Ghost of Whisper Creek
Chapter 22: Decisions

Krita quickly got to her feet, “My Lord,” she said with a humble nod of her head, “I would ask for time alone with my father. We have much to talk about and things could get...harsh. I would appreciate if Kol can stay with Arthion, or yourself, or one of the Ladies Tsukimatsu.” She looked to Arthion pleading that he support her. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“I’ll take him. Krita.” Arthion spoke up with a fatherly grin at the thought of having time with his son which was quickly dashed away as the handmaiden tried to stitch up his arm and he flinched “Ow! Get off woman! It’s fine! Before you kill someone with that!” he was a great warrior in the arena...but he didn’t seem to take to needles all too well. The woman merely glared and kept at her work.

Krita couldn’t help a smile that appeared on her face. “My Lord has another task to handle at the moment,” she said politely, “To accompany myself and my father to his chambers, and then to spend time with his son. You are dismissed for the moment. I promise his wounds will be seen to. Even if I have to do it myself.”

The handmaiden gave a sigh and curtsied to Krita, glared at Arthion before gathering her things and heading off to other tasks. Arthion grinned “Thank you. Honestly what is it with women and a few scratches? Well then where is my boy?” he looked to his mother who stood with the babe in arm and handed Kol to him. “There you are Kol!” he laughed as he held the babe “Wait until you see what I have for you.” looking up he nodded to Lord Ammon “This way if you will My Lord.” balancing the babe in one arm he offered the other to Krita as he made to guide them to their own private chambers.

Krita gladly took the offered arm and strode proudly with Arthion and Kol. Lord Ammon followed close behind. His eyes mostly trained on the young boy, his grandson. The aging Lord had made mistakes with his son. He’d paid by being a stranger, or more likely a monster to his granddaughter and daughter-in-law. He would try to guide Krita towards what he wanted for her, but he wouldn’t ostracized himself like he had with Nils. “A fine looking boy,” he said with a wink towards the squirming little one. “I guess I owe Nils an apology assuming all my grandchildren would have blonde hair like me and my children.”

“Most children of Tsukimatsu are born with our hair and eyes” Arthion spoke up with a proud grumble “Some of my younger brothers married women of gold hair and one white as snow. Both their sons are black of hair.”

Ammon smiled, “Good way to know when a child isn’t yours huh?” he said with a smile, “Hard to deny Kol is my grandchild, as I have with Kisa. Still not convinced on that girl, though I should probably stop taking such a hardline stance.”

“In Tsukimatsu family means more than blood, hair and eyes. We treat all our students and family the same, no one is greater than the other....well except for Akemi” he smirked “Father seems to of taken a soft heart for that girl.”

Ammon shook his head, “Family should be treated differently, but this system seems to work for you so I won’t push my beliefs on you. My grandson will have at least one grandfather however who will dote and spoil him as well as show him the right way to do things. I hope that won’t be an inconvenience to you Lord Arthion.”

Arthions jaw tightened. It wasn’t due to Lord Ammons claims as a grandfather and more the situation of his relationship with Krita “That remains up to your daughter. My Lord.” he stated simply.

“Not entirely,” Ammon grunted. “Krita has the choice to allow Kol to stay here. You have the choice to keep me out if she does. I would hope that will not happen.”

“You are free to visit, of course My Lord.” Arthion nodded.

Ammon smiled and managed a nod of his head in appreciation. “And my grandson will have gifts beyond my knowledge, and you will not be forced to defend this castle from my armies. A good thing for all I would think.”

Arthion chuckled “We are but a small house, My Lord. We are if anything grateful to count allies rather than enemies. We train those who come to our gates to improve their skills not to seek war. Kol will be spoiled here about as much as my little sister. Without expense of his training. Which is the only requirement that visits remain during scheduled times so that focus of training can remain steady. As Krita knows...we try to keep work and play balanced for all students. A bit more for family.”

“Discipline is good. Just so long as he doesn’t grow up thinking this is the only place he has, and that he can’t do any better than the status quo.” Ammon was trying to discover the family dynamic of the Tsukimatsu, he was being abrasive, but hoped not to push Arthion too hard. “Complacency is very dangerous. I know that personally.”

