Silver Chains

Chapter 2

"Kalyptra," Arthas said, "mean's father's victory. Or something like that. The priests gave that name to you, and goodness knows where they got it."

He smiled down at the little imp next to him, only four years old, really, and tousled her hair. She giggled and gazed up at him adoringly through the strands tossed astray by his big hands, with huge pale eyes. They were gray. He always smiled a soft, secret smile to himself when he saw them.

Kalyptra clapped her small, pudgy hands. "So that's what it means," she said, laughing again. Arthas loved to hear her laughter; it was like tiny, tinkling bells. Then she added, "Uncle Arthas, what's a victory?"

He laughed. "Victory, Kal, is when you win something."

She nodded in understanding, her little mouth forming an o. "So... so when I was born, my father winned something?"

Arthas smiled his secret smile again. "Yes. Yes, I believe he did."

She looked just like her mother, with her silky, dark, brown hair and elfin features, but she had those royal, silvery gray eyes. Her pink lips formed into a childish pout as she sat beside at the foot of the rock, at his feet. She leaned against the huge granite side and stared out past the cliff, at the setting sun.

He shook his head at her innocent seriousness rested a hand on her little head. "What are you thinking, little one?"

Her little brows furrowed in thought... "I wish my father didn't die, Uncle Arthas," she said fiercely.

He cocked his head interestedly and watched her intently. "Why is that?" he asked in the curious, grown-up voice he always used with her.

"So that I could know what it is he winned," she said.

Arthas laughed again, smoothing the hairs on her head. "I'm sure - I'm sure you'll find out in time, little Kal," he said, smiling. "And don't worry. Your father will always be there, watching over you..."