Author Note: Last of my updates before NaNo starts. With this I am "caught up" but I will be revising everything once NaNo is over.

Inappropriate Festivities

After dressing, Borus was instantly harassed by his nephews, who demanded that he take them down to the market as he had taken their sister the day before.

Reluctantly, he found himself pulling a wagon full of small children behind him through the streets of Vinay del Zexay. The sleepless night and his stubborn refusal to succumb to his healing injuries had taken its toll on him. He found a bench on the harbor avenue and watched the children playing in the street. It was a festival day in the city, and the market was crowded. He, however, could not physically keep up with the children in his care. As he sat watching the children at play, he wondered how different his life might have been. There seemed to have been many crossroads in his life-some of which were governed by his choices, but other points were completely out of his control. Still, all were places in his life where, had things gone just a little bit differently, his life would have been drastically altered.

He thought about his brother and what might have happened had Brandon survived the plague. Of course, had his brother survived instead of him, that would have been the most drastic alteration to his life, but how different, he wondered, would it have been had they both survived. Surely it would have been Brandon who went to the academy and became the exemplar knight-and by choice, instead of him. Or perhaps, his father would have force knighthood on him anyway. With Brandon there, though, he would not have felt so compelled to achieve so much. He may have even been drummed out of the service, he thought.

But maybe, just maybe, he mother would have been able to convince his father that he had other, more unique talents. Maybe he would have studied, or become a rune master, or even have been allowed to develop his musical talent. Maybe his father would not have been so harsh with him when he had tried to run away.

The festival atmosphere of the market brought back memories of time spent in the town square back home. The musicians were playing the same old-fashioned tunes as they had back then. Watching the children dance in the crowd, he found himself absently running through the fingering for several of the pieces that he had learned as a child. Sighing deeply, he suddenly regretted his actions ten years prior, when he and his father had fought and it was decided that he would join the knighthood. That night, he had thrown his violin into the fireplace in a fit of rage, vowing never to play again.

He wondered if Elena was right, if that person-the one who loved music so much was still buried inside of him. Closing his eyes, he let the sounds of music and laughter wash over him. With so many so recently dead-himself nearly among them- he didn't feel much like celebrating. His mind drifted through darkness as he felt himself sliding into dreams. He thought he heard the familiar sound of a young woman's joyful laugh, and his dream brought him the swish of a red skirt and the caress of long hair across his face. His eyes sprang open, certain that she would be there in front of him, beckoning him to dance in the crowd. His younger self would have jumped at the opportunity. But now he was tired and the ten years of training and combat had taken their toll.

The scene of revelry had not changed. Children still darted in and out of the dancing crowd. The merchants still tried to call out their wares over the din. And she was not there.

"Of course she isn't," Borus murmured. "She's dead. Father saw to that."

He sighed as he looked up at the sky and watched the clouds take shape, break up, and reform into something new. Much like myself, he thought. He was uncertain how long he was mesmerized by their movements. A presence next to him brought him back to reality.

"Good afternoon, Sir Borus." Chris' voice was like nectar to his ears, washing away bad 're back to formality, I see, he thought.

"My Lady." He still watched the movement of the clouds. "Finished with Council business already?" He felt, rather than saw, her shift on the bench next to him until she too was watching the swirl of white in the heavens.

"The Council decided a better use of my time was sitting around being congratulated on ending the war and making public appearances. I swear they do this just to vex me." Borus smiled at her description of events. It was true; the Council did seem to throw a party every time Chris came to Vinay.

"That one kind of looks like Fubar." Chris said, pointing at one of the less puffy swirls.

"Really? I thought it looked more like Landis." Borus countered. Chris chuckled.

"Borus, I'd like to apologize for last night."

He sat up, watching her.

"I could have managed to get home by myself. I needn't have bothered you."

"It was my pleasure to escort you home, My Lady."

She sat up. The look in her eyes illustrated her frustration with his formality.

"But the rain..."

"Was just rain."

"I'm sure you were soaked when you got home." I wouldn't have been if you had asked what you wanted to ask, he thought.

"I've experienced worse. It was no where near as bad as when we were caught in the deluge while out on the field a couple of years ago."

Chris laughed at the memory.

"I remember. Sir Pelize was so wet that he looked like a soaked kitten."

Borus laughed at the image.

"Still," she continued. "I would like to make it up to you."

"Well, I will not deny My Lady any boon that she wishes to give."

"Come have dinner with me tonight. At my home." Her face had turned anxious. He looked at her and marvelled at how much more expressive her face seemed to have grown since she took on her father's True Rune.

"I would love to have dinner with you, Chris." His voice was soft, but then turned teasing. "Should I bring the wine?"

"I think you've already brought enough, Borus." she chuckled. He grinned back at her. She leaned into him slightly, tilting her head just a bit before moving away. The movement was subtle, but as he watched her chew on her bottom lip, the meaning became perfectly clear. She blushed slightly as she stood and looked back at him. He fought the urge to pull her to him. It was plain that, although she wanted to kiss him, she was not ready to do so in public.

"Well, I'll see you tonight?" She said, after what seemed like an eternity of him being lost in her eyes.

"Of course, My Lady." He replied. She nodded and turned toward her home. He watched her until she disappeared into the crowd. A tug on his jacket brought him back to reality.

"Uncle Borus. I'm hungry." a small voice complained.

"Well, Seth, I guess we should get some lunch then. How about we head back home ok? Where are you brothers?"

"They're over there." the young boy replied, pointing into the market crowd. Borus sighed before he started calling the older children to him.

The afternoon seemed to drag on like molasses. Borus tried to pass the time with his nephews, giving them a little instruction in the way of the sword. Then Analise demanded his presence at her tea party, after which she, too, wanted to be taught how to use a sword. Despite giving all of the children his attention, the time on the clock never seemed to change.