“All students who start at appropriate age are set free of contract to do as they please after their Knightood ceremony at age twenty one.” Arthion explained “Even sons and daughters of Lord Tsukimatsu are allowed freedom to go out into the world and find their own path with the skills they learned in Matsu’s Arena. Kol will be given the same privilege unless he stands as my heir, of which he will spend those years with me and learning how to serve House Tsukimatsu as it’s future Lord, just as I have my father.”

“When do you start training? I heard used to take ten years. Now you’ve pared it back to five. Think ten was better if you’re really going to teach this stuff.” Ammon hated to admit it, but he was growing a little jealous of the way things ran here. “In the old days a student would have to start at eleven to complete the training by twenty-one. Now he...or she, could start at sixteen. If Kol were to start at ten what would he do from fifteen to twenty-one. Not that a Rodsvard, even half, needs some knighting ceremony.”

“My father reluctantly agreed to par the years of training after Lord Ashtar commanded it. As I am sure you are aware, House La Seine suffered greatly in the war and have been in need to replenish their numbers. It is said that the Ten years will be put into practice in the future though I am not fully aware of those plans as of now.” Arthion shrugged, he wasn’t really one for politics. “Should Kol stand as my heir he will train as I have. Unofficial training starts at age eight. At age ten he will sign contract like any other student and train for ten years. The knighting ceremony is merely a mark of achievement and earns our students legal privileges to enter tournaments or serve as military commanders by laws of our king. Nothing more. Knighthood is a privilege not a mark of honor. At age twenty he will be free for five years to do as he pleases and at age twenty five he returns to serve his house and learn what it takes to be it’s lord.”

“Rodsvards answer challenges with greatness, even my estranged son. I’ve seen nothing in your family to suggest that you Kol will be any less capable.” Ammon said confidently. “Though their are ifs in that statement, Kol could find himself in Kronnborg much sooner than that. I can’t say I think much of Lord Ashtar’s request despite need, and do hope you will see things returned to how they were.”

“Sometimes even a great lord must make poor choices.” Arthion shrugged “Lord Ashtar has been a good lord to our house and from what I seen did not make the choice lightly. I can assure you however, when I am Lord of Tsukimatsu things will return to the ten years.”

Pausing by a door Arthion turned to face Lord Ammon directly “Our....my...Personal Chambers should serve adequately. If you require any aid just call for the handmaiden.” he bowed carefully with Kol in arms “With your leave my lord.”

“Of course,” Ammon said as graciously as he could manage. “I look forward to seeing you again my Lord.” He nodded his head in answer to Arthion’s careful bow. Krita stood on tippy toes to kiss him on the cheek before returning to flat feet and kissing Kol on the top of the head.

She reached out for the door opened it and waved her father inside. Krita looked back towards Arthion and Kol and smiled before heading inside herself. The door had barely shut when she heard his patented low growl. “You are going to let them keep my grandson aren’t you?”

“Still more concerned about your legacy than the people who actually stand in front of you?” Krita asked in response. “Do you wonder why I didn’t rush word to Kronnborg that I was having a child?”

“You do not answer my question, daughter!” he said quite sharply.

Krita’s eyes fell from his gaze and she frowned, “I don’t know what I am going to do Papa. I have three more years to figure it out. I love Arthion. I don’t want to take Kol away from him anymore than I want to keep Kol away from you and Mama. But is being the Lord of this castle and running an academy to train the best soldiers in Ra’vain really a bad thing for your grandson? If I had met Arthion before Nils ran off you would accept this and applaud it.”

The statement was true, but was only a reminder of Ammon’s decreasing chances of continuing his line with control of Kronnborg. “If Nils had not left then his son would sit in my chair after he did. You go and have a child with a dutiful heir down here, Freda will probably wish to run off to Ironcrag once she’s married. Who’ll keep our home safe once we’re gone Krita?”

