Life Never Ending (part 10)

Posted on Mon Oct 31st, 2022 @ 9:29am by Kyle Cragen [Reece] & Ambassador Natsuko Akayama [ADMIN NPC]

Mission: WHAT IF?
Location: American Colonies, Boston
Timeline: 4 June 1658
3681 words - 7.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Kyle rode his Arabian up the long drive to the mansion he and Natsuko had built on the outskirts of Boston. He had just finished with a meeting in town with his business partners.

His wife was standing on the front porch of the Mansion, speaking with their eldest child Veronika who was climbing down from the family carriage with her maid.

".... Did you buy out the stores again?" Natsuko asked their 21 year old daughter.

Veronika laughed. "No mother, I merely brought a few items for tomorrow night's ball"

Her maid bustled past them with the purchases.

Natsuko rolled her eyes and looked past the Carriage as she heard the horse. "Ah your father is home."

Veronika turned and beamed a smile. "Papa!"

Kyle smiled and chuckled softly as he pulled his horse to a stop near his family. "Hello my precious one, hello, my beloved!" He quickly dismounted and handed the reins to Tommy, the young stable boy that they paid to care for their horses.

"Young One, did you buy out the whole fashion street of dresses?"

Veronika gave him an exaggerated sigh "No Papa I didn't and I didn't buy out the Jewelers either. I brought new gloves and shoes for tomorrows ball. You know the one the Governor is holding. You and Mama said I could go to it."

With her parents in attendance, as chaperones, but as she was 21 and still unwed, it was expected.

Natsuko merely raised an eyebrow and let her husband deal with their daughter.

Kyle stepped closer to Veronika, gently taking hold of her upper arms and softly kissing her forehead. "My precious daughter, your mother and I want the world for you. We want you to fi f someone to be happy with, marry and grow a family with. However, you must be careful. You know that we are different from them. We cannot expose our true selves to them. To do so would cause panic and bring danger to this house and all that live in it."

"I know" Veronika replied softly. She doubted she would find anyone, after all, anyone she chose would die before she was 100.

Kyle could feel his child's disappointment. He gently put his forehead to hers. "I know life will be difficult for you, my Child. If we could return to our people's homeworld, and give you and your brother a normal life, where we don't have to move ever two decades, your mother and I would do so, in a heartbeat."

"I know Papa." She straightened and gave him a smile. "It will work out." She assured him." Are you and Mama going out this evening?"

He smiled softly at Veronika. He then nodded. "Yes. We have been invited to attend a dinner with my new business partners. We will need you to stay home and watch over your brothers and little sister."

Looking after Phillip and the twins now aged 5, was not what Veronika liked to do often but she nodded. "Very well. I will look after Phillip and the brats," which was her affectionate way of calling the twins.

"Alana and Geoffrey have assured me they will be on their best behaviour tonight Veronika," Natsuko said to their eldest.

Veronika gave her mother a smile. "Are you through having children mother?"

Natsuko merely smiled. "No" and so saying swept into the house.

Kyle watched the center of his life enter their hoke, his heart pumping with desire for her. He then looked back at his first born. "Veronika, as the eldest, it is your responsibility to help care for your siblings. While your mother and I raise them, they will look to you on how to properly behave in this world. Once you have become old enough to survive, you will go out and start your own adventures in this world. But that time is not yet. You still have much to learn."

She nodded. She had heard the lecture before. "I know Papa" She replied with just a hint of teenage resentment. "But it is rather hard to speak with people when they know I am 21 and the twins are 5."

He shook his head and smiled. "They will never understand. Their minds and perceptions of the universe are infinitesimally small, compared to ours." He paused, then added, "If it will help you going forward, in our next home, you can be publicly know as their cousin. And as for your question of more children, your mother will still be able to give birth to healthy children for at least another five hundred years. So, you will have many more brothers and sisters."

"Great" She mock sighed "Okay I am heading in. Maybe there will be a chance to read the book I brought today."

He turned and walked with her, putting his left hand lightly on the middle of her back. "And which one did you get this time?" He asked happily. Veronika had become a voracious reader this last few years. While she was still working through the family library, every time a new book was published in town, regardless of it's subject matter, she would purchase a copy.

"oh one of the poets from Amsterdam" she said "He wrote a book of old stories" She paused "I am sure it will be interesting"

Kyle chuckled softly. "Old stories? These humans do make me laugh sometimes."

