Rogue Tide

== Chapter One ==
Nialla Blackburn got up with the sun. At twenty-two years old; she was more serious, cynical and world-weary than most of her similarly-aged peers. The tallish, black-furred female otter had long ago allowed herself to fall into a tedious daily rut. Why bother keeping up a façade of insincere cheerfulness when each and every day was the same??
As she got out of bed, Nialla crossed the room and let open the thin, patched drapes; letting in angular and pencil-thin springtime shadows along with the morning sunlight. The otter lingered in the shade a moment longer before changing out of her raggedy nightgown in exchange for a delicate white dress (the best one she owned) decorated with fading purple flowers. Having dressed; Nialla left the sparse bedroom with a bit of a sigh and headed onto the street for work.
In the backstage of the theater; secluded by musty, tattered old velvet curtains, Nialla sat at a polished hardwood table, running a bristled comb through her smooth black fur and sighing a bit.
Another mundane, sub-par day at work. How had she expected anything more or less? The old saying went, do what you want for a living and you’ll never have to work until the day you die; but lately Nialla was having less and less positive feelings about her current line of work. What with the lower and lower turnout of decent customers, and the ever-increasing number of males who would show up for the sole purpose of wolf-whistling and eyeing her body, one could not blame the otter for considering quitting.
Across from her, a friend of Nialla’s, Eleanor; a sea otter dressed in immaculate green silk, saw her friend’s embittered expression and became concerned, reaching a paw across the table.
“Oh Eleanor…. I’m not sure I want to dance anymore.”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow, surprised at Nialla’s uncharacteristic lament.
“Why bothers? The males never treat me well.”
There was a certain heavy dread in Nialla’s voice; one Eleanor had to admit she was familiar with, and began to piece things together.
“You mean they…. They..”
Her voice was hushed.
“They’ve tried to take advantage of you.”
“Yes…. I’ve easily gotten rid of them, but still.”
Now completely understanding her friend’s predicament, Eleanor sat beside Nialla and put an arm around her shoulder. Nialla did not flinch at the sudden touch, which Eleanor was grateful for.
“Well, I can see why you’d want to quit. Is there any other place that might take you?”
Nialla shrugged and glanced about the room.
“Perhaps the nicer part of the market where the rich creatures go?”
She smiled slyly at this, and Eleanor only shook her head; rolling her eyes in a surprisingly matronly way.
“Huh, and what do you expect to find there? Some wealthy male to sweep you off your feet?”
Her laugh was callous- subtly, but still noticeable. Nialla, though, took it all in stride. She only smirked and said
“One can dream…. Hehe!”
And with that, she grinned her signature smile and disappeared behind the curtains for her cue.
== Chapter Two ==
In the past five years, locals had conjured up many tales regarding the young master of Rosewood manor. Nobody knew what he looked like or if he was still alive. Only servants came and went from the house. Some rumors said that the master had gone mad.
Adrian Danisham had always felt as though nobody had ever understood him. His family had been broken more than once and he wasn't taking it well. If it wasn't for the small amount of family that cred for him he would truly have gone mad.
At this moment Adrian sat in his study brooding and twirling a dagger that he held in his paws. Suddenly there was a pounding on the door. The young master rolled his eyes and went back to looking at the dagger. It needed polished. The heavy wooden door burst open and a female otter stormed in. She was wearing a pale green dress that didn't compliment her shape. She went over to the windows and pulled the curtains open to let bright sunlight pour in. Adrian winced.
"Is that necessary sister?"
"Yes! you haven't been outside in days!"
"So. It's my life and my house. Why are you hear to order me around?"
"The children wanted a place to play and this house is perfect for hide and seek."
"Rose, i don't want muddy pawprints everywhere."
"Maybe if you got out more I wouldn't bother you."
"Where would i go?"
"I don't know...Um what about the market? I mean nobody would recognize you there."
"Hmm...perhaps. Get Marcel to fetch my cloak."
Rose was surprised. "You're actually going to listen to me?"
Adrian stood and put the dagger in a drawer. He smiled at his sister. "Only if you leave me and my house alone sweet sister."
Adrian went down to the entryway and took his cloak from a mouse servant and left the old lonely manor behind him. He didn't know if this was a good idea or not but it was too late to turn back.
Adrian walked down the crowded streets of the market with the hood of his cloak covering most of his face. He couldn't risk being recognized. As he turned a corner he heard music and started towards the sound.
He came upon a small wooden stage just as the ragged curtains were closing and an assortment of males were cheering and whistling. He turned to a gray furred weasel and asked, "what's all the cheering for?"
"don't tell me that ye never heard of Nialla Blackburn?"
"Never."
"Well matey...she's the prettiest creature to ever live! She dances here."
"Really."
"Yes! Come on let's get a drink and I'll tell ye about er."
Adrian nodded. "I didn't catch your name..."
"Names ain't important mate"
and so they went into a nearby pub and the weasel ordered two ales.
"So ye want to know about Nialla? Well here's what I knows. She's beautiful with sable fur and she dances with a friend o hers. She's the better dancer of course. I heard that she was a runaway. She had a bad home life I guess."
"She sounds interesting."
The weasel elbowed Adrian.
"There she is!"
He pointed towards the door. Adrian's heart skipped a beat as he gazed upon Nialla. Her fur was as dark as midnight and her eyes were the deepest blue. She caught his gaze and smiled. She grabbed a drink off of a passing waitresses tray and went to sit by them.
"I saw you looking at me. It's creepy with the hood and all."
"I...I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to be a creep."
He took his hood off and readjusted his glasses.
"It's good to meet you miss. I've heard a lot about you."
"Have ye?"
"Aye. All good things of course."
she smiled.
"Who are ye?" "Um....my name is Adrian." "Adrian who?" "Danisham."
The weasels jaw dropped.
"I knew something was odd about ye!"
The weasel quickly got up and left. Nialla shrugged.
"What an idiot. I'm sorry if I offended ye."
"No. It's fine. Miss Blackburn may I ask you something?"
She nodded.
"Would you like a nice home to stay in? I can tell from your dress that it's seen better days and I'm sure dancing doesn't earn a lot. I'm not doing this because I want you but because I want to be a good creature. A girl like you shouldn't be living on the streets."
== Chapter Three ==
Later that week, by Thursday afternoon, Nialla had made her decision and accepted Adrian's offer of hospitality. It was not every day, after all, that a creature of his family's social status offered decent food and shelter to somebeast of her rank. Still; although she did not know Adrian personally, Nialla found him likeable enough, and that was more than enough for her.
A cleaner but more expensive hack dropped Nialla at the gate of Rosewood Manor. She lingered there for what felt like several hours, taking in the sweeping house with its weathered but still-magnificent façade: It appeared to be built entirely out of granite and was several stories tall, adorned with various turrets with fine latticework. Clearly, a fine house for a fine owner such as Adrian Danisham, but even Nialla could see that it had begun to fall into visible decay. Nonetheless, it remained an impressive house; and eventually a servant let her in and told her Adrian was expecting her.
A gas-lit chandelier feebly swung from the ceiling, and a curved, dust-covered staircase led to higher floors, safely encased in a fading, dark blue velvet carpet that resembled the ocean.
Nialla allowed herself to be shown in and surveyed the entrance. A high stone archway separated the doorway from the front hall; and every inch of the flooring seemed to be covered with imported rugs decorated with fanciful designs of flowing streams and tiny leaping otters. Gloomy portraits stared unhappily at Nialla from the walls: Adrian’s mother with her son (depicted at around three), as well as an older girl she vaguely remembered as his sister, Rose. Adrian’s father Nathaniel was also seen in many; from a roguish younger otter with a handsome grin to an aging, well-dressed patriarch with graying fur.
The resemblance between father and son was uncanny, and more than passing.
Before Nialla could further dwell on this, however, Adrian came down the stairs, dressed in a plain white shirt with several ruffles on the collar, tight gray trousers, and a white waistcoat with dark green stripes. Or was that green with white stripes??
All in all, though, Adrian was a sight: Easy, aristocratic attractiveness blended with a hodgepodge of the awkward boyishness Nialla was already finding so endearing. Naturally, these things should have contradicted each other, but with Adrian they combined into something that was not quite a hypocrisy yet neither entirely natural. There was just something inherently intriguing about Adrian Danisham- what may have repulsed others, Nialla found herself drawn to. Local talk had it that after so many years in the house the boy was no longer normal. But, then, Nialla was well aware that normal was dull.
When Adrian reached the bottom of the stairs, Nialla found herself curtsying slightly- it was instinctive, really, after all these years.
Adrian, though, dismissed her with a roaring laugh a friendly wave of his paw.
“Nialla, that won’t be necessary. We’re both friends now, aren’t we?”
She smiled shyly.
“Of course.”
And with that, he took her by the arm and led her up the stairs.
~
Nialla spent the remainder of the afternoon touring the house. Adrian showed her every inch of it (all twenty-four rooms) with virtually no assistance from the servants. The more Nialla saw of Rosewood Manor, the more, she found, she was impressed: Everywhere she looked she saw fine carpets, velvet upholstery on the furniture, and rare and expensive woods. It was all very lavish, but at the same time very comfortable, and Nialla was slowly getting used to the fact that she really would be living here.
After somewhat more than an hour, the only room they had yet to visit was Adrian’s bedroom, and as the two walked down the hall towards it, Nialla couldn’t help but notice that there was a sudden…. Change in Adrian’s mood, and the way he carried himself: His gait was becoming slower; and he walked with a visible trudge, and his shoulders sagged.
