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frogs_of_warAt one point all seven of the women who worked in the coffee kiosk at work had names that started with the same sound: Keri, Kelsey, Caitie, Quin, and the like. I can really imagine a family naming their girls like this, one step up from everyone having the same first initial.
Title: Wings
Status: Complete
Genre: fantasy, family, love, m/n
Rating: PG
Content: gender neutral characters, xenophobes, babies, heartbreak, traveling, flight, running away, climbing, a fight, home
Length: about 3,300 words
Summary: Kairava finds exactly where home is.
Note: I'm using ne as the gender neutral pronoun. ne/nem/nir/nirs/nirself like he/him/his/his/himself or she/her/her/hers/herself.
Kairava rubbed nir belly and tried to push the worries away. Nir belly was swelling with child, but swelling too quickly, which foretold one of two things. The first was twins, a cause for celebration and festivities. But the second was that the child would look like nir out-parent and not be Ishika.
The Ishika would all have straight, white-blond hair, ice blue eyes, and skin so pale that the veins showed through if not for out-parents. Even Kairava’s eyes were from an ancestor from another race, although ne knew neither which ancestor nor which race. If the Ishika didn’t breed-out occasionally, they would all have the same heart-shaped faces and almond eyes.
Or so the elders said.
And now that Kairava had bred-out, nir duty was to pair with another Ishika, perhaps one with a child or two of nir own and breed-in to give the Ishika who were the result of breeding-out someone to breed with.
Black hair and dark eyes and tan skin were prized but only in moderation. No child with all three would be considered Ishika. Even scales or horns would be welcome and wings — Kairava hoped this child had wings like nir beautiful out-parent — were particularly coveted, but as this baby’s out-parent was a mix of every race except Ishika, the likelihood Kairava’s beautiful babe would be outcast was high.
~
Aarya the Healer walked into Kairava’s hut without knocking. “You have something you wish to tell me.”
“Do I?” Kairava didn’t get up. That would give away nir secret.
“No need to be bashful.” Aarya bustled around the table. “I’ve seen my share of carrying-parents. Uncover yourself and let me look.”
Kairava gave in. Aarya always got nir way eventually.
Kairava lay on nir bed as Aarya took all kinds of measurements. “When was the baby made?”
Kairava looked out through the open window. Ne wished ne was anywhere but here. “Four months.”
Aarya frowned. “And you’re this big?”
Kairava closed nir eyes. Ne didn’t want to be one of those parents who journeyed to find the child a new home as soon as ne was weaned and then come back and try again as if a child could be a mistake. Worse yet were the ones that paid strangers to take the children away. They didn’t even care where their precious children ended up. But Ishika didn’t count as precious a child that wasn’t Ishika and no one was Ishika who didn’t look the part. If Kairava’s child looked like Kairava’s once lover, the baby would be very beautiful indeed.
Aarya rubbed honey on Kairava’s belly and ran an instrument through it with a tube held up to nir ear. “One heartbeat and maybe,” Aarya ran the instrument harder against Kairava’s belly. “Aha, another.”
Aarya grinned down at Kairava. “Twins. Let me check for another heartbeat just in case, and then I’ll spread the happy news.”
Ne found no other heartbeats, but two were enough. Two meant the swollen-bellied Ishika wasn’t carrying an out-baby. But twins didn’t guarantee that both would be Ishika.
~
The celebrations lasted for months. Ishika from other villages came to rub Kairava’s belly to increase their own fertility.
But day by day Kairava felt less Ishika. Who were these people who only loved those who looked enough like them?
~
The labor pains came hard and fast. Kairava stifled a gasp with nir pillow. Ne did not want nir house full of people whose good wishes would turn sour when they caught sight of Kairava’s beautiful babes.
Aarya bustled into the room. “Feeling unwell? Let me check on our little ones.”
Another spasm gripped Kairava and ne couldn’t stifle nir gasp.
Aarya raised nir eyebrows. “Our twins are coming? You should have called me sooner.”
Aarya put nir hand on Kairava’s hard belly then pulled back the blankets. “I am barely on time. Did you think you could do this alone? This is what I am for. Go ahead and scream.”
The next pain wracked through Kairava and ne did scream. Ne wasn’t ready for the babies to be born. Ne wasn’t ready for everything that would come with them.
“Anytime.” Aarya held up nir hands to show that they were clean and prepared. “I can see nir pale little head.”
Several of Kairava’s neighbors piled in the door, but Kairava was beyond caring. Aarya never stopped talking. Half nir words were gentle reassurance for Kairava, half were demanding instructions for the newly arrived.
No one, not even an elder, was allowed to touch the babes with hands not properly sanitized.
More pain, in a new place this time, and Aarya held up Kairava’s first born to the world.
Ne was so tiny and covered with slime that matted nir hair and the feathers on nir wings. Aarya cleaned nir mouth and rubbed nir face until ne took nir first screaming breath and then Aarya passed nem to the neighbors who rubbed nem dry. They gushed over nir tiny toes, big blue eyes, and perfect wings. One rushed out to tell the other villagers the good news.
Aarya held nir hands out to the little one. “Now pass nem over so Kairava can feed nem.”
Dvij pouted and held the babe close. Ne nodded in Kairava’s direction. “Shouldn’t the other one make nir appearance?”
Aarya shook nir head. “This is sometimes the way with twins. Pass Kairava nir baby. The elders will be here soon.”
Kairava took nir child into nir arms. Ne wanted to undress the babe and count toes and fingers and see if ne had any other traits from nir out-parent. Someone had cut slits in the nightgown for the babe’s wings.
The child rooted around on Kairava’s chest. Aarya led the babe to Kairava’s breast.
Each of the small babe’s sucks tugged at Kairava’s belly. Aarya grinned. “That’s natural. The younger one will be out in no time.”
The elders knocked on the front door. The door was opened by Aarya because Kairava had no spouse. The three village elders stood at the end of Kairava’s bed and said the traditional words for the naming. Kairava ran nir thumb across nir babe’s busy cheek. “The child’s name is Ravij, for ne was born under the gaze of the sun.”
The elders and neighbors murmured their approval. Ravij was a traditional Ishika name, maybe a little boring, but safe. The babe fell asleep while Kairava was being congratulated on nir fine Ishika child. Kairava broke nir own heart and handed nir beautiful child to the oldest elder to show off to the village.
