CHAPTER NINE

The Karst estate was the largest of such lordly homes in New Sandharbor. That was because it consisted of not one manor, but three. One for Ban and Lady Rippling Moon Karst, another for Lady Ascania and her growing collection of philosophy students, and the third was reserved as the official Ecclesian embassy within New Sandharbor. There were also four barracks for the armsmen, a small neighborhood of residences and even a serviceable market square for their families, and expansive training yards. The militaristic focus of House Karst was evident in every aspect of the estate, from the orderly lanes between buildings to the ever-present shouts and clamor of drilling soldiers.

Now, however, the estate grounds were quiet. The armsmen and their families held their tongues out of respect for their lord and lady. All waited in front of the first manor to receive word.

Where Ban sat on the third story, in the conservatory adjacent to his chambers, he thought that someone should go out and tell them all the news. He'd do it himself, but he was a little out of sorts at the moment.

He was too stunned to think properly. It was one thing for Ban to know this was coming, another thing entirely to see it arrived. Perhaps there was a small part of him that was aware of his poleaxed expression and general unresponsiveness to everything and everyone around him. The rest of him didn't care. Nothing else mattered, right then.

Ban had a son.

Touching his finger to the white one's tiny hand, he felt his fingertip get enveloped by a weak but determined grip. Four fingers to a hand, which was expected, but no hooves. There were two dark spots on his brow, suggesting he would one day have a rack of antlers to rival his mother's and uncle's. Ban tried not to be disappointed about the lack of hooves. He'd been looking forward to missing out on taking the little one to get fitted for shoes.

Unimportant. Despite a mess of worries and moments of stress during the delivery, Ban had a healthy baby swaddled in his arms. He was being given some privacy with the latest addition to his house while Enfri saw to Moon. The sky women and green ones spoke when they were sure Ban couldn't overhear, but he wasn't oblivious. He was acutely aware of how things almost went terribly wrong. Without Enfri, Lady Kiffa, and Saveen, Ban could've been left alone.

Gratitude washed through him once more. Whether through dragon bonds, alchemy, or the expertise of sky women, Ban's family was well and finally together, and he could focus on the more important things. Such as, this little red was currently the newest thing in the world, and Ban couldn't begin to wrap his head around that revelation.

All had gone still and silent, at least so far as Ban was concerned. Just him and his son.

Lord Nikos Karst. The fourth Nikos Karst, the last being Ban's grandfather on his mother's side.

"Your ma was sure you were going to be a blue, rybka," Ban murmured. He watched as Nikos scrunched up his face and let out a discontented gurgle. "Agreed. Speaking for reds, there's a lot of perks. Take a piss wherever you want, no monthlies, and just between you and me, we generally age better. It all comes up positive for fellas."

Ban darted his eyes towards the door, just in case anyone overheard. He'd doubtless get a few frosty looks from all the ladies swarming his estate if any of them took note of what he was putting in Nikos' head. Truthfully, he'd been starting to feel a little outnumbered, and so it came as something of a relief to get some male reinforcement.

He stood when Nikos started to mewl in a way that might've been the preamble to a hefty cry. When Ban stood and put Nikos to his shoulder, the baby settled. He gurgled and grunted while Ban patted his back, and after a few squirms, dropped off to sleep.

Well, now what do I do? Ban wondered. If I sit back down, he wakes up and screams at me. If I stay up, I'm stuck wandering around the estate until the end of time.

Fatherly dilemmas. The first of many, no doubt. Ban only hoped someone would jump in and tell him how to be a father before everyone figured out he was just making it up as he went along. Ban waited and slowly began to realize how rescue was never going to come.

"Weird, that a lot of things make sense all of a sudden," Ban grumbled. "No one really knows anything." He panicked. "Err... forget I said that, rybka. Pa knows everything, and ma knows more. Don't forget it."

He stood in the center of the room for a few minutes more, thinking he'd be lucky if fatherhood could stay this easy forever, until a knock came on the conservatory door. A moment later, the door cracked open to let Enfri peek inside.

"Asleep," Ban mouthed.

