An Offer of Safety

[Northen Light36]

Teardrop swallowed nervously as she approached Lya and curtsied politely. It was rare for the young woman to approach any of the royal family, particularly without one of her parents nearby. While she was now her family's heir and quite popular with the lower classes, she still held some awe for the nobility and particularly the royal family that she'd yet to lose.

"Your majesty?" she asked quietly. "May I have a moment of your time please? I have an idea about the children."

[Kender Bard]

Lya paused; ah it was Teardrop. That would explain why the servants and guards let her through. There were plenty of people clamoring for her attention at this point in time, but only a few were allowed to actually meet with her. "Yes, Teardrop?" she asked, giving the young woman all her attention.

[Northen Light36]

Teardrop smiled nervously and touched her ring. "Your majesty... When Efil spoke to her chosen, she told us one of the things our rings can do is guide us, and those with us, to a sanctuary the Forces have created. I... I was thinking... I could take Dami and the other children in the palace to that sanctuary, so you'd know they were safe if another demon attacks. Princess Luminous too, if she's willing to come."

[Kender Bard]

Lya's eyes widened at that. A Force made sanctuary... It was perfect. "Aye," she agreed quickly. "But I want you to take a group of my knights with you. Though the destination is safe, the way there could be fraught with peril."

[Northen Light36]

Teardrop nodded in agreement. "Thank you, your majesty. I would appricate the aid of any knights willing to come," she replied, sounding a little relieved. She could defend herself, one of the duties Saph had given to Talon was to teach the twins some basic self defence, but there was a far cry between that and actually fighting anything, let alone a demon.

[Kender Bard]

Willing or not, they're going with you, Lya thought firmly. She'd consult with Lord Furinko on how many should go. "How soon will you be ready?" she asked.

[Northen Light36]

Teardrop considered carefully before replying. They would need surplies, particular for the baby, and shopping in Talen'sul was not easy at the moment. She doubted it would be any easier in Maelstrom and she wanted to avoid the areas of known demon activity in any case. "I think I can be ready in two days, your majesty."

[Kender Bard]

"Then I will prepare the children in the interim," Lya said with a nod. Her expression softened. "Thank you for this, Teardrop. I'll breathe much easier knowing the children are all safe."

[Northen Light36]

Teardrop smiled faintly. "I'm glad to be of service, your majesty," she replied. "And I think my parents will be glad to know Raindrop and I will be safe as well." She curstied again and added, "If you'll excuse me, I'll start making the preperations for the journey."

[Kender Bard]

Lya nodded and let her go while she headed for the nursery where the children would be gathered. Luminous was off in her own room, but she wanted to talk to her daughter separately anyway. Luminous would be able to handle a more adult chat, not the children. "Dami?" she called out as she approached. "Children?"

[Northen Light36]

Alyssa was telling a clearly fansinated Dami a story about life in the the clans while they played with Shade. At the sound of Lya's voice, all three children paused in their activity and looked towards her. Shade smiled brightly and toddled over to her, holding up his arms in a request to be picked up.

Dami and Alyssa, being old enough to have more of an idea of the situation, looked a little uneasy. "Is the demon back, mummy?" Dami asked, shuffling closer to Alyssa and taking her hand.

"Have you heard from Mummy and Daddy?" Alyssa added.

[Kender Bard]

Lya picked up Shade, smiling and smoothing the child's hair back fondly. She'd taken a shine to the baby. "No, no the demon isn't back," she assured the children. "And... No I haven't heard word from your parents at this point. I assume that means everything is still the same. I came to tell you all, though, that we'll be moving you three and Luminous to somewhere much more safe. There's a very special place that the Forces themselves made for all the Chosen and their families to hide in. Teardrop, one of my noble ladies and one of the Chosen, will be taking you all there with some knights. You'll be safe from all the demons. I'll be writing Ann to let her know of where you are as well, of course. Hopefully she can go see you."

[Northen Light36]

"I hope so," Alyssa replied with a little sigh. She missed her parents dearly and asked Lya about them often. But she was also a patient little girl who had the sense to know making a fuss wouldn't bring them back to her any sooner.

"Will Daddy visit?" Dami asked, looking hopeful. Alyssa had put an end to his tantrums over the seperation from Shadow, but he missed his father as much as Alyssa missed hers. "And you, Mummy?" He walked over to give her a tight hug. "You'll both come, won't you, Mummy?"

[Kender Bard]

"Of course I'll visit," Lya told them. She put Shade down carefully and hugged her own son. "Hopefully you won't be gone so long as to warrant one, but yes, I'll make sure to see you as soon and as often as I can. I'll try to see to it that your father is with me when I do."

[Northen Light36]

Dami swallowed hard as it sank in that his parents wouldn't be coming with him. But rather then protest or throw a tantrum, he glanced towards Shade and Alyssa and swallowed hard. Tightening his hug, he said softly, "I'll be good, mummy. I promise. Aly and I will look after Shade."