Internal: Viperpath (volume 1)

(29) New Custody, pt.1

Word of the redoubtable Mama Viper having somehow been incapacitated spread fast, if in whispers. When it reached Vestra's attention, she lost no time to visit her counterpart; by which time the latter was able to remain seated in bed.

"'Sup, Ves," Mira greeted with her signature smirk. "Missed me already, 'ave ya?"

"Allah be praised, Mira, you survived..."

"Coulda been worse."

"How are you feeling?"

"Like an injured mutt, if that helps."

"Heard you slipped in the bath..."

"So careless o' me, aye." Mira gave a weak shrug before staring at her cast. "Gonna be a matter o' gettin' used to, this. A year, they say."

"Goodness me... and this just as I was going to take your kids to another caretaker too!"

"Speakin' of. Who were ya gonna take 'em to?"

"Lady Alista, my nephew's mother."

"Idris?"

"That's his name, yes."

Mira grunted. "Heard quite a bit o' this one. A maturin' prince to boot, mind ya; sole son to Urdin's predecessor, rumors have it. Heart in the right place n' resourceful, at just twenty-two. Married to one Naissa--no household name, best I can tell; common town wench, like as not. Guy's marchin' back 'ere in two weeks' time alongside the big man himself, can ya believe that?"

"One of the gardeners told me some about that last part."

"Heh. Some well-told bugger, that was. But no, I was gonna ask more on the mom, Lady Alista. She the friendly type?"

Vestra smiled. "Her residence ranks as one of my kids' favorite visit spots."

"Just to afford that old fig some company, p'raps?"

"I'd rather not use such words in her hearing... and besides, she's not so old yet, this Lady Alista. I was going to take your kids for a drop-by, see... then this took place."

"About that. Zal may fancy herself my new caretaker now, but... frankly, I think they're still gonna need an adult around too."

Vestra leaned in her seat. "Are you, then, agreeing that they should still be taken to Lady Alista's custody?"

"This goes beyond my agreement, Vestra; ya bloody know how Zal's like, that li'l rascal. Think this lady is really gonna be up for it? Can't have my girl impose on another's household!"

"I mean... she's raised her own child through the cusp of adulthood, and as you just said, his heart is in the right place. That not the outcome you might desire for Zal?"

"I like her blunt n' hot; don't ya?"

"She'd still need to know her graces. Lady Alista, on the other hand, has yet to be bestowed with grandkids of her own, so to speak. What better match could there be?"

Mira considered this, before nodding in acknowledgement. "Zal does need to know her graces, aye... but she'll also wanna stay close by, in the wake o' this."

"True, that. Zal might need more convincing still-"

"Yo, I've got a better idea. How do ya fancy takin' in my kids as well, Ves?"

The Lioness of Elbar blinked. "...What did you just say?"

"Heard me right. Take 'em in, coach 'em as ya would yer own, insofar as it'll take yours truly to recover from this wound. One year, that's all I ask. They know ya, they trust ya, they'd still be able to see me that way. No need for that old fig anymore, dammit."