"No, it doesn't have to. If you have an heir you'll be released as soon as possible." Raiden replied. "I can be released to be your assistant and protector."
"Why would you do that?" I asked.
"That island has long been integral to Arverent's prosperity." He said.
"Wouldn't I have to move back?" I asked.
"Not really if we can set you up with a way to recieve papers and easily issue statements." He said. "If you recall the Emporer doesn't even stay in the Palace."
"I do. Fine. I'll do the stuff. But I'm staying here." I replied.
"Good girl." He said, and I felt the connection drop.
I groaned and tried to sleep. In the morning, as per usual, I got up and made breakfast. I made savory and filling food for everyone else and a light soup for myself. I wasn't in the mood for much else. Once we all ate, I headed to fetch something from upstairs, but passing by the sitting room, I saw a cloaked figure with tea set up.
"Hello, Vexie Silver. I have come for tea." The cloaked woman said.
".. Alright. Enjoy, then." I said.
With a soft chuckle she said, "With you. Sorry, didn't realize I would have to be more clear. I would have thought your curiosity would have demanded more answers than that."
"There is a saying that goes, 'Curiosity killed the cat.' I have read more than enough books and heard enough stories to not bother someone who just appears where they shouldn't be unimpeded. I come from a place where the gods are very much active particpants." I explained to her, though I entered the room.
"Well, you don't have to worry about that, I am no God, simply a curious mother." She said.
"The gods don't come to this continent, so of course I believe you." I replied.
"They do seem to avoid this place." She agreed. "I simply wanted to stop by and see what your plans are for my boy. If you had any."
"Am I to guess which boy? I can play process of elimination if you'd like." I said, taking a seat.
"I apologize, I was unaware you had so many options." She said. "My son, Dirthin."
"Ah. I wasn't aware we were at a meet your parents kind of stage." I said. After some thought, I added, "I intend to maintain a friendship with him. We are compatible physically, but he seems to think I want something from him. I have no interest in his wealth or family, however."
"Well, that certainly is a change of pace. I'm sure he has no idea what to do with that." She said.
"He's a lot more cuddly than I prefer, but I don't mind it a lot. He's training me, so the least I can do is let him have a cuddle buddy." I shrugged, then took a breath, "I assume you came because of our accident?"
"I would certainly prefer you to not call a future grandchild of mine an accident.. but yes." She said.
"Well, it certainly wasn't planned. Neither of us has procreated with any of our past partners.. of course usually I knew what stage my cycle was in before taking a partner." I sighed. "You're grandchild will be the Oji or Hime of the Isla."
"Well, that would be certainly interesting. And if that is your plans for them, I have no reason to interfere." She replied.
"I don't have plans. I'd rather they get a choice." I said.
"Between the two of you, they will have plenty of options." She said.
"Probably be spoiled." I noted.
"Hm. Maybe I should take them." She commented.
I blinked once. "I don't think you understand how fast I can be lost."
"I'm offering to take the child." She said.
"I heard you." I said, my body language revealing nothing about my opinion on the matter.
"Well, then? I may know quite a bit, but I am no mind reader." She said.
"Should I assume this conversation has been had with Dirthin?" I asked.
"This conversation has not been had with Dirthin." She replied.
"He wants his cub, the last I heard." I said.
"He may want whatever he wishes. You are carrying the cub." She said firmly.
"That is true. I am carrying it. You're not having it." I said.
"Alright. By all means, keep the baby." She said. "I was simply offering. You didn't seem the type to be tied down."
"A fine observation for not knowing me." I said.
"I know you well enough." She replied. "Well, that doesn't matter. I've got the information I was after. I do hope you have a pleasant rest of your day."
I got up, not bothering with any more pleasantries and went upstairs to my room. I paced about, stressed out. Impulsively, I grabbed my bag, the tiger figurine, and my communication device. Spurred on by an irrational emotion, I contacted Raiden.
"Yes, come get me." I told him.
