Mir̃alai found it much easier to let Aym go with the assurance that she would see him again. In Aym's absence, she occupied herself with her duties to her cult. To her pleasant surprise, her relationship with Caxton had not changed. She worried that things may become awkward, but he took the rejection exceptionally well. He was, of course, eager to continue his role as Faith Enforcer, and his role as her assistant. She had offered to give him a break from these duties, but he refused.
It had been two more weeks before she saw Aym and Baal again. She spotted the twins as they stepped through the gates into her cult grounds. The moment she saw Aym, her heart leapt with joy. She ran to him and jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly, her legs around his waist. Aym swayed a little, but maintained his balance. He supported her weight and kissed her tenderly.
"Hello, love…" He purred once the kiss was broken. Mir̃alai giggled and rested her forehead against his.
"I'm glad to see you, I thought you'd be gone longer…"
"As did I." He said as he gently set her back on her feet. "We'll be here for five days."
"Wonderful." She grinned, "You arrived at an opportune time, we can leave immediately."
"Leave?" Aym raised a brow.
"Yes, leave. Remember?" Mir̃alai crossed her arms, expectantly.
"Ah, yes…" He sighed, looking at Baal. The other twin had been pointedly examining the rose bushes nearby. Apparently, he could feel the stares because he looked back at them.
"Oh, where are you going?" Mir̃alai sighed, realizing that Aym neglected to tell Baal in advance.
"The three of us are going to visit your mother."
"What? When was this decided?"
"The night before you two left… Aym was supposed to talk to you about it." She glared at Aym.
"My apologies… Yes, I agreed that we should visit her."
"It's been so long, Aym. Are you sure–" Baal began to argue, but was quickly interrupted by the Lamb.
"Yes, Baal. She is your mother, and it will not kill you to see her. She would surely be disappointed to only greet one of you." She took Aym's hand and approached the doorways that led to the separate Domains. Mir̃alai closed her eyes, and within her mind she could see four branching paths. A vision granted to her by the power of the Red Crown, so she may always choose the most efficient pathway to fit her needs. Anura's path revealed a merchant, below the symbol she could see the image of Forneus. "She is in Anura." The Lamb said finally, looking at the two twins. "It will not take long to reach her, less than an hour, I think."
"Lead the way." Aym said with a nod. Baal looked apprehensive, but willing nevertheless. Mir̃alai moved on, leading the brothers into Anura's doorway.
Indeed, it did not take long to happen upon the shopkeeper. Through the thick autumn foliage her traveling cart was revealed. Though she was not in sight. The three approached, looking around. A fire was going in front of the cart, and a stove was off to the side. Whatever was cooking gave off a very pleasant, savory aroma. A rickety, wooden table supported by an empty beer cask sat with a stitched together cloth draped over it. A large, wooden crate sat by it, in place of a chair.
"Odd, she's normally outside." Mir̃alai commented, inspecting the scene.
"It's exactly as I remember it." Baal said as he studied the large, wooden cart. He looked at Aym who nodded in agreement. Then, the cart began to sway back and forth, bouncing with the movement within it. The door opened to reveal a rather large, black cat in red, plaid pajamas, and a tall yellow and black hat. Forneus' arms were full with a dented tea kettle, jars, cutlery, plates and tin cups. As she took the last step off the cart, she stumbled and in doing so dropped her kettle. Aym was close enough to catch it just before it hit the ground.
"My thanks, young man." She smiled in relief. With the absence of the kettle, she had gained a hole to peer through past her things. Forneus gasped upon seeing Aym, and another when she noticed Baal. "Alas, my eyes deceive me!" She said and hastily set her things on a wooden crate. The fat cat stood straight to get a clear view of the twins. Baal had, by this point, moved to stand beside his brother. "No, it be true! O fates divine, my kits have come home!" She declared and grabbed both of them in a great hug. They hugged her in return and Mir̃alai smiled at such a sweet sight. She released them and the two stood straight again.
"Hello, Mama." Aym smiled.
