The rain finally let up over an hour later, and Moffitt took advantage of the lull in the weather in order to take care of his horses. Anah still hadn't left the bedroom, but Moffitt did check on her, finding her curled up in one of his button-up sweaters on the bed. She was completely still apart from her breathing, leading him to wonder if she was just taking a nap. With that assumption, he grabbed one of his heavier sweaters from the closet as quietly as he could. After putting the sweater on, he turned to leave the room, but paused in front of the door. He looked over his shoulder at Anah, then walked over to the bed to gently stroke her head.
"Jack, I'll never understand how you can just walk around with that animal like it's a scarf or something." Adeline Moffitt stood with her arms folded over her chest, watching her oldest, and now only son walk out of the hallway with that accursed Egyptian cobra wrapped around his shoulders.
Moffitt turned to face his mother, and noticed the hurt look on Anah's face in the corner of his eye. "She's not 'just an animal,' Mother."
"No. It's a snake, and it doesn't belong in the house."
"Mother, we've been here a couple of months and she hasn't hurt a fly."
"Actually, I did hurt a fly," Anah piped up. "I hit it with my tail in your father's study."
Moffitt gave her a look. "You're not helping my case."
"Jack, do you have any idea what your relatives have been saying since they saw you and that snake at your welcome-home party? They think you're mad, and that we're mad for allowing this to continue."
Moffitt sighed. "I know. I expected that to happen. I am not getting rid of Anah. That's final. I don't even understand what the problem is. She was polite, she introduced herself—"
"It's a snake, Jack, and you brought it to the bloody dinner table. Animals don't belong at the table. Do you not remember how many times we had to stop Michael from bringing the cat to the table when you two were children?"
"I… do remember." Moffitt swallowed past a growing lump in his throat. Anah tightened herself around his shoulders, looking up at him sympathetically.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, are we arguing about Anah again?" His father, Nicholas, came out of his study with an empty teacup in one hand and a book in the other.
"Yes," Moffitt said, resisting an urge to roll his eyes.
"It's a snake, Nick," Adeline sighed. "It's not like he brought home a cat or dog."
"So what?" Nicholas said with a shrug and a smile, trying to reassure his wife. "She lived in Ptolemaic Egypt! She's a fascinating wellspring of information! The staff at Cambridge love her!"
"She's more than just a snake, or a wealth of information. She is a friend," Moffitt said.
"Jack, I don't want the snake in the house. I don't trust it," Adeline replied. "Either it goes, or you can find your own place and take it with you."
"That's extremely unreasonable, Adi," Nicholas said. "Anah's perfectly safe."
"No, you know what? I do want my own place." Moffitt realized the lump in his throat hadn't gone away. "I've been thinking about it since before the war anyway."
"You are welcome here, Jack—"
"I know I am, but… Anah isn't."
"Why is that snake so important to you anyway?" Adeline asked.
Moffitt hadn't told his parents about the prophecy. He wasn't sure how they would take it, and part of him was afraid of what their reaction would be. He didn't want to lie, though. "She's a friend. That's all."
"Jack, no woman is going to want to be with you if you keep that snake."
Moffitt glanced down at Anah.
"Well, some women might," Nicholas said, sounding a bit more optimistic. "Witches would understand."
"My son is not dating a witch," Adeline said firmly.
"They're not all bad, Adi."
"No."
"Mother," Moffitt said, "I will date a woman who treats me best, regardless if she's a witch or not." He gave a sad-sounding sigh. "I'm sorry. Anah is here to stay. Give her a chance, Mother. She's not evil."
Throughout the conversation, Moffitt noticed that Anah had tucked her head into his shirt. He could sense her hurt and shame, and when he tried to touch her, she slithered into his shirt, coiling around his chest and staying there.
Moffitt emerged from his memories and realized he had been absentmindedly petting Anah for some time. She had woken up and had moved her head so Moffitt could get under her chin. She let out a soft sigh of contentment. "That feels very nice, dear." She took another moment to enjoy the scratching, then asked, "Is there something you need?"
"Not really. Just came to grab a sweater and see how you're doing. Dietrich and I are going out to care for the horses," Moffitt said. "You can come with us, if you want."
"I will stay here, just in case Vanora needs anything."
"Alright. I'll let her know where you are." Moffitt stepped toward the door. "You're not angry at me, are you?"