"Got it, Princess." Raiden answered.
No questions asked. Just like that, he'd come for me. I headed downstairs and gathered a bit of funds, along with the three crowns. I contacted Nia and informed her that she should use the funds in the basement to better the town in any way she can. Then I headed back upstairs, where I saw the adventurers.
Carson started to ask if everything was alright, but as he spoke Raiden arrived. He grabbed my arm in a rough manner and took me to the Empire. Specifically to his home.
"I need something to prevent my being tracked by any means." I said.
"Ok." Raiden said, taking me to outside and to a magic shop.
After we acquired what I needed, and I attuned to it, I started feeling a little better. "Raiden, can you help me hide?" I asked.
"Yeah. Why?" He asked.
I explained about what all had happened from the time I woke on the ship, up to the visit. Which is where I quietly revealed my pregnancy to him. After a few questions, and some clarifications, he patted my head.
"Then you plan on hiding until it's born?" He asked.
"Yes. And longer if need be." I answered.
"Fine." Raiden said, and brought me to his home. He packed a few bags, "Let's get going."
We picked up supplies as we went. Five days into the journey, I was contacted by Snow Den. "Hey, Vexie, what's going on? Why did you leave? Are you coming back?"
I took a deep breath. Raiden looked at me. "His mother wants my cub." I answered.
There was a span of thirty or so minutes when Snow Den spoke again, "Dirthin said he will give you time and speak to you again later. I've let him know that leaving wasn't his fault.. Their mother is a lot."
"I have protections against scrying and detection." I informed her. "She made it clear his opinion did not matter in this."
That seemed to be the last I was going to hear from them for a while. "Am I doing the right thing?" I asked.
"You want my opinion?" Raiden asked.
"Yes." I replied.
"The right thing is to put your mind at ease. But if you care for your cubs father.. talk." Raiden said. "Aside from that, I don't care because I have what I need now."
I mulled that over for a few hours. Then I used my device, contacting Dirthin. "I'm sorry."
It took him a moment to respond, but he said, "Are you.. safe?"
"The cub is safe." I said.
"I am glad you are both safe, then." He said. "I apologize you felt the need to flee, though I don't blame you. She can be.. a lot."
"... When I get where I'm being taken to.. if you can have a means that she can't learn to come, I'll tell you where." I told him. "I didn't want to leave you out.."
"It's alright. The safest way would be the mundane way." He said.
"That sounds annoying.. I don't want her to take the cub, though." I sighed.
"I will search for a way to reach you without her being able to follow. Once I do, I will set up a door. She can't use those." Dirthin said.
"I am sorry that I didn't consider this may cause you stress or upset." I said.
"You felt you and the child were in danger. It's understandable." He said.
It sounded so reasonable and sane when he spoke. I started crying, which was sure to get on Raiden's nerves. "I wanna go home."
"As soon as I can reach you, I will give you access to these doors. But that comes with it's own risks." He warned. "With the doors you'll be able to come and go as you please."
"It's ok." I said. Trying to sooth myself by playing with the tiger figurine. "I'll get over it. I should have told Raiden to bring the guards, too."
"I can only imagine what they are up to at the moment." Dirthin said.
"I have no idea." I said. "I should probably learn."
"How do you plan on doing that?" He asked.
"I'll contact them and see what they are up to." I said.
"Alright. I'd hate for them to be wondering around searching for you." He said.
"I'll talk to you again." I replied.
"Any time you want to." He said.
I ended the contact, and Raiden steered the wagon into a small village. "We'll stay here tonight." Raiden said, leading me towards a tavern.
It was a clean and rustic place, he rented two conjoined rooms for the night. I went into the room he directed me to. He was always controlling in all things. If it means his job will be done easier, he'll do it. If was also why he was reliable. Once I was calmer, I reached out to Feldra.
"Hey, I'm ok." I said.
"Oh, you are alive." She said, "Should probably tell Bibs."
"Bibs..?" I asked, confused.
