I was running out of stone brick.
Randle had purchased a large quantity of bricks from one of the noble families in town. Soone had canceled the construction of so house or sothing, so he had gotten a hold of it rather cheaply… but I was already near out of them. I'd been building the main compound wall that was going to extend around the dormitory and its support buildings, and although I felt I had enough to finish it… I wouldn't have enough to finish the walls I planned and wanted to build that went from the church to the road, as to sowhat direct traffic and visitors and keep them from venturing to the dormitory.
It really wasn't too big a deal. We would just need to order more, if not from around here then from Telmik… but I had really wanted to get at least the basic structures done before I was forced to depart. And at this rate…
"Lord Vim…?"
I glanced up and away from my brick laying and quickly found the source of the voice. Off in the distance, over near the dormitory, was Rivonne. She was heading my way, and it seed Nessa, Oplar's girl, had been the one to direct her in my direction.
Sighing at the human, I stepped back from the nearly finished wall section and brushed my hands off. The mortar I was using was just basic sand and li mixed with river water. If I had the resources I would have made real concrete, or at least crushed brick and stone up into the mixture but I didn't have such luxury at the mont. Yet the stuff I was using was the kind that dried really quickly, so I just used my hands to settle and compact it. So… it made a bit of a ss…
By the ti Rivonne reached , I had gotten my hands mostly cleaned with a cloth. I nodded gently at her on her approach, and I noticed the way she studied the wall I'd been building. "Lord Vim, are you sure you don't want to get you so crewn?" she asked.
"Why, am I not doing good enough?" I asked, deciding to tease the human a little.
Rivonne imdiately stood up a bit straighter, going wide-eyed… and then she started to giggle at . "Gods, no! I actually can't believe how fast you are, just the other day there hadn't been any walls at all, or those buildings and now look at it… At the rate you're going you could build a whole town in a moon or two," she said.
I smiled gently at her and nodded. "I appreciate the offer, Rivonne… but it's fine. This gives sothing to do, and they don't care much for strangers being around for too long. Plus we're supposed to be getting more hands here shortly, anyway," I said. Randle had ntioned at any mont the twins were supposed to show up… and in fact he was kind of shocked they weren't already here.
Personally I had a good idea as to why they were late… and I didn't like the obvious answer as to why. Because I knew it would only make upset, and annoy , so I ignored it.
"Hm… all the sa, Lord Vim, if you ever need any supplies or hands just let know…" Rivonne offered again, for what was likely the hundredth ti.
"I'm sure I, or those here, will need to request aid eventually… so careful with your continuous offer. You might end up biting off more than you can chew," I warned.
Rivonne smirked at that, and I saw her rchant and noble's pride peer behind it. "I eagerly await the day, Lord Vim."
Right… sotis I forget just how fervent so of these humans got… "So…? Here just to visit or…?"
"Ah… Yes. I was wondering if I could invite your lady to lunch… usually by now she'd have shown herself, where is she?" Rivonne asked as she glanced around.
"Renn had to leave for a bit. She'll be back in a week or so, give or take," I said. Why'd it suddenly seem like the only reason she had co to offer help was just so she could see Renn?
The human noble notably frowned, a tad upset over hearing such information. "Where has she gone?" she asked innocently.
"To visit a friend nearby. It upsets too, trust , but I was raised to be the kind of husband that lets his wife do as she pleases. Happy wife, happy life," I said.
Rivonne frowned at that, for only a mont, and then smirked. "How lovely! I shall be sure to spread such a saying as well… Though I see, so she's gone… hm…" she glanced downward, likely at my still sowhat dirty hands and clothes, then glanced at the wall I was still working on. There was a stack of bricks, a large wooden pale with my mortar mixture, and other tools.
"I'm sure soone around here would love to join you if you asked," I said lightly, suggesting her to not ask to join her. I was in no mood to have lunch.
"Hm… I suppose I shall. Okay then, Lord Vim… I beg your pardon," Rivonne gave a very small bow of the head and then turned around, not even waiting for to say more.
Watching her go, I sighed softly and shook my head. Did she just want friends or sothing…?