"O how ye both have grown." She cooed. "Forgive me, but many summers have passed, I am afraid I can no longer tell ye apart."
"That's okay, Mama." Baal chuckled. "I am Baal."
"Ah!" She reached up and grabbed Aym by the face, turning his head to look at his torn ear and scarred eye. "What happened, Aym?" She frowned.
"Do not fret over it. It happened years ago, Mama. I am okay. I can still see fine enough."
"O my boys..." She smiled tearfully, releasing Aym so she could look upon the both of them again. Her eyes shifted and she seemed to notice Mir̃alai for the first time. "Oi! I did not see you there! Come, come." She grinned. The Lamb nodded and stepped forward as requested. "You have brought my kits back to me, I am in your debt, O sweet Lamb." She bowed her head and Mir̃alai waved her hand.
"No, no, that is not necessary, Forneus."
"Bah, what a humble thing!" She laughed hardily. "I shall send my devotions either way, hm?" The cat ushered the trio towards the table. "Come now, come, I was about to have lunch." She pushed over a few extra crates for them to sit on. "Ah, the tea, I nearly forgot. O how the heart can bemuse the mind." She chuckled.
"We can help, Mama." Aym offered, giving her a short hug as he walked past her towards the tea kettle she had set aside.
"Sit and rest." Baal smiled, joining his brother. Forneus grinned and sat down at the table.
"They still have such manners." She sighed, leaning on the table which creaked in protest.
"They do indeed." Agreed Mir̃alai with a smile as she sat down.
"I have heard much in my travels, Lamb, but not even the wind carried news of my kits. It is such a relief to see them. Alas, these twenty-one years have caused me such grief!" She frowned. "Aye, I worried the worst, I am afraid. O how my faith had faltered. I had feared their death, by your hand too!" Mir̃alai felt a bit uncomfortable at this accusation, but Forneus patted her arm assuringly. "Even so, I held no ill will, sweet Lamb. You must do as you must, and they must do as they must. They were to serve the One Who Waits, and you were to defeat him. It was fate's design, not yours." She flashed a smile. "All is well, all is well!"
"I am glad I could reunite you. It is true I defeated them, but I did not kill them. Nor did I kill Narinder."
"I have heard! You defeated him, and he rose again under a new crown! Praise be! The Black Crown be a formidable one indeed. The winds have declared it!"
"The winds?"
"Aye, the winds." Forneus winked. "The winds blow in all sorts, beast and friend alike. All tell stories, sweet Lamb, all. I hear their tales, and sell them my wares."
"Ah, I see." Mir̃alai grinned, understanding what the great cat meant. "Drifters."
"Aye. Drifting as the wind blows."
"So you know of the Black Crown, then? What do 'the winds' say about it?"
"The winds tell me it has greater power than the Red Crown and it matches the White."
"The winds are right." Mir̃alai sighed. "I am afraid I do not stand a chance against Narinder now. I only hope he remains indifferent towards me."
"What of my kits? Do they serve the Red Crown?"
"No, Black." Mir̃alai corrected her. "Narinder, specifically."
"Aye, I imagined it so. They honor their poor Mama." She smiled serenely. Aym and Baal had returned, and Baal passed out the tin cups for Aym to fill with the kettle. The twins sat down just as Forneus stood. "Lunch be done, I think." The cat grinned and walked off towards the stove. When she came back, she held a large pie in her hands. She sat down and began cutting it, divvying up slices to serve. "Shepherd's Pie." She announced. Aym and Baal both raised their brows, glancing at Mir̃alai who furrowed hers. Forneus noticed their odd looks and gasped. "O no, no, no!" She laughed, "No, it is a different recipe. Beef." The cat said as she set the plates down in front of each of them.
"Still, Mama..." Aym said tentatively, "Mir̃alai is herbivorous."
"Ah, nonsense. Sheep will eat anything."
"Mama…!" Aym exclaimed in indignation. Mir̃alai shrugged a little, picking up her fork.
"She is not exactly wrong, Aym. It's been known to happen, and I do not mind. I have no moral objections." She smiled at Forneus, "This does smell lovely." The great cat grinned.