"Well, we may have informed Bibs that you had been taken." She replied.
"I was taken. I asked Raiden to. Dirthin's mother wants to take my cub." I said. "So I ran away."
"Why didn't you just punch her. She's got be like what, sixty?" Feldra asked.
"Would you hit someone who just appears places?" I asked.
"Usually it's best to strike first." She said.
"Anyways, I can't contact Bibs with this item." I said.
"Ah, if he's still home I can catch him. Kershka was a little adamant about going.. so they may be gone." Feldra said.
"Then.. I will tell Raiden to look for them. What are you all up to?" I asked.
"Well, we went back to the town to wait for a bit." Feldra answered.
"You all are welcome to stay there. Or you can get the gold for a year from Enres." I said.
"What should we tell him? Anything?" She asked.
"Uhm.. good question. Just tell him I will be back in a year once I've had my cub." I said.
"I will tell him I guess." She said.
I ended the contact, briefly contacting Enres to tell him to listen to Feldra. Then I knocked on Raiden's door. When he opened the door, he was in his underwear. "What?"
I raised an eyebrow looking at him, then blinked and said, "Kershka and Bibs are looking for me. Will you tell them I'm fine? I.. think they are safe people."
"Distracted princess?" He asked.
"Raiden, please. Kershka is a stone Goliath with red tribal tattoos. And Bibs is a Goblin." I told him.
He said, "Yes, princess." He turned into the room to get dressed. "Have anything from them?"
"Yes. Will you give it back? Kershka made it for me." I asked.
"Yes. Hand it over and stay in your room." He said.
Sullen, I complied with him, handing him the tiger and heading into the room. I got comfortable in the window seat. I'd dozed off after a bit. When the door to the room opened. I sat up and looked to see Kershka, Bibs and Raiden entering the room.
I stood up and approached Kershka. "Sorry for worrying you."
He gave me a squeeze around my shoulders, and handed me back my tiger figurine. "I am glad you are ok."
I placed my head against Kershka, "Was Raiden mean? He tends to be."
"Stubborn." Kershka said.
"Odd taste, Princess." Raiden grumped, before leaving the room.
"Rude." Kershka said.
"He is rude. He's hostile to everyone and for barely any reason." I said. "But he is someone who can be relied on."
"And that's very important." Bibs said.
I nodded. "I didn't mean to trouble either of you."
"Oh, it was hardly any trouble at all. Gave us both something to do to get out of the house. We're just glad you are alive and well." Bibs said.
I teared up and said, "No one's mad at me for running away.."
"What did you expect us to shame you for trying to protect yourself?" Bibs asked.
I felt tears run down my face, and I cuddled to Kershka, "His mother said she'd take my cub and his opinion doesn't matter."
"To her, no one's opinion matters." Bibs said.
I nodded. Kershka was petting me trying to soothe me.
"So what are your plans from here on?" Bibs asked.
"I agreed to take on my birthright remotely. When Raiden gets me to where he'd taking me, he'll send me things I need to handle. And I'll tell Dirthin where I am so he can come to me. He said he'll give me access to the doors, but I don't want it. He said she doesn't have access to it." I explained through tears.
"Are you in need of transportation?" Bibs asked.
"No, I'll be fine." I said. "Maybe I'll go back in a year."
"Alright, for Kershka's well-being, if you would accept this," Bibs offered a well polished obsidian stone, "You can call us at any time."
I accepted it. "You want me to say 'hi' sometimes?"
"Yes." Kershka said. "Would be good to know you are still ok."
"Alright. I can do that." I said.
"Alright, Kershka. I'm sure she has plenty to be getting to, let's get going." Bibs said.
Raiden opened the door with a bundle. "The princess ordered this procured." He hung it on the door, and left again.
"See? Very busy." Bibs said.
"Alright." Kershka said, "Don't be sad."
I nodded, stepping back, wiping my eyes, and said, "That might be wood."