Stealing a glance at his face, she saw that the shy, handsome smile he’d first greeted her with had been replaced by a haggard, somber scowl. He hesitated on turning the doorknob, so Nialla stepped a few steps away and asked, concerned:
“Adrian? Are you all right?”
He smiled slightly, but it was fleeting.
“Of course, Nialla; I’m just fine. Nothing to be concerned about.”
They both knew, however, that Adrian sounded like he was talking more to himself than to her as they entered.
Adrian’s bedroom turned out to be a wide, spacious room with rectangular, open windows; and bluish-green wallpaper decorated with floral designs and leaves. An expansive bed with an elegantly-carved cherrywood headboard and footboard sat at the center, full of tasseled satin pillows and with smooth velvet covers drawn up to the headboard.
At the far left of the room there was a white marble fireplace with a decorative design of sculpted, twisting tree branches, and a mirrored dresser. There was only one chair, but Nialla wasn’t entirely surprised- Adrian didn’t often get company.
“As you can see, this is my bedroom- It’s a little tacky, yes, but I stopped minding years ago.”
Adrian muttered as they walked, a flicker of sunlight from outside casting shadows onto the carpets.  
The adjoining room turned out to be Adrian’s study; a plain, beige-walled room adorned only with a rolltop desk with clawed legs, its surface bare save a discarded letter opener and several unopened, neglected letters. It was clearly a secluded, severe room where the otter liked to be alone with his work, so Nialla did not comment on it. They spent the next few minutes awkwardly talking, until Nialla realized that one of the drawers on Adrian’s desk was partially open; revealing a glimmer of something bright, something polished.
Just before she attempted to close it, Nialla reached into the drawer, curiosity ever-growing, and produced a small dagger; its handle wrapped in leather and decorated with a few small beads. In the dusty wooden compartment that was the drawer, Nialla also saw a little brass ring, and judging by the size of it was either a large earring or a tailring for a small child.
The moment Adrian saw her with the dagger, however, Nialla had no time to further wonder who the ring had belonged to. Eyes wild and shaking all over, he took the dagger from her paw and shoved it back into the drawer, closing it.
“Nialla….. I’m sorry, but you are not supposed to touch that drawer!”
“Adrian, Adrian….. Calm down. I didn’t know; I was only going to close the drawer because it was open, but I saw a flash of something and I wanted to see what it was. If you thought I was going to steal from you---“
“It…. It wasn’t that.”
Adrian panted, sitting down.
“There are some…. Bad memories within this house, especially in the drawer you just opened. I’ve been trying to forget them for years now…… Just don’t take it personally.”
“Are you sure?”
Nialla gave him an odd glance, but Adrian only nodded, teeth gritted slightly.
“Yes, I am. We had better go.”
A brooding silence settled over them, but neither made any effort to interrupt it, and simply left the room.
== Chapter Four ==
Slowly, time began to pass by for Nialla and Adrian. As spring continued, the mishap in Adrian’s study was quickly forgotten, and the two began spending more and more time together when they had the opportunity. It was not long before they began developing a friendship: Their dramatically different personalities, it seemed, only served to bring them closer together; despite the fact that Nialla was far more spirited than the shy and introverted Adrian.
By the middle of June, though, it seemed their relationship had begun to deepen into something beyond friendship. As much as the two continually refused to want to acknowledge the possibility, suddenly the concept of love was looking more and more plausible by the day. Their relationship had evolved well beyond that of simple acquaintances, and there was quite a good chance it would never return to that simplicity again.
One day, Nialla returned from work somewhat early. The manor’s front hall was deserted; not even any of the servants were in sight as the otter entered.
“Adrian? Adrian, I’m home!”
A nervous, weakened voice carried over to her from another room:
“I….. I’m in the parlor.”
Seconds later, Adrian joined her, and Nialla was instantly taken aback at how unwell he appeared. The fabric of his shirt was rumpled as though he had slept in it, and his fur was strangely mussed; dampened as though with sweat and sticking out at odd angles. There were dark circles under his eyes, as though the otter had somehow aged prematurely overnight.
When Nialla finally managed to come up with a satisfactory response, it was:
“Adrian, are you well? You look horrible.”
“Do I?”
He mumbled, as though uncertain. Nonetheless, Adrian stumbled over to the nearest mirror and cringing when he saw his gaunt appearance.
“Is anything the matter?”
Adrian hesitated, clearly stumbling over his own muddled words.
“Um… Nothing is the matter….. I…. I just haven’t been able to sleep.  I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
“Do you want to tell me, then?”
“Do you want me to tell, then?”
Nialla asked, her features softened with sincere concern.
“I…. Um…..”
Adrian took her paw in his own, clearly struggling with himself as he mentally battled over what to say. Nialla’s own heart was pounding in her chest; as she herself was still grappling with her churning feelings for Adrian. Their relationship had gone far past one of friendship, that much was clear. But what, just what were they now?
When Adrian finally answered, though, Nialla could not say she had entirely been expecting it:
“Nialla Blackburn…..”
He began slowly, and Nialla could already tell just by looking at Adrian that he was truthful.
“You are the most beautiful and kindest otter I’ve ever met.”
Nialla could barely restrain herself from weeping. Here she was; an unremarkable creature from a background that was in no way noteworthy, being told that she was loved by Adrian Danisam. Adrian Danisham. Yes, he came from an extremely privileged family. Yet was shunned from it and cast off as a black sheep, a view that was shared by anyone in Port Kendall with enough gray matter to understand his supposed oddness. But Nialla had always seen past all of that.
Underneath all the whispers and his apparent bad reputation; Adrian had been nothing but kindly to her. But did she truly love him? Was this the creature Nialla could happily spend her life with?
For a few moments, she began thinking it over in her head. Adrian loved her, that much was obvious. She could see it in the look he got in his eyes when they looked at each other; and the genuine affection with which he’d spoken when he’d told her she was beautiful.
Nialla had never in her life felt like she was anything particularly special, despite how some passing males had treated her. Adrian had been kind to her, and in return; Nialla had been so understanding towards him when nobeast else bothered. Now that she truly thought about it….
There was a certain feeling the otter got now, as she thought through all of this. And although she could not describe it; it was like a peaceful, blooming warmth that spread through her entire body, even pervading, to a degree, into her thoughts. When she thought of Adrian, Nialla felt content, and even at peace. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that she truly, truly did share his feelings for her. And she could not deny it any longer.
“Adrian Danisham…..”
Nialla sighed and looked at him.
“Forgive me. I don’t mean to sound….. Sappy or anything, but you are the absolute most wonderful male I’ve ever met.”
And on that note, at last, they kissed.
~
Eleanor had seen less and less of Nialla as the weeks went on, and then became months. Soon there were little to no customers left. She knew that she wasn't as pretty as Nialla. Nialla was the only reason that they had gotten any money.
As she sat backstage examining her face in a mirror, Nialla came in and sat down.
"Sorry that I'm late."
Eleanor glared daggers at her.
"I'm going to be in the poorhouse because of you! You cannot keep seeing that male!"
"you aren't my mother. Also he might open his home to you as well."
"I would never go to live with a madman!"
"Mad?"
"Oh? you haven't heard?"
"Heard what?"
Eleanor smirked. "Let me tell ye what I've heard..."
~
Rumors danced at the back of her mind like teasing, vicious whispers.
…..Dozens of bastards, you know. Lays ‘em and leaves them, that’s always Adrian Danisham’s motive, always the way he was…..
……His mother was mad, too! Raised in the Long Patrol, talked just like a hare. The strangest thing!
Heard he insulted a servant once and he’ll do far worse on his bad days…. Has a real lust for blood, they say.
Hateful gossip murmured from the lips of embittered old dowagers, nothing more and nothing less. Nialla repeatedly tried to assure herself of these simple facts over and over. But it seemed that the harder she tried, the more real and more possible the rumors became.
Well, for better or for worse; here she was now, in the bedroom of the supposed Mad Dog of Rosewood, though it was empty save its two current occupants: The master of the house himself, and his female guest and lover. Nialla sat, (a few dozen light green, tasseled pillows at her back) in a light blue nightgown; struggling to concentrate on a book she’d gotten from the house’s library but failing to entirely do so. There was simply no point in pretending.
Adrian, meanwhile, sat to the far left of the room; staring vacantly into the fire. His eyes were glazing over and his whole body was limp and still, making it look as if Adrian himself had gone; leaving only an abandoned husk. Admittedly, Nialla was little better.
Adrian’s paws began to twitch erratically in his lap, and it seemed at last the spell had been broken. To say that he was nervous about the morning ahead of him was a pathetic understatement indeed. Boundless questions swam through his head at a nauseously fast pace; and none of which he could answer:
Suppose Nialla put stock into the local rumors about him, and would change her mind about loving him because of that? Would she change her heart that rapidly?
Adrian tried to convince himself otherwise. Nialla was steadfast and rational; and had proved to him before that she was not easily swayed. Perhaps she would not have fallen in love with him if it weren’t the case. But regardless, the otter knew that Nialla was his only chance for a successful relationship; as his reputation in Port Kendall was long damned.
Almost undoubtedly, none of the other local girls would have him. But Nialla Blackburn, as he’d come to know, was not like the other girls (fragile, arrogant damsels who would swoon at the drop of a hat). And he loved her even more for that reason. And try as he might, there was nothing more Adrian could do now other than hope that she accepted him.
“Adrian? You all right?”
Nialla’s voice was concerned, but barely louder than a halfhearted, indistinct murmur.
“I’m just thinking,”
He replied.
