Chapter THIRTY-TWO: Strings with Gifts-DEVIN

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Alicia sat up in bed as she rocked the baby back to sleep. Several hours had gone by since the Oracle read her unnamed daughter's future, but her mind was restless from anguish and distress. She thought irritably of what her dear husband the King, General Taylor and the condescending Consort, were planning to do to protect Thais.

She had insisted to join them, but Devin wouldn't let her leave their chambers. After a small quarrel, he had convinced her that it would be best if they watched over the baby than leave her with a nanny or maid. They even decided that the baby's crib would stay in their room until everything settled down. But even the spacious room was too far; and Alicia had cried when Devin had placed the girl in the crib and she refused to let her daughter go even a yard away from her afterwards.

Now, she watched the fire burn in the fireplace which lit most of the room since nightfall was quickly approaching. Alicia began to think of suitable names for her small princess, but began to cry immediately when she couldn't think of any, and didn't want to think of any without Devin to help her choose one.

After a few more minutes of worrying, Alicia heard a sweet chirping noise from somewhere. She wondered if someone had left the window open, but soon she heard the chirp again, and realized that it was coming from the large covered gift basket the Sun Priest had brought earlier. The distraction suddenly brought amusement to her saddened mood. As she wiped her tears, she attempted to get up, but the baby whimpered loudly when she moved. She then looked towards the slightly opened door.

"Maid! I need your assistance! Now!" she yelled in frustration, but no one came.

Suddenly, outside of the cracked door, Alicia saw a blaze of bright lights flash. The hairs on her body stood up from fear.

"Who's there?" she asked once her mind cleared.

"Your Majesty, may I come in?" the unfamiliar deep voice of a man asked politely as he poked his head behind the door.

"Oh, it's you, the Sun Priest…Um, yes, come in," Alicia said happy to finally have some company.

Aydan walked in slowly. Slung on his shoulder, Alicia noticed that he carried a small toddler who he let to the ground. She curiously looked at the toddler and could see some brown and slightly reddish hair sticking out from underneath a dark green wool cap.

"He must be Talia's and your son? Hmm...He doesn't look much like her...Somewhat like you, however…He's very precious and handsome!" Alicia complimented warmly as the boy turned and stomped- more- than -walked a few feet from his father near the door. She noticed the boy clutched a lovely white flower in his tiny hands.

"Yes, he takes more to his grandfather, I suppose.-M'lady, I do not believe we have properly introduced ourselves. I am Aydan Adlan, and my son, Dameon," he said as he looked towards his son and pointed to him to set the flower on a low table nearby Alicia.

"How nice of you, boy...What a pretty flower. I'm sure the baby will like it," Alicia said to the boy who quickly ran back to his father and clung to his robes. "Um…Where is Talia, by the way? I was just about to look at your parcel before you arrived."

"She's in the Dreamlands.-Oh yes, I will get the basket for you to see and explain the items…One of the reasons I came back," Aydan said as he picked up the basket and carried it to the foot of the bed.

Little Dameon then began to wander in the room as his father left his side.

"What is the other reason you are here, then?" Alicia asked, as he removed the cover from the basket and a sweet melody filled the room, making Dameon's eyes widen.

Aydan glanced at the baby girl and felt for her destiny. This was why he was really here, he thought; but decided to not answer her question yet.

"Talia saw in your husband's dreams that he wanted animals…It's a nightingale, your highness..." he stopped, annoyed that Talia had visited the fool's dream, but he quickly saw a look of jealousy fall over Alicia's face too. "...Don't worry. She did not talk to him in the Dream Realm…Fortunately, she cannot speak to others in dreams without help."

"Fortunately?...Yes," Alicia asked knowingly and smiled. This was something they had in common then, she thought, pleased. "Well, what else do you have in store for us, Sun Priest?"

Aydan took the cage away, covered it to silence the bird, and took it to the corner of the room. He grinned at Alicia as he pulled out more items from the basket. From within, he pulled out more goods wrapped in cloth. Alicia began to open each with the first few being toys, a soft blanket, knitted clothing, and then a few other items she didn't know what they were that were in vials. Alicia then unwrapped a small gift which contained a shiny pair of gold hoop earrings, reminding her of Talia's own earrings.

Alicia rolled her eyes when she set the earrings down, wondering what Talia had been thinking. She then looked at the vials again. Some were holy tonic, aquiliform, myrica infusion, elixir, which she recognized immediately. But then, there were some she had never seen before that appeared to be green mulch, brownish paste, and some assorted powders.

"Queen Alicia, the restoratives are more for you than the child. Talia picked up herbalism after we had our son and thought they could be of use for you as well," Aydan said, after noticing she was confused.

"I see. I was wondering what they were. The Dreamer never ceases to amaze me…I remember she mentioned that she wanted to be a herbalist when she was a peasant girl," Alicia said, picking up one of the vials again for a closer look.

"She wrote down the directions for each potion or herb to help you," Aydan added and handed her a parchment; but Alicia was already looking at something else with extreme interest.

"What's this?!" Alicia asked curiously, holding up a vial with bluish powder.

"Oh, that's sleeping dust. The dust is rare, but you'll find it quite useful if you ever want a good night's rest. Just a pinch on her is enough, but avoid blowing it on yourself or others," Aydan cautioned.

"Ha hah!... I'm sure my darling husband would have loved to sprinkle some on me lately," Alicia joked and began to laugh.

Aydan smiled, but couldn't laugh. He knew all too well that playing around with potions was no laughing matter, especially after what he did to Talia. He hoped that she would forgive him when he finally could tell her the truth. Maybe after today, however, she might, he thought, if all went as planned.

"Speaking of your husband, when do you think the king will return?" Aydan asked.

He looked at Dameon who had moved to the fireplace and lay in front of it appearing bored, even though they had been in Thais only a few minutes.

"Devin should be back soon…But why do you want to speak with my husband?" Alicia prodded, and realized she had asked a similar question before and he had not answered.

Just as she waited for a response, Devin, Taylor, and the Consort were seen approaching beyond the open doorway down the corridor.