It's seeing her children that hurt him the most. As if seeing her with that barbarian didn't hurt enough, the fact that the Wolf Chief gave her two children is almost unbearable.
The boy…well, he's clearly of the same making as Sun Toucher. He's got Cutter's eyes though. Crystal clear, honest blue. Rayek can't help but think the child would have been more powerful if he had been the father. That bronze skin would have been a darker hue and his eyes would have been amber. Suntop….his name would be different, no chance a child of Rayek's would have golden hair….would come running to tell him of his 'magic feeling' and look to him for guidance. Call him 'Father'.
Leetah smiles softly and introduces him as an old friend she thought was dead. Huh. As if anything could kill Rayek.
The boy looks up at him and those blue eyes widen. Rayek gives what he hopes is a kind smile, but the kitling doesn't say anything.
The girl, she won't shut up.
"That's supposed to be you!" Pointing to the bone, she seems almost indignant that he would dare not be dead. He almost laughs; she's got the same pout as her mother. Otherwise, there's precious little that says the two are related, but he can see the she-kit driving the lads wild with her dancing when she's older. She'd be lovely in pink moth cloth, twirling her veils around, leaping just out of arm's reach. Just like Leetah. She's skinnier than Leetah was at that age though.
"…Long, black hair. Just like Winn…"
"Shh!"
The girl pokes him hesitantly and glares when her mother smiles at him. She doesn't like her mother smiling that way at anybody but her father. Rayek is amazed when Leetah tells him Ember will be the next Wolfrider Chief.
"Your she-kit?" Well, maybe not so amazed. The girl does have an attitude reminiscent of the barbarian. Although, Leetah could possibly mold her into a proper Sun Village maiden in time. She has no magic talent, but she would do very well as a gardener or weaver of cloth or some such thing.
He and Leetah would be better parents than Jarrah and Ingen. Much better. No 'being content' nonsense. No, their children would strive. Never satisfied with being dirt diggers. Suntop….he'd never rest until he united all the High One's lost children. He'd work, train with his father, train with Savah, look for wisdom in Ekuar, he'd be perfect.
Ember, she'd be calm. Smiling softly and taking small steps so as not to trip over her dress, she'd Recognize some lad and would doubtless bear a kitling whose powers resembled Leetah's, or perhaps his own.
Maybe that's not so realistic. It could be she'd have latent powers if she were his. Anyway, he could teach her to hunt. Teach her far better than her flea infested father.
Yes, if Suntop and Ember were his, they'd be smarter, darker skinned, amber-eyed, and talented.
"My children are both of forest and desert. So am I now."
If Suntop and Ember were his, Leetah would be also.
Author's note- Arrogant, isn't he? Written in an hour on a whim. All characters belong to Wendy and Richard Pini.