a chance Lilly has changed, of course, after all these years… but yes. Back then she had been rather obstinate about it. Not really sure why, but that's just how she is I guess," rit said.
Hm… "Well, I'm sure Lellip would be fine, right? Not only is Branches living amongst humans, and has for years, Lellip's dealt with them too. She's mingled with the residents of the nearby town, the one that works the mine," I said. I didn't bring up the fact that she had fallen for one of the n, since I wasn't sure if that was sothing Lellip wanted others to know about or not.
And even if she wasn't capable, I'd figure it out. Sohow.
rit humd a bit in thought as she tilted her head, closing her eyes as she did. I smirked as I watched her ponder deeply, and I wondered why she was suddenly worrying over such things. With the wagon we'd be traveling with, and likely more wagons once we picked up Randle and Angie, it was likely going to take us weeks to get back up north. We had plenty ti to talk and plan for this, I figured.
Odds are Vim would be back before we even got to the town up north, I'd bet.
"By the way, I overheard you and Vim say that Berri and her family would be joining us too, is that right?" rit then asked as she re-opened her eyes.
My tail squird a bit as I nodded. "Yes. In fact I plan to send Vim to go get them as soon as possible, once able," I said. I trusted rit, a lot, but I didn't want to bring up the reason for the narwhal family needing to be rushed in their relocation just yet. Though, I do wonder when rit had overheard us talking about them…
rit nodded as she then scratched at her chin, a little absentmindedly. "And Nebl plans to join us too, once they're sure the kids work out. Is there anyone else? How many others are we thinking might join us?" rit asked.
Smiling softly my ear shifted a little, since I heard soone walking our way. Judging by the sounds of the footsteps it was Lilly. She wore thick and heavy boots. "Well, I expect a few others to show up. Oplar plans to make an office with us, though I don't think she ans to live their full-ti. Tundra of course wanted to join us, but who knows what she'll do once the ti cos to decide…" I spoke as I thought of those who I knew for sure had already voiced such things, and then my smile grew a little as I rembered even more. "Mapple, too. She asked and Vim if she could join us too, after she retired," I added.
rit shifted as her eyes narrowed, yet before she could walk in Lilly entered the smithy. "What are you two scheming now?" Lilly asked loudly as she headed our way.
My small friend turned around and pointed at . "She's going to get us killed, Lilly," rit said.
"What?" I and Lilly both said, shocked.
"She plans to bring idiots. The whole lot of them, with us up north," rit said with an exasperated huff.
Ah. She was just annoyed over the nas I'd listed.
Lilly relaxed too, laughing as she stepped up next to us. "You have no idea, rit. But I an… we're taking you too, so what do you expect?"
"I expect at least a modicum of intelligence! Did you know Mapple plans to join us?" rit asked, sounding a little angry as she did.
Wonder what modicum ans.
The owl shifted, looking slightly startled. "Mapple…? The heretic?" Lilly asked, glancing at as if for confirmation.
I nodded with a frown. "She asked if she could co, after she retires," I said. And heretic? Really? Funny coming from her, even if true.
"Well… I an, Randle will be there too. Whether we like it or not those like him will co, rit," Lilly said with a shake of her head, as if she had already resigned herself to her fate.
"Easy for you to say. You'll be nearby, but in the safety of your tree. I'll be stuck dead center of it all," rit said.
"I'll let you have a stack of hay in the barn, if you'd like to visit occasionally, so don't mope!" Lilly said with a smirk.
rit's eyes narrowed. "Vim already offered an aquarium, so I need not your magnanimous charity," rit said.
"Wha…? Had he really?" Lilly flinched, and looked at again as if she wanted to deny it and say it wasn't true.
But I couldn't, since I both had no idea if he had said such a thing or what it even was. "Aquarium?" I asked.
The two had been about to tease each other more, but they hesitated and then looked to . rit smiled gently at and pointed at herself. "A large tank to house fish and other aquatic life. Usually made in a way to allow people to see and watch said life swim and stuff," she explained.
"Think of a giant window made into a huge bowl, that lets you see into it with ease. Imagine putting a pond into a bowl of glass," Lilly said further.
My ears twitched as my eyes widened and I nodded. "Fish can survive like that?" I asked, shocked to hear it so. Didn't they always die in barrels not long after being put into them? I'd seen more than my fair share of such instances!
"They can, if properly set up and managed. Though this one just needs mud and gunk," Lilly said with a smirk as she gestured at rit with a thumb.
"And she only needs a few branches. Doesn't even need to be on them, just sitting under them is enough for her," rit countered.
I smirked at the two. "I like lying in snow. Just a small pile is more than enough," I said, to join the fun.
The two seed to hesitate again, and I felt a little conscious because of it. Why were they suddenly looking at as if I'd just said sothing weird…?
Maybe it was too early for to join in their teasing. I'll make sure to not try to force it, then… maybe I needed a few more years and…
"The scary part is Vim would be okay with it too. We might want to keep an eye on them, less they drift too far from humanity," rit said with a sigh.
I blinked as Lilly nodded gravely, as if we were suddenly talking about sothing deeply serious. "Especially once she gives birth. Odds are the kit will be strong, but nothing like them if my children are anything to go by. Vim especially won't pay enough attention," she added.
Smirking wildly at them, I realized they had just included in their teasing! "I'm not so bad as that!" I said happily. Really! I'd not let my baby freeze to death, no matter how much like or Vim she'll be!
"That's what they always say. I'll have you know half my siblings were eaten by fish because my parents never paid attention to them," rit said.
Lilly snickered as I tried to tell if she was kidding or not. It didn't seem she was. "You probably only survived because of how nasty you taste," Lilly said.
