Several hours later, Kyera cradled Gale close as she stood up. The little girl looking up at her teary eyed. Kyera offered a gentle smile, and then her hand. She set her small palm in Kyera's hand a bit timidly. Clovis stood up and scooped the little girl up, holding her too. She jumped in surprise but laid her head on his shoulder. Kendrick smiled at the four but looked at the sky.
"Kyera, it's too late to travel back to the castle." Kendrick pointed out and Kyera nodded slowly. She knew that. She never dreamed this would happen but… here she was. She led the family down the path to the house itself.
The back door was closed, and Ivy had grown up it long ago. However, it was still in good repair and the cottage itself stood just as sturdy and safe now as it had when they had loved there. Kyera took the door handle, and opened the door. She was shocked at what she saw.
The bloody bed rolls that had been there since the day the boys died were gone. The floor was clean and fresh bedding lay piled in the corner. There was meat on the counter, cooked and wrapped in leaves that preserved their contents. A piece of parchment sat on the table, folded and waiting for her. Kendrick stood behind Kyera, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "The children are tired." He told her, hoping that would be enough. She nodded and kissed Gale's forehead before walking inside. The house was clean.
"Clovis, help me set up bed rolls… please." Kyera asked as he set the little girl down. The child stood uncertainty in the middle of the room. "Sweety, come here please." Kyera called and the child walked over obediently. Her long red hair fell down her back in a shoulder length braid. Her tiger ears were laid back a bit, nervous if she was any judge of body language. The baby fur on her hands a clear indication she was little. "What is your name?" She asked trying her best to be kind. The sweet motherly tone felt natural.
"Rosie." She replied, her speaking ability not quite perfect, and she over-rolled the R like a purr.
"Okay, Rosie, where's your Mommy?" Kyera asked softly. The child tilted her head to the side as if confused.
"Mommy gone." She replied carefully and Kyera nodded. She expected she knew exactly who this little girl belonged to.
"Was your Mommy a tiger too?" Kyera asked and Kendrick looked at her. The puzzle pieces fell into place rather quickly. The little one nodded nervously. "Alright, will you sit with Gale while I set beds out?" She asked seeing the child rub her tiny hands in her eyes. The toddler sat down, and Kyera set the sleeping Gale beside her.
The adults folded four sleeping beds out of the waiting material and a small round bed for the baby between two bed rolls. Kyera settled Gale into his bed, tucking him in before tucking Rosie into the far bed.
When she turned around, Clovis was sitting next to Gale, running his hand over the baby's back gently patting. His soft eyes were lost in the distance as he stood guard. Kyera felt the lump in her throat as she watched them. She turned and took the letter from the table and walked into the kitchen and lit the three candles on the table with precision.
The letter glowed in the fire light, black ink scrawled across the front. Her name in familiar handwriting. The pen still laying across the folded paper. She reached out a hand and took the letter. Taking a deep breath, Kyera glanced at her husband, now laying down next to Gale, and then at her brother who was laying on his bed mat staring at the ceiling. Then… she began to read.