Ne'ebo smiled kissing her back then began to gently stroke her hair, neck and back his finger lightly stroking her smooth skin his roughly calloused hands forming delightful patterns of love on her back, both in her language, his own, and in a number of symbols that she both knew well and had never even guessed out. The Japanese was the best for this as it required much more touching of her skin which was of course what he wanted the most.
"We shall soon enough. But I am still certain the first one will be a girl." He kissed the top of her head smiling.
He sighed laying back chuckling. "And don't worry. Next time will be more like our first not like after the tea. I'm going to give that to your cousin. let it kill him if it wants."
He grinned at the idea his eyes flashing playfully. As he grinned his left hand, the right was still making love patterns on his wife, came up and ran over his face. "Damn. i need to shave. And no i am not letting you do it. Your bladework is still abysmal." he grinned even more knowing that would strike a cord in her pride though it was actually true her affinity with the bow still by far her best martial skill.
Ne'ebo growled as the dogs all sat up as one and looked at them. "Don't you dare brats. you jump in here I'm having dog for dinner." They all smiled at him but still obeyed. for now. they looked at their mother for the real answer. "little brats."
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Morgana was back in her hall now. In bed actually, watching her husband sleeping. Her husband was Baron Lien Trell. He had not been one of the cheaters but though he was a talented fighter he did not have a true warrior's spirit and had no initiative of his own. his wife ruled him utterly. they had just finished making love a few minutes before and already he was asleep, though at her urging.
Morgana patted her belly. Her husband was strong though and far from stupid. He was simply lazy. Her child would not be. She would have to supplant Fenice first but her own child would have the throne. Elias was too strong, too loved, and far too protected now. Morgana knew what she would do. She smiled as she thought of it.
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Matthew was sitting in his room, having taken over the entire building of the best tavern in town, and was rather enjoying the liquors they had, as well as the attentions of the best whores about. They were miserable as he enjoyed beating them and tended to humiliate and embarrass them both publicly and to each other but there was really nothing to be done.
Well there was one thing.....
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Ne'ebo was beyond proud of his wife. In the seven months, two weeks, three days, and six hours she had sprouted not only a massive pregnant belly that Elias could not stop crowing about, but had also done beautifully at her training. He still bested her easily, and had actually improved beyond even his own expectations his time of weakness enraging him to surpass himself and ensure that weakness never repeat itself.
Elias and Mathilde had been busy making arrangements. Mathilde had loaded the ship to Africa with everything they would need. of course officially it was going to Rome. Elias had been carefully preparing his nation and government for his absence. Like his distant cousins in France, Germany and the other European nations, and his own ancestors including the great Arthur himself, it was not all that unusual for a king to be away from his own throne. Since his daughter's wedding the nation had had an explosion of good fortune with massive harvests, no plagues or serious illness' a steady strong peace, and the treasuries were now full to bursting. He had decided that his new Chancellor Daniel Ashby would serve his nation well.
The ceremony for their departure had already taken place and they were due to pack onto the ship in three days. Ne'ebo was so excited about seeing his homeland and his family he had surpassed the wild glee he occasionally reached and instead had gone almost entirely silent. His own lieutenants, all thoroughly trained in his image now, were working to train the new standing army of Britain and would continue to do so until his return. Only his father-in-law, Mathilde, and of course Fenice and the child heard him speak anymore and even they heard only whispers. He was often seen watching the sky to the southeast and seemed to be getting bigger and stronger every day. The call of Africa was having a number of effects on Sir Ne'ebo, but only one other person knew just what was going on.
Fenice had been wakened many times by her needs to pee, getting sick, her odd hunger cravings, and eventually by the baby's kicking and punching, and Ne'ebo had always been there close ready to help. he had taken to making her food personally finding it helpful, and trying to help her anytime she needed it, though he was careful not crowd her. He did know that she had started to pick up on more of his native tongue as he had taken to speaking it unconsciously when he was with her, and he had no doubt he was occasionally singing in his sleep as his mother used to. He had been working to teach her both Japanese and his native tongue in between his various duties and his extensive training. He did not realize that he had taken to tracing more love patterns on her at all times, that he had grown so quiet, that he had even begun to train the puppies in different languages, and that he was showing the same signs of nearing that animal side but in a much less wild manner. he had taken to hunting alone several times a day and the city was teeming with the tales of his exploits.
He had hunted down bandits, foiled robberies, broken up a spy ring, and numerous other public deeds but he always vanished before anyone could thank him. The skins of his kills could be found all over the land, including a new rug in the palace itself that was at least ten feet long and close to twelve feet across from a massive bear that had been using it's impressive size to ravage the farmers. all of this helped but while he gave no public sign, he twitched in his sleep, rarely stayed still for even ten seconds, and only Fenice was able to keep his attention.
Matthew hated Ne'ebo even more now. While still weakened Ne'ebo had heard of his cousin's actions and had carefully withdrew the man's access to the ladies of the city, and had also severed his alcohol access but had done so in a rather unique way. He had gotten the Church to label Matthew as a carrier of the Plague. No one would come near him. Everyday Matthew screamed for an audience with Elias or Fenice but Ne'ebo's trick also prevented him from entering the palace. The nobleman was furious about it but for now there was nothing he could do so he raged and plotted, and secretly met with Morgana, sure he could use her and her group, an oddly public group called Sons of Mordred, to gain the throne.
Morgana herself had presented herself and her group as public servants seeking to rid their forebear's name of his treachery by aiding the weak and poor and quickly gaining support from the more open and especially amongst the poor thought even there they were limited as Ne'ebo had helped Elias implement a new plan. In Japan even the poorest were given shelter and food provided they worked, and now Elias was doing the same. there had been complaints but they had been pleased to find that with warm beds and guaranteed meals they were far more productive and happy. Morgana was working carefully spreading her influence amongst the nobles but despite the rather beautiful sight of her son Calvin, truly one of the most lovely children anyone had ever seen, she was still having little success, but she was patient.
Now at midnight Ne'ebo stood atop the highest tower watching the full moon that seemed to hang directly over where he knew his homeland was. "Ytxi mte bu." (Soon I come.) He smiled at the thought.
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