The Son of Thunder

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Above, my rendition of Canary. I'm actually pretty happy with it.

Canary burst into Magpie's room. "Torin is here."

She hadn't planned on hunting that day and it was past breakfast. Really, too late for the activity. She needed to get dressed and be on her way. She bounded down the steps, sprang down the last three and dashed over to him.

Torin's brow rippled at her. "I wanted to congratulate you on your citizenship," he said. "I waited for you here afterward, but you did not return yester."

"I dined with Shawna and Lightening."

He offered her his arm. "Will you join me in the marketplace? I'd like to get you a gift in honor of your new status."

Magpie clenched her teeth and pinched her eyes tight. "I have to go to the ruling wing. Lightening sent me a note."

In fact, the communication had come early that morning and Magpie told herself as soon as she woke, in five lapses, she'd answer the call. That had been several pendulum rotations ago. She should have been well on her way.

Torin tightened his hold on her arm. "Oh," twirled out of his mouth like steam twisting above a cup of tea. "Urgent matter of business, huh?"

"An emergency."

"What nature of emergency?"

The note didn't say and she couldn't have disclosed it if she knew. She shrugged, tried to apologize, but stupidity beat her over the head and made her dumb.

"You can walk with me," she offered.

He raised his head, stared at her. He pushed his fringe of hair out of his face. She gave Torin a hug when she reached the ruling wing and kissed him on the cheek. Apostle eyed them. He was ignorant of any emergency. "I haven't seen the Son of Thunder since yester. He didn't spar this morning and he hasn't been in his office."

Magpie was perplexed and darted toward Lightening's room. Even though she got no answer, she pushed back the door. Empty. The coldness of the room told her no human had been there this day. The dining area too was empty. She headed to the offices and was caught by Shawna. Her dark brow was pinched and irritation filled her voice.

"Magpie, it's about time."

"Where is Lightening?"

Shawna tramped down the hall and dragged her to the conference room. "I don't know."

Magpie pulled away from her, demanded an explanation. Warrior rose from his chair, made his way across the room to intervene. Shawna held up her hand.

"He sent me a note this morning."

Shawna fluttered her eyes at her. "I sent you a note. You must improve your reading skills."

Magpie blushed. True, she'd read the important words and formulated the contents. Shawna's name hadn't been signed at the bottom. The last word had been Lightening. Magpie just assumed it was from him, that he'd dictated it to someone. She hadn't really thought about it.

"Lightening didn't arrive at breakfast this morn," Shawna said. She informed Magpie of the intelligence Bastion had related and concluded the rest. "If the labor is long, he could be gone for days."

"What do you need me for?"

"You shall be his alibi," Shawna said, leaning back in her chair, gloating.

"Excuse me?"

"If any in Thundonia should notice his absence," Warrior said, "they shall also notice yours."

Lightening's long ago words flooded her mind. She put her fingers to her temples, rubbed her throbbing head into submission. "People will think we're involved."

Shawna's lips curled into a smile. "They already think that."

* * * * *

Rhysya cleaved to Lightening and leaned her head against his chest. The sun had crested in the sky and was beating down on the party. Lightening had stripped himself of all but his leggings. He would not be caught unawares with a pack of Star Children.

"You're almost finished, Rhysya," Fatelle said.

Rhysya's sounds were indiscernible. She grunted and screamed. She pulled Lightening's hair, grabbed his arms. He had to hug her to his chest to keep her still.

"You're all right," Lightening whispered.

The sun wore on. What had been moments in Lightening's head had been killing the light. Earlier, she had called him evil spawn. She called Shawna the devil. "That woman will rot in hell." Lightening would have laughed, but Rhysya wasn't joking. Now she had no control of language. Lightening was plagued by her debility. He caressed her, pet her sweaty hair out of her face.

"Push, Rhysya. One more push and she'll be out."

"That's it, Rhysya. Good girl," Lightening coached.

Fatelle stood, holding the child victoriously. "That was a good birth. She had an easy time of it."

Rhysya stared at Fatelle, pale, her hair drenched in sweat, her robe off and her underdress pushed up to her thighs. She would have liked to have known what a hard birth was like.

"You will be well soon, Rhysya," Fatelle said. "The travails killed your mother."

Lightening brushed her hair back with his bare hand. The sweat reminded him of the blood that had united them at their nuptials. "I'm so proud of you." He kissed her, bringing her lips into his mouth, tasting her tongue.

Fatelle laid the babe in her mother's arms. She was sticky and red. Lightening identified his features on this miniature face and his heart swelled. His face was damp with sweat and tears. He put his fingers to his daughter's forehead.

"Very little rashaman blood," Fatelle said. "Enough to have insightful intuition, but not enough to burden her."

Fatelle routinely spoke nonsense. Rhysya ignored her. Her daughter didn't have any rashaman blood at all.

"I think I'll call her Rashana," Rhysya said, running her hand over her cheek. She had been calling her that for phases, but tested it out for Lightening's reaction. She hadn't considered the insult it might be to him to have a child whose name meant daughter of Rasha.

"She is the daughter of hope," Rhysya said, thinking that would smooth it over.

Lightening covertly glanced at Yuanshi, who was sitting quietly away from the group.

"A good choice," Fatelle said. She rose, the scroll in her hand. "She will be a great leader, one to uphold peace."

"The Star Children will embrace her," Rhysya said.

Fatelle smiled knowingly.