Kairava’s eyes misted over. Ravij wasn’t nirs. Ne belonged to the village. That thought hurt so much. Ravij would come to hate Kairava like all the other Ishika would.
Aarya rubbed Kairava’s belly. “Let’s get this reluctant one out.”
But the belly rubs didn’t work, neither did nursing Ravij until ne fell back asleep. Aarya wouldn’t let the neighbors take nem back outside, so ne was laid in the cradle by Kairava’s bed.
As the sun fell from the sky, the neighbors returned to their homes. Kairava was glad to see them go. But as the sky turned from purple to black the pains returned.
This time Kairava didn’t scream although ne hurt just as bad as last time. Ne didn’t want nir house full of people with nir second babe was born. Aarya laughed at Kairava’s reluctance, but did nir job. The full moon rose and shone through the open window and onto the bed brighter than the candles and the small fire in the hearth. As Kairava felt the babe’s head crown, Aarya yelped and jumped back. Kairava sat up and looked down at the child ne’d just bore. Kairava gently picked up nir small, sweet thing and laid nem on nir chest.
This babe, Chandraja, was dark as the blackest shadow, beautifully dark just like nir out-parent. Chandraja mewed and rooted for Kairava’s breast. Kairava rubbed the dampness from nem with the sheet as Chandraja sucked noisily. Aarya offered Kairava a soft cloth, but didn’t look at either Kairava or nir babe.
Kairava felt another gush. Aarya relaxed and busied nirself with healer duties.
Kairava dried Chandraja’s almost featherless wings gently. Other than the wings and the black shiny scales on nir hips, Chandraja was very kitten-like with tuffed, pointed ears on top of nir head. Nir teeth were already in and were pointed, but ne didn’t bite as ne ate. On the top of nir head between and behind nir ears, ne had two little nibs that might become horns like nir out-parent had. Ne was truly the most beautiful baby in the world.
Aarya rousted Kairava from bed, just as ne was nodding off. The bedding, including the mattress had to be changed. If Chandraja had looked like Ravij, the villagers would have risen from their beds to help with the process, but that night Aarya worked in silence.
“So,” Aarya fluffed up the last pillow and placed it on the clean, fresh bed. “You really did get with the Bodyguard of Thorbjørn.”
Kairava looked down at nir beautiful dark kitten of a child. “I did.”
“Why?”
Because he was the most beautiful person Kairava had ever seen. Because he was one of a kind instead of one of a thousand. Because he offered and promised Kairava so much more that ne’d allowed nirself to take. “Wings. I wanted to give the village wings.”
Aarya pulled back the covers. “Other races have wings.”
Kairava stood slowly, cradling Chandraja, and slipped beneath the sheets. “Winged races won’t breed with us.”
“True.” Aarya tucked Kairava in without looking straight at the small, dark bundle in nir arms. “But was it worth the risk?”
Kairava knew it was.
~
Over the next few weeks, Kairava was loaded down with presents. The second cradle arrived after Dvij spotted Kairava putting Chandraja in beside Ravij. Twins normally slept together. Ne also received hastily sewn clothes without the embroidery that covered the gifts to Ravij. The clothes were a boon to Kairava regardless of the reason. The embroidery would have just made Kairava’s job harder when ne remade them to fit nir tiny child.
Neighbors brought food and cleaned, like for all new parents, but they only came when Chandraja was covered as if the very sight of nem might make them ill.
Ravij they had no problem with. Half the time when someone brought by a basket or picked up dirty laundry, they would cart Ravij away with them and only bring nem back when Kairava’s milk was the only thing that would stifle nir tears. Kairava didn’t complain because ne know no one would listen.
Ravij belonged to everyone, but at least Chandraja only belonged to Kairava.
~
The meals and cleaning ended the day Chandraja learned to walk. Ne toddled across the room and the three neighbors set down what they were doing and left. Kairava kissed nir little one and praised nem. Kairava’s house was finally nir own again.
~
All three of the elders came alone and together to ask Kairava how long Chandraja would be among them. Kairava answered every time that ne would stay until ne was weaned. The answer never satisfied and Kairava was forced to send Ravij home with whoever came.
Ravij returned one evening and in nir cute, little voice told nir darling sibling that once Chandraja was weaned, Kairava would get rid of nem, that ne wasn’t wanted or loved by anyone.
Chandraja burst into tears, but ne wasn’t the only one with a broken heart. Kairava cuddled nir kitten until nir purrs said ne was happy again. Then Kairava cuddled Ravij to show nem that ne was still loved. After the twins were asleep and the moon was the only light in the village, Kairava packed nir bag. They’d need to leave before dawn or someone — maybe the person who had fed such bile to Ravij —would keep Kairava from taking Ravij out of the village.
~
Ravij complained. Ne complained about when rain fell and when the sun shone bright, when the winds blew and when they didn’t. Ne complained about sleeping on ground and eating food ne wasn’t used to and that Chandraja was small enough to be carried all the time and that ne wasn’t and that the people in the caravan didn’t treat nem was well as the people in the village had.
Kairava thought the caravan people treated nem better. Not one had said a bad word about any of them.
~
Ravij threw yet another fit. A wagoner scowled at nem and said Rajiv had lost him money. He’d bet that the child wouldn’t throw another tantrum until after the midday meal. The other wagoners laughed.
Ravij pumped nir arms and stomped nir feet and flapped nir wings. Ne rose into the air. The men stopped and stared. Ravij looked down, stopped flapping, and fell.
Ne wasn’t injured, but Kairava cuddled nem and covered nem with kisses.
Chandraja climbed up onto a wagon wheel and glided down. The men clapped. Ravij dried nir eyes against Kairava’s tunic and then climbed up beside Chandraja. Ne watched a few times and then tried a glide for nirself. Ne landed safely, but with none of Chandraja’s grace.
That afternoon, for the first time, Ravij cuddled up to Chandraja while they napped.
~
Manu, an old wagoner, talked with Kairava every time they stopped to eat or rest. He also volunteered to watch the twins while Kairava cooked and cleaned no matter how many times Kairava said that wasn’t necessary. He even looked in on the three at night. Kairava always pretended to be asleep.