Nialla hesitated, this time more emotion breaking through.
“About what?”
Adrian turned to face her, giving what he hoped resembled a mysterious smile.
“Life and how much I love you.”
Nialla smiled a bit, though the look on her face seemed more haunted and contemplative than anything else.
“I love you too, Adrian, it’s just….. Never mind. It isn’t important.”
“What? Is something wrong?”
“Well…. Your past. After what happened in the study, I mean. Are there some things you don’t think I should know?”
Adrian crossed the room to the bed and sat beside her against the cushions.
“I don’t want to give you nightmares.”
He teased.
Nialla, on the other hand, just laughed.
“You quite sure about that?”
Adrian hesitated.
If he was going to tell Nialla about his past and everything he’d kept from her, he was willing to admit there was no better time than now. Either she accepted him for who she was, or she wouldn’t. There was no going back now, but Adrian did not care. He had to do this; should have done this quite some time ago.
“Do you want to tell me? If you don’t want to I suppose I’ll live.”
Adrian brushed off her concern.
“I think you should know. T….That dagger is my mother’s.”
He began, voice beginning to crack already.
“She and my brother died on Green Isle. I have his tail ring….The Shellhounds made it for him.”
Nialla suddenly felt embarrassingly childish about wanting to know what Adrian had been hiding in his study. It was no wonder the poor male didn’t want to tell her; they were the possessions of his dead brother and parent! Still, she recalled Adrian as having mentioned a brother who’d been engaged. Surely they couldn’t have been the same creature or Adrian would have mentioned him in past tense.
“Your brother? I….. I thought you said he was marrying the Rhulain.”
Her voice was a pitiable croak.
“I had another one. When I was seven my mom gave birth to triplets, two males and a blind female. One of the males was murdered by a warlady. Her followers made all of us otters watch as she slit the infants’ throat.”
Nialla stared in gaping horror, unable to respond for a few moments; shocked into silence. Now everything had fallen into place. Not only did she understand Adrian for not telling her about the mysterious dagger and tailring he’d been so eager to hide; she forgave him for it. Who was she, wanting to dig into business that was clearly not hers to know?
No creature should have had to go through what Adrian described; to be forced to stand, watching, as a helpless newborn was slaughtered in front of your eyes.
“Adrian, I’m so sorry…. I understand why you didn’t want to tell me.”
“It…..It’s okay. His death was quick, unlike mother’s.”
He managed to continue.
Nialla hugged Adrian to her tightly, saying nothing as he went on.
“A wildcat invaded, and Mum disguised herself as the Rhulain and went to face him but she wasn’t strong enough. His claws sliced her open and there was nothing the healer could do. The healer said she was already dead before the attack though; that she had a strange disease that left hard lumps inside her….. I wasn’t allowed to say goodbye.”
As pathetic as he knew he must look by now, Adrian knew he was powerless to stop the stinging tears that trailed down his cheeks. Nialla tenderly wiped a way a few of them before removing her paw.
“Adrian…. I just can’t apologize enough. I’m looking at myself now; and I can’t believe I ever doubted that I wanted to marry you just because there was something potentially dangerous you weren’t telling me.”
Adrian’s voice was sincere as he spoke:
“I would never hide anything from you. I just hate to speak of it. I want to focus on us; I want you to be happy.”
Nialla leaned against the male slightly, laying down so that her head rested on his shoulder.
“I understand,”
She whispered.
“And to tell you the truth, Adrian…. If I’d never found you, I would never be as happy as I am now. And I mean that.”
Adrian’s tone was incredulous now.
“Really?”
“Yes!”
Adrian drew Nialla closer to him, so that they were laying in each other’s arms. His body suddenly felt limp; as though being relieved of all the things he’d been so worried to tell Nialla had suddenly made him light and carefree. Though of course that was far from the truth, Adrian enjoyed the moment and kissed Nialla on her forehead.
There was nothing in the world he ever would have, could have wanted more than this.
== Chapter Five ==
Eventually, even more time began to pass. After a lot of conversation on the matter; Adrian and Nialla were engaged by the middle of July, though they had not told anyone about it yet. So far. Four days after Adrian proposed, Nialla was sitting with said male in the front hall; and all was silent until there was a sudden rapping coming from the door.
Nialla was startled, and reflex nearly caused her to jump up in surprise as she heard the sudden, incessant knocking at the front door. The servant, a mouse named Mordecai went to open the door; and Nialla looked to Adrian for answers. (Said otter was currently leaning on the bannister)
“You never told me anythin’ about company. Who is it?”
Adrian gave a bit of a distracted sigh.
“My sister.”
Nialla was surprised by this revelation.
“Really? I thought your sister hated you!”
Adrian simply threw up his paws and adopted a neutral look.
“Hate is a strong term. She hates my life choices, that’s all.”
Nialla smirked a bit.
“And why’s that?”
Adrian caught her look and simply put on a sly smile to match.
“I’m a recluse and don’t know how to socialize.”
“Oh, of course….”
Nialla walked unhurriedly down the stairs and went to the door, following after Adrian’s lead.
Standing in the doorway was a rather mean-spirited looking female. In Nialla’s mind the term she assigned Adrian’s sister was “Piece of work”, but she knew far better than to so much as whisper the phrase aloud. Though Rose couldn’t have been more than ten years older than her brother at the oldest; for some curious reason she looked significantly more aged. Her mouth curved downward into a bitter, sour snarl; and she was clad in a wine-colored taffeta gown that swished lazily about when she moved.
A pack of small children with bright eyes and runny noses flanked her; however they quickly ran off in the direction of the kitchen, laughing. Rose waited a few minutes until it appeared the children would be occupied for the time being before clearing her throat and addressing her brother:
“Really, Adrian, I never thought you’d stoop so low. Bringing a whore into the home gives the family name a bad reputation!”
Adrian shot an icy glower in Rose’s direction but thankfully did not appearing to be losing his temper.
“Nialla is not a whore. She’s a guest.”
Nialla blushed slightly, clearly embarrassed. The comparison had often been made before. Though she dressed modestly enough; it had been said more than once that her performances were far too suggestive and evocative for a male audience. Still, Nialla was not a common woman of the streets, and truly hated the implication that she was whenever it was brought up. And this time was no exception.
“Miss Danisham, I’ve had some problems with males in the past, but Adrian’s right. I’m not a whore!”
Rose’s face turned a vivid pink at these next words. Outraged, she snarled shrilly:
“You dare to speak to me that way?! Adrian, tell your pet to play nice.”
Adrian folded his arms and growled in a low, and even threatening tone:
“Shut up.”
Before Rose had a chance to say anything more, Nialla said, and rather sneeringly:
“Are you by any chance this rude to YOUR husband?”
The other female only turned her nose up at this notion.
“No. He listens to me very well.”
She said with a hint of childish pride.
Adrian only laughed; though it was harsh and hollow.
“You’re going to make him drink to death, poor man.”
Rose neither confirmed nor denied this. Instead, she gave Nialla and Adrian a final look of disproving scorn and trudged off up the stairs. When the increasingly-distant form in the burgundy gown was gone from view; Nialla turned around and looked at Adrian.
“Suppose we ignore her for her entire visit?”
She asked quietly, making no effort to hide her exasperation.
It seemed, though, that Adrian agreed.
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“Come on, let’s go then.”
And with that, they went out the front hall and were gone.
~
The afternoon went by quickly than was expected. Adrian and Nialla spent some time in town; and by the time they returned to Rosewood Manor, Rose seized the first opportunity she got to corner her brother once again. At the moment, she, along with Nialla and Adrian were continuing their seemingly unceasing argument at the top of the stairs.
“Adrian, you cannot let her live here! You barely know her and she looks like a whore!”
Rose screeched, paws on her hips.
“Rose, watch your mouth!”
Adrian warned, his voice a growl.
Nialla attempted to pry the quarrelling siblings apart, though her efforts were in vain. Rose shrieked and retreated slightly away at Nialla’s attempt to wrench her away from the skirmish by the arm.
“Don’t touch me, ya wretch!”
Nialla, however, only smirked at this.
“Lovely language!”
It seemed Adrian felt likewise.
“Aye, she’s not much of a lady.”
“Huh, unsurprising.”
All three parties looked up, however, as there was a knocking on the door for the second time that day. As no servants were readily available; Adrian answered it himself. Within a few moments, there were sounds of laughter and good-natured chatter coming from the partially-open doorway.
“….Hello, Auntie! Come in!”
Intrigued as to who this new visitor might be, Nialla started to walk down from the top of the stairs; only to be quickly stopped by Rose’s voice:
“Oh, going somewhere?”
Nialla froze mid-step, gripping the burnished railing.
“Downstairs.”
“Charming. Now if you’ll excuse me; I’ll be off to find my children…. Wherever they’ve gone.”
And with that, Rose turned and disappeared down a shadow-swathed corridor, taking her arrogance and scornful derision with her. Giving a slight sigh of relief, Nialla continued to walk down the stairs. From this point she was able to catch snippets of conversation between Adrian and his new caller:
“….It’s good to see that you two are still arguing, I could hear you outside! And who is this lovely lady, Adrian?”
Nialla smiled thinly and went to join Adrian, curtsying as she did. The other creature in the doorway turned out to be a middle-aged otterwife. She was tall and relatively bony; wearing a simple cream-colored dress, and a cloak that matched her eye color.
“I’m Nialla Blackburn, and you are?”
“Layla Galedeep, I’m their aunt. I run a small clinic in town.”
“Pleasure to meet you.”
Nialla hesitantly glanced back to the shadow of the stairwell where Rose had stood only minutes before.