"It is still a rude thing to say." He grumbled.
"It's alright, Aym." Mir̃alai chuckled. Forenous observed the exchange and sat back with a devilish smirk on her face.
"O ho! These ears have heard many things, they are well trained! I believe she be more than a friend, kit."
"Indeed." Aym sighed, slicing off a bit of his pie. "Mir̃alai and I are in a relationship."
"O glorious day, of days! Mama approves." She laughed. "I can think of no more suitable a girl for my kit." Aym flushed and ate his pie quietly in embarrassment.
"Aw, that's very kind of you, Forneus. Thank you." Mir̃alai smiled.
"And you, Baal?" She asked, nudging her other son. Baal swallowed his bite and shook his head.
"No, Mama, I am focusing on my duties."
"Alas, I am disappointed. But! Still proud of you, very proud. I expect no less of my sweet, devoted kits." She grinned, ruffling Baal's head fur. "Ah, a question bites." She said, addressing Aym and Mir̃alai. "When will I have my grandkits?" Aym very nearly choked on his food, having to hit his chest to dislodge the piece that forced its way down with his gasp. He coughed it back, which would have been lucky had it not been for the chunk smacking Baal directly in the chest. He wiped it away quickly with a sound of disgust. Mir̃alai blushed, laughing softly.
"Mama!" Aym yelled, "You can't just-"
"What? It is a simple question." She shrugged, her grin betraying her otherwise nonchalant body language.
"We have not discussed it yet.." Mir̃alai answered calmly as Aym spluttered.
"Then discuss, by all means, discuss! I grow old, I desire to see wee, tottering grandkits."
"We shall see, Mama..." Aym sighed, running a hand through his head fur as he gathered his composure. Mir̃alai glanced back at her already half finished pie, and her brow furrowed as an unsettling thought entered her mind. She nearly said it aloud, but decided at the last second it would be best to keep it to herself in present company. She looked away from her food and stared at Aym, wondering if he had considered it too.
"The girl wants children, son. Will you deny her such love?" Forneus said, motioning to Mir̃alai who sat up quickly in surprise, her face lighting up.
"I-" Aym looked at Mir̃alai with a furrowed brow. "Mama, you couldn't possibly know that." He decided flatly. "You do not know Mir̃alai, not really."
"O boys be so naive. She is a woman, and I am a woman, what else is there to know?" She sighed, looking at Mir̃alai. The Lamb looked off, pointedly eating her pie. Aym rolled his eyes.
"Not every woman desires children. I have met plenty who do not."
"This one does, I tell you." Forneus insisted. Baal tapped his fork against his empty plate idly before standing.
"I'll make more tea." He sighed, walking off towards the cart. Aym watched his brother go and looked at his mother with a stern expression.
"We will discuss it, Mama, I promise." He said softly, "Please do not press this matter more, not in front of Baal."
"Why? Baal would be a great uncle."
"You do not understand. He has feelings for Mir̃alai, he already struggles with the idea of us as it is."
"O my heart breaks." Forneus frowned. "Truly, the fates can be cruel. But, he will have to accept such ideas."
"Sooner than later, I expect." Mir̃alai said finally, not looking up. There was a painfully long, silent pause before Aym spoke.
"What?"
"Aym, I- We aren't exactly being careful, are we? It is bound to happen if it has not already." She kept her voice down so Baal would not overhear. Forneus raised her brows, looking expectantly to Aym for his retort. An intrigued smirk on her face.
"I- I… Mir̃alai. Do you think you are…?" It was uncharacteristic how frazzled the famously stoic servant was behaving. The Lamb shrugged, stabbing at her pie in silence. "No, no. No, Mir̃alai. Mir̃alai, look at me." Mir̃alai finally looked at him, though it was with intense reluctance. Aym appeared positively panicked. "You're just saying this because we haven't been careful, yes? That is all?"
"I might have noticed some… changes." She mumbled the last word. "I didn't put it together until now, but I… might be." Forneus gasped in excitement. Aym huffed a weak, mirthless laugh.
