Silent Rose Library, PaxOku, Homare-jima, Tokuno, Chesapeake (PaxLair Times) – December 16, 2006 – by Tatania Karthina –
A knock is heard at the door and four year old Kelin runs to the door to answer it. Squeals of joy from atleast 3 children drift through the house as Kelin pulls a 3 year old boy and girl with him to the new playroom. Booming laughter follows as a man and pretty woman follows the children. Momentary chaos reins for the next few minutes as family greets family.
Much later as the adults sit watching the children play on the wondrous slides and swings Chad had recently built for the children. “I think they like their clubhouses the best,” laughs Milla, “although Tara doesn’t allow the boys to play in theirs, so they stay in the boys and girls one the most.”
A loud crash and a scream comes from the front of the house, interrupting the conversation, sounds of scuffling and a much heated argument follows, growing louder as Earl drags a protesting woman to the playroom. “I was only seeing if anyone was home you big buffoon! now let go of me!” a young woman screeches at Uncle Earl as the burly man continues to drag her.
“Uncle Earl, there’s no need to be so rough with a Lady,” Milla offers softly.
At Milla’s words, Earl grins a bit mischievously and turns the woman loose, who immediately steps back and squarely kicks him in the shin “yes, listen to the lady!”, then mutters, “big buffoon”under her breath.
Chase smothers a laugh at the young Lady’s tenacity as he looks her over. She’s a lithe creature with exceptional green eyes and auburn hair that seems to pick up the light, casting highlights of cinnamon, copper as well as a hundred other shades in it’s mass. He smiles warmly to her, noting the fine bone structure of her features and her petite form. “Welcome to our home. How may we be of assistance to you Lady?”
“To be honest Sir… I was looking for a safe place to hide when this man dragged me in here” she says, nervously looking over her shoulder. “My father has sent his goons to find me and I’m not going back. I can no longer live like that.” The woman looks him squarely in the eyes, yet the fact that she is terrified is plain on her face.
“Well, in that case Lady, let us retire to my office to talk more of this situation. Chad, Earl come with us so we might decide how to help this Lady best.” Chase states as he leads the young Lady and the men to the office.
An hour later Caius joins the ladies. While visiting, Chase, Earl, Chad and the young woman return to the playroom. Unnoticed by most, Caius just gapes at the woman as Chase announces, “I’d like you all to meet Miss Stormy Tarlson, the new book keeper for the Broad Steel Cruise Lines. Stormy will be remaining as a guest here for the time being.
Earl mutters, “I’ll let Pudge know we’re having another for dinner.” As he ambles off.
***One month later***
Sitting in the family room, Caius plays his lute while Stormy sings beautiful ballads. Young Kelin is settled in Stormy’s lap listening to the songs. “Now you sing the one I taught you Kelin.” Stormy laughs and pokes his tummy.
He laughs and starts singing the song, “weeeeeeeeeeeee… lil Warror can lewn to be gentman… see sit still to eat… fidgit chatters… Khali wiggles… Kelin giggles… dishes up up! dinner now!”, he grins roguishly at the song’s end.
Stormy laughs and hugs him, “Would you like to try it again. With me?”
Kelin nods nods nods and looks up to her with concentration. “Here we go Kelin.”
Her voice lifts.. although a child’s song.. her voice is obviously quite lovely.. the clear tones lifting throughout the house. “Let me see if the little warrior can Learn to be a little gentleman. Let me see if he is able To sit still for once at the dining table. So papa told the little warrior to behave and Mama herself looked very grave. But fidget he will, And won’t sit still. He wriggles. He giggles and I declare, he throws the dishes up in the air. Now Papa and Mama both look quite cross and they both begin to wonder how They all might have their dinner now.”
Caius gives Stormy a speculative look then grins to Kelin. “Sing something else, both of you.”
Kelin’s eyes light up and he exclaims, “teapot! teapot!”
“I.. I don’t know that one Kelin, sing it for us so I can learn it,” Stormy tells Kelin.
Kelin grins and breaks into the new song, “I a teapot hort and towt here my handle… thar my pout.” He gets all amused at himself and promptly forgets the words, but continues with the ending, “tip me ober and por me out!”
***
During a quiet moment later that night, Chase and Milla sit side by side on their huge bed, speaking quietly over the snores of little bodies all around them. Drago and Lilly are spending the night and are snoring softly along with their cousins, Kelin, Gaius and Tara. “Why does Caius dislike Stormy so much Milla? I mean, did you see the way they were fighting” he asked while taking her hand gently in his own.
“Oh Chase, he doesn’t dislike her at all! Quite the opposite I think,” she grins up to him.
“Well Milla, the way he was yelling, I would not be surprised if he chokes her before long. Then we’re out a book keeper” he grumbles. “Now” a low laugh rumbling in his chest, “We need to do some rearranging of children if we want to lay down.”
***Two months later***
The Priest drones on, “Do you Stormy promise to love and obey Caius until death do you part?”
A mischievous light shines in Stormy’s eyes as she answers clear and firm, “I promise to love Caius and promise to not to be bullied by him. If he does try to bully me, I promise to put him out of his misery” then she smiles angelic to the priest.
“Oh dear” Milla whispers in Chase’s ear, “I think she means it. Cai has his hands full.”
A low rumble is heard from Chase’s chest as the ceremony continues. The Priest says the final words, uniting Caius Broadrick and Stormy Tarlson in Holy Matrimony, “You may kiss your bride.”
As the couple kiss, Stormy feels a small hand tugging on her’s. Breaking the kiss she looks down and smothers her laughter as young Kelin looks up to her, his lips puckered for a kiss. She picks him up and kisses the lad and hands him to his Uncle. “I coming wid you on yur honeemoons… Papa said so.” Kelin tells his Uncle and new Auntie.
***
The Saga of Kelin and his adventures will continue in “The Adventures of Kelin – The Christmas Gift”, coming soon to the bookstore at The PaxOku Silent Rose Library!
Peace and Knowledge be with you!
Tatania Karthina
16 December 2006