Hello again! This is the sequel to "Of a feeble constitution", although it's not really necessary to read it first as this is pretty much a stand alone. I repeat my request: please review!

Raising children and father

Chapter I. Family reunion

Amousca was sitting in her favourite chair, the small leather-covered chair with low armchairs that could be used to hold the sides of a large book. Right now the large book in her lap was Khelben Blackstaff's Manual to Spell sequencing. Before she began reading it, she didn't think there was much to be said about spell sequencers and spell triggers, but then she discovered a number of little details about how to launch or prepare a sequencer that were really useful. She wasn't deeply absorbed in her reading, though, since Samir was playing the harp again.

She couldn't read, she was compelled to listen to him and he knew it, by the look on his face it was obvious. She didn't resist too hard, and let her youngest son barely enchant her with his music. He was becoming a talented bard, and she was proud of him. It had surprised her at first, because he didn't really have anyone in his surroundings to make him aspire to become a bard. But then she marvelled at his artistry and talent and the capacity of her children to surprise her and become accomplished people by themselves, and she encouraged him to do what he wanted to.

Things were different with Anomen, though. Each time she followed that train of thought, she always ended up thinking about the relation between her husband and children. Sometimes, mostly lately, since their three children were now full-time apprentices, she felt his anxiety about worthiness surface again. She tried to ease his worries with small talk and news of the children, but she knew that was something she could not do much about. Lately, Anomen had seized every opportunity he could find to get away from the city; he went for a campaign in the North, almost reaching the Sword Coast, then spent two full weeks in the Umar hills awaiting an army of ettins that never came, then escorted a family member of an Order's knight to Calimshan and was nearly killed by a lich on the way back. There was no one in the Order's small company to breach the magical defences of the lich, of course, so they were nearly all exterminated by one of the not-so-powerful creatures. Amousca still trembled when she thought about it. Right now, Anomen was serving the Order as an honorary guest to Baldur's Gate. She hadn't even been invited and it insulted her more than slightly; she had thought Wessalen a little more courteous than that. Moreover, for once that the kids got a release, and were able to spend three days home, their father wasn't even there.

"Uncle Sar!", Samir exclaimed suddenly, pinching more than one string at a time, creating a cacophony that made the tall warrior laugh.

Sarevok opened his arms, and made the three young half-elves jump in the air at the same time. His strength never stopped to impress the little ones, and they were constantly dreaming up new ways of testing it.

"Can't I have a little too?", Imoen complained, making her appearance from behind her big brother.

"Aunt Immy!", the three teenagers exclaimed at the same time, jumping for her and bringing her to the ground.

She laughed, getting back to her feet with a little help from Sarevok, who merely pulled the three little monsters from atop her. Amousca rose from her chair, and went to bid welcome to her brother and sister, embracing and kissing each. While Imoen allowed herself to be led towards the centre of the room by the three children, Sarevok and Amousca stayed by the door. Imoen sat on the floor in the middle of them, and let them show to her what they were doing at school and such. Amousca looked at them with an fond look on her face. Sarevok felt a certain unwillingness to ask, but then he couldn't help but be curious about her sister's loneliness.

"I would have thought Delryn would be here for their vacation?"

Sarevok never called Anomen "Anomen", he always called him "Delryn". Amousca was not even noticing anymore, except in instances such as this one, where she could feel contempt in her brother's voice.

"He is an honorary guest of the Order from the chapter of Athkatla to the newly opened chapter of Baldur's Gate," Amousca explained stoically. "He is supposed to stay there for a few weeks, providing classes for squires and council about city politics for Ajantis and the other knights who just founded the chapter."

Sarevok crossed his big arms across his wide chest, stretched all his considerable height, and glared down at his sister. She was a foot and a half smaller than he was, very much weaker than he was, and yet he knew he didn't impress her just one bit. She craned her neck to look at him straight in the face, and asked him if he had something to say.

"In Baldur's Gate?", Sarevok responded angrily. "Why are you not there with him?"

"Apparently, I was not invited," she answered coldly, calmly.

"With Ajantis being among the founders of the chapter? I'm sure they invited Anomen just so you could go along. One as intelligent as you cannot miss such an obvious scheme."

She shrugged. Apparently, she had thought about it before he had to tell her.

"I know Wessalen does not think so highly of me."

"I doubt Delryn did much to convince him otherwise," Sarevok spat, "because there was not much Wessalen could have done to prevent you from going with your husband, had he asked that you come with him."

"Sarevok, I considered those things, and would thank you not to remind me."

She gave him a stern look, and he gave up. At first, he had thought Delryn was a fine man. Overpious, arrogant, yes, very annoying too, yes indeed, but a good man with a heart. Even before Amousca managed to finally shift his own heart, he could see that. All through the childhood of his children, Anomen had been a loving and present father despite his numerous missions for the Order. Amousca had even had the time to go on a few adventuring campaigns of her own, while Anomen was staying in the city to take care of his kids. Sarevok appreciated that her sister was with such a man – it was better than the never-ending series of conquests of Imoen. But then, lately, he was growing more and more angry with Delryn; was the man blind or just plain stupid? He could see Amousca was suffering from his unjustifiable absences. Sarevok let the air out of his lungs, and uncrossed his arms. Amousca turned to look at her children and her sister playing with them in the middle of the music room. From the discreet glances Imoen was directing their way every now and then, she had an idea of what they were talking about.

"We are in the city for a few days," Sarevok announced, out of a header. "Would you like us in your house?"

She turned to smile at him answering positively, and he felt better to see her smile for real. He wasn't sure before he asked if it was a good idea, but apparently he had been right to ask. Amousca asked Guillaume, the butler, who guided Imoen and Sarevok to two guest rooms.