Mint and Honey

[heartofcourage]

"I'll talk to some of the local hunters today to see if they might have some wild game to spare. He simply might not like what we are offering." Yasmine commented as she watched him slink back to his spot. "In the mean time, Alex can come up with an herbal blend to put in his vegetables to help him gain some weight and perhaps soothe him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm sure I have something. I'll visit and let him get used to me for a while before we get too involved."

Ria sat back in her knees, her arms still draped around Silas. "We'll just have to keep proving to him that the world isn't so scary."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I can help. I can run home and tell Mama that I'm staying here tonight." Silas said, looking up at her grandmother as she talked about the drake. "Then I'll pack up a bag and come back."

Silas was often lost in the middle between his older brother and his baby sister. He was an independent little boy who adored his family but he had a much stronger bond with his grandmother than anyone else. Ria could do no wrong in his eyes, even if she got him in trouble with his mother from time to time.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll both go," Ria smiled, standing and dusting off her trousers. "Why don't you go let grandpa know, and ask Seamus if we can borrow his horse."

Sending the boy off, Ria turned to Yasmine and Alex. "I'd appreciate the help if you can spare it. I know you two are busy, all I really need is help getting started."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I can spare it. Even if it is in the evenings. I'll be back tonight to trim his claws and shape up his horns. I can show you how to do all of that as well." Yasmine promised as Silas dashed out of the barn to find his grandfather and Seamus.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I appreciate it. And I don't expect any of this for free, just so you two know."

"Ria-"

"No," Ria came to kiss Alex's cheek and stepped out with them.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You can pay me. I'll make sure that the money gets to whom deserves it most." Yasmine commented, not telling her just where it would end up. "And we'll take a meal tonight after we're done with him. That should make it even at least through today."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You could learn a thing or two from her, Al," Ria chuckled. "There's a time for charity, but this is business."

Alex simply rolled his eyes as Ria glanced back toward the tavern. She gave a key to Yasmine. "That's for the barn, just in case I'm not here when you arrive. Gerald will know you're coming."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We'll go back into town and buy you some supplies. I suppose Alex will want to check on his cousin and her baby before we come back." Yasmine said as she took a key from Ria just as Silas came racing back out with news that Seamus would let them borrow his horse.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I appreciate it. And give Kate my love, Alex. I'll have to visit when she's feeling better." Ria placed a hand on Silas' head. "Shall we, love?" She asked him with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Only if I can guide the horse." Silas answered, giving his grandmother a grin as he took her hand and practically pulled her back towards the stable where Seamus and his wife would keep their horses while working.

Yasmine chuckled to herself as Silas seemed so excited over the prospect of taking care of a drake. "Seems as if I might have to take on an assistant when he's older. He's very eager to learn."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, Annie's not going to get too much into drakes save one or two of her own, so he'll be free for it," Alex said with a smile. "He's bright and enthusiastic, that's for sure. And he's always been good with animals."

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine laughed softly as she took Alex's hand and they walked back towards the keep. Yasmine excused herself so Alex could tend to Kate with a certain kind of privacy. It seemed as if the family had rallied around her in a way that only the Ghis could. Julia had gotten her out of bed, brushing her hair as Rho and Ciaran visited about nothing. Ashelin had joined them as well, helping her Ma. Only Sam, Annie, and Heather were missing that day, it seemed.

"I think we're lucky he looks like his Da. A wolf with bright red, curly fur might not be able to blend in so easily." Julia commented with a smile down at Kate as she carefully fed little Brogan from the water skin that had been made for him.

 

[KieranSoares]

The little cub had proven to detest any kind of milk mixture, leading the healers to believe he couldn't process it. So rich broths made from bones and fatty meats had been made for him and he seemed to be gaining some strength though he still often cried from pain they couldn't figure out yet.

Little Brogan stared up at his mother with brighter eyes than she'd ever seen, his tiny fingers clutching the waterskin filled with a rich chicken broth and some herbs masked by the flavor.

Ciaran was sitting with Rho, little Dana asleep against Ciaran's shoulder after her own meal. Kell and Brogan were away for the moment talking when Alex arrived. He knocked and stepped in, surprised to see everyone and to see Kate out of bed. "Afternoon, love," he said with a smile. "You're looking much better."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Ma insisted that it as time to get out of bed and bathed." Kate said with a small smile towards Alex as Brogan shifted his green eyes from his mother to the healer and then back to her again. "And then Ciaran just had to come and show off his precious little girl and Rho could never stay away when there is a family gathering."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, I know Annie is busy with her own little ones and Heather is with Faust. What's Sam's excuse?"

"Fiona, mostly," Rho grinned. "Well, the dragons too, I guess. But mostly Fiona."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I wouldn't tease him too much, Rho. You're the one with a cub on the way." Kate said, looking at her younger brother with a raised eyebrow. "And don't you dare think for a moment that I don't know the reason why you came today was because there might be food. Chessie has been making me anything I like to try and get me to eat more and he's hoping that something might come his way."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's only one o' the reasons," Rho countered, knowing he couldn't deny it.

"Alright, you two. Don't start," Ciaran spoke up as he shifted Dana to his other shoulder.

Alex came to sit beside Kate, not bothering her or the cub yet with any examinations. Soon the door opened silently and in stepped Qira, bringing a tray of food with enough for the family gathered around Kate. The rest had only seen the large panther in passing, and none even knew his name, only that he worked for Kate directly.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you, Qira." Kate said as he entered with a tray, placing it near to them before he disappeared again.

When Brogan finished eating, she placed the skin aside and placed him against her shoulder, caring for him in a way that she hadn't been able to do so far. She nuzzled against him as he hiccuped, that strange little purr that he had developed rumbling in his chest as he enjoyed his mother's loving attention.

 

[KieranSoares]

The little cub gladly relaxed against his mother's shoulder until he peered over to see Julia. He gave a little squeak of recognition, reaching a hand over Kate's shoulder toward Julia. As his ear had healed finally and he'd stopped scratching at the missing cartilage, his hands were always free now, but there was still a large Nick in his ear that would never reform.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Hello, little cub." Julia said with a smile, taking that little hand in her own and kissing it gently. "I think this is the first time you've wanted to see your Gran."

She took the cub from Kate, kissing his little cheek as he purred a little louder. Kate gave the two of them a smile as Julia doted on her grandson.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex smiled at the sight, glad to see the cub was feeling well enough to think about family over pain. Looking to Kate, he murmured, "I got a letter from Aberdeen today. A trader from China is coming to Scotland with some things I might be able to experiment with, with some help from our grandfather's journals."

 

[heartofcourage]

"If he'll let you." Kate said, looking towards her cub. "He's getting tired of being poked and prodded. He pushed Mariko away countless times this morning, screaming his little lungs out until he was exhausted from his anger. I can't say that I blame him for not liking healers, but he's stubborn."

"Sounds like you at that age." Julia said as she nuzzled against Brogan gently, giving Kate a small smile. "You detested anyone touching you but you were so fragile that you needed the help. It got to the point that only your Da holding you would calm you down for any length of time."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He'll just have to learn to deal with it. Too bad he didn't get Kell's even temper as well as his looks," Alex teased gently. "But Ma will know how to manage. She always does."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’ll let you have that conversation with my cub.” Kate said as Dana suddenly started her own purring, matching her cousin’s content as she nuzzled against her father’s shoulder. “Seems like she’s a happy little wolf.”