The wagoners, especially Manu, advised Kairava to stay with them as the caravan route turned east and then north and then west around the mountain range until the route finally made its way into Grythyttan. That route was gentle although long. The steep climb wouldn’t get nem to Grythyttan’s capital any faster, especially at a child’s pace.
Kairava pretended to agree, but the night after they passed the trailhead, ne waited until Manu looked in on them and then woke nir children and left the caravan. Chandraja’s eyes worked perfectly in the near darkness.
Kairava carried Ravij and followed the darkest spot in the night as ne tried not to think about how far they had to go.
~
Around noon the next day, Kairava caught nir first sight of the keep far above nem. The keep was the border crossing at the top of the pass. Nir goal was in sight. Ne would be there soon as long as ne put one foot in front of the other on the narrow, rocky trail. After Kairava got to the pass, ne would relax and let Enzi come to nem.
Ravij and Chandraja took running steps and glided up on the warm air. They were lucky. Kairava had to walk every step.
Flying left Ravij exhausted. Kairava carried nem on and off up the steep trail, but Chandraja flew loops and swirls and only touched down to nurse and then took to the air again.
As the sun sunk behind them, they neared the keep. Chandraja rose up on the warm winds and circled in front of it. One of the soldiers stood on the wall and pointed. Chandraja flew back to Kairava and then up to the wall.
“Chandraja!” Kairava hurried up the steep slope carrying Ravij. As much as ne loved Enzi, ne didn’t trust strangers, even if they were his countrymen, around nir children.
Chandraja landed on the wall. The soldiers stood an arm length from nem and looked nem over. Kairava called out again. Nir side hurt and Ravij weighted twice as much as a normal. Each step brought Kairava no closer to nir destination. No one better hurt nir child.
Chandraja stood up and glided back to Kairava. Ne squeezed nir child against nir chest.
A shout rose from the keep. A powerful force thumped into Kairava’s back and ne curled around nir children as ne fell.
Manu laughed. “I caught you.”
Kairava closed nir eyes and let Manu help nem to nir feet. Nir looked back at the keep as Manu guided nem down the mountain. Kairava’s destination was in sight, but still forever away.
Chandraja climbed into the collar of Kairava’s shirt and refused to come out. And Ravij cried when ever Kairava sat nem down. Manu offered to carry one or the other, but Kairava wasn’t about to let nir captor touch either of nir children.
Going down the mountain was slower than going up had been and included one cold night of camping far away from the extra blankets the wagons carried. When they arrived at the caravan route, Kairava got in the wagon and let the men drive nem away.
~
By the time they could see the dust raised by caravan ahead of them, the twins had lost their fear and were flying again, but never very far from Kairava, although this time they flew among the trees which they hadn’t done before. Kairava hoped neither got caught in a tree. Ne didn’t look forward to climbing one.
As they cleaned up after their evening meal, Chandraja flew around the clearing and then shot into the trees. Ravij pushed out of Kairava’s arms and followed nir twin to a high branch.
Men burst through the trees on the other side of the clearing, swords in hand. Most of the wagoners ran, but a few stayed to fight. When the ringing of steel on steel died away, the Bodyguard of Thorbjørn strode up to Kairava.
Ravij chided him from nir safe perch while Chandraja glided down to Kairava’s shoulder and hisses at Enzi.
Enzi laughed. “You are my fierce kitten. I am very pleased to meet you.” He looked into the tree. “And you, my fine child.”
Enzi held out his hand to Kairava. “And I am glad to see you again. Are you going to stay with me this time?”
Kairava stepped forward. Chandraja leapt off nir shoulder and attacked Enzi’s hand.
They were exactly the same color, the same shape — other than Chandraja’s babyness — and just as fierce and loving.
Enzi laughed and petted Chandraja with the hand Chandraja wasn’t hanging onto by nir claws. “My beautiful child.”
Ravij called from nir branch. Enzi flapped his wings once and when he settled on the ground, Ravij was clinging to his side. Enzi stepped toward Kairava. “It is time to come home.”
~
Late that night safely inside the keep, Kairava crawled from the children’s small bed into the one with Enzi. Enzi lifted his arm and Kairava snuggled close. Ne woke again to Ravij chirping in nir sleep, something ne’d picked up from Chandraja, now curled up like a cat on Enzi’s chest.
Enzi stretched. “We will need a bigger bed.”
He tossed Chandraja back onto the other bed. Chandraja spread nir wings, landed on nir twin, and they curled up together and went back to sleep.
Enzi touched Kairava’s cheek and leaned down for a kiss. They didn’t waste the childfree time.
-----
Non - GNP version
Kairava rubbed his belly and tried to push the worries away. His belly was swelling with child, but swelling too quickly, which foretold one of two things. The first was twins, a cause for celebration and festivities. But the second was that the child would look like his out-parent and not be Ishika.
Title: Wings
Status: Complete
Genre: fantasy, family, love, m/n
Rating: PG
Content: gender neutral characters, xenophobes, babies, heartbreak, traveling, flight, running away, climbing, a fight, home
Length: about 3,300 words
Summary: Kairava finds exactly where home is.
Note: I'm using ne as the gender neutral pronoun. ne/nem/nir/nirs/nirself like he/him/his/his/himself or she/her/her/hers/herself.
Kairava rubbed nir belly and tried to push the worries away. Nir belly was swelling with child, but swelling too quickly, which foretold one of two things. The first was twins, a cause for celebration and festivities. But the second was that the child would look like nir out-parent and not be Ishika.
The Ishika would all have straight, white-blond hair, ice blue eyes, and skin so pale that the veins showed through if not for out-parents. Even Kairava’s eyes were from an ancestor from another race, although ne knew neither which ancestor nor which race. If the Ishika didn’t breed-out occasionally, they would all have the same heart-shaped faces and almond eyes.
Or so the elders said.
And now that Kairava had bred-out, nir duty was to pair with another Ishika, perhaps one with a child or two of nir own and breed-in to give the Ishika who were the result of breeding-out someone to breed with.
Black hair and dark eyes and tan skin were prized but only in moderation. No child with all three would be considered Ishika. Even scales or horns would be welcome and wings — Kairava hoped this child had wings like nir beautiful out-parent — were particularly coveted, but as this baby’s out-parent was a mix of every race except Ishika, the likelihood Kairava’s beautiful babe would be outcast was high.