"They are interesting." Veronika replied as they moved into the front salon. "I hear Phillip's History tutor is very interested in the cultures of Europe."

"Oh? Which ones in particular?" As they reached the open front door, he paused to allow her to enter first.

She smiled at him. "The times before you met Mama" she said softly and then all but skipped off to her favorite chair.

"And what do the humans say happened during those times in Europe?" Kyle was suddenly very curious to know. After Natsuko had calmed his soul, he never put much thought into those dark times in his life, when he was consumed with rage over the murder of his parents.

"That after the purge, it's what it is called, several scions who were sent away returned to rebuild." Veronika sounded totally bored. She sat on her chair and picked up a book idly. "Phillip pays more attention to it then I Papa"

Kyle nodded thoughtfully as he listened, his mind going back to though blood-filled days. So many humans had been killed by his hands, he couldn't remember the total number. "Is there any information on what or who was responsible for the...purge?"

Veronika looked up at him. "Papa, come on, they do not have a name for those who did it. They lost a lot of records from then. There are theories, a plague, a wanna be king, serf uprising."

Looking over at his oldest child, Kyle remarked, "I can tell you that it was no wanna-be king."

She smirked. "Awww what a pity, a crown looks good on me Papa"

This caused him to smile and chuckle. "Yes it would, my Precious Heart." He leaned down to kiss her cheek, then made his way up to the master bedroom. He had to get changed for dinner.

Veronika watched him go and settled back with her book.

Upstairs in the master suite, Natsuko was already dressed and was putting her hair up.

As Kyle entered the room, he smiled and said, "Did you know that the human historians are referring to what I did in the British Isles as the purge?" He chuckled softly at the notion.

Natsuko rolled her eyes "Don't sound so pleased with yourself love." She gently rebuked him. "The children might hear."

Kyke glanced back the doorway, then shrugged. "While it was certainly a dark chapter of my life, I'm not ashamed of what I did. As I told you in France, if any of you were harmed by the humans, I would have no hesitation in eliminating every single one of them."

"I know but they do not need to know that side of you just yet darling" She stood and walked towards him. "We have dinner with humans tonight so lets be nice."

Kyle smiled softly and nodded. "As usual," he said as he stepped closer and took gentle hold of Natsuko's shoulders. "My super intelligent, indescribably beautiful wife knows how to sooth the savage beast that lives inside of me." He placed his forehead against hers and whispered. "If only the humans knew what you did for them, they would worship you like the goddess that you are."

"Hmm, I will just have to make do with you worshiping me often." She kissed him, "Get ready for tonight love."

He returned her kiss, then nodded. "I'll be ready as quickly as I can, my love." He moved off to their dressing room, stripping out of his dirty clothes as he went. Using the wash basin, he took a quick bird bath. Afterwards, he got dressed.

Thirty minutes later, he was ready to go. Offering his left elbow to his patient and lovely wife, he asked, "Shall we?"

She linked her hand through his elbow. "All the women out there will be jealous" she said. "I am very lucky."

"All the men will be very envious, wondering how I managed to claim such an exotic treasure like you. I am also very lucky, my love." He smiled lovingly at her as they slowly made their way to the large staircase that filled a good part of the foyer.

They both knew however, if anyone knew what they really were, it would be trouble. There were already rumours spreading from people about religious zelots moving north.

They descended the staircase together and bid their children good bye for the night.

A few hours after they left, Phillip came to his sister with his history book. "Nika," he used the nickname only he called her by. "Have you seen the paintings depicting the purge that occured in the British Isles?"

"Hmmm?" His sister asked looking up from her book. "No.. why?"

The young boy stepped closer to his sister and showed her one of the passages in his book. It contained the image of a wood etching of a combat scene.

"While you can't see the central figure's face, doesn't that look like Papa's sword?"

Veronika looked at the sword image and studied it. "Yes but there are probably a number of those swords around. Mother has her family collection remember?"

Phillip considered what his older sister said, then nodded. "You're right." He then giggled softly. "Could you imagine if Papa had something to do with the purge?!"

Veronika shrugged. "Papa is very protective of us Phillip, I doubt he has anything to do with it. And you should be in bed surely."

The young boy nodded, then yawned. "Okay. I'll get in bed shortly." He paused, then gave her a soft look. "Would you sing to me, help me fall asleep? Next to Mama, I think you have the prettiest voice I've ever heard."