"No. I know you want to help. I am… more angry at me for refusing your help."
"Don't be mad with yourself. I do understand. What you went through was awful and I don't blame you for not wanting to revisit it."
"There were good times, though. Before my witch grew up. She conjured me all the time to play when she was a child. Eventually… Eventually, she reached an age where 'playful magic' was no longer acceptable. I was no longer a companion, but a tool."
"I can promise that'll never happen again to you."
"I believe you can keep that promise… but that… has not stopped me from worrying. I want to stop worrying, because I want to help you raise your child." Anah sighed. "If you think taking me back to where it all began will help me conquer my fears and worries, then… we can go."
"Alright."
"How are you explaining this to Vanora? You will be leaving her by herself, and this really is not the best time for that."
"I told Dietrich that I'll ask my parents if they can help out. We won't be gone long, as long as we know where we're going."
"Well, you know where the temple is, but as far as the place I lived when my witch was growing up… I do not even know if that place still exists."
"Do you remember where it was?"
"It was in a village about five miles south of the city of Alexandria."
"You know, if we're going to Alexandria, I could show you the Roman barracks where I took that photograph I have such fond memories of. Do you remember that story?"
"You told it to us during your story about the fox's paw. I remember it well."
"One little detour won't hurt."
"Oh, alright. We can go there. That is it. No other detours. You want to be home in time for your baby's arrival."
"It's a pity Troy isn't here. I reckon he could get us there and back again pretty quickly."
"Yes." Anah put her head back down on the sweater.
"Oh, Anah… you miss Troy, don't you?" Moffitt grinned.
"Yes. I miss him. He still has not actually written me, has he?"
"Of course not. Pigs will fly before he does."
"That can be arranged." Anah smirked.
"On one hand, I don't like that look in your eye. On the other, Troy's being far too stubborn with this. Maybe some flying pigs will get him to write that bloody letter."
Anah laughed a little. "Moffitt, dear, you may regret giving me permission to do that."
"You're not actually going to send pigs flying over Korea, are you?"
"No."
"Good." Moffitt gave Anah's head one last pat. "Alright. I'm off to the stables. See you a little later, Anah."
"Have fun, dear."
Dietrich followed Moffitt out to the stables, mumbling curses in German at how weighed down his boots were with mud. He stopped his mumbling when they entered the stables, and were greeted with happy nickers from two Arabian horses.
Moffitt looked like all his troubles were lifted from his shoulders as soon as he touched the nose of his former Scots Greys mount, Snowstripe. "Hello, Snowstripe," he said. "Nasty weather today. Very wet. Very muddy."
"Seconded," Dietrich said, motioning to his boots.
Moffitt glanced at him, a big smile on his face. "I know you've met Snowstripe, Dietrich, but I don't think you've met his daughter." He walked over to the second horse, a black-coated mare covered with huge white splotches. "This is Icepatch. Come on over, she doesn't bite." He added through his teeth, "Much."
"Excuse me?" Dietrich raised an eyebrow.
"Oh. Nothing." Moffitt grinned again. "Seriously, she won't bite unless you annoy her—like any horse, really."
"Alright." Dietrich walked over, holding his hand out to the waiting mare. She touched his hand with her nose, prompting a grin from Dietrich. "Now, she is Snowstripe's offspring?"
"Yes. Born in early 1945. I expressed interest in wanting to continue working with Snowstripe's bloodline. A few people thought it was odd that I'm not racing or showing, but… I find working with them to be therapeutic, and I really don't have the time to be involved with racing or showing. I take care of them, I ride them on my own time, and that makes both me and them happy. There's something different about them. Something I can't quite explain."
"You know, I have always felt there was something different about Snowstripe as well. He was greatly concerned for me when I was visiting after my…" Dietrich glanced down at his wrists. As if on cue, Snowstripe was leaning out of his stall and nudging Dietrich.
"They just know, somehow," Moffitt said.
Dietrich stepped over to Snowstripe. "Yes, and it was all thanks to you running away that Troy and I became friends. Seems strange that little incident… was what got things to change."
"That's just how life works, I suppose." Moffitt held out a currycomb. "You want to work with Icepatch? Get to know her a little better?"
Dietrich nodded.
Moffitt gave him an excited, almost childlike grin. "You can even ride her if you want."
