"Oof!" The force of impact threw Rhys to the ground. One knee slammed against a stone, causing him to wince in pain. A skinny brunette boy appeared in front of Rhys, shoulders slumped guiltily.
"Sorry, Rhys." He extended his hand. Rhys took it and rose to his feet.
"It's all right, Trystan." Rhys smiled.
"Gotcha!" The young boy was suddenly hoisted into the air by a tall, thin, goateed man with pale green hair. The man, who looked to be about thirty, laughed and, one-armed, held the grinning boy on his shoulder.
"Are you alright Rhys?" He asked, while Trystan held his arms out in front of him, imitating the sound of wind swirling past wings.
"Look, Dad!" He cried, "I'm a hawk!" Rhys laughed at the boy's antics and answered reassuringly,
"I'm fine, Rolf. No harm done."
"If you're sure…" Rolf didn't sound convinced, but let it go. He loked up at Trystan, who was still involved in his daydreams of flight. "You take after your Uncle Boyd….He never would stay put, either,"
"I don't think it's Boyd he takes after," Rhys smiled. "Where's Mist?"
"Oh, she got called out into the town a few hours ago…so I'm on parent duty. If this little guy," He bounced Trystan on his shoulder, "could keep still, maybe Kaia and I could work on her technique."
"If you need some help, Mia and I could keep an eye on the little avian for awhile."
"Thanks, Rhys." Rolf accepted gratefully. "Y'know….you and Mia would make great parents."
Rhys smiled weakly. "I already have Mia. I don't think I could handle another one…..but don't tell her I said that."
"He won't have to!" An energetic voice declared. A pair of arms slid around Rhys' neck from behind.
"Oh, heh.- hello Mia."
"Hey, Handsome." She planted a kiss on his cheek, failing to realize that she'd missed his mouth completely. Rolf set Trystan on his feet.
"Thanks again, Rhys."
Trystan watched as his father left hearing distance. "Mia! You're gonna teach me to use a sword again, right!"
"That depends. You're gonna keep it a secret from your parents, right?"
"Mhmm!" He nodded emphatically as Mia unwound herself from her husband's neck.
"Then of course I am!"
"Yay!"
"And what do you say if you hurt yourself?" Mia prompted.
"That Rhys got faint, fell on me, and pushed me against a tree?"
"Good boy."
"Mia!" Rhys objected, "you can't blame it on me!"
"I can," She kissed him quickly, "and I will."
"Eww…" Trystan scrunched his nose at the display of affection. Mia laughed.
"Go get the practice swords, kid." As trystan ran to retreive their practice swords, Mia turned to Rhys, suddenly serious. "I heard you talking to Rolf….and I'm sorry."
"Mia…"
"Rhys, he's right. You would make a great dad, and don't you dare tell me you wouldn't want to be. I'll know you're lying."
"Mia, I would like to be a father, but I've told you before, I don't blame you that you can't have children. It isn't your fault. Besides….I would rather have you than a hundred children."
"MIA!" Trystan called for her.
"Hold that thought," She ordered Rhys, "we're gonna pick up right here tonight."
Well, what did you think? There's so much more to come…if people like it, that is.
Lemme just clear a few things up.
Kaia- Rolf and Mist's daughter. She has green hair and blue eyes, is about eleven years old, and is training to be an archer with her father.
Trystan- Rolf and Mist's son. He has brown hair and green eyes. He's about seven years old and secretly trains with Mia. (yes, this is supposed to sound familiar)
Mist- Is still a healer and earns income by healing in towns and such.
Rolf- Stayed with Ike and Company.
I think that's all…..Review!