"Oh? What kind? The jungle wood?" He asked.
I picked up the bundle and pulled the tab. It was indeed jungle wood and some other rare wood types. Which started my tears up again. "Yeah, it's yours, Kershka."
Bibs sighed, "You'll have us for a little bit."
Kershka, with a big grin, sat on the floor after taking the bundle and began looking them over. I said, "That's ok. Do you want a hug?"
"I'm quite alright. If you still need hugs, Kershka is still right there." Bibs said.
I sat in the windowsill again, focusing on getting the tears to stop. "I've gotten really emotional lately."
"Pregnancy can do that. It puts a bit of a tussle on the hormones." Bibs said.
"I suppose so." I said. "I guess Raiden hurried to get the bundle together."
"Well, it will keep Kershka distracted for quite a while. He hasn't been able to work with it in quite a while." Bibs said.
"I can ask Raiden to take you both home." I said.
"Oh, no. I can take us home." Bibs said.
I nodded. Soon Kershka pulled himself out of his happy bubble, giving me another around the shoulder squeeze, a thanks and they headed out without incident. I fell asleep on the windowsill shortly after. I woke curled up in the bed. I figured Raiden moved me.
A week later we boarded a boat and set sail. I was terribly seasick for the three day ride. I was ever so thankful when we arrived at a small island. I'd been sure to let Kershka know I was fine three times during this period. Raiden carried our supplies, and we walked until nearly sundown, having arrived at noon, when we reached a moderate sized house.
"You'll stay here until you feel safe." Raiden said. "I will stay the night and head back in the morning. I will not teleport here, just in case. It is also not marked on any map. But I will set up a spot so I can bring your papers and such to you. The Emporer will set up a remote coronation for you soon."
"Alright. Thank you." I said.
"I will try to come out and stay with you close to the month you are due." Raiden said. "Make yourself at home."
I nodded and complied with his words, setting things up before having a light meal and going to bed. The next day I explored the island near the house when Raiden left. Then later that night after a nap, I contacted Dirthin.
"I'm on an uncharted island, far Southeast." I told him.
"Ok, alright. Are you, comfortable? Do you have people that can take care of you there?" He asked.
"I'm by myself. I think it's Raiden's vacation spot. There is really nothing here but marsh trees, a garden, and a single house. It is comfortable, I suppose." I said.
"Sounds safe. A little lonely, but safe." Dirthin said.
"I've never been afraid of being lonely." I said. "I don't plan to keep the cub on the island. Whenever they are old enough I'll bring them to play with their cousin."
"It would be nice for them to be able to meet their family. Will you.. tell me when it happens so I can be there?" He asked.
"No Tigrine appreciates company while they are in pain. But I understand your desire to be present. As long as there are no accidents the cub should be born if just under five months from now." I said.
"I will try to.. stay available, just in case." He said.
"I have already developed a slight bump. It's not very noticeable." I informed him.
"That's moving along pretty quickly." He said.
"Probably because our cubs grow so much faster than humans. Of course, I do have Jungle Tigrine blood, so our cub may be taking after that side of our family, which means a big cub." I replied.
"That sounds like it could be rough." He said.
"Yeah, a little scared bout that." I said. "But it's a future problem."
"Exactly. It's a future problem." He said.
"How in the world are you going to get here?" I asked.
"A series of pool vaults." He said. "I'm still working on a way to travel incognito."
"I can't think of any way except to ask Raiden to bring you." I said. "And I doubt he would because of your mother."
"Don't you worry about it. Stealth is not normally my thing, but I'll make it work." Dirthin replied.
"I'm so sorry for the trouble." I said.
"The only thing I could fault you for is not telling me before you left. Other than that, I don't blame you." He said.
"I wasn't thinking. I was just in a panic. I initially thought it had been discussed between the two of you, because we aren't close, but I asked if you were included on the conversation and she said you weren't." I said. "I told her she doesn't realize how quickly I can be lost, and I meant it."
