The Other Side Of Me [Sequel to Faen's Child]

Epilogue

Epilogue

“Kieran, darling, how was your day?” Ashe was at the door, watching as her seven year old son run to her on short legs, throwing his arms around her neck.

“Mama, it was awesome! Uncle Noel taught me how to count and add and subtract, and divide and multiply, and the alphabets, and how words were strung together, and how…” Kieran was ready to prattle on with his usual lifeliness –the way Raun used to do when he was young too –but Ashe cut him off by laughing at his enthusiasm instead.

“That’s great, Kieran. Whose my clever boy?” She ruffled his hair, shifting his weight on one arm. Was it her, or was her boy getting heavier and heavier?

“Me!” Kieran yelled triumphantly, punching the air in joy as Noel and his wife approached her at the door.

“How was things?” Noel asked, smiling at the cheers of a young boy that very much reminded him –too –of a young Raun.

“Same old Council things. We are working towards our exposure, though.” Ashe replied, exchanging a nod with her Guardian’s wife.

“Tough work.” Noel commented, and she sighed while nodding.

“Nothing’s better than retiring after a long day’s worth of work to see Kieran, though.” She added.

“What about seeing your husband too?” Kenton cut in from behind her, making her spin around suddenly. Kenton had been away to deal with some issues in his own kingdom for a few days, and the days had begun to get lonely without him around.

“Daddy! You’re back!” Kieran screamed with childish joy, jumped from her arms and flew to his father’s embrace. It was quick that Kenton had his son sitting on his shoulders, reveling at the raised height that he experience. The young boy began pretending that he was a mountain climber, entertaining himself with his imaginary binoculars.

“I guess I’ll leave the two of you to your own world. With Kieran, of course.” Noel added the last comment with a smile, eyes flickering to the boy amusedly.

“Thanks for taking care of him today, Noel. Raun was busy with work today, so…” Ashe trailed off, but her Guardian understood her meaning.

“No problem. Samantha loves him too.” He replied; his wife nodding in support.

The two couple bade goodbye to each other, and soon the Faen’s Child and her husband and son walked down the corridor back to their quarters, where they fully expected to meet Raun, either preparing dinner or furiously marking overdue papers. It struck Ashe funny to see how her hyperactive brother ended up being a patient Training Master who ended up not marking his students’ work as often as he didn’t hand up his own homework when he was still studying.

Who would ever thought that a Training Master would constantly forget to mark the scripts of his students? Still, Raun was a dedicated Training Master who was excellent in practical work –hence bringing many of his students to mastery over their elements.

“Ashe!” Someone called her, and she stopped mid-stride, turning around to see Headmaster Arliden running towards her. The old man was getting on his ages, but he still was clinging on to his post –for whatever reason, she wasn’t sure. But age didn’t get in on how effective Jason Arliden was still dealing with the school, so she had no complaints in that area. Besides, who could she trust better than Jason to watch over her brother at the same time?

“Are there any problems?” She asked, peering at the worried face of Jason’s when he reached them.

“All is well with the school, but I thought it would be better if I informed you that Raun didn’t turn up for his scheduled lessons today. He hasn’t missed any lessons so far, and whenever he has to miss any for a meeting, he usually arranges a substitute or tells me personally. But he didn’t turn up for his classes today, and his students came to me with worry. It’s not only for one class –it’s every class of today. I don’t want to raise any alarms, but if you see him, please tell him to find me.”