CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Blind spots

...Later, early evening...

Neesa sat in her rocking chair, nursing her daughter within her motherly, protective embrace as she grimaced out the window. Gently laying her cheek upon her daughter's silky black hair, slowly rock back and forth—softly sighed as she tightened her grip around the sleeping baby and stood up from the chair then went to the crib and gently but also slowly placing the child down. Pulling the warm blanket over her tiny body, and leaned down and softly kissed her forehead then walked away.

Standing outside the bedroom, placed one hand on the door while quietly closing it and then quietly stepped away—then made her way downstairs. As finally stepping down on the last step, a slight soft murmuring caught her attention—quickly poked her head to the living room, the television was on and the children were quietly amused—while watching a new cartoon, well a old actually but to the children it is new...'Danger Mouse'. She then quickly poked into the Kitchen, it was occupied but no talking. Standing properly then walked down the corridor to the infirmary, as the whispery continue—the voice, she heard was Chayton as she quietly stood near the door. Leaning her ear close to the door, and listened while she figured whom he was talking to—let alone whispering in low strange husky tone.

Reached for the door knob and turned it, just as when the murmuring conversation stopped.

"Hello Odakota...come pay your friend a visit?" Chayton greeted, half smirked cheekily. Neesa still held the handle as she looked around the room from she stood, without walking inside. "You ok?" Chayton asked, raising his brow.

"Who were you talking to, just now?" Neesa asked, with a suspiciously soft tone in her voice. "No one—Why?" Chayton answered, tilting his head slightly. "Are you sure?" Neesa asked again, suspiciously glared as she read his body language. "Yes." Chayton whispery replied, turned over and pretended to asleep.

No more words were exchanged as she slowly walked out the room and closed the door behind her. The young boy looked over his shoulder and retrieved a small pouch from his pocket, sprinkled a small pinch of the powder and allowed it disappeared as he said, whispery. "Sound...whispery voices be barred, keep noise out and barred ears droppers. Sound no more."

"Anpu!" a harsh impatient voice scowled."Yes my queen." He answered

"Have you found her?" Queen Kauket asked, huskily. "I believe so, my queen." He answered lowly. "You believe so?" Kauket replied, with a unimpressed tone. "There is a problem, my queen."

"What kind of problem, slave?" Kauket scowled lowly

"Ammon is here." Anpu abruptly but huskily replied, his voice trembled slightly as he feared the bellowing scowl that immediately followed. "WHAT?"

The bellowing animalistic outburst rang in his ears, almost exploding his head. He repeated, under a whispery toned voice. "Ammon is—"

"I heard you slave—how long has been there?" Kauket interrupted, ferociously muckily demanded. "I—I'm unsure. Maybe either give or take—three months." Anpu assumingly estimated.

Silence and slight pause, filled the air around him as he waited for response.

"Is the baby born?" Kauket asked, hoping the answer would be the right one. "Yes—" he answered softly.

Silence again. About half a second later, Kauket gave the order. "When the right time comes, bring her to me in the dead of night, before the next full moon."

"Yes my liege—it will be done." Anpu answered. "Anpu." Kauket called once more.

"My queen."

"Do not fail me." Kauket threatened airily then finally disappeared. Silence in the room, once more. Pushing himself to his feet and made his way to the door, opened it and walked out—taking his slow pace towards the kitchen and poked his head around the corner of the doorway.

Not making a sound as he walked in the kitchen and sat down at the table, watching Tealana take the strawberry and cream sponge cake while waiting for the kettle to boil. Turned on her heel and saw in the corner of her eye as she made her way to the refrigerator. "Hey, wanna a cuppa and piece of cake?" Tealana softly said, offering.

No verbal response at first, warmly but softly smirked then softly answered. "I would like a cuppa and cake—thankyou." The golden blonde returned the smile and nodded as she turned back to the bench and cut a piece of cake for herself and chayton with two mugs of hot brewed chocolate milk.

Carrying the tray to the table and placed the mug and plate in front of Chayton first then placed her own cup and plate, front of herself then sat down—enjoying their drink and treat.

Chayton half drank his milk but the entire cake as he hoped to have another. Tealana the slow drinker and eater, she instantly knew that he wished to have another piece. "You may have another piece, if you like." Tealana said, giving him permission to have another piece instead of waiting.

