The Son of Thunder

Chapter Forty-Five

 Lightening lay stretched out on his bed with a flower in his hand, pulling petals off. His bed was made and he lay on top of the black sheets fully dressed in his black garments. Magpie announced herself, then let herself in. Sure enough, Shawna had sent her to check on him. How could no one recall the day? Hadn't they read the announcements? He hadn't approached his office because he hadn't wanted to touch the scroll that reminded him.

Magpie tormented him with questions: Was he well? Why hadn't he come to breakfast?

"What are babes like at one annum?" he said, breaking her monotonous queries.

"Annadam's daughter just passed this mark a few moons ago," she said. "She makes a bit of noise, tumbles about their home."

He blinked. Rhysya had torn apart so many flowers in this spot. "Do they communicate?"

"Just babbling. No more than a word or two."

"Do they recognize? Do they understand?"

"Aza knows her parents," she said. Magpie had mentioned that Flower had been narrowed to Azalea.

"Would she miss either of them?"

"I don't know. I guess."

She rested her head on his chest. His heart was tame, though it ached. Magpie would never lie to him, but she might be too kind to confess his daughter was too young to remember him.

He laid the wiry stem of the flower on the table at his bedside. "Today Rashana has reached her first annum."

She grimaced. "I should have known. I'm sorry." She closed her eyes and sucked in her lips. Her hand clasped his arm. When she opened her eyes, he was looking up at her. "I wish I could give you some words of solace."

She touched him listlessly. Forever her fingers caressed him. She would kiss him, change in front of him, as if he were her brother. No longer being an object to be laid, she was free to express herself. Physical touch was her favored mode. Lightening couldn't recall a time since she took up residence when she wasn't smiling or laughing with this guard or that. The dour flower he had first encountered was replaced by this nymph who graced all who spoke to her.

At least she was happy.

* * * * *

Lightening had barely recovered from Rashana's first annum when Rhysya's second daughter was born. Time flew so fast in the ruling wing. Again the leaves had gone to tawny and ochre, orange and yellow. Magpie pulled on her boots and trekked to Annadam and Dark's home. Lanes had been developed between the houses so that they were no longer a cluster in the wilderness, but a small village. Magpie wondered what these Thundonian-Star Children called themselves. Valley of Thunder? Thunder Children?

Dark was alone and cradled Aza in his arms. Magpie was offered his chair and took it happily. She had become unaccustomed to walking great distances. The moons between the news of Rhysya's difficult pregnancy and the birth of the child was short, but Magpie would not bring up her suspicions to Lightening again.

"Are you certain you don't mind waiting?" Dark said, rocking Aza and blowing in her ear.

"I don't mind." Magpie crossed to the window and gazed at the light. Thundonia was completely enclosed within the mountain. Even the windows in the homes didn't allow the sunshine as this little hut of theirs did. Winter would be upon them soon. Magpie would kiss her seventeenth annum in a moon. Thundonia never experienced seasons. This place only felt the chill mildly. Perhaps Magpie would make an excuse to venture to Acidonia so she could see snow.

"Is Lightening so interested in news of the birth?"

"Interested enough," she said, glancing over her shoulder, her arms folded across her chest, each hand cradling an elbow.