Enfri smiled, bright like the sunrise, and came inside. Her fine gown had been replaced by a plain, cotton dress and a thick apron tied around her middle. She stood behind Ban's shoulder and got on her toes to get a close look at Nikos' face.

"Such a calm baby," she said in a low whisper. "Soaring Leaf says that must be the mortal side of him. Goblin white ones are squirrelly as anything. How's his breathing?"

"Seems alright," Ban said turning around.

He noticed that Enfri had a small device in her hand. It looked like a little mask, one made of metal and that had tiny sigils worked over the outside surface, glowing with green etherlight.

Ban nodded to the mask. "Something from Nooka?"

Enfri nodded and put it away into a pocket. "In case his lungs weren't quite yet developed. A month premature by goblin standards, three by human. None of us knew what to expect, so we tried to be ready for anything. Fortunately, everything's going better than expected on little Nikos' side of things."

"And... Moon's side?" Ban asked.

Enfri rubbed Ban's baby-carrying arm. "Better. Much better. She's still a touch out of it, but she's resting. Saveen's giving her strength through their bond, and Moon's taking healing. I expect she'll be in top condition before nightfall."

Ban sagged with relief. He bent his knees to get their heights a little more equal. "Here. Would you mind?"

"Oh!" Enfri tensed for a moment before accepting Nikos into her arms. She cradled him while Ban rolled a shoulder to work out some soreness. Undisturbed, Nikos slept through being transferred without a fuss.

"Ma's still with Moon?" Ban asked.

"And hardly blinked throughout the delivery," Enfri said. "So's Saveen. Kimpo's left, though. She and Deebee couldn't leave the nest for very long, and they were anxious to check in on the eggs. I'm sure she'll be back soon."

Ban was ready to hold Nikos again. He held out his arms, though he needed to wait a moment or two while Enfri went a little funny as she looked down on Nikos. She eventually handed him over.

"Is Moon awake?" Ban asked.

Enfri nodded, though it was plain she wouldn't mind holding Nikos a little longer. "I think she's ready. She didn't have a lot of time with him the first go-around."

"Alright, then." Ban took a step towards the bed chamber but caught himself. "Waves. Almost forgot. There's a bit of ceremony for this sort of thing."

Enfri blinked. "What kind?"

Ban grimaced. He turned towards a glass doorway set into the outside wall, one that led out onto a balcony. "The sort of lunacy only lords could dream up. Feel free to abolish it, but it's an Altieri tradition."

"Winds, you're not going to toss him over or anything, are you?"

"What in the name of tides?" Ban protested.

"Just making sure. If you heard what they do in Gaulatia with newborns, you'd go white as a sheet."

Ban gave her a dubious frown, unsure of if she was having a laugh at his expense or not. He pushed the balcony door open with a knee and walked out into the noon sun. Below, on the estate grounds, the crowds of Karst armsmen and sworn vassals gathered with baited breath. Ban walked up to the balcony railing and quickly had their undivided attention.

"Lord Nikos Karst!" Ban shouted, holding his son up at chest height to be presented. He turned Nikos to face his people.

Nikos woke, displeased by the lack of chest to nuzzle against and definitely not liking the sudden cheers rising up from below. He squirmed inside his swaddling and howled.

"Waves blessings, Marshal."

"A new warrior for House Karst."

"To the seawolf and the moon!"

"Warding Light bless our Lord Nikos."

"What? No full blade yet? You're slacking, Marshal!"

"The Karsts and Shan Alee."

"Again and forever!"

Ban pulled Nikos to him and bounced him around to soothe his squalling. Despite himself, he couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth and pride. Maybe traditions like this weren't all bad. He raised a hand to the crowd.

"Alright, enough," he shouted, and he was a little surprised that his raised voice seemed to settle Nikos down a bit. "That's all you rabble get. His ma's waiting for him."

Laughter and more congratulating calls answered him, and the crowds slowly began to disperse. Ban turned to go back inside when he heard another tiny shout.

"How long until he can play with us?"

Ban stopped and peered over the balcony railing. There was a cluster of small children in squire tabards, aged five to eight, right beneath him.

"Give him a year or two," Ban said. "Until then, bother the Huntress."

The squires saluted, likely taking that as a direct order from the Knight-Marshal.

