The snows had melted, the ground was thawed and farmers everywhere were out tilling the soil in preparation for planting. The sun warmed the air and flowers were starting to bloom, their scent carried upon the spring air. Across the plains the storms brewed, a few tornadoes occassionally sprang up, sweeping across the land like a giant broom. Nature was cleaning her rooms.

Life everywhere sensed and responded to the ebb and flow of the seasons. It was a time for life anew as the animals, fish, insects and even plants began the seasonal rituals of procreation. Some were already in the throws of birth, as was now becomming evident in the barns upon Citadel grounds.

"She's gone into Labor. Make the preparations. And make haste for she'll not last another hour."

The grey haired elf, though his features were ageless, sent the boy on his way to inform others while he kneeled down to check her.

"There now, easy girl... you're doing just fine."


Into the citadel ran the boy, a human about age ten with blonde hair, blue eyes and freckles splayed across cheeks and nose. His voice echoed as he kept running through the halls.

"She's in Labor! She's in Labor! Out in the Barn! Come quickly! We need blankets and hot water! She's in Labor! Out in the Barn! Hurry! It's coming fast! Within the Hour! Hurry! She's in Labor!"

That had been his part of the preparations, to run through the halls and rally the others to their tasks.

Pots of water were set to boil in the kitchens.. a few of the psionicists came in to aid that process, using their ability of molecular agitation to speed the process of boiling. A few servants came out with clean blankets and towels. And the old elf looked to Bryce and Triv with a thankful, though tired, grin.

"Yep. Get a shovel and clear this dung out of here would be a great help. There's clean straw in this next stahl. Lay a clean bed for her if you would. Those contractions are coming fast."

The mare breyed with the contraction, eyes wide and ears perked and pointed back. The elf kept his voice calm and soothing, chanting something in elven as his hands caressed over her abdomen.

"There, now, girl.. it'll be all right. Easy now.. no one's gonna hurt ye."

The mare seemed to calm. The elf carefully pulled her forward and out of the way for the spot to be cleaned.

Triv and Bryce shared a look.

"No offense, sir" Triv finally said. "But it's a bit late to be mucking out the stall. Having two unfamiliar men moving around her with shovels while she's in such a vulnerable position will only add to the considerable stress she's experiencing now."

Bryce nodded. "Wasn't there someone out here monitoring her? The stall should have been kept clean before she went into labor."

Triv grinned at the peck on the cheek and winked at his wife. "We'll put down some fresh straw, like you said," he flicked a hand at Bryce who moved to get a fresh bail. "That'll help absorb the fluid. Is there anything you can do to calm her? Moving around behind a nervous horse is good way to get injured or killed."

Bryce placed the bail just outside the stall and held out a hand to his father. "Knife," he said.

Triv dug his pocket knife out and passed it to Bryce. "Where's that fancy dagger you're always trying to kill me with?"

"It's not really designed for cutting hay rope." Bryce cut the rough strings holding the bail together and passed the knife back to his father.

"No sudden movements," Triv cautioned as they began spreading the straw behind the mare. "Easy girl. No one's going to hurt you."

You should get out more.....away from him.

Triv looked as if he'd just been slapped. "Away from me?" His wife was suggesting he not spend so much time with their son? He was truly at a loss for words so he simply turned on his heel and calmly walked away.

Bryce's eyebrows shot up as he watched his father leave. It was true he'd gotten out of the habit of using magic to solve all his problems. He'd learned the value of forethought and ingenuity during his travels and had found that he actually like 'getting his hands dirty'. The look on his mother's face stung him as much as her words had just stung his father. Was she threatening to do him harm with that look? "Get out more, Mom? I've been 'out' for a very long time. Forgive me for wanting to enjoy being home for a while. But perhaps you're right." Bryce brushed the straw off his clothing and followed after his father.

Alex had heard the news of the newborns on the comm system and he had headed home as soon as he could. The shuttle banked round the citadel and he could see his mother coming from the barn, heading towards ..

"Uh oh."

He could tell by the way she walked that something was definitely wrong, she was upset and in that mood... that ass kickin mood. He wasn't so sure he wanted to land, but the curiosity of the newborns drew him to steer that way. And really, he should be there for his mother. He just hoped the ass kickin wasn't going to be directed at him.

The shuttle landed and Alex exited the craft, heading for the barn to see the new additions. He found them both sitting next to each other facing opposite ways. It was like ying and yang. The mother was up and standing, greeting him with gentle rumbles. He stroked her nose while he gazed over the other two.