~
Aarya the Healer walked into Kairava’s hut without knocking. “You have something you wish to tell me.”
“Do I?” Kairava didn’t get up. That would give away nir secret.
“No need to be bashful.” Aarya bustled around the table. “I’ve seen my share of carrying-parents. Uncover yourself and let me look.”
Kairava gave in. Aarya always got nir way eventually.
Kairava lay on nir bed as Aarya took all kinds of measurements. “When was the baby made?”
Kairava looked out through the open window. Ne wished ne was anywhere but here. “Four months.”
Aarya frowned. “And you’re this big?”
Kairava closed nir eyes. Ne didn’t want to be one of those parents who journeyed to find the child a new home as soon as ne was weaned and then come back and try again as if a child could be a mistake. Worse yet were the ones that paid strangers to take the children away. They didn’t even care where their precious children ended up. But Ishika didn’t count as precious a child that wasn’t Ishika and no one was Ishika who didn’t look the part. If Kairava’s child looked like Kairava’s once lover, the baby would be very beautiful indeed.
Aarya rubbed honey on Kairava’s belly and ran an instrument through it with a tube held up to nir ear. “One heartbeat and maybe,” Aarya ran the instrument harder against Kairava’s belly. “Aha, another.”
Aarya grinned down at Kairava. “Twins. Let me check for another heartbeat just in case, and then I’ll spread the happy news.”
Ne found no other heartbeats, but two were enough. Two meant the swollen-bellied Ishika wasn’t carrying an out-baby. But twins didn’t guarantee that both would be Ishika.
~
The celebrations lasted for months. Ishika from other villages came to rub Kairava’s belly to increase their own fertility.
But day by day Kairava felt less Ishika. Who were these people who only loved those who looked enough like them?
~
The labor pains came hard and fast. Kairava stifled a gasp with nir pillow. Ne did not want nir house full of people whose good wishes would turn sour when they caught sight of Kairava’s beautiful babes.
Aarya bustled into the room. “Feeling unwell? Let me check on our little ones.”
Another spasm gripped Kairava and ne couldn’t stifle nir gasp.
Aarya raised nir eyebrows. “Our twins are coming? You should have called me sooner.”
Aarya put nir hand on Kairava’s hard belly then pulled back the blankets. “I am barely on time. Did you think you could do this alone? This is what I am for. Go ahead and scream.”
The next pain wracked through Kairava and ne did scream. Ne wasn’t ready for the babies to be born. Ne wasn’t ready for everything that would come with them.
“Anytime.” Aarya held up nir hands to show that they were clean and prepared. “I can see nir pale little head.”
Several of Kairava’s neighbors piled in the door, but Kairava was beyond caring. Aarya never stopped talking. Half nir words were gentle reassurance for Kairava, half were demanding instructions for the newly arrived.
No one, not even an elder, was allowed to touch the babes with hands not properly sanitized.
More pain, in a new place this time, and Aarya held up Kairava’s first born to the world.
Ne was so tiny and covered with slime that matted nir hair and the feathers on nir wings. Aarya cleaned nir mouth and rubbed nir face until ne took nir first screaming breath and then Aarya passed nem to the neighbors who rubbed nem dry. They gushed over nir tiny toes, big blue eyes, and perfect wings. One rushed out to tell the other villagers the good news.
Aarya held nir hands out to the little one. “Now pass nem over so Kairava can feed nem.”
Dvij pouted and held the babe close. Ne nodded in Kairava’s direction. “Shouldn’t the other one make nir appearance?”
Aarya shook nir head. “This is sometimes the way with twins. Pass Kairava nir baby. The elders will be here soon.”
Kairava took nir child into nir arms. Ne wanted to undress the babe and count toes and fingers and see if ne had any other traits from nir out-parent. Someone had cut slits in the nightgown for the babe’s wings.
The child rooted around on Kairava’s chest. Aarya led the babe to Kairava’s breast.
Each of the small babe’s sucks tugged at Kairava’s belly. Aarya grinned. “That’s natural. The younger one will be out in no time.”
The elders knocked on the front door. The door was opened by Aarya because Kairava had no spouse. The three village elders stood at the end of Kairava’s bed and said the traditional words for the naming. Kairava ran nir thumb across nir babe’s busy cheek. “The child’s name is Ravij, for ne was born under the gaze of the sun.”
The elders and neighbors murmured their approval. Ravij was a traditional Ishika name, maybe a little boring, but safe. The babe fell asleep while Kairava was being congratulated on nir fine Ishika child. Kairava broke nir own heart and handed nir beautiful child to the oldest elder to show off to the village.
Kairava’s eyes misted over. Ravij wasn’t nirs. Ne belonged to the village. That thought hurt so much. Ravij would come to hate Kairava like all the other Ishika would.
Aarya rubbed Kairava’s belly. “Let’s get this reluctant one out.”
But the belly rubs didn’t work, neither did nursing Ravij until ne fell back asleep. Aarya wouldn’t let the neighbors take nem back outside, so ne was laid in the cradle by Kairava’s bed.
As the sun fell from the sky, the neighbors returned to their homes. Kairava was glad to see them go. But as the sky turned from purple to black the pains returned.
This time Kairava didn’t scream although ne hurt just as bad as last time. Ne didn’t want nir house full of people with nir second babe was born. Aarya laughed at Kairava’s reluctance, but did nir job. The full moon rose and shone through the open window and onto the bed brighter than the candles and the small fire in the hearth. As Kairava felt the babe’s head crown, Aarya yelped and jumped back. Kairava sat up and looked down at the child ne’d just bore. Kairava gently picked up nir small, sweet thing and laid nem on nir chest.
This babe, Chandraja, was dark as the blackest shadow, beautifully dark just like nir out-parent. Chandraja mewed and rooted for Kairava’s breast. Kairava rubbed the dampness from nem with the sheet as Chandraja sucked noisily. Aarya offered Kairava a soft cloth, but didn’t look at either Kairava or nir babe.
Kairava felt another gush. Aarya relaxed and busied nirself with healer duties.
