Dreamed This Up (Dreams, Book 1)

Chapter 6: Making the Rounds

About six weeks later

Rofin and Sophia are walking, on the way to pick up some supplies, when they hear a shout, "Pala! please, wait!" a small boy runs over to them, "Please, would you come? Old Mother is ill today, and asked me to watch for you."

"Of course, chiv." Rofin ruffles the boy's hair. "Have you had breakfast?"

"No, sir."

"Well, then, Sophia, might you spare him something?"

She smiles and digs around in the satchel she carries, "Here." The boy snatches the cookie and scampers off.

Rofin laughs. "If you feed every chiv in the city I will have to get a better job"

She answers by handing him a cookie and munching on one herself. "Ha! Says the Rifan who finally consented to try harac cooking and discovered not everything must be raw to taste good"

He looks at her mildly concerned. "You are hungry again?"

"Hormones. Just be glad it isn't something crazy or hard to get."

He shakes his head and looks up, "Ah! Here we are"

They enter the building, and pass through into the bustling courtyard inside the apartment building. "Pala!" "Hi Sophie!" "Good Day!" They go to one of the ground floor residences, and enter the old woman's home. It too is busy, but somewhat quieter. A very old harac rests on the couch at the far side of the small room, three young children playing nearby "Rofin!" she calls, "It is good of you to come."

"Of course, marata." He smiles, giving her the honorific name. "Sophie, would you see how the children are while I examine Tela?"

Sophie grins and waves a package at the children

"Hooray!" and they tumble after her to the other side of the room, eager for the treats, leaving Rofin and Tela to relative quiet.

"What is the trouble?"

"Eh, this old arthritis, not much. But son, I called you here for another reason, sit, sit."

Rofin settles his long limbs on the floor, and gives the elderly woman his attention. "What is it?"

"Your girl." He glances over at Sophyaniya, now reading to the children.

"Rofin, what do you plan for her?"

He smiles, and asks, "Why, Old Mother?"

She waves her hand, "Don't play coy with me. That girl is expecting." He gulps, and she continues. "and considering the way she looks at you, well, I doubt there has been anyone else in her short life."

He sighs. "It is as you say. Marata, I am lost. I wish to tell the world, and yet, I have not even told my parents, and I worry for her."

She chuckles and pats his head, as if he were indeed the child, and she the mother. "A natural fear. Every young couple suffers it. That is why I called you in. You may be a high-and-mighty Rifan, but I doubt you have been able to get the advice you need. Better to come to the village mother, even if she is harac."

He smiles. "You know I don't think that way."

"That is exactly why I fear for you. Child, they will not take well to this news."

"I know, I know, the apothecary who did the test for us said the same. The Rifans will not be pleased to learn the slaves may be raised"

"Nor the slaves" He looked at her, startled, and she continued, "Remember, some few always thrive at the expense of the many. There are harac as well as Rifans who would prefer to keep the world as it is."

"What should we do?"

"Be prepared, it is all you can do. Gather what support you can. Anyway, she will show very soon, if I am not mistaken. Your growth period is only six of our months, she will probably need longer, of course, but still, I am surprised you have not been stopped yet."

He shifted uneasily. "You are the first to say anything, but I think others have noticed, yes. It is why she wears looser clothes."

"Well, then, my boy, I highly recommend you go to your family."

"But- "

"I know, I know, they probably disapprove of your spending your skills on these lowly harac, am I right?"

He dipped his head, "We-ell..."

"It is nothing new, child. Before your people came there was oppression and prejudice, and it will survive long after. Go home to your family. I assume you have proof of the child being yours?"

And his nod she chuckled. "You aren't such a dummkopf after all. Ask your girl to come here, I want to speak to her."

He smiled and rose, "I'll get some more of that cream for you as well. It should ease your joints. Children!" The three little ones look up. "Come, let's go play foxes out in the courtyard." They shriek with joy and follow him out, calling to their friends as they go "The pala will play! Come on!"

Sophie goes to the old woman, "You called me?"

"Yes, daughter. I know of your condition," the girl blushes and looks down, "and I must give you some instructions for what will happen ... "

Some time later

A bedraggled Rofin stumbles into the room, and sees the two women with their heads together. "I hope ... it was ... worth it. Those children ran me ragged"

Sophie smile and Tela laughs outright. "Consider that your future!" Sophie giggles, and stands. "Come home, hero, I think the fox was caught by the hounds, and I must get you home before you collapse"

"Mustn't do that. I don't think you could get me home"

She pulls him towards her and kisses him. "Keep in mind that there is more waiting for you and I think we will make it home." He lets out a slight growl and sigh. "Were I not so tired, I think we would find a quiet spot and not wait to get home, but yes, we had better do so lest I collapse after."

She cocks her head and appraises him. "Do you wish to feed first? You took so little last night ..."

"I-"

"Oh, sit down, you two!" laughs Tela. "Behind the screen there is another couch, tend to each other and then you will feel better. And, Sophia, bear in mind what I told you. Try it soon, tonight." The girl simply grins, and pulls Rofin behind the screen. "Thank you, Mother"

————

Pala Doctor. Used in a familiar way, mostly by children

marata Honored mother. -ta is an honorific that can be added to any title

dummkopf (Actual German word,) means silly, dunce, "you dimwit" can be used affectionately. Thanks to my friend Jimiilee for the correct spelling

chiv child, brat, depending on who's saying it

About the picture

Made with Rinmaru maker. Sort of looks like them

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/TaliaG/WattPad/Walking%20home_zps0qzsuumm.png