Mother

9

You rubbed your stomach as you bundled up with the children in the tenant house. A bed sheet separated you from the others though it doesn't stifle the racist comments from the others. They fueled you with regret you remembering how special Kerberos made the children seem. In this, you suspect them all to have a proper home, but it feels it all be stowed away with your recklessness. Everything... had just seemed perfect. You just didn't want to lose your boys...

My boys...

Were never yours to begin...

" Clementine, who gave you your name?"

You don't know what pushed you to ask, and he groggily stirs answering kindly.

" I did. The f-first man... that I ever talked to was name Clementine, and I just took the name!"

You pat his head regretting to keep him up to begin with. You think about your hatred of Gara, and your longing for Raknok. What are they thinking of your absence? You knew they would care, but how much? Would anyone else notice you were gone? Probably not. Being on the run, you'll have to leave by morning being the sixth town or village to stop at. You've sold few births, and your other services haven't been accepted so easily. You probably have enough funds to make it too two more civilizations, and you'll then be forced to sell the horse and wagon to settle down with along with whatever you have left. You'll loath the day that happens for the children were beginning to get use to 'Buckle'. You still weren't sure where Atlas conjured the name, but all the children seemed to be fond of it.

" Can you put on a light show mama?"

You've fully accepted the name Amartya saying quite often now.

" Not here. Now we must be quiet. People are trying to sleep."

" Okay.."

He snuggles into his brother Roman as you all finally drift off into a dream.

......

" How much?"

" Five hundred gold."

The witch lets out a small laugh placing the rose quarts back in your palm though I could tell she direly wanted it. You couldn't take the chance that she would in the end accept the offer, so you decide to go lower even though you had only a few quantity of the Glasslings, Stonelings, and Seedlings left.

" I don't want a child that badly.. unless you want to throw in that fire elemental or reaper along with it. They're starting to become quite hard to find these days-."

" Not for sell. Is that clear?"

Your anger gets the best of you, and she pursed her lips evidently not appreciating it. She stays in thought for a second tapping her finger against her table as your kids remained hushed. They were always well behaved during business.

" Four hundred."

" Deal-."

" You know, I can offer you bedding for you and your children separately if you can keep providing these. We'll split the profit fifty-fifty. How does that sound?"

You looked at the medicine woman as you contemplated the situation. You staying put this woman in danger, but you have been on the go for two months now. It would be nice to make this place permanent.

Still...

" I'm not sure if you want that... Some people want me dead basically..."

She thinks on this though grateful for you honesty.

" What else can you do? You must be a witch if you have this type of fae blood in you."

" Roman, come here."

You called forth your son, and he does as you said understanding from previous sell pitches.

" Flare your horns son."

" Yes mama."

Two sets of fiery horns emerges from his skull, and you could tell she was impress.

" I'm an Astral witch. Anything that has life force left, I can strip away. That rose quarts you just bought has three sets of wings separate from the ones he or she possibly inherit from me."

Her eyes lit up as if she found a fortune. She kept her composure though as you pressed the rose quart in her palm. You were unaware how she was already thinking of her future in creating a family and making some serious gold it appearing perfect.

" I'm willing to look past your bounty. Think about it. Rent would be free of charge. Just Astral services and to sell as many children as you can produce."

" I'm pregnant."

That seemed to damper her mood but the offer still stood.

" It'll be fine. If we start saving now, we can afford a grand place in the future to have some serious room."

You looked at the boys, and they seemed excited as ever.

" Okay. As a gift to you, I'll give you the rose quart for free."

" Let's just say two hundred, shall we though I might have you to add a few more details to my child."

You two shake on it, and Atlas screeches bringing a smile to both of you.

" Does this mean we get to keep Buckles?!"

" Buckles?"

" Our horse."

That made the deal even sweeter.

" Good. Transportation. That'll be needed for we'll be making deliveries very soon. I have many contacts that will be interested in... What label are you technically called?"

" Well, I'm a Stoneling, but there is a specific term for the females that inherited the gene to birth these. My father said my mother called herself and my ancestors Mother Nature's."

" I like it! Would you like to celebrate? I have a nice bottle of brandy I have been saving for an occasion. A glass wouldn't hurt the baby.'

" I rather not, and even if so, I'm too tired to anyways. Do you think we can head to bed?"

She nods officially giving a detour of the house. It was a two-story building it being a gift from her dear aunt. You chose the smallest room considering you didn't need as much room, and the boys thanked her over and over glad to have a permanent bed again.

" Can... C-Can you spend the night with us mama?"

Clem hugs your leg, and your new landlord, Diana, admits out loud that you had the most precious children.

I do.