*POV* Randall Franklin the 2nd
I watched Dixie detecting Lula the Samuel to channel a flame, with 3 small words. Glancing at the large book beside me, of spells Dixie had pulled from the library.
Lula tried her best but started to cry, but Samuel instantly had a flame going. Dixie clapped before coming to place Lula on my lap.
I favored my arm and pulled her into a hug, exchanging a smile with Dixie. She went back over to help Samuel.
I soothed Lula, wiping at her tears. "It's okay, Lula, how about we try again." She frowned, her bottom lip sticking out. Taking her hand, I uncurled her fingers and touched her palm. "Try it again, look here."
She mumbled the words and a tiny little flame sparked on her palm, she quickly shook her hand with the flame going out. Then she looked at me.
"Pa Pa uu?" I smiled. "Fire is Lula's power, you have to learn to control it." She frowned.
"Pa Pa?" I looked at her worried face, she stared up at me with big eyes and glossy cheeks. "Randall? Did I just hear her call you Pa?!" I smiled at her as she moved over holding a burning painting.
"She did." I grinned. She laughed. "Lula sweetie, What's my name?" Lula stared at her, shook her head and fell into my chest.
I snorted but Dixie glared. She seemed about to say something but instead she rushed to help Samuel from burning his hair off. "Sammy, stop that! You don't use fire on yourself or anyone else!" She took a hold of her hands before picking him up.
"I think it's time for a break." I nodded. Dixie gave the twins some blocks and called a maid to bring a snack. "What makes you so willing to help Coral with Lula and Samuel?" I asked her as she took a place on the floor to play blocks too.
"I love children and I will never have any of my own." She said the last part quietly. I realized what she meant and felt simplistic. "Sorry." I blurted. She turned to look at me over her shoulder with a half smile.
"It's no problem, you and Coral plan on having more children right? If so, I will be plenty busy." She winked at me, I felt heat rising up my neck, I coughed and she bursted out laughing.
"Calm down Randall, there is no rush." She stood to take the tray from the maid as she entered. The tray had an arrangement of fresh fruits and vegetables cut small for the children.
She set it on the floor and took a small plate and set one in front of each of them before setting a couple different options on each. She made another plate and passed it to me. "Would you tell me a little bit about your world?"
I nodded. "Sure, what do you want to know?" She finished her plate. "What are the people like there?" I tried to explain to her the best I could as we ate, I continued to answer her questions until the child had finished eating.
We continued the lessons until Coral entered the room with a rush, her face was flushed and she was out of breath. "What's the matter!?" Dixie asked her before I could.
Coral plopped onto the floor beside my chair. "I went with the guard captain up to walk the wall, then up to see out the highest tower!" She laughed. "I forgot how great the view was from up there."
She held her cheeks with her hands, Dixie smiled and relayed all the twin's achievements to her. Lula curled up in Coral's lap while Samuel continued to play.
Coral smiled as she rubbed Lula's back. "They are growing up way too fast, it seems like yesterday-…" she didn't finish she thought. Dixie agreed with her and they gushed over how cute they were when they were only days old.
Dixie took Lula from Coral so she could stand. "Randall, could we talk?" she inquired, I started to worry as we headed into our room. "What's wrong?" I asked as the door shut.
"I don't know.. I- Well-, I have been thinking and I would like it if you would consider being on my board of defense planners." I smiled glad it wasn't something bad. "I wouldn't mind helping." she grinned.
"Great, I will announce it tomorrow!" she kissed me quickly, but pulling her back before she could leave, I looked into her eyes. "Is that all you needed?" she frowned.
"What are you-?" she smacked me and turned for the door. "You focus on getting your arm to heal, have you been taking the elixirs?" I nodded, she left the room.
I found myself wandering out to the training yards to watch the others spar. I wished I could join them. I was starting to feel like everyone had something to do except me.
Sander came to stand beside me. "Your Highness, what brings you out today?" I sighed, and he smiled. "How's the arm?" I shook my head. "I have been better."
He chuckled. "Maybe your blood is different so the healing doesn't work on you as well." I frowned. "Maybe." A teen girl came up to smack Sander on the arm, "Sander, We need to talk." Sander turned with a sigh.
On her back were strapped two large axes. She was well built with a healthy build, but her face seemed to tell another story, there were dark circles under her eyes and her hands shook.
"Mari. I already told you to stop with this nonsense." Mari started to yell. "But Sander, I saw him!" Sander shook her off. "You couldn't have, go find someone else to bother."
Mari turned to march off, Sander turned as someone called him, he nodded to me before walking off, with quick steps I followed the girl.
"Mari?!" I called after her, she stopped to watch me catch up. "What?!" she asked, her eyes flashing. "What were you talking about?" she snorted. "Who are you? Why would you want to know!?"
I was surprised, everyone knew me around here. "I am Randall." her eyes widened. "It's you, Then you have to warn Coral, 'he' is back!" she grabbed at my hurt arm, I cried out. "What's going on here!?" a guard standing nearby called out.
Mari let go of me and ran. "Are you alright?" the man asked, I nodded. My mind was trying to figure out what she was even talking about. Who was she talking about?