"Flatter brother. Go on, I will be up shortly." She said softly. "I will make sure the house is locked up."

Phillip nodded to Veronika, then made his way upstairs to his room. After getting changed into his sleep shirt, he got into his warm bed and waited.

Veronika made the sweep and picked up her skirts and headed up to her brother's room. The twins were already asleep in the nursery.

Veronika entered Phillips room and smiled "So, I have a song for you this evening brother, if you would like to hear it?"

The young boy looked up, smiling happily as he nodded. "Yes, please!"

Smiling, Veronika began to sing.

"Flee, flee, flee from this sky,
harsh and unyielding, relentless cold.
You, who shackle all in prison
neither bending nor breaking to tears.
You, the year's cruel, frozen tyrant,
flee, flee, flee to wherever winter
has its eternal throne over the frost.

Come, come white, come vermilion,
you are the marvel of the world.
You, nemesis of all things dreary,
give joy to the soul
through your message of spring.
You are the youth of the year
and the beauty of the world.

Come, come, come, graceful and gentle,
spring of foreboding love.
Harken Zephyrus who invites you,
and the earth that marries the sky;
may May come at its ray,
come with your lap full of beautiful blossoms,
come on the wings of little Zephyrs."

Phillip had settled in and was listening to Veronika as she softly sang to him. By the time she finished, he had slipped into a deep, peaceful sleep, the sleep of the innocent.

When she finished she blew out the candles and headed out of his room, closing the door behind her gently. She knew not how much longer they would last here. He would learn, as she had, that their life was transitory. And no matter what, family was eternal. She walked down the hall to her own chamber.

A few hours later the carriage returned, stopping in front of the large home. Once it came to a halt, the door was opened and Kyle stepped out. Once he was on the ground, he turned and offered his hand to Natsuko.

The house was silent even the servants were asleep. The Carriage driver waited until they were on the steps before driving off to the stables.

Natsuko took a breath. "Well that was a good evening." she said softly.

Kyle nodded and smiled softly. "Yes, it was." He then paused as he seemed to sense something. "It is almost time for our daughter, beloved." They had already been discussing Veronika's impending rastalla, the milestone that marked an El Aurian entering their young adulthood.

"Yes... and it is close to when we should move on. I was watching her today, I believe she will undergo it in a day or so. And we have so much here, it will take more than a carriage to move us. Maybe we should consider wagons and head west after she has gone through it?"

Kyle nodded in agreement. "Yes. And we need to plan our travels carefully, as we both will be entering our own rastallas before the year's end." He led her inside their home and then they went to find their oldest child.

The ground floor was empty, the fireplaces banked in the kitchens. The Staff were asleep. Natsuko moved to head up the stairs as Kyle locked up behind them. "She is most likely in her room." she said softly, holding her skirts up.

Kyle nodded and followed her upstairs, carrying a small candelabra to light their way.

Veronika was sitting up in her room, reading a book in a chair before the fireplace. She heard their footsteps and got up and opened the door to her room to smile at her parents. "Good Evening" She said with a smile. "Did you have fun?"

Kyle smiled warmly. "My precious heart. Yes, we actually did. How was your evening? Anything happen with your siblings?"

"It was quiet. Phillip showed me a picture, in one of his books, it shows a sword like yours." Veronika was starting to show the signs, but not that she knew, of her impending sleep. "He wanted me to sing to him."

Kyle arched an eyebrow. "Which book?" He asked gently.

"His history book." Veronika replied vaguely. "Twins went to sleep well."

Kyle nodded as he looked at Veronika's face. She certainly was starting to have the look of someone about to enter into their first rastalla.

Moving over to stand by her, he asked, "How are you feeling, Little One? Are you starting to feel any different in your skin?"

She nodded. Her parents had prepared her for it "Yes Papa."

Kyle nodded. He then put his arm around her shoulders and led her to the room that had been built specifically for their rastallas. "Perhaps you should begin tonight," he said softly.

"But Papa... the ball is tomorrow night!" Veronika protested.

"My lovely heart," Kyle said softly as he reached up to gently caress her face. "I know you have been looking forward to this ball for weeks. Your mother and I both wish that you would be able to go." He looked over at Natsuko for support in what he was saying.

