Board Thread:Roleplay/@comment-26288702-20161008211047/@comment-28358106-20161009210556

Hound is aware of a pair of eyes on him. All through the evening, and all through the night, Aegis watches him from the top of a dead pine tree, its skeletal frame dark against the light of the stars. She never moves, or averts her gaze, but watches him like a sentinel, never moving...

Inside, I gather my things, laying them out on the table of the study. Lucida is next to me, fetching things as I quietly ask for them. The other children and Regina stand nearby, watching in silence. Finally Lucida speaks, her voice quiet.

"Are you...going on an expedition, Papa?" She says, looking at the objects. "Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, Lu. Not this time."

"Then...how will you record what you're doing?"

I pause, then turn to her. I place a hand on the top of her head and run it down to her face, stroking her. "I won't need to this time, sweetheart. Now why don't you go help your mother before you get to bed?  I'll be up in a bit."

Silently, she slides off and leaves with Regina, glancing back at me. I turn to Ferra. "Honey, have Aires ready for first thing in the morning, all right? And please fit him with his heavy barding, and plenty of feed.  Tha k you, sweetie."

Ferra turns and leaves silently. When they are gone, Aurum steps close. She keeps her voice low.

"Father, I know you can't tell me what it is you're going to do. I don't want to know what he wanted, or what he asked you to do.  But please, tell me what I must do if you dont..." Her voice wavers on the last few words and she covers her mouth.

I pull her in and hold her tight. "Just keep your sisters in line until I get back, dearest. And don't worry about anything else.  Just watch over your mother and - "

She pulls back. "Father, the baby is coming by the end of the month!  You can't leave mother now!  Not now!  Not when she is going to need you the most...when we all are going to need you..."

I cup her face in my hands. "Aurum, listen. Antoinette and Aegis will protect the house, and your mother will make the decisions.  But they will all be relying on YOU to be their greatest strength.  You can fight, and you can heal.  But more than that, they look to you to lead them.  I won't be gone long, but while I am, I need you to do this for me.  Please."

Tears start to form in her eyes as her voice cracks. "Y-yes, Master..."

"Aurum, no. I told you to mever call me that.  I am not your Master.  I'm your father, and I love you and your sisters more than anything else in the world.  I will return, and soon.  I promise."

---

Early the next morning, Hound sees me leave my front door. Ferra has led a mount, and enormous Whitemarch Glen Ram, large as a buffalo and clad in gilt silver barding, out to the front of the house. I hold and kiss all of my daughters in turn, inclusing Aegis, who leaves her perch and swoops in to say goodbye. Before leaving, I hold Regina close and kiss her for a long time, whispering something in her ear before stooping down and kissing her belly.

I mount up and gently spur Aires down the path, followed closely by Antoinette.