“Is your niece always this unpleasant?”
Layla shook her head wearily by means of reply.
“Pardon her; she was raised by sailors.”
Nialla grinned slightly and pretended to scold Adrian; before turning back to Layla.
“Is there any reason why you’ve come here?”
“Oh, yes! I almost forgot. I received a letter from your father, Adrian. He’s coming home soon.”
== Chapter Six ==
Adrian didn't take the news about his fathers sudden visit very well. He had every servant that worked for him either cleaning, shopping, or cooking. Nialla even saw Adrian help scrub the wooden floors alongside the workers before she went into town to try and find some nicer clothes. It wasn't until that evening when she returned empty handed that she had a chance to talk to her fiancé.
"Adrian, what was with all the cleaning earlier?"
"My dad and brother cannot see the house a mess. They love this place too much."
"I see. Perhaps we should prepare a welcome dinner for them?"
"That's a great idea! I'll tell the cook in the morning."
Nialla smiled. "I'm nervous about meeting them. I hope they don't react the way that your sister did."
"They won't."
"How do you know? "
"Listen...Rose grew up differently than my brother and I. She has a problem trusting people so once she realizes that you are trustworthy she might come to like you."
Nialla rolled her eyes. "Whatever ye say."
The next day Adrian's father and brother arrived on a small ship. They both brought a lot of luggage including a huge trunk. Unfortunately they arrived when Adrian and Nialla were out. So the two were able to rest while the servants prepared dinner.
It was late afternoon when Adrian and Nialla returned. They were surprised to find all of Adrian's relatives milling about in the parlor. A red furred otter with only one arm was quick to jump up and shake Nialla's paw.
"Hello miss! Me name is Coty. I'm Adrian's younger brother."
"Nice to meet you." She replied.
Coty was shorter than his brother and his eyes were a warm brown. He wore a simple green tunic and he had a plain gold paw ring which suggested that he was married. A rather large and graying sea otter was the next to shake paws with Nialla. Nathaniel looked a bit ragged and his eyes were distant even though he was smiling.
After everyone was introduced Nialla went upstairs to freshen up. As she was digging through the wardrobe for something decent to wear there was a knock on the door. She smoothed her skirts and went to open it. Adrian stood outside with a package which he held out to her. "Um this is for you. Layla helped me pick it out."
He blushed.
Nialla accepted the gift and opened it. Inside was a beautifully embellished blue evening dress. "Adrian it's beautiful!"
"I thought you'd like it. Well...you better hurry and change; dinner is almost ready."
At dinner everyone was shocked when Adrian announced he and Nialla's engagement. Nathaniel promptly stood and raised his tankard. "A toast, to my son and his bride! May they live long and happy lives and have many sons!"
Nialla slammed her paw into the table so hard that everyone's plates rattled. "You're kidding! Why do you think that I'm marrying your son just so I can birth children? I'm marrying him because I love him!"
Adrian put a paw on her shoulder. "Nialla..."
== Chapter Seven ==
Summer endured and prospered for three more months; before turning frail and fading away in mid-September. Gone were the stifling, humid days and purpled, gentle nights; jarringly and abruptly replaced by cooler weather and a damp, crisp feeling in the wind.
September 16th marked the day of Adrian and Nialla’s wedding, to be held at a small and unassuming local church. The bride and groom were both thrilled and very much excited about the upcoming ceremony, although their nerves had been rattled considerably. There was no telling who (to wit, Rose, Nathaniel- or heaven forbid both of them) might cause some overdramatic and ridiculous fit just as the wedding was getting underway.
With this weighing very heavily on his mind, Adrian left the cool, shaded solitude of the church building and walked out into the churchyard (which also housed the cemetery). It was an autumn day that felt more like a morning in spring; there was a mild, pleasant breeze. The air smelled distinctly of wild lilacs mingled with the salty fragrance of the distant sea.
As he strolled casually through the graveyard, among the tombstones, Adrian noticed practically instantly what a strangely peaceful the place was; despite it being a symbol of despair and finished lives; some of which perhaps had been snuffed out too soon.
Some of the headstones (what with their elaborate designs and decorations of death’s heads, plants and flowers, and watchful angels) were more complex than others- Some had inscriptions that were near-impossible to read, faded by the passage of time. Still others could not be viewed due to being obscured by weeds and wild grass.
Were it possible, Adrian would have stopped and lingered at his mother’s grave, though that was unfortunately not an option- Originally, Clarice was to have been buried in the family graveyard (rather than the public churchyard through which he now shamelessly skulked), but her body had been too dismembered to send home. In the end, Clarice had been buried on Green Isle, alongside Larath; and it was agreed this was as suitable a resting place for her as any.
Though it had been years now since his mother’s passing, Clarice’s death still left a dull, festering wound in Adrian- No matter how healed it appeared to be on the surface, there would never be a day he would stop missing Clarice, despite the fact that she had died in his childhood.
Adrian stopped walking halfway through the churchyard and managed to put the past to the back of his mind for the time being. For now, the thing he was most concerned about was how damningly apprehensive he was on his wedding day, of all times!
The otter sighed in exasperation, aimlessly kicking one footpaw back and forth in the dirt; causing the fuzzy head of a dandelion to be lopped off in the process. He was anxious. It was only a natural feeling for the husband-to-be to experience, however. Nialla probably felt the same, if not slightly worse.
Still, that did nothing to ease his present anxiousness. Adrian knew his father would be pressing him and Nialla to have children practically the moment they left the church; and to complicate things even further, Rose (as much as her brother loathed her) did still not approve of their marriage (though she and her husband Canvas had opted *not* to attend the wedding; given the present circumstances perhaps that was for the better.).
By now, Adrian had reached the back of the cemetery. And, much to his surprise; there was Nialla, standing in the morning sunlight, half-shadowed by the shade of a cherry tree.
The dress she wore was relatively simple and not too elaborately-decorated, though neither was the dress unembellished or lacking those small, subtle touches that made it as stunning as it was:
It was not quite white, but rather, cream-colored. Taffeta with a skirt of fairly conservative length that featured an embroidered design of vines and blooming flowers. Two white satin roses decorated the bodice, and the sleeves were long and trimmed in silk. All in all; the whole thing was simple and simultaneously gracefully elegant, contributing to a beautiful, regal effect.
Adrian was struggling not to gape the entire time, but he knew that must have failed when Nialla merely smirked at him and said:
“You know you’re not supposed to see the bride before the weddin’!”
Though both of them clearly knew she was only feigning irritation.
“Oh, I know that.”
Adrian’s voice held a slight chuckle, and Nialla only shook her head by means of response.
“Then what are you doin’ here?”
“Nialla, I could ask you the very same thing- But I thought I’d get a little fresh air before the wedding…. I’m a lot more nervous than I thought I’d be. Are you?”
Nialla glanced up at the sky, which was as fragile as it was perfect; a gentle, peaceful blue and undisturbed by any storm clouds.
“Aye, I am.”
“We should probably get back inside, though, the ceremony’s in…..”
Adrian held his breath and consulted his pocket watch.
“Fifteen minutes.”
Nialla swore under her breath and fled back to the church as well as her skirts would permit her, and Adrian was not far behind.
~
Fifteen minutes later, a slow, overly-grim wedding march was played on an organ as Nialla began her proud but solitary walk down the aisle- Her father was not there for obvious reasons; they had not spoken or seen each other since she was a teenager, and Nialla strongly doubted he was even aware she’d gotten engaged.
Nonetheless, Nialla held her head high and took step after slow, impatient step down the carpeted walkway. Everyone was staring at her, though not necessarily out of negativity. The Danishams, as Nialla knew; were significantly looser and more casual than most of the wealthier families who lived along the coast. As such, she knew that she would probably be accepted with open arms (well, with one notable exception), and it was nothing to be concerned about.
At last, after what seemed an eternity, Nialla reached the altar where Adrian was waiting- His smile, undoubtedly, was supposed to seem upbeat and optimistic, but wavered pathetically by the second. Nialla quickly winked at him in lieu of a verbal reassurance. It seemed to be close enough; because moments later, her fiancée straightened slightly, and his expression became noticeably more confident.
And with that, the local priest took them through the ceremony:
“Do you, Nialla Blackburn, take this male, Adrian Danisham; as your lawful wedded husband?”
Nialla’s answer was almost instantaneous, but hurriedly sincere:
“I do,”
“And do you, Adrian Danisham, take this female; Nialla Blackburn, as your lawful wedded wife?”
Adrian only nodded somberly and exhaled.
“I do.”
“Do you promise to honor, and to stay true to each other for as long as you both shall live?”
They agreed.
“I now pronounce you man and wife; congratulations, you may now kiss the bride.”
The kiss Nialla and Adrian shared was fervent and heated; and was greeted by roaring, echoing applause.
The rice was enthusiastically thrown; and the new Mister and Missus Danisham left the church and returned home to Rosewood (where the extended family and other wedding guests would meet them for the forthcoming party.).
The party that followed was frenetic and fast-paced- Always in motion, never slowing, and NEVER quiet. On the first floor, three wedding cakes were served (One for the bride and groom, and two smaller ones for the wedding party.); plain vanilla and heavily decorated with glazed fruits and frosting.
Various wines, beers and other alcoholic spirits were readily available for drinking and sampling. Nathaniel, being himself, had become profoundly drunk within the first half an hour.
The guests chatted in mingled in the front hall, and spilled up well onto the second floor. While there was never any formal, organized dancing; waltzes and gavottes seemed popular among the younger guests. Regardless, Nialla’s footpaws became sore as the morning progressed and turned to afternoon:
Over the course of the reception, Nialla danced with more than half of the male guests, and not all of them were sober.
