Royal Assassin: Book Five of The Empress Saga

CHAPTER NINE

The Karst estate was the largest of such lordly homes in New Sandharbor. That was because it consisted of not one manor, but three. One for Ban and Lady Rippling Moon Karst, another for Lady Ascania and her growing collection of philosophy students, and the third was reserved as the official Ecclesian embassy within New Sandharbor. There were also four barracks for the armsmen, a small neighborhood of residences and even a serviceable market square for their families, and expansive training yards. The militaristic focus of House Karst was evident in every aspect of the estate, from the orderly lanes between buildings to the ever-present shouts and clamor of drilling soldiers.

Now, however, the estate grounds were quiet. The armsmen and their families held their tongues out of respect for their lord and lady. All waited in front of the first manor to receive word.

Where Ban sat on the third story, in the conservatory adjacent to his chambers, he thought that someone should go out and tell them all the news. He'd do it himself, but he was a little out of sorts at the moment.

He was too stunned to think properly. It was one thing for Ban to know this was coming, another thing entirely to see it arrived. Perhaps there was a small part of him that was aware of his poleaxed expression and general unresponsiveness to everything and everyone around him. The rest of him didn't care. Nothing else mattered, right then.

Ban had a son.

Touching his finger to the white one's tiny hand, he felt his fingertip get enveloped by a weak but determined grip. Four fingers to a hand, which was expected, but no hooves. There were two dark spots on his brow, suggesting he would one day have a rack of antlers to rival his mother's and uncle's. Ban tried not to be disappointed about the lack of hooves. He'd been looking forward to missing out on taking the little one to get fitted for shoes.

Unimportant. Despite a mess of worries and moments of stress during the delivery, Ban had a healthy baby swaddled in his arms. He was being given some privacy with the latest addition to his house while Enfri saw to Moon. The sky women and green ones spoke when they were sure Ban couldn't overhear, but he wasn't oblivious. He was acutely aware of how things almost went terribly wrong. Without Enfri, Lady Kiffa, and Saveen, Ban could've been left alone.

Gratitude washed through him once more. Whether through dragon bonds, alchemy, or the expertise of sky women, Ban's family was well and finally together, and he could focus on the more important things. Such as, this little red was currently the newest thing in the world, and Ban couldn't begin to wrap his head around that revelation.

All had gone still and silent, at least so far as Ban was concerned. Just him and his son.

Lord Nikos Karst. The fourth Nikos Karst, the last being Ban's grandfather on his mother's side.

"Your ma was sure you were going to be a blue, rybka," Ban murmured. He watched as Nikos scrunched up his face and let out a discontented gurgle. "Agreed. Speaking for reds, there's a lot of perks. Take a piss wherever you want, no monthlies, and just between you and me, we generally age better. It all comes up positive for fellas."

Ban darted his eyes towards the door, just in case anyone overheard. He'd doubtless get a few frosty looks from all the ladies swarming his estate if any of them took note of what he was putting in Nikos' head. Truthfully, he'd been starting to feel a little outnumbered, and so it came as something of a relief to get some male reinforcement.

He stood when Nikos started to mewl in a way that might've been the preamble to a hefty cry. When Ban stood and put Nikos to his shoulder, the baby settled. He gurgled and grunted while Ban patted his back, and after a few squirms, dropped off to sleep.