"And you only survived thanks to a fat panda. Who's worse?" rit asked back.
My ears perked up, a little shocked to have heard rit say such a thing. Lilly had indeed been saved when young, by Celine and Vim, but how did she take such a thing…?
Apprehensively waiting to see Lilly's reaction, I almost didn't hear my na being called. I turned, as did rit and Lilly as they both noticed my attention get focused elsewhere.
My ears fluttered as they moved, and I frowned as I wondered if I had misheard… but then I heard it again. "Renn!" Lellip shouted.
"Lellip's calling for ," I said. She didn't sound stressed or worried, but it did sound like she was searching for . Her voice sounded like it was coming from near the house.
"Go see what she wants then," Lilly said.
I nodded and stepped past the two, heading for the door. As I did rit sighed.
"Did you hear her before that shout just now?" rit asked quietly.
"Not at all," Lilly answered as I reached the exit, and paused before it.
Glancing back at the two, I frowned at them as they went to whispering about… what they considered at least, my extre sense of hearing.
I an, it was. Even I admitted it was a little too good now. But was it really that shocking? My hearing had been good in the first place, supposedly, so it wasn't as if it was a wild difference between before I'd taken the heart and after…
Leaving the smithy, I sighed at myself and found Lellip in the distance. She noticed after a few monts and we headed for one another.
"You okay, Lellip?" I asked as I neared her. She of course looked fine, she even had a huge smile on her face, but I wanted to make sure.
"Huh? Yeah? My mother wanted to know if you'd like so of those sunflower seeds. She just made the last batch, the way Vim had taught her to," Lellip asked with a point to the house.
I frowned at her. "Huh…? There was so left?" I asked. Hadn't we made all that had been left? Before leaving last ti?
She nodded. "The flowers we had tried to plant didn't make it. They wilted not long after you left. We gathered up the seeds from them, figured may as well not let them go to waste. We also planted so too, but we doubt they'll sprout and all… so," Lellip said with a shrug.
Ah… I see. So the sunflowers we had tried to plant hadn't survived. That was too bad… "I'd love to have so, yes. Is there enough for rit and Lilly too?" I asked.
"Of course there is? Just wanted to offer so to you first, you're the one who brought them after all," Lellip said as she smiled.
Well… Vim had, really… "It's too bad they didn't survive. I'm sorry," I apologized as we headed for the smithy, to let rit and Lilly know. They hadn't left it yet, likely either still whispering about my changes or were now bickering back and forth again.
"The trees are dying too. Probably the soil or sothing," Lellip said.
Although I nodded, I wasn't sure if that was the case. Vim had said they'd likely not grow, even though we'd taken them from a nearby mountain. Odds are it had been a mixture of things; Vim should have given them more information about how to properly tend to them.
I loved the man, but he was so indifferent sotis. Too indifferent. As if he didn't even realize what he was doing half the ti. Others would say it was because he was so old, but I knew it was because he was simply tired. Tired of it all.
It was why he still wanted to step down as protector, even though he no longer had a justified reason to do so. I wasn't sure yet how I was going to handle that, but… well… I'd have to. One way or another.
Because even if Vim wanted to step down and leave the Society, I didn't. I'd not abandon them. No matter how bad of a headache they beca, no matter how annoying or ungrateful… they were still my people. And I owed them a great debt.
Their existence gave friends and family. I needed to repay that. And I planned to do so over my, now longer, life.
And it will start with a small ho up north… and a little bit of a wife's manipulation. To keep her husband in check, and keep him from drifting too far off the correct path. To keep the protector, the protector.
Hopefully my daughter arrived soon, because I expected her to be the main factor in that plan.
Vim probably hasn't realized it, but he seed very excited over her. It had been him who had thought of her na, long before I had even considered such a thing. For him to have already thought long and hard about such a thing proved just how much he liked the idea. Even if he'd not admit it aloud.
I was confident I could sway Vim a little, here and there… but there were limits. Very real ones. His love for only bent his rules so far. And sadly it wasn't as far as I'd like to admit.
But a daughter…?
I had proof all around how powerful such a thing was.
Nebl had been willing to sacrifice himself for his granddaughter's love. Through a human, of all things.
Lilly was willing to let others, notably those like Randle who she didn't get along with at all, to set up a ho near her nest. In hopes of rebuilding her relationship with her children.
Berri was willing to leave their adorable little ho, and all its safety and importance, just in the off-chance her daughter needed help.
Landi had built a whole nation, and risked so much more, just for the chance to have a child. The re idea of one pushed her to such lengths.
Frett had gotten herself involved with a terrible man, for much the sa reasons as Landi.
Roslyn and her people had done terrible things, and gone through terrible things, just to feed their children.
And that was just of those I personally knew. Nearly everyone in the Society had such a story. Either of great sacrifice, or in choosing their entire lives and lifestyles, to either support their children or grant them life. So, so many, had structured their whole worlds around their children. And for good reason.
Even I had done similar back then, for the kids. Lujic and Ginny. I had dedicated decades to them, and they hadn't even been my own.
Maybe, just maybe… Vim would be the sa. Odds are he would be, since deep down he was a good man. One willing to protect sothing like this Society for hundreds of years, and only now just finally growing annoyed over it.
That man will not be like my siblings, or my father. Vim will be the father I've never known could exist. It was impossible to expect anything less of him, based off his personality and his ethos as he called it.
She'll be what I, and the Society, needs. To keep him with us. With them.
Co soon, Nory. It might take both of us to keep this whole thing together. And even together we'll likely still struggle and need help.
But we'll do it.
We'll stand tall
Together. As a family.
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