Just before supper, though, the merriment abruptly ended. The giddy, happy phase of drunkenness was rapidly beginning to fade for many of the inebriated guests; and all that constant dancing was beginning to take its toll on many an aching footpaw.
Just before the reception’s end, though, everyone gathered in the parlor for the bride and groom to open their wedding gifts.
Adrian received various books, and other miscellaneous presents he was politely happy to have; and Nialla was given mostly jewelry- some pieces more gaudy than others. The last present, however, was also the most unexpected:
When it seemed that all the presents had been opened and everyone had been thanked, Nathaniel (albeit with a slight stagger) approached Adrian and handed his son a slim leather sheath.
“Dad…. Dad, you can’t mean….”
Adrian’s eyes had widened in awe and surprise, but Nathaniel only nodded wordlessly.
With trembling fingers, Adrian slowly, carefully removed the hidden weapon from the leather pouch. It was a rapier; basket-hilted and immaculately polished, gleaming and mirror-like.
Nathaniel had given his son his late mother’s sword. And for a gift as precious, as poignant as that, there were no words.
== Chapter Eight ==
Adrian rolled over in bed and smiled at the sleeping form of his wife. The two of them were on their honeymoon in a small cottage by the sea. Everyday had been beautiful with mild weather and calm waters. Nathaniel had been kind enough to lend the happy couple his ship so that they could sail the coast if they wished. The mad dog of Rosewood had never been happier then he was with Nialla.
He sat up and got out of bed and walked over to the small vanity and fumbled around for his glasses. He accidentally knocked over a vase of roses and it shattered to the floor. He cursed loudly.
Nialla groaned and sat up. “Adrian?”
“Sorry for waking you darling. I was just looking for my spectacles.”
Nialla smiled. “You’re still fairly young so why do you need them?”
The male otter shrugged.
“Everything is blurry without them. It started a few years ago I suppose.”
He put on his glasses and began to pick up the pieces of the broken vase.
“Um…Nialla, we’ve been here for almost a month now and it would be best if we get back to the manor before it gets too cold. The north winds will make the seas rough.”
“Alright but, is that the real reason why you want to leave?”
“Yes. Also I’m worried about you.”
“Me?”
Nialla looked startled. Adrian’s face reddened and his whiskers twitched.
“Aye you, I’m worried that you might be well…you know.”
“No I don’t know.”
He put the broken pieces into a bin and sat down beside his wife. He looked into her eyes and sighed.
“What if you’re pregnant?”
Nialla didn’t say a word as she put a paw on her stomach.
“Do you really think….Oh Adrian?”
“I don’t know; I’m making an assumption. Either way we need to leave before the cold sets in. I’m a good sailor, but not as good as my father.”
Nialla nodded. They left the next day.
Autumn turned into winter as the first snowflakes drifted onto the rocky ground. It had been months after Adrian and Nialla had returned to Rosewood Manor and Nialla had thrust herself into a deep depression. Soon after they had returned she had found out that she was barren. She hadn’t been able to sleep, eat, or bathe without thinking about how she had failed her husband. That night at dinner she picked at her food and sighed as she kept her eyes fixed on the tablecloth. Adrian slammed a paw down on the table. 
“Nialla you need to eat!” 
She choked on a sob. “I’m sorry.”
The male otter stood up and stormed out of the room. He grabbed his cloak from a peg in the hall and left the house. He went into town to visit his aunt because she would try to help him with Nialla. Back at the house a servant squeezed Nialla’s paw gently yet reassuringly. 
"He just needs some air miss.”
“I should follow him. This is my entire fault.”
“No milady. You may catch cold.”
Nialla sighed and left the table. She gathered her skirts and went up the stairs to her bedroom where she sat on the bed and cried. Adrian sat at his aunt’s table with a cup of tea in front of him. Layla smiled gently at him and said,
“Adrian…I may not be a miracle worker, but I might have something that will cheer her up.”
“What is it?”
Layla got up and disappeared up the stairs. She returned a few minutes later with a bundle of blankets in her arms. She placed the bundle in Adrian’s paws and he looked down to see a tiny otterbabe with sandy fur patched with darker brown splotches. Her eyes were a pale sky blue.
“Layla…what about her family?”
“Dead. Her mother and father died of Dryditch fever not long ago and she needs a good home.”
“What if this child is carrying the fever?”
“Adrian! Now you’re sounding like your father. The babe is perfectly healthy and besides don’t you want to make Nialla happy?”
“Aye, I’m sorry. Um…Does this little one have a name?”
Layla shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”
Adrian cradled the infant under his cloak to keep her warm as he left the house and stepped onto the snow-covered street. When he returned to the manor he went up to his room where he found Nialla asleep on the bed still fully clothed with the tracks of tears still fresh on her cheeks. He reached out a paw and touched her shoulder gently. She stirred and sat up.
“Adrian…I...”
“Shh…I have something for you, love.”
He handed her the small bundle of blankets and she gasped in surprise and joy.
“She’s beautiful!”
Adrian smiled and hugged his wife and new daughter close.
“What should we name her?” he asked.
“Caroline."
== Chapter Nine ==
Four years drifted by. Slowly but doggedly; Nialla began to recover from the depression that had been the source of so much of her suffering. The darkness that had so visibly settled over her was gradually alleviated by spending time with Adrian and their baby daughter Caroline; who had now grown up into a high-spirited four (almost five) year-old. The young one, meanwhile, had proven highly prone to constant misadventures at home as well as elsewhere- more so when she was playing with her friends.
Sometimes the children played, other times they argued and quarreled amongst themselves; which their parents found endearing- A tiny mirror, an uncanny reflection of the lives and relationships the little rapscallions would enter into when they, too, were grown.
Nonetheless, Adrian and Nialla were both taken by surprise when their daughter returned home crying one bright April afternoon; Caroline had entered the house sobbing hysterically. Her simple, white and pale green dress seemed slightly torn and stained with dampening mud; and her dark fur was wet with messy tears.
“Mum?? Daddy?!”
The child sobbed, looking frantically about the foyer for her parents- wherever they could be. Nialla and Adrian, meanwhile, had been in the latter’s study when the sound of their daughters tortured sobs floated up past the stairs to them.
“Adrian, did you hear that?”
Nialla asked, brow furrowing in concern.
“It sounds like Caroline crying.”
“What could she have to cry about? We sent her out to play half an hour ago; she seemed so excited….”
Adrian sighed, vividly recalling how he and Nialla had both given their daughter permission to play outside with her friends only half an hour prior. She had giddily promised to be back soon and that they would all stay out of trouble; and now Caroline had returned and was subsequently crying her eyes out downstairs.
After a several seconds of going over the possibilities; Adrian knew, with a heavy, painful feeling at the back of his mind that Caroline’s friends had probably teased her- And that itself had likely been because they’d heard all manner of filthy, disreputable rumors about her parents. Of course. It all made perfect sense…..
“Never mind, Nialla…. I’ve figured it out on my own.”
“Figured wot out?”
“Why Caroline is crying- come on, we have no time to just sit about talking while our daughter is upset and looking for us!”
And with those words, Adrian fled the study; Nialla following behind in his wake. A darker and heavy mood was beginning to settle over her as well. As much as she hated to believe it, she knew Adrian was probably right- Though she had met Caroline’s friends in the past (they had seemed like sweet, decent enough creatures) There was no telling what vile garbage their parents had instilled in them already. And if it was one thing Nialla would not allow; it was her daughter to be bullied and made fun of for something that she not only had no control over, but also was not even true in the slightest.
“Caroline, Caroline what happened?”
Adrian reached the bottom of the stairs seconds before Nialla did, and protectively enfolded the little girl in his markedly scrawny arms.
“Everyone called me names…. Daddy, they made fun of me for bein’ ‘dopted and said….They said you were mad.”
“The nerve of those little mongrels….”
Adrian sighed and muttered half to himself; his heart breaking as he held Caroline’s quavering form close to him and wiped at her tears.
Nialla, meanwhile, sighed as she approached the two.
“I should have known that this would happen….”
She said, looking quite bitter as she spoke.
Looking up from his continuous effort to soothe his daughter, Adrian only shook his head.
~
Fifteen minutes later, Adrian stood in the parlor, just having finished reassuring Caroline; though with a good deal of help from Nialla. Giving his daughter a gentle hug, the otter finished with:
“Now, Caroline, I want you to understand that it’s not a problem that you’re adopted. Your mother and I are still your parents; and of course we love you. Don’t ever forget that. And as for those rumors…. As it is, I don’t have the greatest reputation in town, and some creatures feel it’s acceptable to say bad things about me. But none of those things are true, so don’t you take that to heart; all right?”
“All right, daddy.”
Giving both parents a shy smile, Caroline hugged both Nialla and Adrian before leaving the parlor.
Alone with her husband, Nialla at last had an opportunity to tell him something she’d been meaning to for a while. Settling onto the nearest couch with a sigh, Nialla told Adrian, as straightforwardly as she could:
“Adrian… I’ve been thinkin’ maybe we should move.”
And in truth, the concept of moving was not without its benefits- Perhaps they could all move to a more rural area, where Caroline would have more places to play, and it was a given that nobeast was likely to have heard of Adrian (or the Danisham family) in the less-populated areas beyond Port Kendall.
“I’ve thought about that, but where would we go?”
Nialla shrugged.
“The cottage where we spent our honeymoon?”
Adrian was more tentative about this idea.