Kairava dried Chandraja’s almost featherless wings gently. Other than the wings and the black shiny scales on nir hips, Chandraja was very kitten-like with tuffed, pointed ears on top of nir head. Nir teeth were already in and were pointed, but ne didn’t bite as ne ate. On the top of nir head between and behind nir ears, ne had two little nibs that might become horns like nir out-parent had. Ne was truly the most beautiful baby in the world.
Aarya rousted Kairava from bed, just as ne was nodding off. The bedding, including the mattress had to be changed. If Chandraja had looked like Ravij, the villagers would have risen from their beds to help with the process, but that night Aarya worked in silence.
“So,” Aarya fluffed up the last pillow and placed it on the clean, fresh bed. “You really did get with the Bodyguard of Thorbjørn.”
Kairava looked down at nir beautiful dark kitten of a child. “I did.”
“Why?”
Because he was the most beautiful person Kairava had ever seen. Because he was one of a kind instead of one of a thousand. Because he offered and promised Kairava so much more that ne’d allowed nirself to take. “Wings. I wanted to give the village wings.”
Aarya pulled back the covers. “Other races have wings.”
Kairava stood slowly, cradling Chandraja, and slipped beneath the sheets. “Winged races won’t breed with us.”
“True.” Aarya tucked Kairava in without looking straight at the small, dark bundle in nir arms. “But was it worth the risk?”
Kairava knew it was.
~
Over the next few weeks, Kairava was loaded down with presents. The second cradle arrived after Dvij spotted Kairava putting Chandraja in beside Ravij. Twins normally slept together. Ne also received hastily sewn clothes without the embroidery that covered the gifts to Ravij. The clothes were a boon to Kairava regardless of the reason. The embroidery would have just made Kairava’s job harder when ne remade them to fit nir tiny child.
Neighbors brought food and cleaned, like for all new parents, but they only came when Chandraja was covered as if the very sight of nem might make them ill.
Ravij they had no problem with. Half the time when someone brought by a basket or picked up dirty laundry, they would cart Ravij away with them and only bring nem back when Kairava’s milk was the only thing that would stifle nir tears. Kairava didn’t complain because ne know no one would listen.
Ravij belonged to everyone, but at least Chandraja only belonged to Kairava.
~
The meals and cleaning ended the day Chandraja learned to walk. Ne toddled across the room and the three neighbors set down what they were doing and left. Kairava kissed nir little one and praised nem. Kairava’s house was finally nir own again.
~
All three of the elders came alone and together to ask Kairava how long Chandraja would be among them. Kairava answered every time that ne would stay until ne was weaned. The answer never satisfied and Kairava was forced to send Ravij home with whoever came.
Ravij returned one evening and in nir cute, little voice told nir darling sibling that once Chandraja was weaned, Kairava would get rid of nem, that ne wasn’t wanted or loved by anyone.
Chandraja burst into tears, but ne wasn’t the only one with a broken heart. Kairava cuddled nir kitten until nir purrs said ne was happy again. Then Kairava cuddled Ravij to show nem that ne was still loved. After the twins were asleep and the moon was the only light in the village, Kairava packed nir bag. They’d need to leave before dawn or someone — maybe the person who had fed such bile to Ravij —would keep Kairava from taking Ravij out of the village.
~
Ravij complained. Ne complained about when rain fell and when the sun shone bright, when the winds blew and when they didn’t. Ne complained about sleeping on ground and eating food ne wasn’t used to and that Chandraja was small enough to be carried all the time and that ne wasn’t and that the people in the caravan didn’t treat nem was well as the people in the village had.
Kairava thought the caravan people treated nem better. Not one had said a bad word about any of them.
~
Ravij threw yet another fit. A wagoner scowled at nem and said Rajiv had lost him money. He’d bet that the child wouldn’t throw another tantrum until after the midday meal. The other wagoners laughed.
Ravij pumped nir arms and stomped nir feet and flapped nir wings. Ne rose into the air. The men stopped and stared. Ravij looked down, stopped flapping, and fell.
Ne wasn’t injured, but Kairava cuddled nem and covered nem with kisses.
Chandraja climbed up onto a wagon wheel and glided down. The men clapped. Ravij dried nir eyes against Kairava’s tunic and then climbed up beside Chandraja. Ne watched a few times and then tried a glide for nirself. Ne landed safely, but with none of Chandraja’s grace.
That afternoon, for the first time, Ravij cuddled up to Chandraja while they napped.
~
Manu, an old wagoner, talked with Kairava every time they stopped to eat or rest. He also volunteered to watch the twins while Kairava cooked and cleaned no matter how many times Kairava said that wasn’t necessary. He even looked in on the three at night. Kairava always pretended to be asleep.
The wagoners, especially Manu, advised Kairava to stay with them as the caravan route turned east and then north and then west around the mountain range until the route finally made its way into Grythyttan. That route was gentle although long. The steep climb wouldn’t get nem to Grythyttan’s capital any faster, especially at a child’s pace.
Kairava pretended to agree, but the night after they passed the trailhead, ne waited until Manu looked in on them and then woke nir children and left the caravan. Chandraja’s eyes worked perfectly in the near darkness.
Kairava carried Ravij and followed the darkest spot in the night as ne tried not to think about how far they had to go.
~
Around noon the next day, Kairava caught nir first sight of the keep far above nem. The keep was the border crossing at the top of the pass. Nir goal was in sight. Ne would be there soon as long as ne put one foot in front of the other on the narrow, rocky trail. After Kairava got to the pass, ne would relax and let Enzi come to nem.
Ravij and Chandraja took running steps and glided up on the warm air. They were lucky. Kairava had to walk every step.
Flying left Ravij exhausted. Kairava carried nem on and off up the steep trail, but Chandraja flew loops and swirls and only touched down to nurse and then took to the air again.
As the sun sunk behind them, they neared the keep. Chandraja rose up on the warm winds and circled in front of it. One of the soldiers stood on the wall and pointed. Chandraja flew back to Kairava and then up to the wall.
“Chandraja!” Kairava hurried up the steep slope carrying Ravij. As much as ne loved Enzi, ne didn’t trust strangers, even if they were his countrymen, around nir children.
Chandraja landed on the wall. The soldiers stood an arm length from nem and looked nem over. Kairava called out again. Nir side hurt and Ravij weighted twice as much as a normal. Each step brought Kairava no closer to nir destination. No one better hurt nir child.
