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Day Off Drabbles: Chapter 2
It was still dark outside when the dwarven woman and her tot arrived at the entrance to the keep. Felsi was not a woman to be trifled with, and would take no quarter from sentry or guard as she demanded to see her husband. Naturally, this command did not go direct, but through the commander herself, who was still trying to sleep. In the end she went in her nightshift and a blanket to the main hall, to try and pacify her guests until breakfast.
Felsi stood in front of the brazier, nothing more than dying hot coals after the night, and waited. Amell pulled one of the guards aside. "Rouse Oghren. Tell him it's his day off and his family duties await him in the throne room." She decided he should hurry, "As do I." She sent the man scuttling off, somewhat pleased to be out of the firing line. Stepping into open space, Amell addressed Felsi with a tone of somnolent respect. "When you said you'd be here for the morning in your missive, I thought you meant somewhere a little closer to lunch… or at least after the sun has risen." Fortuna permitted herself a yawn, and flopped down in the Arlessa's seat with no reverence for what it was.
"I said I'd be here by the morning, Warden, I didn't say when. So, where is he, the greasy deepstalker?" Felsi's no nonsense attitude persisted. Amell rested her elbow on the arm of the throne, and her cheek in her palm, watching the dwarf and her infant wearily.
"Probably still in bed. Like I should be." Felsi was probably going to make some biting remark, but she added, "I've sent for him. He won't be long."
Long silence. Servants came and stoked the fires of the brazier, filling it with wood and oil to keep it burning. Amell took a look at the tot. A pretty little thing, with red brown hair and chubby features, clinging to a doll which had probably started life as a nug, but had since had its ears chewed off. She wore a brown dress from under her which her feet poked out, and looked barely old enough to stand, still clinging to her mother's skirts and hiding behind her when she realised she was being watched.
The mage thought she was adorable.
"Alright, Commander, here I am." Grumbled Oghren, waddling over to where Amell sat and Felsi was waiting, though he apparently hadn't noticed her or Alma yet. "What's the big idea, getting me up so early? Where's the food? Are we under attack?"
"Your family is here." Stated Amell simply, "Your mission for the day, Warden, is to spend time with them, make them happy, be a father and a husband. And not to get drunk in the Crown and Lion, so that I have to send people to retrieve you, and rescind my decree of rest and relaxation for the entire Keep."
"Commander-!" Oghren began to protest, but Felsi cut in. Whatever she said, Amell didn't hear it. She didn't want to hear it. She was already going back to her chambers. Just a little more shut eye, and then to breakfast before facing her own pressing duties.