“Papa, you don’t know that Freda will run away. I’ve not run away from you. I did what I thought I had to for our future. I didn’t think I would find Arthion, I certainly didn’t think I’d have a child while here. You’re not as bad as everyone wants you to be.” She gave him a soft smile.

“The Tsukimatsu boy said you could choose what you wanted when your contract was over,” Ammon stated in what sounded like he beginning of an order. “You will be returning home then?” it was not quite a complete question, but his tone softened a bit.

Krita gave a slow sad nod, “Unless something unforeseen happens before my contract is up...yes, I will be returning home.” Her eyes rose to meet his and she forced a smile, “You could always offer Kronnborg to Freda to get her to stay.” She gave a forced chuckle and the frown returned.

“Freda would hate that more than you would. And your mother would probably kill me in my sleep.” Even Ammon managed a smile, “She’s gotten softer since we settled here, but she still keeps her dagger sharp. I am sure it has my name written on that fine edge. You are the one to take my place in Kronnborg Krita. Even when Nils was there you were the closest one to being able to carry on my line. Nils is more like your mother. You can bring Kol there. You can give him control of a great castle. Why let him stay here?”

“At the very least, because I want Kol to receive training here, be ready for whatever the future has in store for him,” Krita answered back sharply. “He will be three when I am even able to consider changing his home. There is no reason to move him to Kronnborg full time and return him here at eight when he is able to start training. When his training is done he can make his own decision. If he says he wants to move to Kronnborg I won’t say no, but if he wants to follow his father’s footsteps here, I will be hard-pressed to make him come to me.”

Ammon gave a deep sigh, “Suppose there are worse things than following in his father’s footsteps. Don’t suppose I could convince you to have another son before you leave?”

Krita chuckled genuine this time, “From most fathers it would sound quite odd to be encouraging bastard children. I’m glad you’re not most fathers. I can’t promise anything, but Kol and I are staying here, and Arthion and I do love each other, I can’t say it’s out of the realm of possibility either.”

“If a Lord other than myself had to teach my grandson, I had thought I would choose Vallarn. Seems you’ve found one I’m even more fond of. At least my girls have done me proud in that manner, even if they had to abandon me in order to figure it out.” He gave a stern look that Krita had known to be his attempt at a sarcastic smile that never seemed to work.

“I didn’t abandon you Papa,” Krita said softly. “I came to find myself. I have. I think that what I have found will help Kronnborg in the long run, even if my son won’t take your seat. Let’s go and you can enjoy your grandson before you have to return. I know you don’t want to leave Mama and Uncle Agard in control for too long.”

Ammon nodded, “I can’t stay long. I would very much like to spend time with Kol before I have to leave.” He closed the distance between himself and his daughter and hugged her tightly. “You will not be giving your bunnies the same options as you are giving your son right? What they have become is rather impressive.”

Krita shrugged, “I’ve been mostly separated from them during training. I don’t know what the next three years will bring, perhaps there will be less harm in putting us together. I will certainly express to each one that they will be more than welcome in Kronnborg, but I won’t beg. Megwan, the little girl, is quite valuable and could have held her own against your warriors. She will be coming with me. I would bet on Morn as well...whoever told you about Kol is sure to return. Past that I can’t really say.”

“I can’t imagine they will all join with La Seine,” Ammon said confidently. “They were Arandil soldiers after all. Joining a conquering army to save themselves is one thing, siding with that enemy is something different.”

“Time here might change those feelings Papa. I really don’t know,” Krita admitted. “But I’ve made other friends here and as Arthion said every student has freedom once their contract is up.”

“I suspect that you will return with more than enough to fill the spots that stayed here with you then,” Ammon stated proudly. “Perhaps we should find my grandson and his father?”

Krita smiled, “I would like that.”

Arthion and Kol were found in the back courtyard where all the animals were kept and even a few gardens for the wives to enjoy. It wasn’t the gardens that Arthion had taken his son to though. It was to the wolf kennels where a litter of pups yipped and played with eachother. Kol was sitting with his father on a black fur blanket, crawling around the area and reaching hands out to the pups that played around him. One pup in particular kept coming back to sniff at the babe which had Arthion laughing proudly as he reached out to scratch the pup behind the ear “Looks like you found your first pup son.” he grinned. His own two wolves laid nearby watching with tolerance.

