Over the coming days, Ryuu still wondered what was going on with his Gelfling family. He missed them so much, but he was also quite distracted, learning so much about what it meant to be a Skeksis. He was seeing things and learning secrets that most other beings would never know about, aside from Mother Aughra, who might have, a long time ago.

The one thing the Skeksis didn't let him know about was their other halves, the urRu, or Mystics. They knew Ryuu would need to be told of them, eventually, but were dodging the topic for as long as possible.

The Scientist consumed one of the essences extracted from Ryuu's adoptive family for himself. Now there was just one vial left from them.

Chamberlain soon came in and had an idea. "I know my son is young and doesn't need it, but I want him to know what it's like to consume essence, too."

"Are you sure?" Tek asked.

"Yes. They owe me. Give it to me!" Sil demanded with determination.

"Fine. Here is the last one." Tek gave him the vial.

Sil whimpered and smiled. He went to go find Ryuu. He was with Ok in the library.

"SkekRyuu, I bring you something special!" Sil said with a beseeching sing-song voice.

"Oh, hi Dad. I didn't see you there. The Scroll Keeper was teaching me the letters today." replied Ryuu.

"That's good, learning to read... but here is special drink for you to have. Something we Skeksis love to have!" Sil offered him the vial.

"Thanks, Dad." Ryuu replied. "What is it?"

"New for you. Some special juice." He wasn't about to tell him just yet. He just wanted his son to taste it first.

Ok went up to him and whispered in his ear, "What is it really?" He had his doubts.

"Essence. Want him to try it." Sil whispered back.

Ryuu tipped his head back and he drank this strange beverage. He had smelled it and it was new to his senses. It smelled good. It tasted super sweet to his tongue and he drank it all the way down. It had some rejuvenation effects on him, even though he was already young.

"Hmm! This is so good, Dad. What is it?" Ryuu asked.

Sil and Ok glanced at one another. "Essence. Special kind." Sil replied.

"Essence of what?" Ryuu asked curiously. He did have Sil's curious nature too.

"Essence of Rakkida." Ok answered. He knew that this couldn't be revealed just yet. "Such pests they are. But good food resource."

"Oh, okay. First time I've tried it." Ryuu stated. "It's good, Dad! Thanks again. Now I really need to get back to studying."

"Yes. Agree. Drink will keep you going." Sil said. He left the library, happy that his son could take the essence, even though he knew not what it really was just yet. Soon, it would be revealed, just not now. He was trying to be a good parent in the only way he could. He just wanted all the Gelflings out of the way, and now they were.

….

Over the cycle of the moons, Ryuu learned much and was a very good and eager student for the Skeksis. He wasn't much for the military fighting of SkekUng though. He found him very intimidating. But most of the others weren't so scary to him. Another exception was the Slave Master. He didn't like how SkekNa handled the Podling slaves either. But he never saw the Gelflings.

Ryuu was closest with his mother, La, and the Historian. He drew pictures for them both, and he was still learning to read Skeksis. All the symbols were just intriguing. Everything about the past was fun and interesting to him too.

And the rituals that the Ritual Master did were fascinating as well.

But as the Emperor received reports from every Skeksis, he began to come up with something to give to Ryuu as a title. He was too close to his mother and the Scroll Keeper.

One morning, in the throne room, SkekSo declared, "SkekRyuu, step forward."

"Yes, sire?" Ryuu asked nervously. He kept low to the ground, and bowed his head.

"I have heard all of the reports on how much you are learning from us. And you are much too close to SkekLa and SkekOk's duties. I deem to give you a job title today. Since you seem to be helping SkekOk keep accurate records, learn the reading, and keep him on track, I am giving you the title of Librarian." the Emperor declared.

Ryuu was surprised. He looked at his father next to the throne. Sil smiled at him. "Proud of you, SkekRyuu, I am!" he said happily.

"I am too." La added. She was close by as well.

"Uh, thanks, your Highness." Ryuu said. He was just a little shocked. He hadn't expected a title so soon. Most of the other adults were happy for him too. He seemed to be one of them now.

It hadn't been too long after breakfast that this was happening. But just as everyone was rejoicing at Ryuu's new title name, the Chamberlain felt some nausea in his stomach and he suddenly felt an urge that normally wasn't there.

"Chamberlain needs to go elsewhere for moment." he said, and he rushed out of the room.

The others saw Sil go running out unusually fast. "What's wrong with him?" Ekt asked.

La was concerned that her mate had hasted away like that. She remembered well when he used to do that long ago. She went after him as fast as she could while the others continued to congratulate Ryuu.

"I'll be right back. Just going to check on your father." she said, and left.

"This really is a great honor, my Lords." Ryuu said.

Ung and Na kept their distance. They weren't nearly as proud of him as some of the others were. He just wasn't a military Skeksis, much like his parents.

La found her mate throwing up in the hall, out the window. "Chamberlain? Are you alright?" she asked, knowing he wasn't but not certain of what else she could say to let him know she was there, and worried about him.

He turned and whimpered. "Hmmm. Not feel so well, SkekLa..."

"What's wrong? Do you think you ate something inconvenient?" she asked.

"Oh, maybe. Belly hurts. Not keep food down. Had belly pain past few days, but not get sick till now." Sil explained.

"Then, it could be finally happening!… Chamberlain, do you remember so long ago, when you were sick like this? Do you think…? Do you know what this could mean?" she asked.

Sil remembered it well. "We been mating often, for some time. It possible for it to have happened. I think I am carrying again..." He looked down at his belly, placing a hand on it. "But let's keep between us until Scientist is sure."

"Yes..." La agreed, feeling both worried and emotional. She leaned to share a nuzzle and a kiss with Sil. Another baby was on the way after all!

Slowly, they both went back to the throne room to continue celebrating with their son.

….

Later in the day, while Ryuu was occupied with SkekOk in the library again, together, Sil and La went to the lab to see Tek.

"Scientist." La said.

"Hm. What?" he snapped without interest. "I'm busy."

"Chamberlain is sick again... Think am expecting baby again." Sil declared.

That made Tek perk up. "Really? Well, it has been a full cycle of the moons after all. Good! I can work on this later. Come, SkekSil. I shall examine you." He directed Sil to the exam room.

La was going to be a part of it this time. She watched as her mate got up on the exam table and pulled his robes up, revealing his belly.

"I'm not really seeing any major changes, physically... I must now push down." Tek said.

Sil knew he wasn't going to like that. He winced as the Scientist pushed on his belly. It didn't take long for Sil to complain. "Stop! It hurts!" he cried out.

La felt bad that her mate had to go through this. It looked painful too.

Tek took his hands off Sil's stomach. Sil let out a sigh of relief. "Press too hard!" He rubbed his belly.

"I must, to find the baby." Tek replied. "I didn't feel anything, but then, it might still be so small to not be able to feel it for awhile. Just keep an eye on it."

"We will." La replied.

"And the Emperor must be notified of it as well." Tek said.

"Yes. Yes. Emperor know soon." Sil agreed.

"Sil, we can't wait too long to tell him. And Ryuu should know soon too. He's going to have a sibling, or a few... he wouldn't take it well if we hide such an important thing from him." La explained.

"Yes. I know. Definitely not wait that long." Sil knew she had a point. "We tell soon."

The Scientist would give some anti-nausea herbs to help with the sickness part.

The Chamberlain had hoped he would never deal with this again. Pregnancy was obviously too much for him in the beginning stages.

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