Chandraja stood up and glided back to Kairava. Ne squeezed nir child against nir chest.
A shout rose from the keep. A powerful force thumped into Kairava’s back and ne curled around nir children as ne fell.
Manu laughed. “I caught you.”
Kairava closed nir eyes and let Manu help nem to nir feet. Nir looked back at the keep as Manu guided nem down the mountain. Kairava’s destination was in sight, but still forever away.
Chandraja climbed into the collar of Kairava’s shirt and refused to come out. And Ravij cried when ever Kairava sat nem down. Manu offered to carry one or the other, but Kairava wasn’t about to let nir captor touch either of nir children.
Going down the mountain was slower than going up had been and included one cold night of camping far away from the extra blankets the wagons carried. When they arrived at the caravan route, Kairava got in the wagon and let the men drive nem away.
~
By the time they could see the dust raised by caravan ahead of them, the twins had lost their fear and were flying again, but never very far from Kairava, although this time they flew among the trees which they hadn’t done before. Kairava hoped neither got caught in a tree. Ne didn’t look forward to climbing one.
As they cleaned up after their evening meal, Chandraja flew around the clearing and then shot into the trees. Ravij pushed out of Kairava’s arms and followed nir twin to a high branch.
Men burst through the trees on the other side of the clearing, swords in hand. Most of the wagoners ran, but a few stayed to fight. When the ringing of steel on steel died away, the Bodyguard of Thorbjørn strode up to Kairava.
Ravij chided him from nir safe perch while Chandraja glided down to Kairava’s shoulder and hisses at Enzi.
Enzi laughed. “You are my fierce kitten. I am very pleased to meet you.” He looked into the tree. “And you, my fine child.”
Enzi held out his hand to Kairava. “And I am glad to see you again. Are you going to stay with me this time?”
Kairava stepped forward. Chandraja leapt off nir shoulder and attacked Enzi’s hand.
They were exactly the same color, the same shape — other than Chandraja’s babyness — and just as fierce and loving.
Enzi laughed and petted Chandraja with the hand Chandraja wasn’t hanging onto by nir claws. “My beautiful child.”
Ravij called from nir branch. Enzi flapped his wings once and when he settled on the ground, Ravij was clinging to his side. Enzi stepped toward Kairava. “It is time to come home.”
~
Late that night safely inside the keep, Kairava crawled from the children’s small bed into the one with Enzi. Enzi lifted his arm and Kairava snuggled close. Ne woke again to Ravij chirping in nir sleep, something ne’d picked up from Chandraja, now curled up like a cat on Enzi’s chest.
Enzi stretched. “We will need a bigger bed.”
He tossed Chandraja back onto the other bed. Chandraja spread nir wings, landed on nir twin, and they curled up together and went back to sleep.
Enzi touched Kairava’s cheek and leaned down for a kiss. They didn’t waste the childfree time.
-----
Non - GNP version
Kairava rubbed his belly and tried to push the worries away. His belly was swelling with child, but swelling too quickly, which foretold one of two things. The first was twins, a cause for celebration and festivities. But the second was that the child would look like his out-parent and not be Ishika.
The Ishika would all have straight, white-blond hair, ice blue eyes, and skin so pale that the veins showed through if not for out-parents. Even Kairava’s eyes were from an ancestor from another race, although he knew neither which ancestor nor which race. If the Ishika didn’t breed-out occasionally, they would all have the same heart-shaped faces and almond eyes.
Or so the elders said.
And now that Kairava had bred-out, his duty was to pair with another Ishika, perhaps one with a child or two of his own and breed-in to give the Ishika who were the result of breeding-out someone to breed with.
Black hair and dark eyes and tan skin were prized but only in moderation. No child with all three would be considered Ishika. Even scales or horns would be welcome and wings — Kairava hoped this child had wings like his beautiful out-parent — were particularly coveted, but as this baby’s out-parent was a mix of every race except Ishika, the likelihood Kairava’s beautiful babe would be outcast was high.
~
Aarya the Healer walked into Kairava’s hut without knocking. “You have something you wish to tell me.”
“Do I?” Kairava didn’t get up. That would give away his secret.
“No need to be bashful.” Aarya bustled around the table. “I’ve seen my share of carrying-parents. Uncover yourself and let me look.”
Kairava gave in. Aarya always got his way eventually.
Kairava lay on his bed as Aarya took all kinds of measurements. “When was the baby made?”
Kairava looked out through the open window. He wished he was anywhere but here. “Four months.”
Aarya frowned. “And you’re this big?”
Kairava closed his eyes. He didn’t want to be one of those parents who journeyed to find the child a new home as soon as he was weaned and then come back and try again as if a child could be a mistake. Worse yet were the ones that paid strangers to take the children away. They didn’t even care where their precious children ended up. But Ishika didn’t count as precious a child that wasn’t Ishika and no one was Ishika who didn’t look the part. If Kairava’s child looked like Kairava’s once lover, the baby would be very beautiful indeed.
Aarya rubbed honey on Kairava’s belly and ran an instrument through it with a tube held up to his ear. “One heartbeat and maybe,” Aarya ran the instrument harder against Kairava’s belly. “Aha, another.”
Aarya grinned down at Kairava. “Twins. Let me check for another heartbeat just in case, and then I’ll spread the happy news.”
Ne found no other heartbeats, but two were enough. Two meant the swollen-bellied Ishika wasn’t carrying an out-baby. But twins didn’t guarantee that both would be Ishika.
~
The celebrations lasted for months. Ishika from other villages came to rub Kairava’s belly to increase their own fertility.
But day by day Kairava felt less Ishika. Who were these people who only loved those who looked enough like them?
~
The labor pains came hard and fast. Kairava stifled a gasp with his pillow. He did not want his house full of people whose good wishes would turn sour when they caught sight of Kairava’s beautiful babes.
Aarya bustled into the room. “Feeling unwell? Let me check on our little ones.”
Another spasm gripped Kairava and he couldn’t stifle his gasp.
Aarya raised his eyebrows. “Our twins are coming? You should have called me sooner.”
Aarya put his hand on Kairava’s hard belly then pulled back the blankets. “I am barely on time. Did you think you could do this alone? This is what I am for. Go ahead and scream.”