“You even manage to train wolves here?” Ammon said with a reserved smile. He knew that Kol was more likely to remain here than not. Maybe when Kol was older he would head North to see what his mother’s side of the family had made for themselves, but living with the Tsukimatsu and training here, Ammon didn’t have much faith in the boy choosing to leave. His smile lit up more as he saw his grandson and stood next to the boy and his father watching the wolves.

Krita sat behind Arthion resting her chin on his shoulder as she watched their son interact with the wolves. She was all smiles despite the twinge of guilt that pecked at her for disappointing her father.

Arthion chuckled “Of course. The wolf has been apart of our family since these stones were laid and the arena built. The wolf is our Gatekeeper, almost like a deity of sorts but it is only a practice in the family, not forced upon the students. The wolves are trained by the hound Masters.” he pointed to a group of three men handling a feral wolf that was injured and brought in from the dark forest “And the pups are given to students that excel as hunters or become specifically attached to them. These pups here were born the same day as Kol was, I thought it appropriate he choose one as his. Looks like it’s this one.” he nodded to the white and red colored pup that licked at Kol’s cheek.

“Child can never have too many companions,” Ammon said with a smile. “I remember my first dog. Wasn’t much good for anything but licking and keeping me warm, but a Prince’s days were lonely under my father...probably under me as well. I welcomed the company.” He gave his daughter a glance and tried to smile. “Jägare isn’t doing much hunting these days. I think he misses you. Maybe I’ll have him brought down with your mother.”

Krita smiled and squeezed Arthion’s shoulder. “Thank you father. I miss him. Don’t know how much hunting we’ll get in with Kol and training, but will be nice to have him around again. And maybe if I’m near he’ll feel more like hunting.”

Arthion chuckled “Even a disciplined student needs rest. I’m sure an arrangement can be made for hunting. It is apart of your studies after all.”

Krita gave Arthion a glare, “I’ve been here long enough. I know what hunter training belongs to, I’m not continuing shadow training. I would enjoy the time with Jägare and maybe you’d join us. No training though. I allowed myself to say I needed to relearn how to fight and make war. I know how to hunt.”

Arthion laughed and reached up to cup her cheek “It’s just a part of the curriculum love. Knowing or not we all have to do it eventually. Would it kill you to at least attend and tolerate the lessons? But yes. Whenever this Jägare comes...I am sure I can convince father to give a free day or two.”

Krita gave Arthion a very unconvincing growl. She wanted to protest further, but every time he called her love she could say nothing more. She wondered if he knew that or not. “If you’re giving lessons, I’m sure I can listen,” she gave him a wink, “Unless you’re calling Bedin down from Old North though I will just be being polite to any other instructor.”

“No..I’m a warrior. Heavy sword, armor, sheild....I don’t much care for bows, nasty things. They always bite you every time you let the string go” he chuckled “Or break...I manage to break every bow I handle...No that lesson is taught by my sister Caitlyn. Sometimes Lord Vivaco La Siene will come to aid her in the training. She’s easy going and won’t treat you like some green horned pup.”

Krita shook her head, “Ah, gonna feed me to family huh. Well I suppose I can be cordial to Caitlyn as long as she doesn’t treat me and Jägare like kids.” She gave him a nudge with her forearm careful not to upset Kol. “If hunting is part of the curriculum and you graduated how come you can’t hold a bow?” she asked with a laugh, “Too big and strong?”

Arthion chuckled “I ended up having to make my own bow out of scratch. One that could hold up to my draw, it held me back by four months as it took a long time for the wood to cure and shape as needed. I made up for the time in the arena.”

Krita shrugged, “Well then I guess we’ll take the time together, but won’t depend on you to catch dinner. That’s alright unless Jägare and I have gotten rusty we’ll bring home something nice.”