“It’s too far away from society and it gets extremely dangerous during storms.”
“Then maybe we could move to a more rural town where no one’s heard of you or your family?”
“Maybe…. I’d hate to move our family though.”
“I know. But I’d hate to have Caroline growing up like this, thinkin’ her father’s a monster….”
Nialla shuddered at the very idea- it was undeniably heartbreaking having to reassure her daughter that no, there was nothing wrong with her father; and that all the local gossip implying otherwise held no water.
“She knows that I’m not a monster. Besides, I’m not her real father anyway. As long as she knows the truth she’ll grow up fine.”
At this, Nialla’s expression grew cold. She glared at Adrian, disgusted at his words.
“Adrian Danisham, don’t try pullin’ that horseshit on me. Caroline may not be your blood or my blood; but she’s *your* daughter too. And it’s time you should think about her needs instead of yer own.”
Adrian was silent for a moment- As much as he hated to admit defeat, his wife was right. He was being ridiculously selfish. Focusing so much on his own wants was egotistical; and if he wanted to be a better parent he was going to have to pay just as much attention to Caroline’s needs as his own.
“Aye, you’re right. Caroline’s needs come first.”
He threw up his paws in defeat.
And with that, he stood and left the room; trudging up the stairs to spend time with his daughter.
== Chapter Ten ==
A year passed and at five years old Caroline had become very adventurous. For days she had been begging her father to teach her how to use a sword. One day when Adrian had all of his paperwork done he bought his daughter a wooden sword. He took her out to the garden to practice.
"Very good Caroline! Now try using both paws to swing. You'll have more power."
"When can I 'ave a real sword daddy?"
"When you're older."
Caroline frowned.
"Swords aren't toys sweetheart. You could hurt yourself or someone else."
"I know, I know."
Suddenly a door slammed open and a mouse maid screamed, "Master Danisham!"
Adrian ran to her. "What is it Jane?"
"It's Nialla! I fear she's fallen ill!"
"Take me to her!"
The two ran back into the house while Caroline plopped down in the grass and threw down her sword. She didn't want her mother to be sick, but she was upset that her father had left their swords lesson unfinished.
It wasn't long before Layla's medical skills were needed. Nialla was definitely ill, but she didn't have a fever. Adrian paced up and down the hall until finally Layla stepped out of the room and oddly enough she was smiling. "Adrian, It's a miracle!"
"What?"
"She's expecting!"
Words couldn't describe the way that Adrian Danisham felt.
That night both of Caroline's parents tucked her into bed. "Mum, are you sick?"
"No my dear, we have some news for you."
She looked up at her father. "Your mum is going to have a baby. So you'll be a big sister."
Caroline wasn't as excited as her parents. "I don't want a baby. Wasn't I good nough for ya?"
"Now Caroline...." Started Nialla.
"I thought you 'dopted me cuz ya couldn't have a baby? Will you still love me with a child of your own?"
Tears slipped down the young otters face. Nialla sighed and said, "We will always love you no matter what. Don't ever forget that. You will always be my daughter."
A few months passed and Caroline had slowly warmed up to the possibility of a younger sister. Adrian was busier than ever now that summer had set in. New crews of pirates had been spotted along trade routes so he had been called away from home so that he could create new routes to keep cargo ships out of danger.
Two days before her husbands return, Nialla had left Caroline with Layla so that she could go down to the market for a few things.
Fresh fruit and rare goods such as silks and pearls were popular this time of year. Nialla was purchasing apples when she heard a familiar voice.
"Nialla?!"
She turned around to see Eleanor. Her old friend hadn't changed much except that she had traded in her green silk dress for a more comfortable cotton one.
"Eleanor! It's good to see you."
"Aye, the same to you! Oh my, are you expecting?" She asked while eyeing Nialla's growing stomach.
"I am."
Eleanor grinned. "Nialla, why don't we have our fortunes read like we used to? It'll be fun."
"Um...well maybe just one reading. I wasn't planning to be in town long."
Her friend ignored the last part of what she said and grabbed Nialla's arm. The two went to a nearby soothsayer's booth and took a seat on stools. The old fox at the table wore a robe of dark crimson silk and had a wide variety of necklaces and bracelets that jingled noisily when the fox moved. The soothsayer grabbed Nialla's paw and looked at her palm. She mumbled under her breath and then gasped. "Cursed...."
Nialla looked taken aback. "Excuse me?"
"This one is cursed!" Shouted the soothsayer.
Nialla turned to her friend, but Eleanor just grinned. "Cursed indeed. A mad dog's spawn inside of you."
Tears started to well up in the dark furred otters eyes. No. It was all rumors and lies! Nialla grabbed her basket and took off at a quick pace back home. Her baby was no curse. He or she was a miracle! Oh how she wished that Adrian would have listened to her and moved the family to Mossflower.
== Chapter Eleven ==
Several months later, in the autumn; the day arrived when Nialla was due to give birth. She went into labor early one afternoon in October, and it seemed, to Adrian, an eternity until evening fell and Layla barged out of Nialla’s room; looking exhausted but smiling nonetheless.
“Is Nialla….?”
Embarrassingly, Adrian could not get himself to complete the sentence; as though doing so would bring bad luck- how ridiculously superstitious.
Fortunately, though, Layla gave an affirmative nod.
“Aye; she’s fine. Poor thing’s exhausted from the labor, but we know Nialla- she’ll survive.”
“That’s quite an understatement.”
Adrian found himself smiling at this.
“And the baby?”
He practically forced himself to ask next.
“Well. A bit on the small side, but healthy. Congratulations, Adrian, you’re the father of a little boy!”
A rush of warm, pleasant relief- Indeed, Adrian was almost dizzy with happiness from this news. A son. Despite all their previous obstacles, he and Nialla had finally had a child together, and a healthy one at that! The very idea thrilled the otter, and he honestly doubted he could wait any longer before seeing his little boy.
Trying and failing to restrain his childlike anticipation, Adrian asked his aunt:
“May I go see them? I mean; you said they’re both all right so I don’t see why not….”
“Of course; she’s your wife, after all. Stay as long as you want- The boy’s beautiful.”
Layla then took several steps away from the door so that Adrian could pass. Giddy, ecstatic eagerness almost overwhelming him with every step, he closed the door behind him and went to greet Nialla.
Nialla, as it turned out, was half-sitting half-lying in the bed- Her eyes were dull and half-open, but she broke into a noticeable smile as Adrian approached.
“Adrian! Isn’t he lovely?”
As soon as her husband was sitting beside her, Nialla drew back an obscuring layer of cloth on a cluster of blankets that she held. Peering curiously through the cloths was the face of a tiny, simply adorable newborn otter: His body was already covered by a layer of damp, downy baby fur; already the same glossy black as his mother’s. His eyes, though still unseeing, were also Nialla’s warm brown.
The child’s father, though, was enchanted already.
“Nialla, do you mind if I….?”
“No, not at all.”
She shook her head and handed the infant over.
Though Adrian had previous experience with handling babies from Caroline; the first time he held his son it felt as though he had suddenly become a new parent all over again- Thrown abruptly into a strange and foreign world with which he was totally, embarrassingly unacquainted. Nonetheless, Adrian still did a decent job at holding the newborn; rocking the baby otter slowly and gently in his arms.
“We never did decide on a name, did we?”
“No. We really should have,”
Nialla sighed; clearly wracking her brain on just what to name their son- She and Adrian had spent all summer attempting to find the perfect name for their second child, but with no success.
As he continued to soothingly rock his newborn son, Adrian noticed that the babe had fallen asleep already, and smiled fondly; handing the child carefully back to his mother.
After another moments’ thought, it dawned on Adrian. Suddenly he had a valid suggestion on what to name their son…..
“Nialla? How do you like the name Colin?”
Nialla only looked from Adrian to the sleeping otterbabe, hesitating a moment; clearly in thought. She liked the sound of a name. It was simple, not too elaborate, and had a quaint, slightly old-fashioned sound to it. She liked it.
“I love it, Adrian. It’s perfect.”
“Just like our son.”
~
Several minutes later, just before she was supposed to sent to bed; Caroline was summoned to her parents’ bedroom to meet her new brother, and the young otter was not entirely certain what to expect.
Because his job as a merchant meant that he was not always home, the little girl tended to cling to her father more often than some children did. She loved and idolized Adrian, and always missed him terribly when he was gone.
And now she was going to have share him with a new sibling. Despite her worries and steadily-blooming jealousy; Caroline was nonetheless curious to meet her brother, as older siblings frequently are.
So, she tried to forget about all her troubles and jealousy and went to see her parents.
Nialla, meanwhile, saw her daughter enter the room and indicated that she come closer.
“Caroline, come meet your brother.”
Despite the fact that her curiosity was building by the minute, Caroline was still reluctant. She remained by the door.
“I don’t wanna.”
“Why?”
Both her parents said in unison.
The ottercub scowled as though the answer was obvious.
“You’re goin’ to like him more than me!”
Adrian walked to where his daughter stood and knelt beside her.
“Caroline, we will love you both equally. You should be excited to have a new member of the family.”
The girl only looked accusingly towards her father.
“But you’re not even always home much….”
“That doesn’t matter!”
Caroline only looked down at her footpaws.
“I’m sorry, daddy….”
Her voice was tinged, now, with shame.
In an effort to cheer her up, Adrian picked Caroline up and told her, with a wink:
“I promise to be home more if you try to love your brother….”
And this, it turned out, was an offer Caroline could not turn down. Her eyes widened in awe at the idea.