As the human left, heading back to the dormitory… a new figure erged and headed my way. I paused a mont as I watched the tiny, white-haired rit approach, and I watched as the two paused next to each other as they spoke. From here I only caught a gentle invitation being exchanged, but didn't hear if rit had accepted or not.
Returning to my wall… I again glanced at my pile of bricks and the obvious lack of them.
The sad part was even if I had enough bricks, it's not as if the wall would be finished with just them. I planned to plant vine-type bushes up and down the outsides of the wall, as to better insulate and block the outside world. I also planned to build similar fence-style walls along the church and road, and eventually along nearly the whole property line once able… I might even dig a nice sized ditch on the inside of the wall, not so much for a moat but just to add another layer of security. Humans couldn't handle falls very well, especially surprising ones. A good five or ten foot ditch along the edge of the wall would be enough to break nearly any intruder's legs.
Eventually, if this place got big enough and if enough people moved here, there would even need to be guards and stuff. Though if it would ever get to that point…
"She's becoming a tad too friendly."
I nodded without glancing at my wife's little friend as I kept studying my handiwork. I didn't like how flawless the wall so far was, even though it was being made with slightly sup-par materials. "I think she's had many prophecies concerning us. Add those to the obvious upbringing those like her receive, it makes sense," I said.
"She thinks she's one of us more than she does her own kind, though I don't think she has much of our blood in her at all," rit noted.
"I don't think she does either… and to be honest, it's possible she's not even directly related to Bird," I said. The woman that Bird once had a little tryst with had several siblings if I rembered correctly, like… a dozen of them. But I'd be hard pressed to na a single one, even if they stood in front of today.
"No matter. She's friendly and wants to help," rit said simply.
"Hm…" I finally glanced at the little fish… and found her glaring at .
For a tiny mont I stared back at her glaring… and wondered what was wrong. She had not sounded as angry as she looked just now, had she? But I guess rit was always angry… though I had thought she had been doing better ever since Renn showed up.
"What is it?" I asked her.
"Do you not plan on having children?"
For a tiny mont I wasn't really sure what she had just said… but once it clicked, I had to shift a little… and I did so carefully, as to not break the wall I'd just been building all day. "Excuse …?"
rit's glare grew a bit darker as her tiny eyes narrowed at . "You slept with Renn. Before she left."
"Uh… yes?" If anything wouldn't that statent confirm the opposite?
"But you didn't do anything."
Oh. "You know, I had thought Renn had been mostly joking when she ntioned you might listen in," I said with a sigh as I looked away from her.
Why was everyone so weird lately…? Gods returning, weird prophecies, people acting completely unlike themselves… It was as if the world was upside down. I an even I was doing outrageous things, like letting my wife who just recently received a death threat from a god leave my side and go off on her own! Maybe I was the one who was insane, and not the world…
"Renn deserves better."
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Glancing at the small woman, I frowned at her as I realized how serious her tone had just been.
"What's this about, rit?" I asked carefully.
The little fish blinked at … and then for the first ti since walking over her glare broke. She glanced downward, and her tiny mouth quivered as if she was about to cry. "She's… got tiny cracks inside of her, Vim. Ones she ignores and hides by enjoying the world around her. You do know she sotis cries in her sleep, I hope?"
"I've not heard such weeping or slled such tears in so ti, but yes… it does happen occasionally," I said. The last ti I'd noticed such tears had been in Lun, but that had been the night she had gotten drunk.
"Are you just unaware of her fragile side, or are you ignoring it as much as she is?" she asked accusingly.
"I don't ignore it. I just don't make a big deal out of it. She, like everyone, has monts of weakness and can get emotional… that's just a part of life. I'd be more worried about her if she didn't have such monts or emotions," I said.
Really, this wasn't the first ti rit had shown such concern for Renn… and also she wasn't the first. But why now was she bringing it up? And like this? Had sothing happened recently…? Other than the typical drama, and Krass's death, I couldn't think of anything too alarming…
"So you're just ignoring it until it actually becos an issue, then," rit stated.
My eye twitched, but I didn't grow annoyed… even though I felt I should, and would be justified in doing so. This was obviously coming from sowhere, likely concern, so… "What are you really trying to say, rit?" I asked.
rit's eyes softened ever so slightly. "Give her a child, Vim. She doesn't just deserve one, she needs one. It will make her happy, and keep her from breaking."