"Thankyou." He answered, stood up—taking his mug and plate but emptied the mug then placed it in the sink and grabbed the knife, cutting another piece of the cake then returned back to the table. Tealana gawked at the plate of the size was cut.

He noticed the glance and said, just above whisper before taking a bite of the cake. "What? Oh, sorry—couldn't resist, it's delicious."

Tealana closed her eyes, lowered her head and softly chuckled. Then gratefully answered, showing her appreciation. "No apologies, it is always nice to know that someone enjoys my cooking."

Raised his brow, quickly chewed the cake before he stated. "Why is that?"

"Not everyone is a fan of sponge cakes—well the children are but—" Tealana cut, sipped her drink. "Go on." He encouraged gently. "Well—apple pies and chocolate scones seem to be more appreciated with some of the group but my husband, on the other hand—he'll eat whatever sat in front of him." Tealana replied, giving Chayton one supposedly assumed weakness.

"Really?" he mused. "Mm-hmm." She humed, nodding.

"Is he always like that?" Chayton wondered, curiously. "Yep...Always."

Chayton smiled, softly gazed Tealana with an admiring glance. Noticeably returned the glance, curiously as she wondered why he was looking at her in such way. "What?" she asked, looking at Chayton then down to the mug as she sipped it again. "Nothing. I just wonder, how long have you and your husband been together?" Chayton asked, on a private question.

"Why would you ask me that?" Tealana Shockley replied. "Your husband is one lucky guy." He commented. "We have been together 9 years and married 5 years this June that recently passed. Tealana answered, explaining the exact years of together and married for .

"Wow—that sure is a long time." Chayton said, abruptly huskily. "What is the matter?" Tealana asked as she noticed the sudden sadden glance. "It's nothing." He replied lowly.

"Come on—tell me. Whatever it is, it really can't be that bad." Tealana said, assuringly smiled. "I just wonder when the time will come for to find that special somebody."

"Oh?" Tealana abruptly stated. "Um...you mean that you haven't found the right girl?" she asked, softly. Chayton shook his head, remained silent. She sighed softly, gently grasped his hand and reassured him. "One day, when the time is right—you will find your soulmate. Just have to be patient—she'll come when you least expect it."

Chayton smiled and whispery said, commenting. "You're angel—wish that my mate will be just like you." Tealana returned the smile and nodded, appreciatory then stood up—taking her mug, and both plates to the sink as she was followed by chayton.

He leaned against the bench, grabbing the tea towel and dried the dishes while she washed them. Not saying nothing more but enjoyed eachother's company. Neesa hid round the corner of the kitchen and listened to the conversation, with caution but something was telling her that no matter what he appeared or sound like—do not trust him.

Releasing a short soundless sigh, even though didn't want to leave her sister alone with him but also knew that Tealana is gently soul, can be easily misled at times—couldn't risk a argument with her sibling until have all the facts. Leaning her head back for a second, looked through the kitchen doorway then sighed again then slowly made her way back to the bedroom. Quickly checked on her sleeping child, in case she may or have woken up and waited for a feed or a change. Taking the first step on the staircase and slightly poked her head round the opening of the doorway and glanced down the kitchen towards where her sister and Chayton stood by the sink, doing the dishes.

Every fibre in her being was trembling with uncomfortable feeling but with no exact proof that he appears to be a threat or danger to the clan. But remained cautiously vigilant. Turning her head, watching her footing as she stepped upwards the staircase then finally walked in the room, closing the door behind her.

...

...To be continued in chapter twenty-five...

I know this is short but do you think though? We're getting closer, unsure how many chapters left until the epilogue but I will say this—which I'll be spoiling the story of this instalment though. Tealana's fate of been mysteriously kidnapped is coming, the weapons guardian will appear shortly (will this guardian be a woman or a man?) and the high priestess, known as Tetiseri will also appear but what is her purpose? Will she be giving Neesa the information needed to defeat whom she don't know or will she also be taken, to learn more about her destiny?

Hmm...I hope you guys are still with me—I understand you may have thrown the towel and decided to leave as this is getting to long for the point and know where the story is going. My apologies to those and appreciation to those who did read and continue stay along for the ride. I bow and tap my hat to you, readers. Thankyou.

Your reviews are greatly appreciated.

Anyways...tootles until next time...read and review.