"No, it isn't that. You're just getting into your own head, surely."
"What changes, sweet girl?" Forneus cut in, leaning against the table in overwhelming eagerness.
"General discomfort." Mir̃alai sighed, "Unexplained queasiness, cramping." She sighed, setting her fork aside and holding her head. "Unusual cravings." She motioned to the nearly finished pie. "Like meat." She frowned, "And, I've missed my last… cycle." She mentioned this most obvious sign with a sigh of frustration.
"If you aren't pregnant with a wee kit, I'll eat my hat." Forneus chuckled, clearly struggling to stifle her joy. Aym took a deep breath and stood from the table.
"Where are you going, son?" The motherly cat asked, sitting up to watch him.
"I need a moment..." He said in an unnervingly calm tone before walking off to the treeline.
"Ah, shock." Forneus waved a hand, glancing back to Mir̃alai who was shaking a bit herself. "You do want little ones, Lamb?" She asked, her tone shifting to concern.
"Of course… But, so soon?" Mir̃alai frowned, looking up at her. "Aym and I have only been together for a little over a month. Even so, we've scarcely seen each other because of his duties with Narinder."
"You love him?"
"Yes…"
"And he loves you?"
"I- yes." She nodded, steeling her nerves. "Yes he does." Forneus smiled and reached across the table to hold her hand.
"Then rejoice. All will be fine." She gave the Lamb's hand a pat. "He will rejoice too in time." Mir̃alai smiled a little.
"Thank you, Forneus."
"O call me Mama, sweet girl." She laughed. The door of the cart opened and Baal stepped out holding a fresh kettle to place over the fire. He paused, looking around.
"Where is Aym?"
"He went on a walk. It is a glorious day." Forneus grinned.
"Er… alright." He said as he hooked the kettle onto the spit. Mir̃alai tried to hold a pleasant expression as Baal sat back down in his place. The servant stared at her, then his mother who looked positively giddy in comparison to the Lamb's gloom. "What happened? I was gone for hardly five minutes." Mir̃alai threw off the fake expression, resting her hands in her lap.
"I think I am pregnant. Aym is walking off the shock."
"Oh!" His brow furrowed, "Oh, I see. Well… congratulations."
"I'm sorry, Baal…"
"I'll be an uncle. That is exciting…"
"Baal…"
"If you aren't sure, you should see Mistress Nykka. I'm sure she could tell you." He shrugged and drank the last of his tea. "Surely she could see something if you are… pregnant." He cleared his throat and looked at Forneus, "Mama, do you have anything stronger to drink? Whiskey, perhaps?"
"To celebrate?" Forenous grinned obliviously.
"Yes, to celebrate." Baal nodded slowly.
"Aye, in the house." She shifted to stand, but Baal stood before she had the chance.
"I'll get it." He patted her shoulder on his way back into the cart.
"Ah, and you two thought he'd have a fit." Forneus laughed. "No, my kits are strong!" Mir̃alai couldn't stand to crush the sweet mother's spirits. She forced a smile.
"You're right, we must have underestimated him." Forneus chuckled and stood to clear the table. Mir̃alai assisted her, desperate to busy herself with anything. When the table was cleared, Forneus tapped the Lamb's arm to get her attention. Mir̃alai looked over as she pulled a box from the center of a large stack. Mir̃alai had to act quickly to prevent the stack from tipping. Forneus seemed to not notice this near catastrophe.
"My dice." She rattled the box. "For Knucklebones. Do you know how to play?"
"I do." Mir̃alai recalled the many games she played with Ratau and his friends in the Lonely Shack.
"Play with me." She grinned and plopped down on her crate. Mir̃alai sat across from her with a nod, happy for something to do. Forneus pulled the tablecloth away and tossed it to Mir̃alai to fold. The table had been carved to match the game set up, eighteen squares, nine for each player. As Forneus gathered her dice, Baal stepped back out of the cart with three bottles of whisky in his arms. She watched as he poured himself some of the fresh tea, then added a very generous amount of alcohol to the cup. "You first, sweet girl!." Forneus said suddenly, Mir̃alai looked at her in confusion before remembering the game.