When he was back inside, Enfri was waiting with a beaming grin on her face. "Is that all it was? You had me worried."

Ban shrugged. "You know me. I'm a very private person."

Enfri wrinkled her nose, not believing it for a second. She ushered him into the next room where Moon waited.

The bed chamber was mostly stone, some wood panelling along the walls, and hardwood floors. Tapestries hung around the room, old ones sent to New Sandharbor by King Sasha. They'd once adorned the halls of the Karst wing in the Salt Stone Palace, but Ban's old friend thought to gift them to House Karst's new estate after Ban and Moon were officially wed under Altieri tradition.

The four-poster bed in the center of the room had its linens changed to fresh ones. Moon lay on top of the blankets, covered only by a thin sheet. Her large, widely-set eyes were closed and a bit sunken, as were her cheeks. Moon's skin was more pale than usual, and her platinum blonde hair, now waist-length, was in tangles. In all the time he'd known her, Ban had never seen her look so beautiful.

Ban's mother sat on the side of the bed, running her fingers through Moon's hair. Ascania looked up as Ban entered, and a serene smile came onto her face. Her long, auburn hair was pulled back into a tail, and her violet eyes were bleary from the day's events.

The only other person in the room was Lady Kiffa Brandyn. She was the sky woman of Old Sandharbor as well as the youngest child of Lord Brandyn the Brandyn. Enfri's former apprentice absently gathered her reagents and supplies while looking to Nikos.

Ascania bent to Moon's ear and whispered something. Moon stirred, and her eyes fluttered open. She pawed at her forehead and scratched at where her skin met her antlers, all while letting out a tired, deep-seated groan.

"Someone's here to see you, lisichka," Ban whispered as he sat on the other side of the bed from Ascania.

"I scent this," Moon said. She looked up into Ban's face. There was a twinge of fear in her eyes, violet like Ascania's. "Is it our rybka? He is whole?"

"Just about," Ban said.

He held Nikos out. At once, Nikos began to whimper as Ban lay him in Moon's arms.

"There," Ban said. "Now, he's whole."

The instant Nikos was laid in Moon's arms, he went quiet. His eyes popped open and looked right at his mother. Nikos opened his mouth and squealed— maybe it was a yawn— and whenever he managed to open his eyes, they were locked on her.

His eyes were golden. Ban hadn't seen Nikos open his eyes until then, but they were golden.

"His father's eyes," Ascania whispered. "His nose, too."

"And his fat head," Moon giggled. "I felt this."

"Sorry," Ban murmured.

Moon didn't answer, too enraptured by the baby in her arms. Eventually, Moon looked up at the awning over the bed and called out. "She must come down. My Bastion must sight him."

Ban hadn't noticed where Saveen was hiding herself. Her little, blue head was poking over the side of the awning as if she were a house cat peering at strangers.

"If you're sure it's alright," Saveen said.

"Rocker. Is white."

Saveen hopped down onto the bed beside Ascania. Her tiny form was thicker and more blunt than other dragons when they went small, but she could still move with feline grace. Saveen padded cautiously up the blankets and stretched her neck towards Nikos.

"She can be bigger," Moon said. "Would she like to hold him?"

Saveen drew back and shook her head. "Flames, no. I couldn't possibly. I'd be too afraid I'll drop him, and then I would."

"Drop on bed. He is white one, not glass. Short drop is not so bad."

Ban opened his mouth to argue that particular point but thought better of it. "If she doesn't want to, that's fine. Saveen's still a kid herself."

Saveen sputtered. "Am not. I'm bound and everything."

Ban winked at her, and Saveen hid her face away while her scales rippled uncontrollably. He then glanced to where Enfri and Kiffa had their heads together in conference. A goblin green one or two would hurry in or out every few minutes, bringing herbs and tonics upon request.

The healers seemed to still have a great deal to do before they could be satisfied, but Ban didn't have the wherewithal to ask what they needed. He simply let the minutes flow by as he watched his wife and son make cooing noises at each other. The room around them could've become utter chaos, and nobody on the bed would notice.