“Okay, daddy. I will.”
Adrian set Caroline down and walked back with her to Nialla’s bed, and her mother proceeded to introduce her to the newest member of the family.
== Chapter Twelve ==
Weeks passed and the Danisham family were happier than ever. Adrian had kept his promise to his daughter and had spent every day with her. Unfortunately nothing lasts forever.
A letter arrived one morning and as Adrian read it his face grew somber.
“Nialla…”
“Yes?”
“I’m to travel to Mossflower it seems.”
Nialla sighed.
“I’m sure that it won’t take long.”
“The trip takes a month. I’m not sure that I want to leave you home with Caroline and Colin. What if something happens and you need me?”
Nialla smiled and hugged her husband.
“We will be fine! Just promise me that you’ll come back in one piece.”
He kissed her softly,
“I’ll try.”
At that moment Caroline came into the room and ran to her dad and hugged his leg.
“Hi daddy!”
Adrian smiled fondly at the little girl.
“Hello sweetheart, um…daddy is going to be away for a while.”
Caroline frowned.
“Promise that you’ll come back.”
“I promise. I promise to come back, but while I’m gone you will have to be a big girl and help your mother around the house. Do you understand?”
“Aye daddy.”
Adrian left the next morning.
As Eleanor sat on her cot in her tiny apartment she grinned with delight. She had watched as the mad dog sailed out to sea. Her plan was already working as expected. Now in a week she could initiate the next stage of her plan. Being able to get revenge on Nialla would be Eleanor’s greatest accomplishment. Ever since the day that Nialla had left their performance the audience dwindled until no fans remained.
Eleanor had been raised in a large family and since she was one of the middle children she was always forgotten about and left alone. When Nialla left her she felt betrayed once again in her life. She would not let the mad dog keep her from getting the attention that she rightfully deserved.
A week passed and all was well in Port Kendall until the afternoon when Nialla Blackburn was shocked by devastating news. Eleanor rubbed at her eyes purposefully until they were red and watery. Then when she looked the part she hysterically began to bang on the door to Rosewood Manor and sobbed uncontrollably.
Nialla was the one to open the door.
“Eleanor, what happened?!”
The distraught otter grabbed Nialla’s dress.
“Oh Nialla, its horrible….just horrible!”
“What?”
“I can’t bear to even say it.”
Nialla looked worried.
“Please, tell me!”
“It’s Adrian…”
Eleanor looked up at Nialla with tears streaming from her eyes.
“He…he’s dead.”
“D…dead?! How?”
“Vermin attacked his ship and he was run through with a sword. At least that’s what I was told.”
Nialla’s legs shook and gave out beneath her. She fell to the ground sobbing uncontrollably.
“I’m so sorry that I had to be the one to tell you.”
The otter stood up straight and started walking away while wiping her eyes.
Nialla sat there for what felt like an eternity. The tears wouldn’t stop. Her mate couldn’t be dead. He just couldn’t!
At that moment Caroline was arriving home from the beach. In her paws she held a tiny basket of pink shells. When she saw her mother in such a distress the child dropped her basket and ran to her.
“Mum! What’s wrong?”
Nialla hugged her daughter close.
“It…It’s your father.”
Caroline hugged her mother tight and whispered,
“Is he…?”
“Dead.”
Nialla squeaked.
The little ottermaid started screaming, kicking, and crying. “NO! No, he promised to come back! HE PROMISED!”
== Chapter Thirteen ==
It was a gray late November noon at sea. Adrian Danisham paced the deck of the Summer Morning, a simple; rustic merchant schooner, and peered uncertainly out at the fogged, hazy horizon beyond. He could not wait until this tedious voyage would be over so he could return to his family before winter began- He missed them so much it left a hollow ache within; especially Caroline.
He did not have much time to continue to brood, though; for the beast in the crow’s nest yelled out:
“Land ho!”
And through the gloom, sure enough, Adrian could see that they were preparing to disembark and come ashore. At long bloody last. As various crates and boxes were unloaded from belowdecks, the otter was soon confronted by a withered; ancient-looking squirrel with an array of fading tattoos all over his twiglike arms.
“Good afternoon to ye, sir- Not from around here, are ya, matey?”
Adrian shook his head.
“No, I’m from Port Kendall. I received a message saying that there was cargo here for me.”
Narrowing his sunken eyes, the old beast peered intently at Adrian before replying:
“Cargo? What cargo? If you’re a Mr. Adrian Danisham, I’m sorry to say there ain’t no cargo for ye here.”
Adrian swore; his mind racing and not entirely sure of what was going on. Surely there had to be mistake- He’d been told there was cargo waiting for him here!
“Are you sure?”
“Aye, I’m sure. Checked three times meself. Nothin’ for you.”
Adrian felt his heart plummet. So this whole scheme had all been a lie- Why, why hadn’t he suspected it sooner??
“Damnit! I should have known all along that it was a hoax! I can’t believe I left Nialla alone…. When is the next ship leaving back to port?”
“Half an hour, sir.”
Within thirty minutes, Adrian was on the next ship back to Port Kendall. He had to make sure that his wife and children were all right; seasons only knew what they’d been told about his fate…. He tried and failed to remain calm about the whole ordeal, but ultimately, there was only one thing that enabled Adrian to remain somewhat at peace: He would be beside Nialla and their two children soon, and do his best to amend whatever lies may or may not have been told in his absence.
If he could get home quickly enough.
== Chapter Fourteen ==
Two months had passed with no more word of Adrian. Nialla had no choice but to accept that he really was gone forever. That night as she was preparing for bed, Caroline came into the room and climbed up into the bed.
"Mum, I've had bad dreams. I want daddy."
"I want him here too sweetheart." Nialla sighed.
"How is Colin?" Asked Caroline.
"Shh...he's sleeping, darling."
"I hope he's having better dreams than me."
Nialla sat beside her daughter and hugged her. "What are your dreams?"
"I dream that daddy is taken by pirates. Mean pirates with sharp teeth and missing ears. They hurt him a lot."
"They're only dreams."
Nialla kissed her daughter's head and smoothed her fur. " would you feel better if you stayed with me tonight? I don't want you to be scared."
"Aye, mum."
As soon as the ship pulled in to Port Kendall, Adrian jumped off before the gangplank even hit the ground. He had to get back to Nialla and set everything right. He ran with only one goal in mind when suddenly he ran into another creature.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going."
He reached out a paw to help the creature up. It was dark so he couldn't see her face. As he helped her up he was a little surprised when a street lamp lit up her face. "Eleanor?"
"Where are you off to in such a hurry Mad Dog?"
"I don't have time for you. I need to get home to Nialla."
She gave a harsh laugh. "Why bother? She never loved you. She only married you for your money. I bet that she's already found another lover."
"I'm not going to stand here and listen to your lies."
Adrian took off towards his home.
Nialla awoke suddenly to the sound of a loud crash. She sat up carefully without disturbing Caroline and stepped out of bed. The otter grabbed the first weapon she saw (in this case it was Caroline's wooden sword which was solid and could hurt some beast if they were hit hard enough).
As the otter made her way down the steps she heard paw steps coming towards the staircase. She raised the wooden sword defensively and waited until the intruder was close enough.SMACK!
She swung the sword as hard as she could and was rewarded with a sharp yelp of surprise and pain from the intruder. She quickly ran up the stairs and lit an oil lamp so she could see who the thief was. As her eyes met his she felt as if all of the breath had gone from her. She couldn't speak. Nialla Blackburn let out a pitiful squeak and fell to her knees; her eyes overflowing with joyous tears.
Adrian was rubbing his head where he knew a numb would soon form. "Nialla..." He whispered as he walked towards her.
The otter wife buried her face in her paws as he pulled her into his arms. "Shhh.... Everything will be alright. I'm here now."
Nialla looked up at him smiling. "Y...you're alive!"
== Chapter Fifteen ==
Awoken by all the noise her parents had caused, Caroline came running downstairs to see what all the commotion was about. Upon seeing her father home; very much alive and seemingly having returned from the grave, her blue eyes lit up and Caroline ran to Adrian, clinging to his leg.
“Daddydaddydaddydaddydaddy! You’re….You’re alive!”
As much as she wanted her daughter and husband to have their happy reunion; there were a great deal of questions Nialla desperately wanted answered first, and thus their impromptu family reunion would have to be postponed. Sighing heavily, she bent down and gently pried Caroline from off her father’s leg.
“Caroline; I’m really sorry, but can y’excuse yore father and me for a moment? There’s some things that I need to talk to him about…”
“But Mum!” Caroline protested, making Nialla feel even more remorse with herself.
“You’ll have him back in a few minutes, I promise…..”
It seemed that Adrian was also in agreement. “Your mother is right, Caroline. It’s time for bed anyways. I promise that we will spend all day  together tomorrow.”
Caroline only nodded and trudged somewhat sulkily off to her room.
Once their daughter had left, Nialla went to Adrian and hugged him, clinging tightly to him with a steely grip; her emotional dam having been shattered. She looked him directly in the eye, fighting back tears of joy, and shook her head.
“Adrian….. Adrian… I just can’t believe it….. How?? Eleanor told us you were dead! What happened to you?!”
“There was no cargo for me in Mossflower. On the trip here our ship strayed off course a bit, but we found our way. I’m sure the locals were hoping I was dead.”
“Oh, Adrian….”
To this, Nialla only gripped him even tighter before abruptly releasing him again.
“I….. Never mind.”
“Tell me, love….. What’s wrong?”
Adrian put a paw on Nialla’s shoulder, concerned.