"She is yours, Moffitt. I could not—"
"I insist. It'll be fun. I haven't gone riding with someone else in ages!"
"Alright, alright. I will go with you." Dietrich hadn't ridden a horse in years. He wasn't sure he counted Snowstripe carrying him back to the house after he broke down in front of Troy. That was more out of necessity than enjoyment. He didn't consider himself all that knowledgeable on horses, so he was glad to have an expert in Moffitt nearby. "I take it this is second to old desert ruins in things that make you happy?" Dietrich asked.
"Well, old desert ruins and my wife share the number one spot," Moffitt replied, "but, yes, working with horses makes me happy."
"Are you hoping to pass that on to your child?"
"I was telling Anah last night that I'm looking forward to teaching them about horses."
"I hope you do not mind me asking, but you are not going to push them into Cambridge, are you?"
"That… That's been a family tradition for over two hundred years, but… no, I don't plan on pushing them into Cambridge."
"Can I say that I am a bit surprised?"
"You can, and I trust you not to say anything to my father. It's not that I don't want them to go to the university at all. I want them to know that there's so much more out there." Moffitt focused on grooming Snowstripe for a moment, looking a bit distant. "You can thank spending so much time with Troy, Hitch, and Tully for that. And you."
"Are you not happy with going to the university?" Dietrich asked.
Moffitt didn't respond right away. He kept grooming Snowstripe, and Dietrich began wondering if he touched a topic that was a bit too sensitive. A few minutes passed before Moffitt finally spoke. "I don't regret my career, but I know I was miserable at times while studying. It took up a lot of time, and it wasn't uncommon for me to shut myself away to get things done. Beyond my usual workload, I did extra in order to impress my father, because I didn't want to be an embarrassment. The war started not long after I graduated, so I never really had a chance to start my career. I did start it after I got my discharge, but… I've been feeling like there's something missing. I have everything I ever wanted years ago, so what's the problem?"
Dietrich noticed Snowstripe turning his head toward Moffitt.
"Fighting in a war. That's my problem," Moffitt continued. He patted Snowstripe's nose before continuing. "I know I have combat fatigue. It makes it hard to enjoy my work sometimes. I don't want my son or daughter to be unhappy in life, and if it means I have to break this tradition, so be it."
"Are you at all worried about what your family will say?"
"Not particularly. I already know some people don't wish to ever see me again because of Anah. This is far more serious, especially since my father teaches at the university. I doubt he'll be upset. Disappointed, maybe, but he won't cut me out."
"Your father is a good man. I do enjoy talking with him, and I would hate to see your relationship with him sour."
"It did get quite sour for a time when I was in secondary school, prepping for final exams. My marks needed to be as high as they could be if I was going to get into Cambridge. For a while, that was all he focused on. I'm very glad things have changed, and he even admitted that he was a little too harsh on me. I forgave him." Moffitt continued grooming Snowstripe. "All I want is to give my child a good life. That's it."
"I believe you will, and you have a lot of people at your side to help you." Dietrich tried not to let Moffitt fall too deep into his pit of worry. He was happy just a few minutes ago. Now I understand why Hitch and Tully became so frustrated whenever my depression reared its head after I was happy. "Would you mind showing me how to put Icepatch's tack on when we are ready?"
"Of course I'll show you," Moffitt said, a small smile finally returning.
When they finished grooming the horses, Moffitt demonstrated tacking up with Snowstripe, explaining the purpose of every little piece and how to put it on properly. He then walked Dietrich through the same process with Icepatch.
"It becomes second nature when you do it enough times," Moffitt said. "Alright. Do you feel comfortable riding her?"
"I do," Dietrich replied. "She has not given me any trouble so far."
"Good. Hopefully, she's not luring you into a trap the way Snowstripe did with me. I doubt it, though. You haven't shown any fear or nervousness. You speak calmly. You'll do great in the saddle."
Dietrich didn't feel too sure about that yet. He climbed into Icepatch's saddle, while Moffitt got into Snowstripe's. The mare starting looking at Dietrich as he adjusted himself, then Moffitt called out, "Don't wrap the reins around your hands!"
"Oh. My apologies." Dietrich hadn't even realized he had part of his reins wrapped around his hands.
"It won't do you any favors if you fall," Moffitt explained. "Trust me, I learned that the hard way."