"Oh, right." She laughed weakly and picked up her die. "Yes." Baal sat a bottle of whisky down for his mother and rejoined them. He sipped from his cup, watching the two play in silence.
When Aym returned from his walk, he was more than a bit surprised to see his mother on the edge of drunkenness, playing knucklebones with Baal who was also in a synthetically euphoric state. He had long ago abandoned his tea, choosing to drink straight from the bottle instead. Aym sat down quietly, a wary expression on his face as he looked to Mir̃alai for context. It was unnecessary though, before she could speak Baal slid a bottle to him.
"Congratulations." The hollow praise landed somewhere between sarcasm and loathing. Forneus was too inebriated to notice this change in attitude, additionally, she was extremely focused on where to place her six. Aym sighed, pulling the cork from the bottle.
"Thank you…" He took a swig from the bottle and looked off.
"Mama, you cheat!" Baal burst, catching his mother's attempt to turn one of her dice. She laughed loudly, switching it back. Mir̃alai looked at Aym, but he seemed to be doing his best to ignore her. She looked to the cup of tea in her hands instead. As time went on, the family continued to drink. Given the strength of this homemade alcohol, it took no time at all for the trio to become equally intoxicated. Every now and then, the brothers would make a blatantly snide remark towards one and other. Forneus remained blissfully ignorant to this, often she didn't hear it at all, when she did, she saw it as nothing more than playful jests. Mir̃alai was quickly growing weary of this intensely conflicted atmosphere. The breaking point didn't come until the twins decided to face each other in a game of knucklebones. Forneus chose this most opportune moment to go and 'rest her eyes'. Mir̃alai was sure she would not be back, a fact she dreaded. The mother's presence was the only buffer she had, the only thing stopping true venom from entering the conversation. The table had been shifted to fit the new match, and Baal rolled first.
"How long have you known?" Baal spoke conversationally, placing his die in his chosen position.
"Hardly longer than you." Aym muttered as he took his turn.
"Oh? I am sure you're thrilled." Baal chuckled, taking his turn and tipping his bottle to finish the last drink it held. Aym gave a slight nod, removing one of Baal's dice from the field. "Come now, brother, you used to talk about having a family all the time."
"We were kids then." He sighed and took another drink of whiskey.
"Don't be that way, Aym." He rolled his eyes. "You've got friends, a partner, a family on the way. You have it all." Baal said bitterly. "Everything you've ever desired."
"I didn't ask for this." Aym glared. Mir̃alai set her cup down, seriously considering leaving at that moment.
"Yes, but that is the whole point, right?" Baal growled, swiping away one of Aym's dice. "It comes so easily to you, falls right in your lap."
"Maybe if you didn't say every damn thing that came to your mind, you'd do just as well. Every problem you've ever had has started with your mouth."
"Excuse me for being honest. Not everyone can play with their words like you, I don't lie."
"I don't lie either. I just think. You should try it sometime."
"Oh, fuck you, Aym." Baal hissed. "You're not better than me." Aym sighed and sat back, crossing his arms as he refused to take his turn.
"If I'm not better, why do I have everything you want so badly?"
"Aym." Mir̃alai glared at her lover reproachfully. Still, he ignored her.
"Because you are a fucking snake!" Baal growled, standing up. Not one to be threatened, Aym stood as well. "You act so high and mighty. Yes, you put consideration into what you say, so what? You only do it to get what you want."
"You are so jealous, it is pathetic, Baal. Really, it is. You have always followed me around, desperately trying to copy everything I do." Baal tried to argue, but Aym cut across him. "Don't deny it! You whine, and- and bitch whenever you don't get your way! 'Oh, why didn't it work? I did everything my brother would do!' You aren't me, Baal! I'm sorry that you are so fucking unoriginal and god damn desperate. Just face the facts! I am better than you, I fight better, I am smarter, I am far better with my words. Of course everyone favors me! Who would favor a copy?" That had been the final straw. Mir̃alai stood in an attempt to halt the inevitable. Her efforts came too late. Before she could do anything, Baal had jumped across the table, tackling Aym to the ground in a fury. He pulled his fist back and landed a blow across his brother's face.