At five different times, Moon surrendered Nikos to a green one— usually the tiny old woman named Soaring Leaf— so he could get his heartbeat and breathing listened to. Nikos would have none of it each time it happened and wouldn't calm down until he was back with his mother. Interestingly, Nikos didn't seem to be all that annoyed the time Enfri asked to perform a few tests on him. He just latched onto Enfri's hair with a fist while she shone a little lamplight into his ears and didn't seem put out by any of it until it was time to give him back.

"I think he likes you," Ban observed.

Enfri ran her hand over Nikos' thin fluff of hair after giving him back to Moon. "It's because he knew I was the last one taking him from his mama today. Far as we can tell, he's a perfectly healthy feyling boy."

Ban noticed for the first time that the green ones had all packed off, and even Lady Kiffa was putting the last of her things into a satchel. "Is that it, then?"

Enfri nodded. "We'll leave you be for the night."

A sudden wave of guilt came upon Ban. "Waves, we really threw a wrench into your clockworks today."

Enfri scoffed. "Yes, because I'd much rather have spent the day with the smithy guild. Nothing that couldn't be rescheduled."

Ban narrowed his eyes at her. "You were with Maya this morning. Not exactly trivial."

"Speaking of," Enfri said, "she's downstairs."

"Star Hunter is here?" Moon asked, suddenly alert.

Enfri was probably as surprised as Ban by how excited Moon seemed by that prospect.

"You and Her Highness get on, lisichka?" Ban asked.

Moon nodded emphatically. "This is thing that is."

One of these days, Ban intended on getting the full story of what all happened during Moon's excursion with Krayson and Maya into the Ethereum. Any time he asked, he usually got nothing but vague descriptions and a whole lot of evasiveness.

Ban decided some things were better off being let go. He shrugged. "If you're willing, and she's willing, I could go down and send her up. If you're feeling up to visitors, that is."

Moon smiled and nodded before returning her attention to Nikos.

Ban stood up from the bed and faced Enfri. "That's alright, isn't it? One or two people at a time?"

"I suppose," Enfri replied, then she turned to Kiffa. "Can I leave things to you? Reyn will have me pulled off the throne if I don't get back to the palace before nightfall."

"Of course," Kiffa said. "All that's left is walking her through the basic mothering things, nursing and all that."

Moon pulled an anxious face. "Is scary thing."

"Very," Ascania said sympathetically. "Whatever you need, Moon. I'll help as much or as little as you want."

"Will she take rybka?" Moon asked. As soon as Ascania picked Nikos up, Moon swung her hooves over the side of the bed and hefted herself onto the floor. She started waddling towards the privy closet while Saveen rushed to take a human form and assist her. "This was not spoken. Much pee comes. Too much. You are all ashen for not speaking this."

Enfri raised a hand after Moon, but the privy door slammed shut before Enfri could get a word out. "You know, I'm positive I warned her about that part."

"It is cleansed," Ban said. He looked down at Nikos being fretted over by his grandmother. "If you're going back to the palace, I should go with you."

"Don't be ridiculous," Enfri scolded. "Your place right now is here."

Ban closed his eyes. "We're at war. My place is at my post."

"He is correct, Majesty," Ascania said, tearing her attention away from the baby in her arms. "A father's duty is to his child, but a lord's duty is to his nation. That is the burden of nobility. Kingdom before house."

It was plain that Enfri didn't agree, but she wasn't the sort to impose an imperial edict on the matter. She seemed to recognize that nothing less would stop Ban from returning to the war room, no matter how much Ban wished she would stop him.

"I have to make sure Garret and his flunkies stay in the west or get put on their pyres," Ban said in explanation. "That's the best way I know how to keep the rybka safe."

They waited until Moon's ordeal in the privy was over before making an exit. She was upset but thankfully understanding of why Ban needed to leave. It took some convincing to keep her in the manor while Ban returned to his duties. Even so, Ban was more than a little concerned that he would soon be arguing with her to remain there instead of flying off as a Sapphire Knight.

Once out of the room, Ban walked Enfri down the hall and to the stairs.

"So, how's it feel?" Enfri asked. "Being a papa, I mean."

"Really floundering good," Ban said with a nervous chuckle. "Terrifying, too. I think the two of us know better than most how bad a parent can mess their kid up."