When they left the stables, the weather was still miserable. The skies were threatening more rain, but Dietrich was hoping they wouldn't be caught in it. Despite that, he found his ride with Moffitt to be enjoyable. There was a part of him that wanted to go a little faster, though. "Any chance we can gallop, Moffitt?" Dietrich asked.
"Do you want to make it a friendly race?" There was a competitive yet playful gleam in Moffitt's gray eyes.
"Alright." Dietrich smirked in return. "What are the terms? Loser makes dinner?"
"I'd say that's fair—no, loser makes dinner and washes the dishes, and you can't cheat by making a small meal."
"'You can't cheat?' Bold of you to assume I will lose."
"Past experience says that's a high possibility."
"Moffitt, you wound me." Dietrich put one hand over his heart.
"I offer my sincerest apologies." Moffitt glanced around, then the gleam in his eyes turned wild. "Last one to the English oak by the castle ruins is a rotten egg!" He laughed somewhat maniacally before turning Snowstripe and galloping off down the path.
Dietrich shook his head while grinning, then took off after Moffitt.
The thrill of riding a horse at full speed never got old for Moffitt. No matter what was going on in his life, he always felt free when he was hunched over Snowstripe, letting the horse gallop as fast as he could. Moffitt looked over his shoulder, not seeing Dietrich. Ha! I've left him in the dust! He face forward again as they came to a spot where the trail ran narrowly between two hills. The hair on the back of his neck stood when he sensed someone behind him, and frantically looked around. Off to his right, Dietrich and Icepatch were galloping along the crest of the hill. Blast, he's catching up!
"Whoa, hold it, Snowstripe!" Moffitt shouted in a panic, pulling Snowstripe into a halt when Dietrich leapt over and in front of them. Icepatch didn't miss a beat when she landed, continuing her run down the trail toward the ruins. Moffitt sat still for a moment, though he could feel Snowstripe twitching as he awaited his rider's next command. He could hear Dietrich praising the mare ahead, though his voice was becoming faint. "Well, we had best get going, Snowstripe. That was quite sneaky on Dietrich's part, don't you think?"
The older Arabian snorted before tearing off after Dietrich and the younger mare. They were, unfortunately, beat to the English oak, where Dietrich was lying under the tree, acting like he had been there for a while.
"What took you so long, Moffitt?" Dietrich asked. "I nearly fell asleep waiting!"
Moffitt gave him a look, but couldn't help smiling. "Good show, Dietrich. Looks like I'm cooking tonight. A day like this calls for fish and chips."
"You are not allowed to use Anah for help."
"Oh, I wasn't going to—it'll be your job to keep her from doing so."
"My job? I won the race, though." Dietrich stood and climbed back into Icepatch's saddle. "I do not have the ability you do to keep her under control."
"No, but you can entertain her. It's surprisingly easy to keep her occupied."
Dietrich didn't look too sure about that as they rode back to Moffitt's property. It was getting close to noon, but the sky was still dark, and the rain started again when they returned to the stables.
Dismay crashed over Moffitt once he had taken Snowstripe's tack off and prepared to turn him out to pasture for the next few hours. He looked his horse in the eye, and sighed before saying, "You're going to go roll in the mud, aren't you?"
Snowstripe nickered at him before looking toward the pasture.
"Of course you are. Every single time it rains and it gets muddy, you have this insatiable urge to roll in the mud, because it's fun listening to me complain about cleaning you."
The horse smiled at Moffitt before nuzzling him.
"Yes. I love you, even if you are a massive pain sometimes." Moffitt led Snowstripe out to the pasture gate. "Alright. Go. Roll in the mud to your heart's content." He watched Snowstripe run into the pasture, then closed the gate before walking over to Dietrich. "Don't laugh, or you'll be the one hosing down Snowstripe later."
"I was not going to laugh, but now I want to," Dietrich said with a snort.
The two went inside to get warm and dry. After getting changed, Moffitt filled a kettle with water for tea, then went into the sitting room to check on Vanora. "Hello, darling," he said, leaning over to kiss her.
"Hello. Did you have fun, love?" Vanora asked.
"I did. Dietrich's a fine horseman. Icepatch really likes him. They work splendidly together—they even beat me and Snowstripe in a race. The terms were that the loser would make dinner, so I'm making fish and chips tonight."