"Stop this!" Mir̃alai yelled in a mix of anger and panic. She was afraid to physically stop them, afraid because she was liable to do more damage in the process. Aym caught Baal's fist before he could land a second punch, and threw him off. The Lamb hoped that was the end of it, but Aym was keen for revenge. He got over Baal and pinned him to the ground, pressing his forearm to his chest as he punched him. "Aym!" She screamed when he landed a second, heavy hit. Baal did the only thing he could, he bit down on Aym's arm, sinking his sharp fangs in hard enough to cause the other to pull away with a shout. He seized the moment, reaching up to grab Aym by the robes. He pulled him down and headbutted him. Momentarily dazed, it was much easier to throw Aym off. Baal pinned him and continued his assault, landing blow after blow wherever he could on Aym's torso.
"You are not better than me!" He yelled, "Fucking bastard!" Before he could land another hit, Baal was ripped off by none other than Forneus. She was yelling something in a language Mir̃alai did not understand as she pushed him down to sit well away from Aym. Whatever she was yelling, it was clear the mother was furious as the fight seemed to have sobered her up. Aym sat up, glaring at Baal while he wiped the blood from his face.
"What is this?!" Forneus demanded in the common language Mir̃alai understood. When neither twin spoke, she went on. "Huh?! You two should be ashamed! O what disgrace!" She growled. Mir̃alai kneeled down beside Aym and had him turn his head so she could look. He was in a bad state. Blood soaked his fur and she could feel that he already had some swelling. He shook his head with a growl, and spat out a mouthful of blood away from her.
"I'm fine." He huffed
"Ooo, I can't believe this!" Forneus snarled, storming back and forth. "What were you thinking?!"
"He-!" Baal began, but Forneus was quick to shut him down.
"Oi! No! Do not blame your brother!" She turned to look at Aym, a storm in her eyes. "You are expecting a child! O the stress you put on this young lady! Why?!"
"I was defending myself, Mama!" Aym yelled in exasperation.
"You were not." Mir̃alai said, sitting back. "You did not need to go after him like that." Forneus raised her hands hopelessly and rested them on her hips. Aym began to argue, but his mother cut him off, yelling again in that fast, heated, foreign language. She gestured vigorously between the three of them as she did. Aym looked off as she yelled. He winced a bit and swiftly ripped out the loose, cracked fang that had been bothering him. He spit out another mouthful of blood and stood up. Forneus had finished her rant, watching him expectantly.
"I apologize, Mama… Thank you for intervening." She nodded and looked at Baal, her brows raised. The second twin stood, brushing off his stained, white robes.
"I apologize, Mama." He approached his brother and extended a hand. Aym took his twin's hand, shaking it. "Apologies, brother. I lost my temper."
"I should not have spoken so harshly… I am sorry."
"Good!" Forneus huffed, "Off with you now! Wash." The two did not question her again as they walked off. "O help the poor soul I hear fighting again!" She yelled after them. Mir̃alai approached the woman and did not know what else to do. She hugged her tight, and sighed shakily.
"Thank you, Mama, I didn't know what to do without hurting them." The cat hugged Mir̃alai in return, patting her back.
"Calm thy heart, little one." She said softly. "All is well." Mir̃alai stepped back, crossing her arms with a little sniffle.
"If you don't mind me asking, what language was that?"
"Ah, it is the mothertongue!" She smiled, "We come from a Land far from this place, far from the Land of Old Faith. Mama traveled here with her baby kits when wartime struck."
"Really…? I didn't know that."
"You would not." She nodded, sitting down on her crate. Mir̃alai sat down in the seat beside her. "They were wee things, they do not remember. They know the mothertongue because it took many years for me to grasp your tongue. It still comes when my heart bursts."