There was a silence for a time, "I'm gonna need to be talking with her." He said finally.
"Bibs said she does as she wants regardless of anyone's opinion." I said. "Would talking to her even get you results?"
"Results? No. But it would help me solidify my decision." Dirthin replied.
"Raiden used to tell me, if you.make a decision, make it the right one, no matter the results." I said.
"Oh, I'm sure it will be." He said.
"I don't even know if I'll be a good mom.. If I'm not, you should take the cub. Because you're the father." I said.
"There is no guarantees I'll be a good father. We'll just have to see. No point in worrying about it right now." He said.
"Snow and James would help you, I'm sure." I said.
"That's true. I doubt they'd let me be a terrible father." He said.
I got up and started to make myself some snacks. "I wanna make you some cheesecake."
"What is a cheesecake?" He asked.
"Oh, it's so good. It's creamy and savory and if you add strawberries, it's so so sweet. It's really good." I told him.
"You tease me even now. Maybe my nephew knows something I can use." He said.
"I'll tell Raiden to send you a world map and one of the Southern Empire." I said.
"That would certainly help my progress." Dirthin said.
"I'll let you go now, I didn't have much to say.." I said.
"Alright, call me again if you need something. I'll get back to work on finding my secret way." He replied.
After I concluded the conversation with Dirthin, I contacted Raiden. "Send Dirthin a map of the Empire, and a world map."
"No." Raiden responded.
"Don't tell me no. Do it. Or take it to him." I insisted.
After a pause, he said, "Alright. I will bring it to him. But I will also be preventing myself from being followed or percieved."
"Thank you." I said. When he showed no signs of responding, I ended the connection and finishing my snack.
Around twenty minutes later, Snow Den reached out to me, "He has received the maps. He wants to know if there is a good time to visit."
"Oh.. Anytime is fine. He figured out a way already?" I asked, surprised.
"I believe my oldest will be helping him go." Snow replied.
"Alright." I said. "Yeah, anytime is fine."
I went to bed after a bit of no further communication. The next day, I cleaned the house, taking time to organize things how I wanted them, and even rearranging rooms. And nap, of course. The following day, I spent training in the manners Dirthin had shown me. There was not much else to do on the island.
The morning after, I was minding the garden tending to it, when a portal opened nearby. Dread entered my soul, and I started to head into the trees. A brief glance over my shoulder, and I saw Dirthin step through the portal. I froze, staring at his back. The portal shut immediately.
He began looking around immediately. I walked away from the trees, towards him, "Hey."
He turned and looked at me, "Hey, how are you doing?"
I approached him, and leaned against him. "Are you well?"
"A lot less concerned now that I've seen you. You look well." He said.
I looked up at him, "I am sorry for the stress I've caused you."
"I feel I should be the one apologizing. I just never know how to tell people about her." Dirthin said.
I stretched up and hugged him. "It's fine." I rubbed his shoulders, "Our cub is growing."
"I can see that. It's growing quite quickly." He said. "Do you have everything you need here?"
"I don't have anything for the cub when it's born, but I can make some of it, and Raiden will bring anything I ask." I told him. "As far as anything else goes, I have plenty of options for food and such."
"I can bring things for you and the cub now too." Dirthin said.
"I'll keep that in mind. Do you want to explore?" I asked.
"Sure, show me what you're up to around here." Dirthin said.
I showed him around the island first, showing him the garden and the wild animals of the island. Then I showed him the house, the room I was to be using as an office, the kitchen, the spare room Raiden had stayed in, and my bed room. There wasn't much to the island.
"I've already rearranged the house. I was tending the garden today, though I was gonna train some more later." I told him.
"Training would be a good way to keep your body healthy. Be careful, though. I've seen some go too far." Dirthin said.
"Was Raiden a dick? Of course he was, wasn't he?" I asked.
"It took a lot of restraint not to just.. lay into him." Dirthin said.