"Alright. Could we have pie for dessert?"
"What sort of pie?"
"Any pie. That's just what I want right now."
"Well, if you want it right now, we can make it for you."
"You don't have to, Jack—"
"Nope. You want it, you will have it." Moffitt kissed Vanora's nose. "Anything for the mother of our child."
"Thank you, Jack."
"You're welcome. Would you like anything else? I've got the kettle on."
"Tea would be nice. Actually, no, I'd like some hot chocolate, please."
"Hot chocolate it is, then." He kissed her again. "I'll be right back with that."
"When you do come back, love, could you please… stay?" Vanora looked up at him. "I want your company."
"Of course. I'll be quick." Moffitt dashed out to the kitchen, where Dietrich was pouring water into two waiting cups of tea. "Don't dump that when you're done. Vanora wants hot chocolate." He pulled a huge canister of cocoa mix from the cabinet. "Could you get another cup, please?" When Dietrich handed him the cup, Moffitt began adding several heaping spoonfuls of powder to it. "She also wants pie."
"What kind of pie?" Dietrich asked.
"Any pie. That's what I was told. She also wants my company, but I can't—"
"I will make the pie while you are with your wife."
"Thanks." A heavy feeling settled in Moffitt's chest. "I really do think this trip will be important for Anah, but… I also don't want to leave Vanora."
"I thought you said you would ask your parents to stay with her."
"I did. It's not the same, though. She needs me, and I need to be with her." He sighed, stirring the cup of hot chocolate. "This shouldn't be a choice I have to make. Obviously, I should choose my wife."
"Anah is still important to you, and this has been a long time coming. I doubt it will help if you push her needs off to the side."
"The baby is due in two months. If we weren't so close, maybe this would be easier."
"We will not be gone for two months, and I will be with you to keep you on track. Believe me, I understand how difficult this will be for you and Anah. I want to see her start to heal as well. Pushing it off will not help. Anah already knows about this, and telling her that we need to delay it will hurt her."
"She'll understand why, though."
"She will claim to understand. She has always put your needs over her own."
"She shouldn't be doing that."
"No, and there is a fine line between selflessness and destruction. I have been in the destruction phase. You know it is not pretty."
Moffitt nodded. Guilt was crushing him inside. "I should've addressed this a long time ago."
"Anah has likely hidden this from you because of that attitude you have in regards to taking blame."
Moffitt found himself needing to sit. He lowered himself into a chair at the table, sighing and covering his head. "I don't know what to do, Dietrich. Like I said, this shouldn't be a choice I have to make. I don't want to feel like I'm choosing between my own wife and my friend. Neither is more important than the other. I wish… I wish there was a way I could express that."
"For one thing, you should talk to Vanora about this."
"I'm honestly afraid to. This isn't a good time, it—"
"She married you, knowing full-well that Anah was not going anywhere. I think you underestimate how much your wife cares about her, and I did see earlier today how much Anah cares about Vanora in return."
"She has been a big help ever since we started this journey of becoming parents, and she's looking forward to being a part of the baby's life."
"It is unusual, yes, but it cannot be anymore unusual than the fact that you want the other Rats involved."
Moffitt nodded, then glanced up at Dietrich. "I do think that's another reason Anah's been a little depressed lately; she misses them, especially Troy. She was catatonic when we got the news that he was wounded not too long after he, Hitch, and Tully were sent into Korea. I've never seen her like that."
"Traveling might help her take her mind off missing them." Dietrich squeezed Moffitt's shoulder. "I think you should give that hot chocolate to your wife before it becomes cold chocolate."
"Right." Moffitt stood and took the mug with him when he returned to the sitting room.
Vanora set her book down to take the mug. "Thank you, Jack."
"No problem, darling." Moffitt wasn't paying attention to his tone as he sat down next to his wife.
"What's wrong, love? You seem upset."
"Me? No, I'm…" Moffitt silently cursed himself for trying to dodge the question. "Yes, I am upset."
"Why?"
"Anah." Moffitt took a breath, then looked around. "Anah's not here, is she?"
"No, I don't think she's left the bedroom."
"Okay. I… Dietrich and I want to help Anah with her fears of abandonment. To do that means we will be taking a trip to Egypt and Tunisia, to confront her past."
"How long do you expect to be gone?"