"I could tell." Mir̃alai chuckled. "It seemed effective."
"Yes, yes, yes…" Forneus laughed, "They know Mama means it when she speaks in her tongue." She looked at the empty bottles and clicked her tongue. "Alas, too much liquor." She shrugged.
"Too much indeed." Mir̃alai sighed, rubbing her head. "I hope they get over this fight soon. They only recently got over their last argument, and there were no punches thrown then."
"O shame." Forneus shook her head, "They have never fought thus."
"Tensions have been high ever since Aym and I got together."
"Love can mend the heart, it can also tear it asunder." She said wisely. "They will mend. Their blood runs deep."
"I pray you're right, Mama."
When Aym and Baal returned to the little campsite, Mir̃alai was laying down on a massive quilt Forneus had brought out to her. The Lamb was awake, but did not greet them. Aym approached, apparently having the audacity to try and lay with her. She shot him a mean glare.
"Find somewhere else to sleep." Mir̃alai said coldly. Aym sighed.
"Very well…" He said as he walked off. The Lamb shook her head, cuddling against the warm quilt. Mir̃alai closed her eyes, praying she could fall asleep soon and leave this very stressful evening behind her.
When dawn broke, Mir̃alai was the first to wake. She sat up and looked around for the two brothers. Luckily, they were both still there and seemed to have left each other alone. Aym was fast asleep on his back in the grass, his hood up to block the light. Baal had taken his robes off, using them as bedding. Under different circumstances, she would feel bad for their unfortunate sleeping arrangements. This time, however, she felt it served them right. The Lamb stood and picked up her quilt, folding it neatly. She glanced between the two boys and spoke up.
"Oi…! Wake up!" They stirred with her words. Aym sat up slowly, holding his head in apparent pain. Baal wrapped his robes over his head with a groan. Mir̃alai rolled her eyes, she tossed the quilt to Aym. "Tell your mother goodbye, we need to be going." He nodded a little and stood slowly, huffing softly. "It's your own fault you are so sore."
"I did not say it wasn't..." He grumbled, walking past her towards the cart. Baal began pulling on his robes with a pained expression. Mir̃alai shook her head, and looked back as Forneus stepped out of the cart with Aym at her heels.
"It was nice seeing you, Mama." Mir̃alai smiled. The fat cat grinned and pulled her into a big hug.
"O sweet girl! Come see this old cat again soon!" She released Mir̃alai with a chuckle. "I hope ye bring me news of my grandkits."
"Of course." She nodded, "We will keep you informed."
"My thanks!" She grabbed Baal, giving him a tight hug much to his displeasure.
"Visit your mother, kits!" She said to the two twins.
"We will, Mama." Aym promised her. She nodded and waved her final goodbye as the three walked off through the woods, back towards the exit of Anura. Mir̃alai walked between them, and she was a little frustrated by the slow progress.
"We will go to Nykka's Domain once we leave Anura. She can heal you."
"Mir̃alai, I am sorry." Aym sighed, "I behaved foolishly."
"You did indeed. This was supposed to be a pleasant visit."
"It was overall. It was nice to see her again."
"And what was that you said, Aym? You didn't ask for this? What was that supposed to mean, exactly?"
"I- Mir̃alai… Come now, I was quite drunk. I didn't really mean anything I said." The Lamb rolled her eyes.
"Oh, well that is a convenient excuse, isn't it?"
"It certainly is ironic." Baal cut in. "Considering the argument."
"Do not side with me, Baal. You are every bit as guilty as he is. You started the fight. I understand you have feelings for me, and this news wasn't particularly nice to hear, but you behaved like a child. It was going to happen eventually."
"I did not intend to start a fight." Baal grumbled. "I was drunk. My temper got out of hand."
"Well get it under control. I am not going to deal with this bickering anymore. I have other far more important problems at hand. I suggest you both call a truce now."
"We have." Aym assured her.
"You better." Mir̃alai glared. "No silent treatments, no snide remarks, none of it."
"It is done with, Mir̃alai. Truly it is."
"Good."