Kissing her cheek he smiled “I’m sure you will.” Looking up at Lord Ammon Arthion smiled “So my Lord. Any special requests you have for your grandson. Or just a regular father telling boyfriend off?” he chuckled to show he was joking.

“The requests I would make of you are things that I have become quite confident that you will see to without my asking so,” Ammon said with a sigh. “I’d like him to know that the right thing isn’t always best or even the right thing in the long run, but that probably flies in the face of your discipline and training, so I won’t even ask. So long as the boy knows he’s Rodsvard, that’s good enough for me. I know Krita won’t let him grow up not knowing that, no matter what decision she makes for his future.” Ammon gave a low chuckle, “I don’t think trying to scare you off at this point serves much purpose. You are a part of my family now whether by Ra’vish beliefs or not.”

“And proud to be apart of it. My Lord.” Arthion bowed his head as a sign of respect “And despite everything. Don’t go thinking I won’t be bringing him down to see Kronborg should he remain here for training. Family is a big thing in Tsukimatsu, even if it may not appear so. Father holds strongly to family, but believes to only show those emotions when appropriate, otherwise they are just distractions from training and hinders the growth of his sons and daughters.”

“Important things, that will remain important if this place will continue to guide strong soldiers. I wish it could be made easier for you. That I could let Krita stay here with you. That my grandson would know a normal family,” Ammon gave a genuine sigh, “But my family and legacy are important to me as well, and I’m not so sure that I can trust my youngest to do what’s right for Kronnborg. I need Krita to come back to me, and take over for me.”

“My Lord.” Arthion frowned “It is not my place to say what is right or wrong for your family. I do love Krita and...it breaks my heart knowing she will leave here in three years and possibly marry another man. The warrior in me wishes to not allow such....to...happen.” he ground his teeth in an attempt to keep diplomatic which he wasn’t really good at “If it were up to me I would put aside any misgivings I have of my son....and give him the house when I part from this world. A house should be ruled by son not daughter.” he held up his hand “But as I say. Only you know best and I will reap the consequences of my actions which brought me this son. If I cannot keep Krita fully as my wife as it should be. I will love my son thrice more and wish your house the best as son in law to father.”

“I do not know whether Kronnborg will need a Lord to stand beside it’s Lady. Only time will tell hopefully, they will see me in Krita as I do,” the Northern Lord tried to smile, “but I will tell you that I’ve heard my daughter’s words, and more importantly seen the fire that burns for you. Both of you may need to take others to stand at your sides, but for it will be only duty. She loves you as I love my wife, as my son loves the La Seine girl, and my other daughter the Vallarn. We are fierce people from the North. We don’t let love go easily.” This time he gave a full genuine smile, “And in our culture you are married, it’s the ability to rule together you have been deprived of.”

“In mine, My Lord, it is frowned upon and considered adultery. It is only by love that I am tolerating the situation placed before us. And duty to accept responsibility for not thinking things through.” He frowned and looked up at Lord Ammon “But I do not approve of it just the same. That is the last I will speak out of turn to you. My Lord.”

Ammon gave a weak smile, “I would not expect you to be happy son,” he said as gently as he’d spoken in some time. “I will make sure that Krita has leave to come here often while I still live, for Kol as well as for you. Your father has two wives. Legal though they might be in Ra’vish eyes anyone who stands by your side will realize that you love Krita. They will not call you on these so called crimes. They will make excuses. Your love will not die.”

“Perhaps My Lord.” Arthion nodded “But it is not the making of a strong family for Kol. And I dread the day when I have to explain to him why his mother is with a different man clear across the coast instead of by his side. But it is a day I must face just the same.”

“Children know what they see. Your father has two brides. You will have two brides, if only one officially. Who knows if Krita does wed, that might make things easier for you,” Ammon stated with an almost hopeful tone to his voice. “I would like to allow Krita to stay here. I hate that Nils’ choice has upset her finding what she’s always wanted. If there is a strong Lord in place, with an heir she would be more free.”

“Nils choice? Or yours?” Arthion questioned before giving a shrug “In the end all I can do is stand my grounds here. Serve my house as I was born to do and raise my son to be the best that he can be and perhaps find a better future than ours.”