She was black with spots of white splotched across her randomly, and He was white with spots of black sprayed across his back and left side. With the way they were laying, it looked quite similar to the symbol, ying and yang.

"You did good... got some beautiful babies." he soothed the mare.

A loud, almost indignant whinnie came from the other end of the barn. Alex chuckled and headed down that way.

"Nightstar! You did good, too. Didn't they let you meet them? Come on, I'll take you there. You should be a proud daddy."

He opened the gate and guided the stud of a horse down that way.

Stopped in her tracks, the image was transferred from Bri to the Guard to her. She'd almost forgot all about Tina coming, with all that had happened. Tears began to roll down her cheeks at this point. She was just too upset and couldn't think straight, except that she had to find Triv. She didn't even realize Alex had shown up.

A message was sent back to the Guard, telling her to escort Tina to the barn and to stay with her, let her know that the female twin was Tina's to name, it was the first born. Then Sha'uri resumed her steps to try and catch up with Triv.

Her steps slowed as Triv's form came into view. She caught some of his pondering's while her own thoughts meandered over what had just happened.

Bryce left and Triv was pondering miserably over what... a sharp tongue and a harsh look? It wasn't as if she made a habit of it and in fact she couldn't remember the last time she'd done it and meant it as a reprimand instead of the joking around she'd do, like they would all do between each other. And the one time it does happen, Bryce turns tail and takes off. Alex had more backbone then that. Unless Bryce was just using it as an excuse to leave. The thought infuriated her.

It never occurred to her until now what an ill mannered brat Bryce had turned out to be. But she honestly couldn't say if it was Galen's influence on him or Triv's that had been the contributor. Perhaps it was just her own fault for giving him everything she could. Maybe he just needed to be on his own to realize some things, and in a way his leaving was kind of a relief in that respect. Bryce had never really been on his own and the boy desperately needed to grow up mentally, to become the man - not just a guy - on the inside.

As for Triv, she knew what it was about. In between all that pondering she could see the heart of the real issue. His heart was very clear. He wasn't happy living here.

She was now convinced he hated the place, hated the technology, hated the mix of culture and the ways of life, hated the magic, hated the gods.... perhaps even hated her. She could only wonder what the hell he was doing here in a place he thought was so wrong, so beneath him.

She approached him slowly, voice calm and sad.

"You know, you didn't have to take it out on the old one. He understands the brand of horse and what it's capable of, you surely do not. He deserved better then that. He had moved the horse out of the way. I don't understand what your issue with that was, unless it was just to throw a fit for being asked to scoop poop. Well, you wanted to help and he told you how you could help and you disrespected him, and me. ... you could've asked him about things a bit more nicely.... no, a lot more."

She gently, briefly touched the horse he'd carved, letting her fingers fall away to clasp one hand to the other. Her fingers began to fidget, turning her wedding ring round and round upon her finger. The thought occurred to her to just give it back to him and be done with it.

"I know you hate this place, the technology... the magic... I even think maybe you hate me, too. You sit around, pretending to learn things, but I feel your brooding, both of you. You both would rather be somewhere else. You know I won't hold you down."

She locked her gaze with his. If it was leaving he wanted, too....

"However, You're too connected. Bryce will never become his own if you continue to be around him. Maybe he knew that and that's why he jumped at the chance for any reason to leave. He left, Triv. He left with his things, closed up shop at the school and headed down the road... gods only know where to. Please don't go after him. If you really love him... then just let him go. He needs to be on his own for a while and figure out who he really is. For half his life he modeled after Galen, and then it was you.. two almost totally opposite people. He needs to figure himself out and he can't do it around you, or even me."

She paused, hesitating.. but decided to just say it, figuring that's what he wanted... her voice shaking, she could barely talk.

"If you leave .... "

But the words wouldn't finish. She just couldn't say anymore. She was trying to take the ring off her finger, but it wouldn't come off. Her heart was breaking too much.

********************

The guard entered the barn with Tina. Seeing Alex there, she walked the girl towards him.
"Greetings, Commander..."

He understands the brand of horse and what it's capable of, you surely do not.

Triv's brows drew down at this. What did the breed of the horse have to do with anything?

.. you could've asked him about things a bit more nicely.... no, a lot more."

True. Or Triv could've just dragged the incompetent bastard out of the stables before he did something to endanger the mare. Triv opened his mouth to comment on his wife's tirade thus far but she just charged right on.

"I know you hate this place, the technology... the magic... I even think maybe you hate me, too. You sit around, pretending to learn things, but I feel your brooding, both of you. You both would rather be somewhere else.

