Lessons for Life
Sept 22, 2009 20:43:43 GMT -5
Post by Northen Light36 on Sept 22, 2009 20:43:43 GMT -5
Shadow watched Ann grooming her horse silently, making sure the younger Leader stayed unaware of his presence. That lack of situational awareness would have to be addressed, he knew, since it was deadly, but for now he welcomed it. It gave him a chance to think.
There was no hiding Ann's pregancy now, but Naurorod didn't put so much stigma on unwed mothers as most places, so Shadow wasn't concerned about a lack of a father in the picture. The fact the father was an Ilyamen born fire... That he knew might cause problems... The situation was errily like that of Ann's own conception and, while he loved Ann, a blind man could see she had been struggling.
Not for the first time recently, Shadow cursed Damien silently. He knew Damien hadn't been thinking rationally at Lacuna, but that didn't change things now. If Damien's deathwish had been that strong, Shadow thought uncharitably, he should have done his niece a favour and fallen upon his spear before Ann was of an age to believe the Leadership was all she had.
Not that Ann hadn't been doing well in her studies with Lya and himself. She was eager to learn and her heart was in the right place. But she was young and needed more guidence then the hasty education Damien had given her while also trying to protect the girl from the harsher realities of leadership.
Shadow cleared his throat loudly. Ann started, but relaxed when she turned and saw Shadow there. The King frowned at her. "Not good," he said bluntly. "If I'd been an assassin, I could have killed you in a dozen ways in the time it took you to realise you weren't alone."
Ann winced at that, but replied, "No one can live without ever letting your guard down. It's impossible."
"No child," Shadow scolded. "It's very possible. And what's more, for a leader who doesn't have the complete faith of their people yet, it's vital. Remember that and come along." Shadow softened the sting of his lecture with a smile. "Lya feels it's probably about time for you and her to have that talk about motherhood. And afterwards I'd like you to sit in on Audience with Lya and I."
Ann nodded as she followed Shadow out of the stables and into the mansion, looking lost in thought. Shadow glanced at her, but didn't question her thoughts as he knocked on the door of Lya's private sitting room. "Dear heart? I found Ann for you."
There was no hiding Ann's pregancy now, but Naurorod didn't put so much stigma on unwed mothers as most places, so Shadow wasn't concerned about a lack of a father in the picture. The fact the father was an Ilyamen born fire... That he knew might cause problems... The situation was errily like that of Ann's own conception and, while he loved Ann, a blind man could see she had been struggling.
Not for the first time recently, Shadow cursed Damien silently. He knew Damien hadn't been thinking rationally at Lacuna, but that didn't change things now. If Damien's deathwish had been that strong, Shadow thought uncharitably, he should have done his niece a favour and fallen upon his spear before Ann was of an age to believe the Leadership was all she had.
Not that Ann hadn't been doing well in her studies with Lya and himself. She was eager to learn and her heart was in the right place. But she was young and needed more guidence then the hasty education Damien had given her while also trying to protect the girl from the harsher realities of leadership.
Shadow cleared his throat loudly. Ann started, but relaxed when she turned and saw Shadow there. The King frowned at her. "Not good," he said bluntly. "If I'd been an assassin, I could have killed you in a dozen ways in the time it took you to realise you weren't alone."
Ann winced at that, but replied, "No one can live without ever letting your guard down. It's impossible."
"No child," Shadow scolded. "It's very possible. And what's more, for a leader who doesn't have the complete faith of their people yet, it's vital. Remember that and come along." Shadow softened the sting of his lecture with a smile. "Lya feels it's probably about time for you and her to have that talk about motherhood. And afterwards I'd like you to sit in on Audience with Lya and I."
Ann nodded as she followed Shadow out of the stables and into the mansion, looking lost in thought. Shadow glanced at her, but didn't question her thoughts as he knocked on the door of Lya's private sitting room. "Dear heart? I found Ann for you."