Ammon’s to this point happy expression narrowed to an angry glare, “I do not excuse my behavior. I should not have struck the girl. But if you think I did it so that Nils would take her and my granddaughter who was not yet born and leave. You are very twisted. I stand now to lose a grand part of my grandson’s life. Why would I have done that intentionally?”

Arthion rose a disarming hand, unmoved by Ammons anger “I do not know your families history. I don’t even know this...Nils, that is often mentioned. I merely know that he is the leading heir of your house by laws of Ra’vain. How you choose to lead your house and leave it is yours. My only concern is what sits in front of me now. Kronnborg is not my concern save only that it is taking a potential wife away. My father married two women equally. Neither stands above or below the other and both left their homes to live here. Krita and I...are not the same, I’m afraid. Merely the mother of my son.”

“As you say. You don’t know my family history, nor do I yours. Why your father chose two brides is not an issue to me as the inheritance of Kronnborg is no issue to you,” Ammon said still a bit of a growl in his voice. “You do know the history and lineage of House La Seine however I’m sure, and even have sent some recent graduates to aid the heir, Nils’ wife, in Old North. They will unite the coast under one banner. South Port and Kronnborg will need new leaders. I don’t know what Lord Ashtar intends to do with his city, but mine cost me too much to give to some outsider. I am sorry for what this has done to Krita, and Kol, but it is how it must be. Maybe the future will turn brighter than it appears now.”

“Perhaps.” Arthion gave a single nod though it was clear he still was not pleased. Perhaps things would turn out brighter, but it still meant that Krita was not his, and he could do little about it. He would one day be forced to share....Something he did not much care for. In the end he had little choice but to take responsibility where it was laid out before him. He let love hasten his actions and dull his senses, now he had a son and would do all he can to make sure he did not live a torn life between two parents.

Krita could see both men were getting increasingly frustrated and that there was little to be done in this moment to change where each stood. She was crumbling between them and just wanted to be happy. She leaned into Arthion’s back and sighed deeply, “I will always be yours no matter where I am,” she whispered into his ear as if knowing his feelings. “Today is supposed to be about Kol and visiting with family. Let’s do that. There are three years before a decision can even be made.”

Arthion merely nodded and reached out to pull Kol back from wandering too far from reach “As you wish.”

Krita reached out and mussed the hair between the ears of the wolf cub that Kol had shown interest in. She kissed Arthion softly on the cheek and then wrapped her arm around him and Kol. “Do you remember when the old hunt master brought me Jägare Papa?” she asked happy to leave the question of her future for now.

Ammon gave a chuckle and smiled, “You were over twenty. Had the same joyous look Kol does when he tries to play with that one.”

Krita moved her head to glare at her father, “Not that Jägare, the first one when I was...five, six?”

Ammon laughed a bit louder, it startled Kol at first but he was quickly back to playing with the wolf, “Ah yes, still the same look. You wouldn’t let the pup out of your sight for weeks. Dragged him around everywhere. But, you are going to make sure that Kol doesn’t name his pup Jägare right? Come up with something new, will be hard to keep them all straight.”

“Yes Papa, we’ll think of something else for this one.” Krita smiled and turned her head back towards Arthion, “Is it too early to take this one away from it’s mother?”

“No the pup can leave his kennel now. Its why I brought him down today. The pup will stay with Kol to further build their bond.” Arthion nodded.

Krita smiled and gave a soft squeeze of both Arthion and Kol. “I assume the kennelmaster will still be needed for training? I’m a hunter I don’t deal well with training the dogs. Bedin was always good enough at that for everyone.”

Arthion chuckled “I’m afraid we do it differently here. Krita. The bonded pup is trained by it’s Master not the kennel trainer. He is merely here to control the other wolves and help teach you how. A hunter that doesn’t know how to train her own companions clearly needs that lesson she so desires to avoid” he chuckled, managing a slight teasing grin.

Krita smiled, “Well you have been successful at least twice, I guess I have a good teacher to help.”

Ammon chuckled as well nearby, “Managed to tame you somewhat as well my dear daughter,” he added continuing his laugh.