Enfri blew out her lips. "So long as you don't sell Nikos out to demon thralls, I think you'll do fine."

Ban snorted. "Waves, there's a thought. Really makes you think, you know?"

Enfri raised an eyebrow.

"One can only assume my father once held me like that. He stood on the balcony, lifted me up for the goodfolk to see, and called out my name. Then after all that..."

Enfri's hand lay on Ban's arm. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No, it's alright. I think I've put all of it behind me. I've forgiven my father. In the end, he tried to make it right, and he sacrificed himself for me. I think for the first time, I understand what was going through his head during the rebellion."

Enfri listened with rapt attention.

"He did it for Rod," Ban said. "He was his son as much as I was, and Father would do anything for him. What came after, plotting to have me killed, that was after he'd lost his wits to theurallurgy and Rod kept him drugged. I think Father was as betrayed by Rodrik as I was. Probably more."

"You believe so?" Enfri asked.

"I have to." Ban gave Enfri his arm as they descended the grand staircase leading to the ground floor. He took note of Inaz and Mevek waiting with some of Ban's crewmen in the foyer. "You've heard the news from Sasha?"

"About the Southern Alliance, yes." Enfri's expression went dark. "House Valdar wasn't going to just go away after the rebellion, and now they're bullying other cities and houses into joining them."

"Between what Krayson and Reyn learned, it's almost certain the demon Vega is behind the Valdar's moves. Whether Kastus' uncle is a thrall or another old master in disguise, this new Altieri alliance is going to be a problem. Soon."

"I'd almost gotten used to things being quiet," Enfri murmured.

Ban gave her an encouraging smile. "When it's all over, there'll be whole years for quiet."

"Winds see it so."

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Ban noticed there was something of a crowd waiting for them. Chairs scraped against the floor as everyone rose to stand. Ban's attention was immediately demanded by Princess Maya. She looked more anxious than Ban could ever recall her being.

Ban let go of Enfri's arm and bowed to Maya. "Your Highness, you honor my house."

Maya approached and offered her hand. Ban took it and lightly kissed her fingers. When he straightened, he was a little startled to see a cat-like leer in her eyes as she looked at him.

"Congratulations are in order, my lord," she said. "I hear you have a son."

"As you say, Highness," Ban said, and he didn't bother trying to hide the smile that appeared at hearing that phrase. He hoped he never would.

"It goes without saying, Lord Nikos will one day have entire kingdoms swooning for him," Maya's leer hadn't faded, and something about it inspired Enfri to give Maya a searching look through narrowed eyes.

Ban nearly felt the need to tug at his collar. "He takes after his mother, so I expect you're right."

"Undoubtedly," Maya purred.

Enfri blinked rapidly and looked ready to faint.

Ban cleared his throat. "Moon's asked for you, if you'd like to see her."

"Of course. My thanks, my lord, and congratulations again." Maya brushed past Ban towards the stairs, seeming to purposefully glide her hips against his thigh as she did. Her every step had a sway in her backside as she ascended the staircase.

Ban's eyes followed her before coming to rest on Enfri. "What in the name of tides?"

"Ban, you lout," Enfri whispered harshly.

"Me? What did I do?"

"That was flirting."

"Not mine." He pointed a finger after Maya, who had vanished onto the third story by then. "Hers! All hers. What I want to know is what empty field that came out of."

Enfri crossed her arms. "Don't kid yourself, Lord Karst. I know about the toffees."

"We were nine!"

She harrumphed.

"Waves take me. Is there a way out of this that won't get me badmouthed to every lady on the Continent?"

"If you don't know the answer to that already..."

Ban shook his hands at her. "I'm sorry. I was blindsided and drunk on baby, so I couldn't think up the words to correct her."

Enfri uncrossed her arms. "Well, that's all I needed to hear. Now, are you coming, or are we just going to stand here twaddling this nonsense?"

Ban puffed out his cheeks and wondered if he could toss Enfri into a fountain before Inaz stopped him. He was positive he could lob her at least three paces, maybe even heft her like a sack and sprint for the nearest ditch. No tribunal in the world would convict him.