The next pain wracked through Kairava and he did scream. He wasn’t ready for the babies to be born. He wasn’t ready for everything that would come with them.
“Anytime.” Aarya held up his hands to show that they were clean and prepared. “I can see his pale little head.”
Several of Kairava’s neighbors piled in the door, but Kairava was beyond caring. Aarya never stopped talking. Half his words were gentle reassurance for Kairava, half were demanding instructions for the newly arrived.
No one, not even an elder, was allowed to touch the babes with hands not properly sanitized.
More pain, in a new place this time, and Aarya held up Kairava’s first born to the world.
Ne was so tiny and covered with slime that matted his hair and the feathers on his wings. Aarya cleaned his mouth and rubbed his face until he took his first screaming breath and then Aarya passed him to the neighbors who rubbed him dry. They gushed over his tiny toes, big blue eyes, and perfect wings. One rushed out to tell the other villagers the good news.
Aarya held his hands out to the little one. “Now pass him over so Kairava can feed him.”
Dvij pouted and held the babe close. He nodded in Kairava’s direction. “Shouldn’t the other one make his appearance?”
Aarya shook his head. “This is sometimes the way with twins. Pass Kairava his baby. The elders will be here soon.”
Kairava took his child into his arms. He wanted to undress the babe and count toes and fingers and see if he had any other traits from his out-parent. Someone had cut slits in the nightgown for the babe’s wings.
The child rooted around on Kairava’s chest. Aarya led the babe to Kairava’s breast.
Each of the small babe’s sucks tugged at Kairava’s belly. Aarya grinned. “That’s natural. The younger one will be out in no time.”
The elders knocked on the front door. The door was opened by Aarya because Kairava had no spouse. The three village elders stood at the end of Kairava’s bed and said the traditional words for the naming. Kairava ran his thumb across his babe’s busy cheek. “The child’s name is Ravij, for he was born under the gaze of the sun.”
The elders and neighbors murmured their approval. Ravij was a traditional Ishika name, maybe a little boring, but safe. The babe fell asleep while Kairava was being congratulated on his fine Ishika child. Kairava broke his own heart and handed his beautiful child to the oldest elder to show off to the village.
Kairava’s eyes misted over. Ravij wasn’t his. He belonged to the village. That thought hurt so much. Ravij would come to hate Kairava like all the other Ishika would.
Aarya rubbed Kairava’s belly. “Let’s get this reluctant one out.”
But the belly rubs didn’t work, neither did nursing Ravij until he fell back asleep. Aarya wouldn’t let the neighbors take him back outside, so he was laid in the cradle by Kairava’s bed.
As the sun fell from the sky, the neighbors returned to their homes. Kairava was glad to see them go. But as the sky turned from purple to black the pains returned.
This time Kairava didn’t scream although he hurt just as bad as last time. He didn’t want his house full of people with his second babe was born. Aarya laughed at Kairava’s reluctance, but did his job. The full moon rose and shone through the open window and onto the bed brighter than the candles and the small fire in the hearth. As Kairava felt the babe’s head crown, Aarya yelped and jumped back. Kairava sat up and looked down at the child he’d just bore. Kairava gently picked up his small, sweet thing and laid him on his chest.
This babe, Chandraja, was dark as the blackest shadow, beautifully dark just like his out-parent. Chandraja mewed and rooted for Kairava’s breast. Kairava rubbed the dampness from him with the sheet as Chandraja sucked noisily. Aarya offered Kairava a soft cloth, but didn’t look at either Kairava or his babe.
Kairava felt another gush. Aarya relaxed and busied himself with healer duties.
Kairava dried Chandraja’s almost featherless wings gently. Other than the wings and the black shiny scales on his hips, Chandraja was very kitten-like with tuffed, pointed ears on top of his head. His teeth were already in and were pointed, but he didn’t bite as he ate. On the top of his head between and behind his ears, he had two little nibs that might become horns like his out-parent had. He was truly the most beautiful baby in the world.
Aarya rousted Kairava from bed, just as he was nodding off. The bedding, including the mattress had to be changed. If Chandraja had looked like Ravij, the villagers would have risen from their beds to help with the process, but that night Aarya worked in silence.
“So,” Aarya fluffed up the last pillow and placed it on the clean, fresh bed. “You really did get with the Bodyguard of Thorbjørn.”
Kairava looked down at his beautiful dark kitten of a child. “I did.”
“Why?”
Because he was the most beautiful person Kairava had ever seen. Because he was one of a kind instead of one of a thousand. Because he offered and promised Kairava so much more that he’d allowed himself to take. “Wings. I wanted to give the village wings.”
Aarya pulled back the covers. “Other races have wings.”
Kairava stood slowly, cradling Chandraja, and slipped beneath the sheets. “Winged races won’t breed with us.”
“True.” Aarya tucked Kairava in without looking straight at the small, dark bundle in his arms. “But was it worth the risk?”
Kairava knew it was.
~
Over the next few weeks, Kairava was loaded down with presents. The second cradle arrived after Dvij spotted Kairava putting Chandraja in beside Ravij. Twins normally slept together. He also received hastily sewn clothes without the embroidery that covered the gifts to Ravij. The clothes were a boon to Kairava regardless of the reason. The embroidery would have just made Kairava’s job harder when he remade them to fit his tiny child.
Neighbors brought food and cleaned, like for all new parents, but they only came when Chandraja was covered as if the very sight of him might make them ill.
Ravij they had no problem with. Half the time when someone brought by a basket or picked up dirty laundry, they would cart Ravij away with them and only bring him back when Kairava’s milk was the only thing that would stifle his tears. Kairava didn’t complain because he knew no one would listen.
Ravij belonged to everyone, but at least Chandraja only belonged to Kairava.
~
The meals and cleaning ended the day Chandraja learned to walk. He toddled across the room and the three neighbors set down what they were doing and left. Kairava kissed his little one and praised him. Kairava’s house was finally his own again.
~
All three of the elders came alone and together to ask Kairava how long Chandraja would be among them. Kairava answered every time that he would stay until he was weaned. The answer never satisfied and Kairava was forced to send Ravij home with whoever came.
Ravij returned one evening and in his cute, little voice told his darling sibling that once Chandraja was weaned, Kairava would get rid of him, that he wasn’t wanted or loved by anyone.
