SosD2

Shades of Silver
~Dawn's Whisper~
~2~

�Look at all that hair. And her eyes, she looks like her Mommy already.� Kaya smiled peering over the infant beside its mother. The baby looked at her aunt sleepily a few strands of hair fisted lie against the bed.

�But look at her eyes�they look, green. Like her Daddy�s� of course, but��

�But what Kaya? So she has pretty green eyes like her Daddy, they will look very exotic when she�s older. It proves she is Neal�s� daughter, you remember what Lady Sermanithus said, the green eyes have always been a dominate feature with the family.� Semiair, frowned at her sister looking down at the baby beside her before softly tracing the childs� eyebrows.

�She�s missing the deep mysterious eyes of a gypsy, but she is one and she�ll have a lot to deal with as we do if not more. She�ll know both ways of life and do the best she can. That is all that can be expected. My little green eyed one.�

Frowning Kaya sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the pair, �And what else of you, do you think she�ll inherit? At least with the caravan, what you and Mother had was expected and praised. How will you explain things to the people of this place?�

�Nothing will need to be said. By all accounts, she is royalty; we are famous for our eccentrics are we not? If the princess wishes to spend her days in the garden speaking to none but the plants there, depending on how it is gone about she will either be revered, but she will always remained respected. If she dismisses people for no apparent reason she will be known for sharp mind and thought to have spies informing her of others. If she never falls ill or recovers miraculously, she will be considered to have been blessed.� Neal spoke from a chair in the corner of the room; the morning sun fell across the young Kings� face as he looked at the three women. He had fallen asleep and looked it still smiling lazily as he stood.

�Whether she is open about her skills or discreet, it will be accepted Kaya. This is a safe haven for all, we practice medicine, art, and most forms of magic, we are very liberal, more so then most kingdoms. There will be no judgment.�

Kaya gave a snort and Semiair sighed softly before smiling gently at her husband.

�We are gypsies� Neal, wanderers. Even if the people accept our differences, there will always be those, like Rosa. We are good enough to work and live here, teacher, but not to rule, not to be more then your maid or mistress.�

The young King looked at the trio and scratched his head, �Rosa is just�upset, she did help raise me, and she�s very stuck on rules.�

�And there are those like her my love, there are those who will see me beneath you, beneath them, as some may see our Kaya, that is what bothers me.�

�That is very true your Highness.�

Kaya, Semiair, and Neal looked around the room before noticing the beau moving.

�Doctor?� Neal peered at the crack that had formed behind the beau before pushing it out of the way. A door swung open and from the darkness came the doctor that had been delayed earlier.

�Many thanks your majesties.� The doctor moved with a shuffle towards the bed and lifted the sheets and paled. Kaya moving with Neal, cam e to the foot of the bed with the doctor and the deep red stain of blood soaked into the sheets.

�Your Majesty��

�Phen!�

��Semiair��

Semiair smiled sadly before leaning back into the pillows.

�I know�I tried to stop the bleeding earlier, after the birthing. But after I washed, I haven�t been able to stop it again�� Sem smiled leaning her head back and closed her eyes. �It seems that old bat has gotten the best of me my love. Am I right doctor? That is why you are here. And why you couldn�t get here earlier.�

The doctor lowered the sheets and nodded slowly.

�Rosa has imprisoned those loyal to you such as the guards in the lower dungeons. I was able to free them and the staff, but it seems Rosa has been very busy my Lord, and now it seems an army is approaching us... You all seem very calm about this.�

Semiair picked up her child and smiled kissing the babe.

�I�ve dreamt of this night, so many times when I was pregnant. A goddess spoke to us today. I know no fear and I am at peace. Our baby will live on. I will not make it out of this room alive. You will lead my child and sister to safety, and one day, she will come back to you George, for the protection and guidance you will have had given tonight.� She was crying softly now before lifting her face looking towards the ceiling.

�Kaya get me a few blankets so I can make them think the baby is still here. And you should gather some things and leave the way the doctor came with him and Jinx. Hurry.� Semiair looked at her younger sister and smiled softly before feeling Neals� hand against her neck giving a reassured squeeze.

�Phen��

�Go on Kaya, you have to take the little one and go, or it�ll all be for nothing. What did the goddess tell you?�

The younger gypsies� eyes already wet from tears began to flow with them once again. No sobs, but a high keening sound came as she covered her face before fading, distantly the clashing of metal was already beginning to be heard.

�She, she said, �Courage��but why do I have to go Semiair? Why do you have to stay here and die? You were always the one who avoided fighting, who took the most honest route and kept us out of trouble. Why do you have stay? Try, please, try again, stop the bleeding and come run away with us. Please, try!� Kaya stared at her sister as the doctor pushed her towards the passageway, putting the infant into her arms and a pack onto her shoulder.

Semiair smiled at her sister as the door began to close. �Courage.�

Neal pushed the beau back in place and looked to his wife before touching her face gently lacing his fingers with hers.

�If I had listened to you the first time, we could have avoided all of this, we could still be playing in bed with Jinx and cuddling. Could have watched our little girl grow up, I am so sorry Semiair.� Soft lips pressed against his face kissing away the tears that had started to form.

�We�ll still see our little girl, we�ll look out and protect her, always. Its alright, Rosa was with you since you were a babe, you would want her to be around for yours. I love you so much Neal, I do.�

The King smiled softly touching her face. �Well, is that a proposal my lady? Or an acceptance?� The Queen laughed softly pressing her forehead to his smiling at the past memory they shared as the clashing metal grew closer and closer.

George led the gypsy and babe down the darken stairs, and orb of light held high within his hand, the shouts and cries of battle echoed all around till at last the scent of fresh air came and the darkness gave way to the light of fires.

�My thanks doctor, for delivering me the princess.� Rosas� figure stood in the doorframe before backing out allowing the two passages. In the light of the still new day, fires burned where the village laid sleeping but half an hour ago. Rosa stood with two men on either side of her and looked mercilessly at the pair.

�Now if you mind, the princess please.�

�Run woman! Run!� Looking at the trio George stilled for a moment before one by one they were tossed back by an unseen force. Looking back, the doctor found the gypsy woman standing in the same spot frozen. Running, the man grasped Kayas� arm and forced the woman to run, the child cried jostled in her aunts� arms as the three of them fled. By telekinetic force, George kept all would be attackers at bay. A they neared the edge of the village, the castle bells rung.

Kaya stared in horror at the flames that engulfed the castle, the royal family, her sister and only blood family, was dead. All of them. Save the small child that was her names sake, no more then three hours old, the last princess, slept. Through the blood, death and flames the infant slept, already distancing herself from the present dreaming of her first and only lullaby from the warmth one with soft touch.

Above all, seen by none but surrounded all, a goddess watched the kingdom crumble and be divided, and the sleeping spark of it all be whisked away.

�Courage��