Five Years Later
"Mora, you *can't* stand over by the chickens, the painting is being done by the apple tree!" An eight year old Salem Karana Kedar exclaimed, running after her little sister, Morrissey Willow Kedar, who was five and a half. Zoe laughed and watched her dark headed child run after her pale haired younger sister. Dante chuckled, and called to his girls.
"Mora, Saylee, come now!" The two girls turned around, now giggling with one another, and ran back over to the large gnarled apple tree, where their parents were standing, waiting for them both. Zoe smoothed over her white dress, and then straightened Salem and Morrissey's purple ones. Dante, following suit, checked his dark outfit for wrinkles and leaves. After fixing Salem's hair for her, Zoe smiled and stood straight. Dante stood next to her, placing a large arm around her shoulders. In front, Salem and Morrissey stood, trying their best to stay still and not to fidget. The painter smiled and squinted slightly, the final portrait forming in his mind, and raised his brush and began to paint. The scene was a beautiful one. The family stood next to a large apple tree, it's branches providing shade from the mid-morning sun. In the background, lush green meadows seemed to stretch on forever, and behind them loomed the giant royal palace of Tortall, it's walls gleaming silver in the sun. Zoe smiled brightly, and relaxed against Dante, letting the painter do his job.
"Mora, you *can't* stand over by the chickens, the painting is being done by the apple tree!" An eight year old Salem Karana Kedar exclaimed, running after her little sister, Morrissey Willow Kedar, who was five and a half. Zoe laughed and watched her dark headed child run after her pale haired younger sister. Dante chuckled, and called to his girls.
"Mora, Saylee, come now!" The two girls turned around, now giggling with one another, and ran back over to the large gnarled apple tree, where their parents were standing, waiting for them both. Zoe smoothed over her white dress, and then straightened Salem and Morrissey's purple ones. Dante, following suit, checked his dark outfit for wrinkles and leaves. After fixing Salem's hair for her, Zoe smiled and stood straight. Dante stood next to her, placing a large arm around her shoulders. In front, Salem and Morrissey stood, trying their best to stay still and not to fidget. The painter smiled and squinted slightly, the final portrait forming in his mind, and raised his brush and began to paint. The scene was a beautiful one. The family stood next to a large apple tree, it's branches providing shade from the mid-morning sun. In the background, lush green meadows seemed to stretch on forever, and behind them loomed the giant royal palace of Tortall, it's walls gleaming silver in the sun. Zoe smiled brightly, and relaxed against Dante, letting the painter do his job.