Chapter 4

The next day at breakfast Thayet and Jonathan didn't make an appearance. They had started to avoid each other at every opportunity.

"Well. We might as well get this over with. Don't you think Shinko?" Shinko looked up after Kally said this and nodded in understanding. Roald and Kadder had totally confused expressions on their faces.

"Kally, What are you talking about?" Kadder turned to face his wife as he said this. Roald turned to face his wife as well.

"What's happened? What do you need to get over with?" As Roald said these words, Shinko's fan was moved to cover her blushing face. Kally looked at her sister-in-law and decided to break the news to the unsuspecting men.

"Well. Kadder, Roald. The thing is. I really want to be a mother. I believe that Shinko does as well." Kally paused to see the blank looks on the guy's faces. "Oh no. you still don't get it? We have been obvious about it for the past few weeks. You missed the hints. We're pregnant." As soon as Kally uttered the past few words, Kadder and Roald understood.

"By the Graveyard Hag. Why didn't you tell us?" Questions started to fly everywhere at the two women. "How long?" "Who else knows?" "When's the baby due?" Suddenly Kadder stopped and peered at his wife.

"Its hard enough traveling over seas, it will be even harder for you Kally. Now that you are pregnant we had better leave straight away." Kadder heard Kally's gasp. She hadn't thought that they would be leaving so soon. He continued anyway. "There is a lot we must do Kally. This is a baby. We will need to prepare ourselves." Kadder didn't show any sign of being pleased at this news. In fact, he took it with a straight face, not letting anyone see any emotion. Roald had started having almost the same discussion with Shinko and immediately took her to the infirmary.

That afternoon Shinko and Roald were saying goodbye to Kally and Kadder before they had to board the ship that would take them back to Carthak. Kally and Shinko had gone a few meters away from the men to say their own goodbyes.

""Take care and send word when you get there. Tell me everything when the baby is born. I mean everything." Shinko demanded of Kally. Kally had only seen Shinko demand once and it was to Roald, not her. She really didn't mind much, considering this was her best friend.

"Of course. As long as I get to know everything about your baby." Kally was demanding as well. Kally gave Shinko a hug and for once Shinko hugged back.

"We had better leave now Kally." Kadder had come up behind her and started leading her towards the ship.

"I'll tell mother and father what has happened when they stop avoiding each other. I promise Kally." Roald knew how much Kally had tried to find her parents during the day and was glad to hear that her brother would tell them.

Twenty minutes later the ship was heading towards Carthak with its emperor, empress and the countries unborn heir.

(A/N- ok..i know its taken a while..but i have a good excuse, my pc got totally wiped and i had to wait for word doco. to be installed again...waaah. im currently at a friends house writting this..i know its short but its all that i can come up with atm. bear with me- when i get home and when my pc is usable again- ill write some more.btw- thx sooo much to everyone who has reviewed..you guys are wonderful. Claire)