"... He can be a lot. I did say he's a brute.. but I've seen the results if someone attacks him when he's not working.. being there on a task would have made him show no mind to an attack." I said.
"The next time, I may not be able to hold myself back." He said.
"I can't blame you, just don't die." I said.
"I don't plan on it." He said. "If I did, though, you wouldn't have to worry about my mother anymore."
"That's not really a good exchange." I said.
"I would certainly agree." He replied.
"Do you want me to make that cheesecake? It'll take a couple of hours." I said.
"Oh.. yes. I had somehow forgotten about that." Dirthin said.
I smiled and went to the kitchen. I gathered up all the ingredients and got to work with it. "Do you want to try the cheese? It does have an odd taste. I like it with bagels."
"Eh, I'll give it a shot." He said.
I got him a spoon to try it, before continuing to make the cheesecake. "What do you think?"
"I could indeed see this going really well with bread like things." Dirthin commented.
After mixing everything, I baked the dessert. While it was baking, I made some strawberry glaze with chopped bits in the glaze. Which I also let him try. Once it was done baking and had cooled, I showed him how giggly the cake is, then added the glaze to it, and cut him a portion.
He ate it happily. And I cleaned up the kitchen. Then he wanted to explore the island some more, curious about the animals, which I was happy to tell him about. It was when the animals scattered suddenly that I realized there was something else was near.
"Uh, that's probably bad." I said.
No sooner had I said that when a few spotted lions came around the trees. They were huge beasts, their fur damp from water. One immediately found a tapir to kill. Another looked at us, and the last continued forward.
Dirthin stepped forward and roared. It was percieved as a challenge. And when they began to step towards us, Dirthin started towards them. They clashed, well, two of them fought Dirthin, the third had circled around to try and attack from behind.
I didn't allow the approach, intercepting it and keeping it busy until Dirthin was ready for it. My stripes amongst the trees threw the spotted lion off, which helped me avoid being hit. When he handled the third, he was a lot rougher with it, being more hands on.
Once they were dead, he said, "Where in the world did these animals come from? This island doesn't look big enough for them."
"It's not big enough. My guess is they swam here.. See on this one's spine?" I pointed out some puncture scars, "I told you about these Spotted Lions. These three must be older males who were ousted by younger ones and came here for easy meals. From my own exploration of the island, it doesn't have any serious predators on the island."
"Well, maybe we should find out these animals approach and put up some deterrents." Dirthin said.
"I have fought them before." I commented with a shrug, healing him. "We can follow their tracks."
"I appreciate the fact that you are strong. But you will not always be in the best position to fight them." He said.
"Which is where my stripes, magic and the trees come in. Animals are easily confused by stripes and my stripes blend with the trees here. I can hide in the tree tops and ask for help." I told him. "I'm not the sort to take unnecessary risks."
"Well, I am not used to such tactics." He replied.
"It's alright. Tigrine don't play fair, we fight to kill and nothing is off the table if it means survival. Do you think our cub will have stripes?" I explained, getting distracted.
"I believe it very well may." He said.
"Do you think they'll have a mane when they're grown if it's a boy?" I asked.
"I would certainly hope so." He replied. "I rather enjoy my mane, I think they would enjoy their own."
"It is luscious." I agreed. "And very good for protecting your neck."
"Indeed it is. It's even stopped several small daggers." Dirthin noted.
I grinned over him not catching my flirting. "Handy things. You got built in armor and I got camouflage."
"If our child were to recieve both, they'd be unstoppable." Dirthin said.
"I hope they're healthy and happy their entire lives." I said, starting to track the spotted lions trail. A bit difficult, since they hardly left marks.
"We can both ensure they are healthy, but happiness will have to come from within them. It is something we can affect, though." Dirthin said.
"Sure. Doubtless one can find happiness themselves, but I mean that I hope to not be a source of pain for our cub." I said.
"Oh, I've already given up on that. I will be the source of several bits of pain for them. I intend to train them. They may even hate me." Dirthin said.