Destiny's Pawns---~Chapter 19~

[Hitomi Lei]

A young woman sat, rocking a tiny baby in her arms. She sang soft words of love to his little up turned face.


***"Hush now my baby,
***Be still now, don't cry.
***I'll watch now as your rocked by Destiny's Wind...."

His little eyes began to drop as sleep carried him away.

***"Sleep and remember my last lullaby,
***I'll still be your Mother when you fly...."

The young mother lay her baby down and kissed his cheek. She walked over to the window, the light of the Mystic Moon surrounding her in an otherworldly glow. Remories danced before her eyes of a time and place she would never again be a part of. Her mother would never see the son she had produced. She sighed sadly and moved away from the window. With a motherly glance at her precious baby, the young mother motioned for the child?s nanny to take over.
The door was shut softly behind her as she moved down the unlit hall.


~~~~~<@ @>~~~~

A young woman set at the bedside of a small child.

"Come on Folken, let?s get you to bed."
"I'm not sleepy yet I want..." he faded off as he thought of some errand that would prolong sleep a little longer.

"Let me guess...A drink of water?" she smiled patiently.

"No, I want to know if I have a daddy? Denny and Tomi has a daddy, and Keiko is gettin' a daddy soon. Why don't I have one?" Libra took a deep breath. She knew this would happen someday, she just hadn't expected it this soon.

"You have an angel for a daddy,? she said softly. ?Let the cruelty of fate be hid from him a little longer.?

"Why doesn't he ever come see me? Doesn?t he love me?" Folken asked in innocent confusion.

"Your Daddy loves you very much, he just can't be hear right now."Folken was silent for a minute and Libra thought his questions were over, but Folken asked another before she could stand.


"Tell me a story about my daddy, please?" He gave her a pleading look. Libra sighed.

"Okay, move over squirt. I'll tell you how we met..."


~~~~~<@ @>~~~~~


Libra sat down beside the half-cat girl in the dark library.

"Is he finally asleep?" Ren asked as the quiet woman sat down.

"He asked about...his father, I didn't know what to tell him." She tiredly pushed her golden brown hair from her face.

One of the women walked in and spoke, "Lady Tashii, there is a message from the Lady Merle." Libra smiled and reached for the sealed envelope. The woman lit some candles before leaving the room. Libra absently opened the letter.


Dearest Hitomi,

How are you? I am fine. I would like to invite you to our first wedding anniversary celebration. Van won't be able to attend so have no fear; he is out of the realm. Jako's village is hosting the celebration, so it'll be somewhat like a carnival. Please come and bring young Folken and Ren. Chid has also been invited.


Yours,

Merle


Libra folded the letter and taped it against her palm for a moment, thinking. The dangers of running into her estranged husband seemed to be few. Libra felt the old longing in her heart. She quickly quelled it.

"Ren, start preparing, we're going to go see Merle.


~~~~~<@ @>~~~~~


Van sighed as the King from Valis(I know it's not from Esca, but play along with me okay) kept droning on about his daughter. He wanted Van to marry her to strengthen their alliance. Van fingered his ring; after he had broken the pendent he had had some of the shards set in silver. It reminded him of his lost love.

"Look, your daughter is 14, I'm 25. I just don't think it will work out to the best for her." Van was confused; he thought King Faan was planning to ally with Chid through marriage.

"May I ask a question of you, sir?"

"Yes, I suppose so Van. What is it?"

"Weren't you going to try to get Chid to-" The King of Valis abruptly stood at the question. Van sat back warily.

"It was that damned woman he has for his council. I'm sure you've heard of her. A Libra Tashii or Grey Lady. She?s doesn't like arranged marriages. BAH!! That Shrew doesn't deserve to be called Lady. She?s not gentle. Why she even carries a sword! Humph..." As the King carried on, Van sat and pondered Chid. Van hadn't seen the boy since the last National Council and before that it had been months. After Hitomi left Gaea, he hadn't been as faithful to keep in touch with his friends as he should have. Speaking of friends....

"I'm sorry sir, but I have something I must attend to. One of my closest friends is having a celebration for her first year of marriage. If I hurry I'll still be able to make it." Van stood up.

"I'll let you go, Van, but if you should see that Young Chid, tell him I wish to talk to him soon." The old King said gruffly. Van nodded and headed for his air ship.


End of chapter.

A.N BOY, this is getting good huh?