Arthion grinned just a bit more “Three.” he corrected “My first wolf died, I received him about the same time Kol did. Lived many years. I got black and white a few months after.”

Krita gave a smile and leaned her head against Arthion’s shoulder, “Shame that whoever created us has our faithful companions pass before us, it’s always hard. Why I keep naming my dogs Jägare, hope to forget the real Jägare is gone. So what do we do next? I assume we don’t sit here with pup and boy and wait for them to get along.”

“What is it you wish to do? Your father is here to visit. It is your choice of the day today.” Arthion reached over and picked up both Kol and the pup.

Krita smiled and nodded her head in appreciation, “Papa would spend all day at the arena, not something that I would usually scoff at, but I think I’d prefer something a little quieter, maybe we can dine in the gardens?”

“It can be arranged” Arthion nodded “Can’t promise my mother wont stop by to bother us.” he chuckled “The gardens remind her of home.”

Krita smiled, “Your mother is quite welcome my love. This is about family. Spending whatever time we can together without having to think about training and war,” she left out ‘and the future,’ but she was sure both Arthion and Ammon would know that was on her mind as well. “I think my father can dine with your mother if that’s what it takes to spend time with Kol and I.” Ammon merely nodded though if he was honest an evening in the arena with Lord Matsu was more inviting.

“Agreed although I do warn you...my family is more headstrong than me. But come. Why don’t you go get cleaned up and have the handmaiden set up dinner in the gardens. Kol and I can show your father around a bit more. Dinner will take a short while..they are not used to cooking special meals apart from Mess.” Arthion stood with Kol and the pup in arms.

Krita smiled wide and again tippy toed to kiss Arthion lightly on the lips, “Don’t worry about your mother, I know she will continue to push for me to stay for all three years. It doesn’t make my decision easier, but at least it can be depended upon.” With that she nodded to her father and made off to ready the dinner.

Once Krita was out of sight Arthion held the boy out to Lord Ammon “You are his grandfather after all.”

Ammon smiled and gladly took young Kol, few would have known, but his happiest times were when he could get behind a closed door with his children when they were young. He blamed Eissy’s softening on coming to Ra’vain, but in truth it started when Krita was a baby, continued further when Nils was born and by the time Freda was born his wife wanted a place where there wasn’t wars just her and her family. As much to have the softer Ammon as to keep her children safe. “I have always enjoyed holding a child so young. When it’s my own blood I’m even able to show how happy it makes me.”

“I just wanted you to see that, While I am greatly displeased with the situation. I am not some ogre that plans to keep my son away from family.” Arthion chuckled “Come then. You carry him I’ll carry pup and lets go enjoy some of the fun stuff before we’re dragged to the gardens.”

Ammon smiled and gave a wink, “I was afraid that I wasn’t going to see anymore of the arena. I like you Arthion. You sure there is nothing I could say to convince you to come to Kronnborg when Krita’s contract is complete. You’ve several brothers who can surely take you place as Lord of castle and training.”

“To that old pile of rocks?” Arthion smirked “No my Lord. You can keep it. I wouldn’t trust my siblings to the duty of keeping Tsukimatsu Arena running, much less their own classes...which is a nightmare believe me.”

Ammon nodded, the answer was what he expected, and he hated to admit it he admired Arthion for sticking with his family. “Can’t blame an old man for trying. But that being the case you can understand the position I am in. Can’t help who we fall in love with. I was lucky, some, like you and Krita, I’d even say Nils and Ri’ana aren’t as lucky. Can’t live in peace with the ones they’ve fallen for. I hope you will at least fight for what you have found here. Even if it doesn’t work out in the best way to form a family.”

Ammon, Arthion and Kol watched the fights until Krita found them and they dined together. The next morning Ammon and his accompaniment left to return to Kronnborg. Things returned to normal for Arthion and Krita, giving Kol over to nannies or grandmothers for their days in training. Spending their evenings together as if they were a family and everything was going to turn out ok. And once Kol was asleep Arthion and Krita spend their nights together.

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