To Everything There is a Season|Skyheort

[Northen Light36]

Amaro laughed despite himself. "Oh, I think I can handle that," he replied with a chuckle. "You pick where we take her and I'll pay." He smiled slightly and murmured, "As much as we might have argued if we'd known she was coming, I'm glad she's here. What about you?"

[Kender Bard]

"Me too," Talon agreed softly.

---

For a couple days, things almost felt normal again, though once in a while the hollow absence of Alethia became painfully obvious. Those moments, though awkward, passed, though, and life continued on, even if it was at a limp.

Talon had spoken with Zira through Tavin and cleared the matter of whether or not he could leave the children with him. And he'd spoken with his children as well.

Loki had thrown a bit of a screaming fit claiming that he'd never see his Daddy again now. Talon had spent most of the night reassuring the child. Spice had looked crestfallen but agreed obediently. Crentha had simply cried and not explained why. None of the children were happy but Talon had managed to convince them all it was for the best, or at least soothe them enough that they no longer acted out.

That done, he spoke with Acqua over the matter. "I'm still going to be coming back to Talen'sul, but it doesn't have to be right away. I'd like to see you and Bas home on my way through. That way I can check on the children before I come back."

[Northen Light36]

"And you can make sure Bas and I are safe as well," Acqua remarked with a knowing smile. This pregnancy was a good deal easier on her then her first had been which meant that she'd had, if only just, the energy to not only help Talon with his children, but also keep Amaro from sinking too deeply into depression again and check in now and then on the Talen'sul thieves guild. By the end of the day she was usually worn out though and going home, where she didn't have to hold herself together for anyone's sake and could have another good cry on Mat's shoulder, was an appealing idea.

"All right, I won't complain for once," she told her brother. "It's not a bad idea to have someone else with us."

[Kender Bard]

"The kids are ready to leave," Talon explained. "We can go in the morning. I've already let people know where I'm going and whatnot. Everything is in order."