"About two weeks. I'm planning on asking my parents to stay with you."
"Alright. If you're certain it isn't going to take long."
"Really? I thought you'd be against this."
"Jack, I know how much Anah means to you. She's been more than helpful over the last seven months, but it's not hard to see that there are things that bother her. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be upset if you go."
"I don't want to go, either. She said she's tired of being afraid, and if this is the only way to help her, then it must be done."
"Then help her. Help her so we can focus on the baby."
"So… I can go?"
"Yes. Call your parents first, though."
"Alright." Moffitt snuggled up next to Vanora and nuzzled her hair. "I want to spend today with you, though." He put his arm around her. "I love you so much."
"I love you, too, Jack."
Moffitt moved his hand, being as gentle as possible when touching his wife's abdomen. He could feel the baby's little kicks against his hand, and while it brought a smile to his face, it also worried him. I really am going to be a father, and I don't have a lot of time left before this child comes into this world. I can't rush this trip for Anah… Have I really made the right decision?
Dietrich had gone out to check on Moffitt and Vanora when he could no longer hear their voices. They were cuddled up with each other, appearing to be asleep, so Dietrich decided he wasn't going to use the electric mixer on the pie filling. He usually had music in the background whenever he was cooking, but he didn't want to wake up the sleeping couple, so he tried, and struggled, to put up with the silence. When he was no longer able to, he opened the window by the sink, just a crack, so he could listen to the rain.
A female voice interrupted the gentle tapping of the rain. "What are you making, dear?"
Dietrich turned to his left to see Anah had climbed up onto the counter. "Custard pie," he said.
"With cream cheese? I believe that makes it a cheesecake." Anah slithered over to the bowl.
Dietrich shrugged. "I would like to see how it turns out."
"It would add a very interesting texture." Anah looked up at Dietrich. "Can I ask why you are making this?"
"For Vanora. Moffitt said she just wants pie. No specifics."
"I see. Would you like any help, dear?"
"I do not think I will need help, but you can stay, if you wish." Dietrich held out his hand so Anah could climb up his arm and around his shoulders.
Anah paused to look at the scar on Dietrich's wrist before continuing her ascent to his shoulders. "How have you been, dear? Has anything been bothering you?"
"I have been well, Anah, thank you for asking," Dietrich replied. He couldn't remember the last time Anah had been on him. It was a bit of a strange sensation, but her scales were warm, smooth, and not at all unpleasant to feel. She wound herself loosely around Dietrich's shoulders and rested her head close to where his neck met his chest. Once Anah was comfortable, Dietrich kept working.
"Nothing you wish to talk about?" Anah asked.
"No. Being serious. I miss Troy, Hitch, and Tully, but I have been alright."
"That is good to hear."
Anah was quiet while Dietrich stirred the pie filling. She would occasionally look outside the window, entranced by the rain, then she would put her head back down, watching Dietrich work. Once the filling was done and ready, he started making the piecrust. He struggled a bit while mixing the dough, but aside from a German curse or two, he didn't say anything. He tried to keep his thoughts on what he was doing, and not on Anah, as he didn't want her seeing those thoughts if she happened to look into his mind.
Dietrich took his time shaping the piecrust after rolling it out and setting it in a waiting tin. Once that was ready, he took a teaspoon and helped himself to a bit of the pie filling. It reminded him of a thicker, creamier version of the custard his aunt used in making Bienenstich, bee sting cake. He grinned to himself before taking a rather generous second taste of the filling.
"I am pretty sure that belongs in the pie and not your mouth, dear," Anah said.
Dietrich had nearly forgotten she was there. "Sorry." He set the spoon by the sink before getting a spatula to scrape the filling into the piecrust. Once the filling was spread evenly throughout the pie, Dietrich put on a mitt to slide it in the oven. "Watch yourself, Anah. Do not want you getting blasted in the face with heat."
Anah turned away from the oven when Dietrich opened it. When it was closed, she faced forward again, and looked up at Dietrich. "I am sure it will come out wonderfully, dear."
"Thank you." Dietrich washed up before picking up his tea, which had been abandoned when he started the pie. The tea was now cold and unpalatable. He grimaced before dumping the liquid in the sink, and decided to make a fresh cup when he was finished with the dishes.
"Would you like me to do that for you?" Anah asked.
"Do what?" Dietrich replied.