Nialla looked at him wordlessly for a moment, saying nothing, her eyes dampened with tears, stinging and salty.
“I hope I don’t sound clingy….. Or dependent for sayin’ something like this,”
She began.
“But….. Tell me neither of us will ever lose each other ever again.”
Adrian gathered Nialla into a tight hug and let out a choked sob.
“I promise, Nialla. I promise never to leave you again.”
Nialla hugged him back in the same manner, before speaking in a voice that was surprisingly taciturn and determined:
“Adrian…. I know what I have t’do. Tomorrow, I’m going to Eleanor’s. I’m just not goin’ to stand by and let her ruin our lives any longer!”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
As much as she wanted to, Nialla knew this was an issue she could only settle on her own.
“No. It’d be best if I settled this alone; I hope you understand.”
“I understand, darling. Just be careful.”
She smiled a bit and kissed Adrian on the cheek.
“I will be.”
~
And with little further preamble; Nialla sprinted from Rosewood Manor and into the darkened nighttime streets of Port Kendall, as single-minded as a beast could be, and desperately hoping her goal to confront Eleanor could be achieved- Though hell might bar her way.
It was a brisk, chilly evening at autumn’s end; and a thick, off-white fog permeated over everything. After several intervals of silence, the occasional horse-drawn carriage would rattle past; or a wealthy creature’s walking cane would tap metrically against the cobblestoned pavement.
Racing breathlessly down alleyways and flagstone streets; Nialla continued her gloomy journey through the city until, at last, she reached the solitary brownstone building that Eleanor still resided in.
~
Meanwhile, in her compact, cluttered apartment; Eleanor paced the room, muttering erratically under the breath as she wandered dazedly about.
“My plans are ruined! Damn that Nialla….And that mad dog!”
Crossing the room to her tiny bed, with its single, grease-stained blankets and tiny yellowing, Eleanor sat down on the side and produced a small dagger from a pocket of her dress, stroking its tip and gazing contemplatively at its shining surface.
“There’s nothing left in it, for me….. There’s nothing left..….”
Gazing off into the distance, Eleanor knew she had little other choice than to simply end her life. Her idiotic, overly-ambitious scheme had failed her. Without profiting off her former friend’s misery; Eleanor knew she had no veritable goals left in life. With a filthy, destitute life like this, she was left to become little better than a common prostitute; a rag and a plaything for lustful males to have their way with. And even if she could avoid becoming a woman of the night, Eleanor knew her dancing career would by no means last forever. It was only a matter of time until she would be out of a job, and finding employment elsewhere would be an unlikely venture at best.
Thus; she would be left to wander aimlessly through the streets, mad and homeless, destined to die as the coward she was.
Eleanor had backed herself into a corner, and there was no easy escape plan in sight. Unless, of course….. She could die nobly, perhaps, with valor. This, at least, was a death for a dignified creature. Such as herself!
Smiling gleefully to herself, Eleanor raised the dagger and brought it to her chest. She was just seconds away from sinking it in for the killing blow when….. There was a harsh, loud rapping at the door…..!
“Eleanor???? Eleanor, it’s me! Nialla!”
“What, Nialla? What is it now? Can’t you see that you’ve….You’ve ruined my life?!”
But Nialla was persistent.
“Eleanor, please, if you would only listen to me…..”
“Why should I?!”
Eleanor sobbed, close to tears.
“….. I have a feeling I know what you’re thinkin’ and what you want to do….. It isn’t the way out.”
Eleanor had had enough of stalling.
“Try and stop me!”
And with that, the door swung open and Nialla ran in. The black ottermaid wasted no time in heading straight for the bed and pinning Eleanor down, and also made sure to pull the dagger from her former friend's grasp.
== Chapter Sixteen ==
Eleanor sat on top of a crate with her paws tied behind her. After her suicide attempt, Nialla had refused to let her out of sight and now the mad dog had arranged a crew to take her to someplace called Redwall Abbey for safety.
Two crew members, a young squirrel and an otter, were guarding her as the aforementioned mad dog of Rosewood was talking to the captain about some last minute details.
"Captain, I trust that you will handle her with care and make sure that she is seen safely to the Abbey."
"Of course Mr. Danisham. My crew and I will do everything in our power to keep her safe from herself. I've already sent word to the abbess that we are coming."
Adrian nodded in approval. "Good. Thank you for doing this. I have your payment too. I know the trip to Mossflower is long and treacherous."
He pulled out a sack of coins from inside the pocket of his coat.
"I hope this will be enough."
The captain looked inside and grinned at the shining gold.
"It's perfect sir."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nialla walked up to her former friend.
"I didn't want our friendship to end this way, but you will find new friends at Redwall."
Eleanor spit towards her. "You should've let me kill myself! Now you're sending me away so I can suffer in Mossflower?!"
"It's for your own good."
"How do you know what's good for me?! Damn you! Damn you and your mad dog!"
Nialla turned away from her former friend and as she was about to start walking away she said, "You ruined my family Eleanor. You're lucky that I even care if you live or die."
And with that she left.
== Epilogue ==
It had now been two weeks since Eleanor had been banished to the idyllic abbey of Redwall; and the sight of her former friend’s vengeful, anguished sobs as she was led away in shackles still haunted Nialla in the gloom of her distant nightmares. Nonetheless, it was somewhat comforting to know that, at least, Eleanor might find peace among the easygoing residents of Mossflower.
In addition, though, she was also haunted incessantly by the thought of her children’s’ future; and what sort of lives and childhoods they would have if the family remained in Port Kendall, where the family name had already been blackened. Colin and Caroline, she feared, might never be able to free themselves from the unfair and twisted shadow that years and years of rumors and twisted speculation had cast over their father; and it broke her heart to think of them being treated as outcasts simply for their heritage.
And so, she took it upon herself to confront Adrian about this matter in his study one day; standing outside and knocking on the door.
“Adrian? Adrian, I need to talk t’you…..”
“Come in, darling.”
Her husband’s voice echoed from behind the door.
“Have a seat and we can talk.”
Nialla found a chair and sat down; getting straight to the point:
"Adrian…. We really need t’talk about this; especially now that what happened with Eleanor’s behind us. I really don’t think it’s that safe. For us to raise Colin and Caroline in a place like Port Kendall.”
Adrian only shrugged as though the whole thing were no matter.
“We could always homeschool them.”
While that would partially solve the problem; Nialla did not entirely agree.
“They’d still have to get out and play with children their age at some point….”
“Nialla, where would we go? I won’t take my children to Mossflower.”
But Nialla, it seemed, knew exactly where to go instead.
"To that little cottage by the sea where we honeymooned; there’s a small village a few miles from there.”
“The sea is rough there. If either of them were to be playing when the tide came in, they’d be carried away. Darling, what is wrong with Port Kendall? We have a lovely house and this island is under a peace treaty so vermin won’t harm us.”
“Everything is wrong with Port Kendall; Adrian. The children would grow up as outcasts, and all your neighbors think you’re a madman. And then there’s…… Your father.”
“Those first two things are bad, yes, but what is it about my father you hate so much?”
It still made Nialla cringe to think of the embarrassing and downright humiliating things Nathaniel had said about her after her and Adrian’s wedding several years before.
“Well….. He’s said some very embarrassing things about me in the past, and he’d be an awful influence on the children.”
“He was drunk when he said those things!”
“That doesn’t entirely excuse it……”
Nialla was growing exasperated now.
“He loves the children very much,”
Adrian insisted.
“He spoils all of the grandkids with gifts during the holidays. Perhaps it would be better if we went to live on Green Isle with him?”
Nialla considered this- Indeed, this did not sound like too bad a compromise; although she still would have liked it very much if the children did not grow up in Port Kendall at all.
"Maybe during the holidays, maybe; but Adrian, please: Just consider my idea.”
“I am considering it, but I want Caroline and Colin to be happy.”
The black otter was also acting in her childrens’ best interest, and knew that Adrian was right to be thinking of their well-being just as much as she was.
“I understand; that’s all well and good, but could you at least think about it?”
“I’ll sleep on it, but I feel that Green Isle would be the best choice.”
~
Although it took some several days of debating, Adrian and Nialla eventually reached a compromise: They would move to a cottage Adrian would build on Green Isle (far away enough from the rest of the family); and would spend the holidays with the other members of the family. Nearly a week afterwards, Nialla and Adrian were finishing packing their things (the house had just been sold to Rose; who was more than happy to move in.), and Colin and Caroline were waiting for them in a carriage outside.
Striding down the stairs with a suitcase in paw, Nialla shook her head as she heard Adrian’s familiar footsteps and glanced up to smile wryly at him.
"It took you bloody forever to change your mind…..”
“Sorry that I’m stubborn. Blame my mother for that.”
Nialla only snorted in response.
“Caroline’s awfully excited, though.”
Adrian smiled at the notion; clearly glad his daughter was so happy about the move.
“Good. She needs some adventure in her life.”
"Aye, she does.”
Stepping over to Adrian, Nialla promptly kissed him on the left cheek.
“Do you think Colin will do all right on the voyage? He’s never been on a boat.”
Nialla had little doubt in her son; despite him being an infant still, she was still confident he would handle the journey well enough.
"I’m sure he’ll do just fine; and besides, I’ll watch him for you.”
And with that, Adrian hugged his wife, smiling.
“I love you, Adrian Danisham.”
Nialla whispered.
“I love you more, Nialla Blackburn-Danisham.”
And with that, bags in paw, the two strolled out into the late autumn sunlight, eager and ready to begin the new life that awaited them.
Category:Rogue Tide
Category:Complete