He left orders with the armsmen at his door to send Light Hoof at once to Moon when he showed up. Ban's brother-in-law was currently scouting the Expanse with his warriors, but a Quartz Knight and his white dragon had been sent to fetch him as soon as Moon went into labor. Ban was only slightly disappointed he wouldn't be there to welcome Light Hoof and see his first interaction with Nikos. Then again, Ban would probably end up with another bucket of water dumped over his head.

Spider and Arnln were waiting for them in the estate's stable. Ban's white charger was uncharacteristically antsy as he mounted up.

"About the Algaras," Ban said once Enfri was steady in her saddle, "has Maya asked about Elise's offer?"

Enfri shook her head and reined Spider towards the gates leaving the estate. "Pointedly ignored it all. I think that's for the best."

"There's going to be a fuss about her," Ban warned. "The Althandi haven't forgotten what she did in Westrun, and there are still people out there who believe you're the one who knocked down the Sanguine Tower."

"You think I should turn her over to Cathis?"

Ban grimaced and rode alongside her into the lanes of New Sandharbor. "I think you should be ready for Cathis to ask you to."

"I don't think I'm ready to," Enfri said in a low tone. "Not yet."

"Because she says she can help you with the spooks."

"I won't pretend that's not part of it." Enfri kept her eyes ahead as they rode. "More than that, I don't like what I'll be telling my people if one of the first things I do as Dragon Empress is hand over my rival for the throne to be executed."

Ban exhaled heavily. "The days of persecuting Aleesh are ostensibly over, but plenty of them— particularly the Knights of Alinwé and the Chaya Domun folk— might not be willing to make the distinction between persecution and prosecution. Elise did downright evil acts, but more in the empire see Elise as a hero than we might want."

"Everything she did, she did for Shan Alee," Enfri said. "I don't agree with her, I certainly don't condone her, but I can't say I can condemn her either."

Ban grunted. "It's murky. That much is undeniable. It might be we get lucky, and Cathis will see the position he might be putting you in."

Enfri looked over at Ban. "You think there's a chance he'll grant Elise amnesty?"

"A small one. Very small. He might pardon Elise in the interests of building bridges. Doing so would piss off a lot of his nobles, and he can't afford unrest. As it stands, Althandor's on the verge of famine, and there are three hostile armies coming at them from three directions. If a fourth springs up beneath his feet, Althandor could end right then and there."

Enfri furrowed her brow and frowned as she absorbed his words. She was so preoccupied that she almost forgot to return the waves and cheers that arose from alongside the lanes as goodfolk took note of her passing. Enfri put on her mask and smiled as she acknowledged their hails.

She spoke through her imperial facade, but Ban could tell she was shaken on the other side of it. "If Althandor falls, the rest of the world goes down with it. Like it or not, civilization balances on them and House Algara. Losing Althandor would mean anarchy."

"Until the Jade Empire rolls in and imposes their brand of order. After that, nothing but downhill to Paradise."

"The end of humanity," Enfri growled. "I'll admit, it doesn't always sound like a bad thing."

"I can relate. It's what comes after that scares me."

"Long after our time," Enfri said quietly. "Even if we lose, there'll be a few hundred years between us and the old masters bringing the firstborn back into the world. It'll be many generations before they can breed the Eidolons they'll need for their Paradise."

Ban scoffed. "Just what the world needs. Millions just like Princess Maya, each with a resurrected demon inside them."

"I wonder how many of those Eidolons will still call themselves Aleesh," Enfri whispered.

Ban furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

Enfri shook her head. "Nothing. Just being fatalistic. Promise me, Ban. Next time I'm around Nikos, you have to let me hold him longer. It's harder to doom and gloom when you're holding a baby."

"As you say, Majesty," Ban chuckled. "The rybka has a way of taking the shadows away, doesn't he?"

Enfri smiled, though it seemed a sad one. "He does. I swear, Ban, I'll do everything I have to so he can grow up safe and sound."

"I'll hold you to that," Ban said with a grin. "Come what may, I'll be right there with you."

She met his eye as they rode onto the palace grounds. "Again and forever?"

"Again and forever, my empress."