"Make you a new cup of tea."
"I… suppose. If you are offering."
"I am." Anah slithered off his shoulders and telekinetically took the kettle to fill it.
Dietrich bit his lip while thinking. "Anah, wait."
"What, dear?" Anah gave him a concerned look.
Dietrich hesitated, then said, "Let me do it, alright? You do not have to do everything."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Alright." Anah looked quite dejected as she slithered to the edge of the counter. She got as close to the edge as possible, then stretched to look around the doorway into the sitting room. "They look adorable together."
"Indeed they do," Dietrich said. After the dishes were clean and drying, he began making a new cup of tea. He realized it would be him and Anah alone until Moffitt awoke from his nap. As the water heated, Dietrich faced Anah. "I have heard good things about your ability to play chess."
Anah turned to look at him. "You wish to play, dear?"
"I do, unless there is something else you would rather do."
"Oh, no, we can play chess. I will get the board." Anah disappeared into the sitting room, and returned a minute later with a chess set floating above her head. She perched on the kitchen table, waiting for Dietrich to finish making his tea. "I am sure you will be a worthy opponent. You were a brilliant commander, after all."
Dietrich gave a half-hearted grin. "I am glad you think so."
"You were, dear. Otherwise, Troy would have been far more successful against you."
"He was successful against me."
"You did repel the Rats a handful of times, and that is no easy feat."
"I know. They never gave up."
"No, which is why it was impressive whenever you managed to force them into retreat." Anah set up the board. When she finished, she returned her attention to Dietrich as he approached the table.
The only sound in the house was the rain outside and the ticking of the timer by the oven for the first few minutes of the match. Dietrich found Anah to be a difficult opponent, in a fun way. There came a point during the match when Anah's strategies seemed to be slipping, and it was obvious that she wasn't reading his mind. Out of nowhere, Anah said, "I could never play chess with Troy, but I miss playing cribbage with him."
"He will be back, Anah," Dietrich said. "You are making this a little too easy for me."
"My apologies, dear. I am… thinking. That is all." Anah let out a sigh. "You have put me in a bit of a bad position here."
"You can get yourself out. I know you can. In fact, I can see at least three different ways you can turn the tide in your favor, and one that could put my king in danger."
"Well, I do not want to end this too early," Anah said. A smile returned to her face. "I think I see one of the ways you are talking about." She made a move, and her smile faded when Dietrich shook his head.
"You should have moved your bishop." Dietrich made his move. "Check."
"How did you…?"
"By moving your knight, you left your king completely undefended. I boxed in and defeated nearly half of your pieces on both sides, cleaving a path to your king. Moving the bishop would have blocked me from moving any further on your right side."
Anah looked over the board, and sighed again. "Please, forgive me. I am… quite distracted today."
"What is troubling you, Anah?"
"I… I-I know I talked to Moffitt earlier about going back to North Africa, but… I do not feel ready. I am alternating between understanding that this must be done, and not wanting to go at all."
"None of us want to go back to that temple," Dietrich said. "Myself especially. A lot is going to change in the coming months, when Moffitt's child arrives. You are going to find it difficult to do things like this with him, and it will be difficult to get any sort of time alone with him, because he will be more focused on taking care of both Vanora and the baby. You will feel alone, and it will hurt. I am not saying that taking you back to where you were first conjured and the temple will eliminate these fears you have entirely, but it will allow you to be open about everything that happened, and not constantly hide behind tending to Moffitt's every need."
"I do not hide behind—"
"Yes, you do. I know because I tried to justify my own starvation with the fact that I was giving food to the people in other apartments when I was living in Würzburg, just as you tried to justify ignoring your own needs by focusing on Moffitt's."
Anah nodded a little.
"The big difference is that I knew exactly what was troubling me. With you, it seems like there are a lot of memories that have been suppressed, but fragments of them remain embedded within you."
"The way you put it makes sense. I want to focus on what I have now and what is ahead for me."
"You had Troy confront his past. Now, it is time to confront yours."
Another nod. "How did this come from that damn tune I was humming?"
Dietrich shrugged. "I wish I knew. Ask Moffitt when he wakes up."
"Do you have any idea when we will be leaving?"
"Probably within the next few days." Dietrich glanced down at the chessboard. He was certain that no matter what, nothing could prepare any of them for facing that temple once more.