I didn't respond right away. I kept still… and quiet… as I studied the small woman who so obviously was being serious. That had not been a joke, or a snide comnt in effort to hide her real emotions or disdain. She was… being genuine with .
"Before sothing terrible happens. Before those tiny cracks break apart, and beco irreparable. Give her the foundation she needs. The anchor," rit then said, speaking a tad more firr than before.
Again, I didn't respond imdiately… I spent a mont to consider her words, and then ever so gently nodded. "It's dangerous, rit," I said.
"When is it not…? And if her life really is in danger, because of these gods or whatever you're facing… then isn't that all the more reason to give her as much happiness as soon as possible? Stop pussy-footing around and do it already."
Thank goodness Renn hadn't been here to hear her say such a thing; I loved Renn's desire to learn new vocabulary and that was one she didn't need to learn and spread throughout the land. In fact, when had rit even learnt such a term? It had undoubtedly ca from … but…
"I'll not deny that Renn wants children… especially since all the stupid prophecies keep promising her such things… but doesn't that just prove my rushing it would cause issues? If it's really sothing so inevitable, why stress over it?" I asked her. That had been my line of reasoning at least.
"Most n can't wait to jump into a bed. Why are you so backwards?" she asked, her voice once again growing thick with scorn.
Why am I being yelled at like this…? I was the one who recently tried to move our relationship forward, it had been Renn who had put it on hold not … "Why have you gone from complaining about not being allowed into my bed to this? I know you adore her but it's a tad…" I went quiet as I realized sothing, and did so thanks to the way rit had looked down at her feet… and slightly blushed as she did so.
Oh…
Wait…
Studying rit, I suddenly rembered the few conversations we shared back in Lun. Before and after Stance had shown himself, and I had proof of the god's return… and… even before then. Even before… Renn and I…
I took in a deep breath, but held it in. I didn't sigh it out… as I realized why the small fish was now not just quiet, but squirming in sha. A tiny bit of her electricity was even buzzing along the tips of her braids. When had she started braiding her hair alike Renn, anyway?
Coughing a little as I felt… a mixture of utter sha and awkwardness myself, I wondered why I had not realized it sooner. It was actually a bit too obvious, and… well… Especially when I considered her statent, her vague one, about a prophecy back in Lun.
"So um… uh…" I coughed again, and felt stupid. I was suddenly less confident than ever. I could face literal gods without blinking, yet here I was… about ready to run and hide in a hole. "Is it a uh… son? Or…?"
rit instantly looked up from our feet, and as she did her face that had been growing redder by the mont beca a sheet of white. Her barely visible translucent skin beca more apparent as I saw muscles and tendons, and she groaned as she lowered her head again and covered her face.
Great. So my assumption had been right…
I wonder… how and when? It had to be from a prophecy. But… "Does… does Renn know…?" I asked carefully. It was so hard to imagine she did. She loved rit beyond reason, but I hadn't felt as if Renn had known that our child would one day be her…
"Gods, what is happening," rit groaned painfully as she covered her face and scrunched downward. She kneeled down where she stood, as if to curl up in a ball.
"What! Don't make it so bloody obvious if you don't want to realize!" I said, a tad angry she was so distraught. If anyone should be, it's !
"Vim…!" rit groaned, loudly, and I heard her voice break as she did. She was either about to cry, or already doing so.
Great! She's totally going to shock now…
Yet she didn't seem to beco static-y. Every so often I heard the hum or pop of a small current, but… nothing compared to how she usually beca when really upset… rit instead just stayed there, kneeling a few feet from and my wall… groaning at herself.
Gulping, I groaned myself and looked around. Thankfully no one was nearby… or seemingly paying attention.
If word got out I was bullying rit, and Renn heard of it, I'd be in deep…
"A son." Looking back at rit, I felt my skin go cold with a chill as she took a deep breath and whined it out. "Your second son, Vim," she then added, whispering through her tiny hands that covered her face.