What? Now he hated everything about the place? Even her? Where was she getting this stuff. He was only pretending to learn things? He guessed it didn't occur to her that it was a bit frustrating for someone who'd been fighting his whole life to be told that everything he knows about warfare is outdated and doesn't apply anymore.

He left, Triv. He left with his things, closed up shop at the school and headed down the road... gods only know where to.

"Wait. What makes you think he left? Maybe he did close the dojo. It's probably for the best, anyway. He only went to the school because that's where you work and Alex spoke highly of the headmaster. He probably just didn't like it once he got there. Maybe that's why he hasn't spent much time there. But he wouldn't have left without talking to me first, or at least saying goodbye. You might not think so but the boy does have some sense."

"If you leave .... "

He dropped the carving and knife and took her hands in both of his. "I would never want to leave you. I love you, Sha'uri. More than anything. But I'm going to need some understanding on your part. For the first time in my life, I feel useless. Everything about this place, all the technology and magic, makes me completely unnecessary. You're going to have to give me some time to adjust."

"She? You said 'she'." A slow grin came to Triv's face and widened until it nearly took in his ears. "We're having a girl!" Horses and elves be damned, he was going to have a daughter. He vowed then and there that he'd be around for this one. That no man, monster, nor the gods themselves would pull him away. He leaned forward and kissed Sha'uri deeply. He seemed to realize something suddenly and pulled back. "Uh...names?"

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Bryce walked through the streets of RhyDin, seething. So he was done at the school before he ever really started. He supposed he wasn't meant to be an instructor. Perhaps if he ever decided to settle down and start a family he could stand to work at the school but he wasn't ready to retire his armor just yet.

But now what? He wasn't going to just sulk around the Citadel all the time. Especially since his mother had made it clear that wasn't his place. Should he take back to the road? Alone? He didn't think he mother understood what adventuring alone entailed. Going months on end without anyone to talk to. With no one to use as a moral compass. No. Adventuring alone wasn't just dangerous to the body, but the mind as well.

He stopped at a bulletin board and began scanning it. He ignored the various guild recruitment posters and was just about to give up he something caught his eye.

WANTED: COLLIN STARK
for crimes against the people of Rhydin including:
* Thievery
* Forgery
* Poaching

Reward for Capture: 450 gold.



Hmmm.....

Triv grinned as he felt the baby kick. He tried to imagine what it'd be like to have a daughter. He wondered what kind of person she'd turn out to be.

"Triv, what was your mother's name? Would that be something to consider for her?"

Triv's eyebrows shot up. He hadn't even considered that. Those brows drew together as he thought back to the few times his aunt had spoken of his mother. She had considered Triv more of burden forced on her by Triv's father than a member of the family. As such, she didn't deem it necessary to teach him anything of what little family he had. One name did ring in his head, however.

"Isabel..."

A wave of nostalgia hit him then and he wondered what his mother would've been like if she had lived. How different his life might have been if he had been raised by his mother instead of his shrewish aunt. He shook his head to clear away such thoughts.

"But I didn't know her. I haven't even thought about in years. Wouldn't it make more sense to name her after someone in your family?"

The baby paused in its movements for just a moment, then went back to poking though specifically at Triv's hand still on Sha'uri's belly. It was as if she were trying to stroke his hand.

"Isabel..." she whispered the name and it rolled round in her mind until it clung there in her heart.

"I like it... no, love it! It sounds noble with a sense of perseverance, wisdom, graciousness and yet innocently playful as a child. I don't know what it really means or what your mother was like, but I'd like to thank her in some way for having you. It makes perfect sense to me. I'd like to use the name, if you don't object. Maybe use a rendition of my half sister's name.... hers was Larissia. She was the daughter of Briarius and died when she was barely old enough to venture into the world on her own. I never met her either, being born several years after her death. It would be kind of fitting to include her there somewhere... maybe mix it with my mother's name, Sharalis.... or Laurel from Dar Oma. Remember her? I don't know why but I think of her often when I think of that place...where we met. Might as well go for the sentimental rush, no?"

Sha'uri grinned and rubbed her nose to his.

"How does Isabel Laurilys Adaron sound to you?"

He was glad she took some time to think. He laid his hand gently on her shoulder about the time she announced the name.

"Shimmer is a pretty name. I like it. I think she likes it too."

He noticed the affection and the reaction of the firebrand colt. Though he didn't have a firebrand himself, it seemed the two would bond well with each other.

"I hope you realize how lucky you are. Mom spoils you rotten."

He was teasing gently, giving her a soft wink.