Broken beams of the dawn's light struggled to be seen past the thick clouds to roiled over Hama Valon. Rain pattered against the glass front of the Grey Tower, making music for the young ears of the youngest Darrow. He raised both arms up above his head and made a pleased gargling sound.
"Funny noises, eh?" his father chuckled. Ravak reached into Iain's crib and lifted his son up into his arms. He walked towards a chair set up beside the window, giving the two of them a closer look at the landscape beyond. Rav drummed two fingers against the window, bringing about a half-yawn, half-sigh of contentment from Iain.
Looking downwards, Ravak could make out the Training Yards in the distance. He couldn't see clearly who was out practicing, but he started to name the different sword forms he saw. Iain occasioned a comment here and there, even though father and son didn't have a common language. Finally Rav added: "I'm glad I'm here with you and not out there with them. But then Daddy doesn't have anything better to do than sit here with you."
Sitting comfortably with the whole of Hama Valon as their view, the two Darrows slowly fell asleep.
- - - They were having a late lunch, thanks to the boys' lazy sleeping habits. Ravak watched Iain and Mia, besotted by the sight of his family. Since Iain had been born and Ravak had given up being Master of Arms, the three of them had barely spent a moment apart. For Ravak it was exhilirating but a tension was beginning to grow over the bond. Whenever Ravak asked his 'wonderful, beautiful wife' what the matter was, he would get some stock answer, occasionally with the suggestion that he 'went and did something'. There was, however, little Rav wanted to do then spend more time in his family's company. Plus, he did leave them from time to time, just to keep up with his sword skills.
"Funny noises, eh?" his father chuckled. Ravak reached into Iain's crib and lifted his son up into his arms. He walked towards a chair set up beside the window, giving the two of them a closer look at the landscape beyond. Rav drummed two fingers against the window, bringing about a half-yawn, half-sigh of contentment from Iain.
Looking downwards, Ravak could make out the Training Yards in the distance. He couldn't see clearly who was out practicing, but he started to name the different sword forms he saw. Iain occasioned a comment here and there, even though father and son didn't have a common language. Finally Rav added: "I'm glad I'm here with you and not out there with them. But then Daddy doesn't have anything better to do than sit here with you."
Sitting comfortably with the whole of Hama Valon as their view, the two Darrows slowly fell asleep.
- - - They were having a late lunch, thanks to the boys' lazy sleeping habits. Ravak watched Iain and Mia, besotted by the sight of his family. Since Iain had been born and Ravak had given up being Master of Arms, the three of them had barely spent a moment apart. For Ravak it was exhilirating but a tension was beginning to grow over the bond. Whenever Ravak asked his 'wonderful, beautiful wife' what the matter was, he would get some stock answer, occasionally with the suggestion that he 'went and did something'. There was, however, little Rav wanted to do then spend more time in his family's company. Plus, he did leave them from time to time, just to keep up with his sword skills.