Chandraja burst into tears, but he wasn’t the only one with a broken heart. Kairava cuddled his kitten until his purrs said he was happy again. Then Kairava cuddled Ravij to show him that he was still loved. After the twins were asleep and the moon was the only light in the village, Kairava packed his bag. They’d need to leave before dawn or someone — maybe the person who had fed such bile to Ravij —would keep Kairava from taking Ravij out of the village.
~
Ravij complained. He complained about when rain fell and when the sun shone bright, when the winds blew and when they didn’t. He complained about sleeping on ground and eating food he wasn’t used to and that Chandraja was small enough to be carried all the time and that he wasn’t and that the people in the caravan didn’t treat him was well as the people in the village had.
Kairava thought the caravan people treated him better. Not one had said a bad word about any of them.
~
Ravij threw yet another fit. A wagoner scowled at him and said Rajiv had lost him money. He’d bet that the child wouldn’t throw another tantrum until after the midday meal. The other wagoners laughed.
Ravij pumped his arms and stomped his feet and flapped his wings. He rose into the air. The men stopped and stared. Ravij looked down, stopped flapping, and fell.
He wasn’t injured, but Kairava cuddled him and covered him with kisses.
Chandraja climbed up onto a wagon wheel and glided down. The men clapped. Ravij dried his eyes against Kairava’s tunic and then climbed up beside Chandraja. He watched a few times and then tried a glide for himself. He landed safely, but with none of Chandraja’s grace.
That afternoon, for the first time, Ravij cuddled up to Chandraja while they napped.
~
Manu, an old wagoner, talked with Kairava every time they stopped to eat or rest. He also volunteered to watch the twins while Kairava cooked and cleaned no matter how many times Kairava said that wasn’t necessary. He even looked in on the three at night. Kairava always pretended to be asleep.
The wagoners, especially Manu, advised Kairava to stay with them as the caravan route turned east and then north and then west around the mountain range until the route finally made its way into Grythyttan. That route was gentle although long. The steep climb wouldn’t get him to Grythyttan’s capital any faster, especially at a child’s pace.
Kairava pretended to agree, but the night after they passed the trailhead, he waited until Manu looked in on them and then woke his children and left the caravan. Chandraja’s eyes worked perfectly in the near darkness.
Kairava carried Ravij and followed the darkest spot in the night as he tried not to think about how far they had to go.
~
Around noon the next day, Kairava caught his first sight of the keep far above him. The keep was the border crossing at the top of the pass. His goal was in sight. He would be there soon as long as he put one foot in front of the other on the narrow, rocky trail. After Kairava got to the pass, he would relax and let Enzi come to him.
Ravij and Chandraja took running steps and glided up on the warm air. They were lucky. Kairava had to walk every step.
Flying left Ravij exhausted. Kairava carried him on and off up the steep trail, but Chandraja flew loops and swirls and only touched down to nurse and then took to the air again.
As the sun sunk behind them, they neared the keep. Chandraja rose up on the warm winds and circled in front of it. One of the soldiers stood on the wall and pointed. Chandraja flew back to Kairava and then up to the wall.
“Chandraja!” Kairava hurried up the steep slope carrying Ravij. As much as he loved Enzi, he didn’t trust strangers, even if they were Enzi’s countrymen, around his children.
Chandraja landed on the wall. The soldiers stood an arm length from him and looked him over. Kairava called out again. His side hurt and Ravij weighted twice as much as a normal. Each step brought Kairava no closer to his destination. No one better hurt his child.
Chandraja stood up and glided back to Kairava. He squeezed his child against his chest.
A shout rose from the keep. A powerful force thumped into Kairava’s back and he curled around his children as he fell.
Manu laughed. “I caught you.”
Kairava closed his eyes and let Manu help him to his feet. His looked back at the keep as Manu guided him down the mountain. Kairava’s destination was in sight, but still forever away.
Chandraja climbed into the collar of Kairava’s shirt and refused to come out. And Ravij cried when ever Kairava sat him down. Manu offered to carry one or the other, but Kairava wasn’t about to let his captor touch either of his children.
Going down the mountain was slower than going up had been and included one cold night of camping far away from the extra blankets the wagons carried. When they arrived at the caravan route, Kairava got in the wagon and let the men drive him away.
~
By the time they could see the dust raised by caravan ahead of them, the twins had lost their fear and were flying again, but never very far from Kairava, although this time they flew among the trees which they hadn’t done before. Kairava hoped neither got caught in a tree. He didn’t look forward to climbing one.
As they cleaned up after their evening meal, Chandraja flew around the clearing and then shot into the trees. Ravij pushed out of Kairava’s arms and followed his twin to a high branch.
Men burst through the trees on the other side of the clearing, swords in hand. Most of the wagoners ran, but a few stayed to fight. When the ringing of steel on steel died away, the Bodyguard of Thorbjørn strode up to Kairava.
Ravij chided him from his safe perch while Chandraja glided down to Kairava’s shoulder and hisses at Enzi.
Enzi laughed. “You are my fierce kitten. I am very pleased to meet you.” He looked into the tree. “And you, my fine child.”
Enzi held out his hand to Kairava. “And I am glad to see you again. Are you going to stay with me this time?”
Kairava stepped forward. Chandraja leapt off his shoulder and attacked Enzi’s hand.
They were exactly the same color, the same shape — other than Chandraja’s babyness — and just as fierce and loving.
Enzi laughed and petted Chandraja with the hand Chandraja wasn’t hanging onto by his claws. “My beautiful child.”
Ravij called from his branch. Enzi flapped his wings once and when he settled on the ground, Ravij was clinging to his side. Enzi stepped toward Kairava. “It is time to come home.”
~
Late that night safely inside the keep, Kairava crawled from the children’s small bed into the one with Enzi. Enzi lifted his arm and Kairava snuggled close. He woke again to Ravij chirping in his sleep, something he’d picked up from Chandraja, now curled up like a cat on Enzi’s chest.
Enzi stretched. “We will need a bigger bed.”
He tossed Chandraja back onto the other bed. Chandraja spread his wings, landed on his twin, and they curled up together and went back to sleep.
Enzi touched Kairava’s cheek and leaned down for a kiss. They didn’t waste the childfree time.
