Chapter. 14

  Promises.

  Theodren stared at the outline of his shadow on Eleina’s door. A litany of excuses ran through his mind to explain his absence. It was true that he had been busy. He had spent every ounce of his vitae on the townspeople over the last two weeks. From scrapes and bruises on the knees and elbows of the children to the broken bones and bad backs of their parents.

  He squared his shoulders and knocked on the plain wooden door. “Still” he said to himself. “I should have found the time.”

  “Found the time for what?” Yawned an over tired Evan as he answered the door. He blinked heavily as the Priest came into focus. “Theodren! The Priest is here Elly!” His eyes drifted down to the pot in Theodren’s hand. “And he brought food!”

  A slipper whizzed past Evan’s head to smack into the door frame. “If either of you wake this baby, I have got another slipper and this time I won’t miss.” Threatened a tired sounding Eleina just out of eyesight.

  Evan’s mouth snapped shut, but a delirious smile remained. “Come in! Come in!” Whispered an excited Evan. Theodren chuckled as he stooped through the doorway. Sitting in her chair by the fire was a bedraggled Eleina. Wrapped in what appeared to be a robe that used to be white, and holding her baby girl that slept with a mouth held in a tiny “o” shape.

  A smile leapt to Theodren’s face as he knelt next to Eleina’s chair to better admire the red haired babe. “Those might be the biggest cheeks I’ve ever seen on a child.” Chuckled Theodren. Eleina preened at the compliment. “I think they’re even bigger than the Mayor’s.” She joked.

  “She’s a well fed babe alright.” Crooned Evan as he stared dreamily at his daughter. Eleina groaned. “She may be, but I could smell that pot of stew all the way from mother’s shop.” She waved at Theodren with her free arm. “Hand it over priest. I haven’t had real food in days.”

  “What do you mean? I made you that stew yesterday.” Asked Evan, cocking his head to the side. Eleina froze. “How could I forget? Of course you did, it was wonderful.” As she spoke Theodren watched her nudge a small pot with a concerningly colored sludge further under the chair with her foot.

  Theodren jumped in to save her. “But of course, nothing compares to your mother’s cooking!” Evan, seeming satisfied with the answer, turned to grab what clean dishes he could find while Eleina gave Theodren a meaningful look of thanks.

  As Evan returned with a bowl for Eleina, she gently passed a sleeping Theviana to a surprised Theodren who held the babe with all the gentleness of a man holding porcelain. A twinkle danced in her eye as she watched Theodren marvel over the child. With a pleased chuckle, she dug into the hearty stew.

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  Theodren was transfixed. He sank onto the stool across from Eleina as He stared down into the sleeping face of the child he had pulled into this world. From her wisps of red hair to her delicate nose and rosy cheeks, she was perfect. Faced with the product of his choices, every regret, every anxiety riddled thought left his mind. He had saved this life, and she was perfect.

  His thoughts were returned to reality as he felt an itching on his chest. The caduceus Yggdrazil had left him with squirmed on his skin. Opening his mind’s eye to it, he could see it vibrating, almost resonating. “But with what?” He wondered. A wisp of Vitae floated past his view, causing his head to snap back to Theviana. There, sitting in her tiny fluttering chest was a spring of Vitae, wrapped in a cradle of Divine Thread.

  Theodren’s mind raced. The gently sleeping child in his arms was possessed of both a spring of Vitae like his own, as well as a spool of Divine Thread. Barely born and already she possessed two world shaping powers. The very powers of creation itself. His brow furrowed deeper as considered what this might mean. Lost in thought he barely heard Evan when he and Eleina asked him to be the Godfather of their new child.

  Theodren blinked. Rising from the depths of his spiraling thoughts, a baffled grin found his face. “Me? Are you sure?” Eleina smacked him on the shoulder teasingly. “Don’t pretend like there’s someone better.”

  “What about your mom? I don’t want to end up on the receiving end of her remedies-for-poor-behavior, pouch.” Grinned Theodren. Eleina sighed, pulling the still sleeping Theviana back into her arms. “She’ll just have to settle for being a grandmother.”

  Theodren turned to Evan, who was absentmindedly rubbing at a spot on his guardsman’s armor on the wall. “And you’re on board Evan?” The sleepy eyed father turned at hearing his name. “Hmm? Oh yes, fine. Not really that worried about it honestly. Not like we’re going anywhere any time soon.”

  Eleina scoffed. “We’ve been over this Evan, It’s important to plan ahead, and I want someone we can rely on to watch over our little girl.” Theodren’s sheepish grin only grew wider. It was high praise indeed to be named a Godparent, and though he hoped to never have to assume the mantle of responsibility. He would do so gladly for the tiny life cradled in Eleina’s arms. The mystery of the child’s twin powers could wait. A feeling of contentment spread within him. There was nothing to fear and nothing to rush for. He could take his time teaching the child all about her Thread and Vitae when she was old enough. For now, she was right where she should be.

  Theodren nodded. Bracing his hands on his knees as he rose to his feet. “I accept. I’m honored that you chose me.” Eleina snorted, I’m too tired for manners, Priest.” clutching Theviana to her chest she got to her feet. “Now begone with you, Thevi needs to eat and you need to make it home before nightfall. No more bears for you Uncle Theo. You’ve got something to live for.”

  Theodren’s grin only widened as he was shepherded towards the door. “I’ll come back tomorrow, see if I can’t snag more of Polly’s cooking on the way. “Please do.” Said Eleina with intensity.

  Theodren chuckled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He raised a hand to shield his eyes from the late afternoon sun. “There, that’s the Priest.” A smile still on his lips, he turned to the voice as a fist landed in his gut. He doubled over in a wheeze as shouts of surprise came from Eleina and Evan standing in the doorway behind him. Theodren tried to drop into a low stance but was grabbed under the arms by two men he did not recognize. Still struggling for air, he looked around frantically trying to gain a sense of what was going on. As focus returned to his eyes, the cruel smile of Lusis Hardwright filled his eyes. “Father Stormwall, I have some questions for you regarding your management of this village's Order.”