Safe and Well

Writers: Jane, Kaysea, Vix
Date Posted: 13th December 2007

Characters: Causton, Fog, Teene
Description: Causton arrives aboard the Sungazer to find his wife and new baby safe and well
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 6, day 18 of Turn 4
Notes: Notes: Timeliner/Emma - this was delayed because of my LOA

"You'd be Causton?" Fog stood at the end of the gangway, his hand out in greeting to the tall man that approached the paddleboat. "I'm Follen,"
he said, giving his full name, and not the nickname most knew him by, "I'm one of the crew members here. Vaheri told me you might arrive, and sent me to wait for you."

"I'm Causton," the Hallmaster answered, taking the other man's hand and giving it a firm shake. "My wife? She's alright."

"Aye, she's doing well, as is your bairn." he took the carrisac from Causton, and shouldered it, beckoning the man to follow him. "I'll show you where, and leave you to your family."

"I got here as soon as I could."

"You were fast, I was expecting a longer wait." Fog nodded, "The babe you hear is yours. Don't ask, I don't know whether girl or boy." he said with a grin.

~*~

"There was a dragon, Geni," Teene said. "I'm just going down to see -
Well to see if - I'll be back in a moment."

"He couldn't be here this soon, surely?" Geni looked over Neva's head to Vaheri. "The note was only sent less than a half candlemark ago?" her voice held concern, if it wasn't Causton, was there some other problem.
"Do you have many dragons visiting?"

"More now than a turn ago," Vaheri told her. "Rahona's family includes several dragonriders, so they visit at times. But I've a feeling this one has brought a visitor for you."

Voices could be heard approaching outside, low murmurs, so as not to wake the other passengers along the deck. She could hear three voices, two males and a female, which must be Teene.

"Geni?" his voice was anxious, despite the reassurances he would have received from Teene.

"Causton? So soon!" she gasped at the sight of her husband.

"Who? Me or the child?" he asked, crossing the room in a couple of short steps. "How are you doing?" he asked, searching Geni's face for any sign of concern or anxiety, before looking across at the older woman in the corner of the room.

"I'm fine." she smiled softly, "And so is Neva." she nodded across to where Vaheri stood, "I hope you don't mind me taking the liberty of naming her? I wanted to honour Vaheri here, and of course Teene for the help they gave me."

He stood slowly, and made his way to the small basket perched on the lower of the two bunks. "Vaheri? Thank you for helping Geni, I felt sure she would be in capable hands on the boat, but - thank you." he said, taking her hand and clasping it in both of his. "I am pleased with Geni's choice of name. She has chosen wisely."

"Even if she's exaggerating my contribution," Teene said with laughter in her tone. "Shall we leave you two alone with your new baby? I'll get the others presentable, shall I? So you can see them before you go."

"You're trying to get rid of me the moment I arrive?" he turned and looked at the girl with a smile on his face, belying his words.
"Impatience will get you nowhere Teene." he waggled a finger at her before nodding, "As you say, a little time alone, and then when the children awake, you can bring them in - if you must." he said with an exaggerated sigh.

"Teene is right and it's probably best if we leave you," Vaheri nodded, as much in support of that idea as in acknowledgement of the man's thanks. "If you need anything, simply open the door and call out and one of the crew will come to your aid."

"Thank you, Vaheri." he nodded, "I may need to talk to the Captain in a little while, if that will be convenient?"

The headwoman nodded. "I'll let him know to expect your summons." She smiled back over her shoulder - a wearied expression, yet cheerful over the smoothness of the birth - and left the room.

"You don't waste your time, do you?" Geni asked with a weary smile. "Go look at your daughter." her arm waved in the direction of the small wicker box that had been brought in to house the sleeping baby.

"You really don't mind about the name, do you?" she said, a little worried that he would be put out about not being involved in the process.

"No, no. Of course not." he turned, reassuring her. "We didn't have any particular name chosen for this little lady, and I think the name you've chosen is perfectly suitable. It'll certainly be a name with a story behind it."

"I wouldn't have been able to cope if it hadn't been for Vaheri and Teene. But we've been lucky, she came early, but seems to be fine. A good size too, so maybe I mixed up my dates..."

"And you're feeling alright?" he asked, turning back to her and sitting on the edge of the bed. He reached out and took her hand. "We need to talk - about the remaining leg of the trip."

"What do you mean?" she asked, her brow creasing in a furrow.

"I can't leave you and Teene to look after all five, you'll have your hands full with just the babe, never mind the rest of them."

She hated to admit it, but he was right, she and Teene would have their hands full of the little ones, without worrying what mischief the boys were getting into. She nodded slowly in agreement.

"I think it would be better if the boys came with me, back to the Hall.
I can keep them out of mischief and they can return to their lessons."
he assured her. "Besides, Ednes is almost at an age where he would begin to take an interest in the craft, now."

"I hate to admit it, but you're right. Teene and I need a break.
They've been better behaved on here than I would have thought, but still... You'll leave Brylee here with me, though, yes?" Her oldest daughter would be a help keeping Sousie occupied, and beside that the boys tended to exclude her from their activities.

"Yes, Brylee I would leave with you, and Sousie naturally. I think the five of you would travel well together. Don't you?"

"Yes..." she answered slowly trying to keep the tiredness she felt from her voice, as she slipped down further under the bed covers, and smiled up at him.

"Oh Geni, I'm sorry. I'm talking at you and all you really want to do is sleep. Look love, while you and Neva sleep, I'll go talk to the children and Teene and explain what's to happen. I also need to talk to the Captain about staying a night or two..." he looked down at her and stopped talking. She lay there asleep a small smile on her face, but asleep none the less.

Leaning over and kissing her brow softly, he pushed himself from the bed, and walked quietly towards the door. With one backward glance he smiled at her before leaving the stateroom to the peace of her soft even breathing.

Last updated on the December 16th 2007

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