Natsuko studied their daughter. "There will be other balls. We will throw one for your reawakening. After all we didn't celebrate your 21st. So we will celebrate it next week. After you have finished your rastalla." Natsuko smiled. "I will start the preparations while you sleep, we will invite the social whirl."

Veronika nodded resigned. "Very well Mama, Papa."

Kyle smiled at both women, then he sighed to himself. Their little girl was about to become an adult woman. He started to remember the years of her childhood very fondly. As he did so, his eyes started to mist up.

Veronika let her parents led her to the room, she was nervous but knew it would be ok.

Once they reached the secret room, akyle unlocked the hidden door and pulled it open, revealing a chamber with a central raiss platform that had the Deltora that Veronika had built under her parent's instruction. It had taken nearly ten years to fashion the necessary parts using the current era's tools and available resources. There were shelves on all four walls, each holding various statues and candles.

Kyle moved about the chamber, lighting the candles and saying silent prayers to each deity statue. Finally, when he was done, he turned back to his wife and their eldest child. "When you are ready, disrobe and lay down on your Deltora." He turned to give Veronika privacy.

Natsuko helped her daughter out of her night clothes and folded them carefully.

"Mama..." Veronika said softly

"You will be fine darling. We will be right here." Natsuko assured her.

Veronika went and laid down on her Deltora.

Natsuko touched Kyle's shoulder. "She is ready"

Without turning to see his nude daughter, Kyle said over his shoulder. "When you're ready, say Daltrata, and the mechanism will activate."

Their daughter's voice trembled as she said the word and the process began.

Natsuko watched in silence until she was completely covered by the cocoon. She tugged on Kyle's hand to let him know it was safe to turn around.

Kyle turned and took a breath. Like his, Veronika's cocoon was a golden hue. He reached over and laid his hand upon its hardening surface, and felt a zing run up his spine. He then looked over at Natsuko and gave her room to do so as well. While the certainly couldn't be the only El Aurians on the planet, once the each made this connection, they would never be separated, no matter the distance between them.

Natsuko followed his lead and felt the zing and smiled. She then stepped back. "If you want, I will stay here, for a few hours, you go rest and the others will wake in a few hours, so one of us best be there when they do"

He nodded. "Of course, my love. I'll stand watch tomorrow, give you a chance to rest." He put his arms around Natsuko and held her against his chest. "Our baby is growing up," he said softly.

She nodded into his chest and took a breath. "She will be glorious, I just know it!" she said. "Tomorrow I will send our regrets to the Ball organizer, family illness, and if we have time I will start planning for our party."

He nodded as they continued to embrace one another. "She will indeed. All of our children will!" He then kissed the top of her head. "That is a prudent move. I will send notices out to my various business partners stating the same thing. We won't be accepting callers for at least the next week."

"What do we tell the twins and Phillip?" They had often been able to disguise their own sleeps as business trips, or visits to family friends.

Kyle considered this. "The twins are still young, they shouldn't notice. As for Phillipe, it is time that he started to learn more about who he really is. Afterall, we started educating Veronika at the same age. It's time he learns the truth."

Natsuko nodded. "Very well, I shall leave that conversation up to you." She knew that he would make it easier for their child to understand.

Kyle nodded and, looking back down at their eldest child, he sighed. "They grow up so fast, don't they?"

"Way too fast. Maybe one day she will meet someone like you. I hope she does." Natsuko said softly.

Kyle couldn't help but grin at that. "You mean someone who nearly wiped out an entire nation, then started on another, only to stop when she tames him?"

"No, someone who will love her like you love me."

The mirth left his eyes at that statement of powerful truth. In its place, complete love and devotion took over. "And I will love you fiercely until the day the last breath leave my body, Dremopa."

"And I you" she said softly with a smile. "Now go, the twins will wake with the sun as you know and they are all yours tomorrow morning."

Nodding, Kyle leaned in and kissed Natsuko tenderly. He then looked upon Veronika's cocoon again, already feeling her energies changing into who she will be when she finally reawaken in three days. He then quietly left the chamber, carefully closing the door behind him as he went.

Natsuko sat down on the floor, settling her skirts around her. She had been waiting for this day, and now it was here. Her child would now know more than she had before. Smiling she settled in for the night.

~TBC~

***Notes for Readers***

1. Lyrics for lullaby are from La Mantovana

2. Dremopa: beloved bondmate. There are fewer words in the El Aurian language that convey as much love, acceptance and commitment.