Dst – Tales of Ren: Under an Ill Moon (2/2)

The following morning saw Russa, Ranna and Ana, much recovered and only half remembering her arduous night, cooing and fretting over the newborn boy. She named him Renyard. Despite his odd coloration Ana fell in love with the little one instantly, as mothers are want to do. Despite or perhaps because of his coloring and slight size, he was a cute child.

By the other end of the room, Asmos and Daniel spoke in quiet tones so as not to disturb or upset the females. “But the color.. how is it possible?”, Daniel asked the weary doctor for perhaps the sixth time in the last hour.

“I don’t know, my boy. I cannot say I have seen his like in all my years. I have found nothing wrong with him, besides a below average body weight. But, I’m sure your misses will be able to cure that with some good food.”, he responded with a warm smile.

Daniel nodded slowly, his eyes drifting toward the three women and the child. His beloved caught his gaze for a moment, silently giving him urging to come see his son. Daniel pursed his lips slightly, caught between his want to do that and the wondering that plagued him. He had hardly spent any time with the boy since that night because of these worries. Even now he could remember the strange feel of the night before. And now a son that bore the mark of the night sky? It was much to digest.

“Daniel, go to your love. She needs you now. And so will the boy, with his distinctive look. You worry over nothing while joy sits across from you and waits.”, Asmos advised the young father, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

“Yes, you are right.”, Daniel sighed, his creased brow softening just a bit. “Again, I thank you Asmos. For all you have done for us. Remember to visit with us again soon.”

“Of course I shall. The boy shall need to be monitored for a few days at least. I shall return tomorrow at the noon hour. Be well until then.”, Asmos said as the two men clasped each others forearms. When the departing gesture broke, the aging doctor took his leave with a polite incline of his head to the ladies.

Daniel did join the females then, smiling as he gazed at his son. Despite his odd coloring, it was easy to see the boy would mature into a handsome man. But his eyes, they gave Daniel pause again as he gazed into them. Rather than the vacant gaze most children had this young, Renyard’s were keenly aware, staring right back at him He noted the boy lay largely still as well, where most young kick and flail about given half the chance

However, heeding Asmos’ words, Daniel let the thoughts that gave him pause slip to the back of his mind. Rather he, his wife and the twin sisters chatted and cooed over the small boy as he mutely listened and watched.

*****

Three days passed after the disturbing night in which their son had been born, but Daniel and Ana had finally started to return to their normal routine, with room made for their young son. Ana was still too weak to help her husband too much, but she did what she could about the house while he gallantly doing the rest to spare her further discomfort. Their son was getting some more weight on his bones to make up for the low weight he was born with. Despite his oddities, good food was something the little one indulged in with gusto.

But on this day, around noon the family lunch was disturbed by a firm rap at their front door. Expecting Asmos’ daily visit, Daniel went to open the door, his brow creasing at the sight that he saw just outside. A quartet of men, their species covered over by long, enveloping black cloaks, stood outside. The one at the fore of their small gathering, taller than the rest by at least a full head, addressed Daniel as he opened the door.

“We have come to see the boy. You will lead us to him.”, he stated in no uncertain terms. His voice was calm and deep to match his stature, a foot and a half taller than Daniel himself.

The foxman was hardly daunted, however, not really one to be impressed by physical stature. “Pardon me.. good sir, but who are you?”, he asked with courteous tone.

“We have come a long way to see the child touched by the night sky.”, the cloaked leader said in answer. “Please, show us to him.”

Daniel began to protest these strange demands, but was silenced when the large fellow simply stepped forward and pushed Daniel to the side, with considerably more strength than Daniel could resist. Daniel’s words died in a soft whoosh of breath, as he was firmly brushed aside. “Here now.”, he demanded angrily at this intrusion as he quickly regained his balance.

“We will see the child.”, the large fellow repeated as he swept though the main room of the house, ignoring Daniel. Daniel fumed and started forward angrily, but two of the large one’s companions came up behind him to intercept. Both seized an arm and firmly ushering Daniel into the kitchen area after their large leader. The fourth trailed behind them all, silent in voice and step.

Ana rose as the procession made its way into the kitchen where she sat holding the little one. “What is the meaning of this..?”, she growled softly, clutching her child close to her chest protectively.

Daniel struggled fiercely against his captors as he was pulled in and held a bit off to the side. His struggles only grew as the large one approached his mate, his warning growl rising, but similarly ignored. Ana shied back a little from his imposing robed male, but was caught dumbfounded by what he did next. The large one lowered himself to a knee, dark cloak pooling around him as his head was bowed to her.

“A message from on high is borne to you by the humble servants of Nales’metan, goddess of all knowledge.”, he told her, deep tone holding an open reverence. “This child is special, born under a sign of change and power. Within, is held the greatest potential, a potential untapped, unaligned and coveted. Beware the light. Beware the dark. Both will tempt, seeking to turn the soul to their ends. Guide the child well, that his potential shall not bring a great darkness.”

Daniel had ceased struggling by then and Ana stared speechless as the large one conveyed his message. with that much done, he stood slowly and turned to leave. As their leader turned, the two holding Daniel released him and in moments all four were gone, exiting the cottage without further word.

Daniel went to Ana immediately, but at her nod was quick to follow the cloaked messengers. “They are gone.”, he murmured when he returned, openly baffled. His uncertain confusion matched by Ana’s worried expression. But there was no one to answer their lingering questions, both gazing at their newborn son and his dark, intelligent eyes.