Huh…
So not only was I to have a daughter, one who was a saint… I was to have a son? Did she an he'd be the second child, after Nory, or…
Or a second son, as in two…
Stepping back, I had to collect myself as a piece of brick popped off my wall a few dozen feet away. I grimaced at it as it landed in the grass nearby, and did so with a bit of force. I'll likely need to redo that section now. With it doing so rit glanced at it, then at with a worried look.
"I'm uh… okay. I'm shocked. Without your electricity needed, even… I'm not sure what to say," I said honestly.
"If you threaten to make sure he's never born, Vim…!" rit then stood, and her whole body popped and crackled as she did.
I quickly raised both hands and shook my head. "Please, rit… Renn would tear my you know what off if I even suggested such a thing! I an… I ant, that, by… well… I an, you're old, rit…" I said, suddenly feeling at a loss for words. How did I explain what I was thinking, when I didn't even really know what I was thinking myself?
rit had a prophecy. One of our child. A son. One she'd… what? Marry? Partner? Mate with? Was I misinterpreting what she was saying, or…?
"Isn't that weird…? You're already so old…" I said as I thought about it for a mont.
"It'd only be weird if you made it so!" rit shouted.
Right. Okay. Maybe… I an, in theory I was the sa… Renn wasn't even half my age… If rit gave the boy ti, just a few decades even, it'd not be as weird I guess… There were many in the world, in the Society, that were the sa. Lately it wasn't that big a deal but back in the day it had been. Whole villages had been weird family trees that intersected and made no sense half the ti, with people having not just decades but centuries in age gaps between their partners…
So even if she did end up with one of my sons, as long as he was old enough it really wasn't that big a deal… especially since they'd both live for hundreds if not thousands of years and…
"By my parents…" I whispered as I realized what we were talking about. Children. Multiple children. Sons. Mine. And one would… be hers… "Does she know…?" I asked softly.
rit slowly shook her head, and I noticed so color had returned to her face. The bright pink kind. "Please don't tell her," she begged with a whisper.
"I won't. I promise… last thing I need her to know is this," I groaned. If she knew she'd not be as hesitant anymore, that's for sure. Renn would pounce on and do everything in her power to give birth to him as fast as possible… as to make her dear friend happy… if anything the fact she hadn't done such a thing proved without a doubt that rit wasn't lying. Renn really didn't know. But… if rit knew, so did others. Because rit had to have heard it from sowhere…
"You swear…?" rit asked worriedly, and I hated how… she suddenly sounded like she appeared. A young girl.
"Yes… damn, rit… why'd you let figure this out? How long have you known…? And you kept it secret this whole ti? Why couldn't you just keep it secret from until it happened?" I asked, a tad miffed. Odds are this was sothing ant to happen only a few handful of years in the future, she really should have lasted until then!
"I had been! Trying my hardest, you're the idiot who's too smart for his own good!" rit shouted at .
I shook my head and raised my hands in defeat. "You obviously didn't try hard enough!"
"So now it's my fault…!? You were supposed to have found her and given birth to him years ago, Vim! Before my oasis dried up, even! It's your fault!" rit then shouted.
I flinched at that, since I knew it was likely true. Renn hadn't gone into detail at all concerning what she had found in Celine's journals back at Telmik that she and rit had found… but I got the gist of it. Renn was supposed to have been around since the beginning. Which would have ant…
"They're all supposed to have been born by now…" I groaned as I realized the future, or rather the past, which had sohow gone awry.
"And then so! Do you not see why so many of us are tired of waiting, then!?" rit asked, loudly.
"Again you're making this all my fault! Even if it's true, you still should have kept it a secret from !" I said, shouting back.
"Gah! Knowing you're his father is so…!" rit made a groaning whine of a noise, which made stop a mont and consider sothing.
She used to try to sneak into my bed. Claid she had loved , even… had that all been fake, then? Had that been genuine…? Or… so weird attempt by her to fix a future she had likely thought misaligned or broken…? Maybe once she realized that Renn wasn't going to show up she tried to take matters into her own hands or sothing…? Or…?
"Wait, what'd you just say?" I asked as I realized how she'd just insulted .
"That you better not ruin my man!" rit shouted angrily as she pointed at .
"Says you!? I feel sorry for my son if anything, and…!" I was about to get defensive, yet before I really could she leapt forward and latched onto … and shocked with all her might.
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