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Trivial Visions

© Coco Reed

Prologue

Redecorating was one thing, demolition was quite another. He could understand the extra security and even the new, higher sets of walls around the outer city, but must there be three walls, spells and towering spell-mages stationed at every entrance? It made Spooky paranoid, afraid his dearest friends were having more trouble than they let on.

“You do not want it?”

The amused voice broke Spucterian from his thoughts and he turned, smiling at the others he was sharing a car with. Across from him on the other plush seats, Dara laughed at the younger child on his lap. The youngling whined, face scrunching up and turning away from the candy he was offered.

“You know what happens when you behave like a four year-old brat?” The fair-haired child already began whining louder, hands curling around the teenager’s shirt but proved weak compared to Dara’s strength. “Here, Papa.” Smiling, he plucked his younger brother off his lap and dropped him onto his father’s.

Spucterian only half-heartedly glared at his eldest as the weight on his legs squirmed about until it was comfortable. “Dara, please don’t aggravate your brother.” He bounced the sniffling child on his knee, praying he wouldn’t start bawling again. “He’s not usually so fussy, so please try and be nice. He only needs a nap and out of the car.”

“He needs a spanking.”

Spucterian narrowed his eyes and his fourteen year-old son made the wise choice of losing his bad attitude. His gaze softened as Dara turned to stare out the window. “I know you wanted to go with your father and uncle this week, but you’ll get to join them soon once they secure the new village.”

Dane had been waging one conquest after another up in the northern territories. The blighted land Spooky had had the displeasure of being spirited away to grew since then and now the territory was known as the Twilight regions. Much of Aclintya was overrun with mindless beings and twisted beasts that fell to Brice’s temptations, except for small areas. These places were where the Midnight King and several other powerful figures were heading to contain the madness and destroy every infected bit they could.

Dara not only was interested in the campaigns because he was training with Garenet—who he considered his uncle—but also because there were rumors of tribes like his still frequenting the Twilight. While he would never trade his new family for them, he wanted to get the chance of speaking with his own kind. He knew he was young, but he was capable! If his father would just let him, he would be helpful to him on his campaigns! A warm hand beneath his chin brought him from his thoughts and he turned to find golden eyes looking at him with loving warmth.

“I hate to see you so depressed when you should be excited, so I shall ruin the surprise. Father will be joining us tomorrow in Mantora, so do not fret any longer and enjoy your time away from home, sweetling.” Spooky couldn’t resist calling him his childhood pet name and chuckled when Dara tried to cover up the softening of his features with a scowl.

“Of course, Papa.”

* * * * *

“My, how big you have grown!”

If Dara was comfortable with someone, he would allow himself to relax and even carry on conversations. If he was around someone he trusted, he allowed touches. With those he loved, Dara would hug and readily except physical contact. This was something Gifu took advantage of and never missed a chance to pull the youngling into his arms for a long embrace. The lan was too adorable for his own good.

“My love, I think he is suffocating.” Fin’ Rae smiled as he passed by, running a hand through Dara’s silky, shaggy hair.

“When he passes out, I am letting you explain what happened to Spooky by yourself.”

At Xanty’s words, Dara’s muffled laughter rose up from between him and Gifu’s broad chest. He pushed away to look up at the lan with a bright smile. He was never too old to bask in his godparents’ love.

“I am glad you all are well. Papa was worried when he saw the extra guards posted in the city.”

Gifu waved the notion away with a flick of his hand before settling it atop the young lan’s head. “That is nothing that he, nor you sweetling, need to worry over. Now, where is your beautiful papa?” He hadn’t noticed until then that Dara had come into their personal chambers alone.

“He is giving the servants some last-minute instructions before Father joins us.”

“Ah, well perhaps I should not tell him this, but I will divulge to you, pretty kitten,” Gifu leaned down to whisper against the teen’s ear. “Dandelion is already here and is setting up his own surprise for your papa.” He chuckled when violet eyes shot up to look at him, slit irises widening and a grin stretching over Dara’s pale lips. “Your dearest “uncle” wished for us to tell you he will be waiting for you at the stables, if you are up for an afternoon ride through the game reserves.”

One last hug and then Dara was gone. Still chuckling at the boy’s worship over the captain of the king’s armies, Gifu’s smile widened as Spucterian floated into the room after dodging his oldest son’s stampede.

The holy Triarchy ceased their activities as the king made his way to them, his face turned as he whispered against a snow-blonde head that lay against his neck. The little one was a shy creature and though he had met them before, it had been years ago. One couldn’t blame the child for being nervous. Without having to resort to making his voice stern, Spucterian’s cloaked bundle he carried turned to look at the three laras in the room.

Xanty gave him a soft smile as she made her way to him. She brushed aside a long lock of his hair and he didn’t flinch, sparkling blue eyes merely taking in her actions with curiosity. “Hello, Sage.” The youngling smiled at her and she was tempted to snatch him away to hug but reigned her urges in. “It has been awhile, eh?”

When she pulled a small, wrapped package from behind her back a smile stretched across the youngling’s plump limps. Sage looked to Spucterian and when his father nodded to him, eager hands took what was offered. Xanty opened her mouth to speak but stopped, looking to the door moments before a servant came in and kneeled at her feet.

“Your Highness, forgive my intrusion, but something has happened at the meditation chamber and the priests need your guidance.”

Xanty dismissed the lan with a smile. “Very well, I shall be there shortly.” Turning she caressed Sage’s plump, silken cheek and could not resist leaning down to kiss his forehead. “We have days, rabbit. I shall come see you again soon.”

Gifu was sad to see her go, knowing Xanty had been excited for weeks about the arriving younglings, but when the gods beckoned even the Triarchy jumped to obey. Coming to guide Spooky with a hand to his back, he lead them all into the smaller receiving room where food and drink awaited them. Spooky lowered to a cushion, smiling as Sage turned in his arms to watch the god-kings move about.

“It seems the youngling is shy of us.” Gifu winked at Spooky as he poured Fin a cup of tea.

“I heard it once before, a trilling little voice from him.” Fin lay back, dunking a caramel cookie in his steaming beverage. “I would love to hear such a thing again.”

Sage’s cheeks glowed pink and he looked up to his father, wondering what to do. Spooky nuzzled his downy temple, smiling as an idea came to him. “How about making them a gift like how you play with Dara?”

With a smile the child rose, unclasping his dark blue velvet cape to leave with his father. Shuffling up to Gifu, Sage’s cerulean eyes looked at the food on the low table. After a few moments of thought he made a sound of affirmation before plucking a hard-boiled egg from a dish, making sure the brown shell was still intact. The seven-year-old sat before the god-king, slipper-encased feet tucked beneath his legs.

“Do you like magic tricks?” Sage cocked his head to the side as he asked the god-king, white curls falling over his eyes.

Gifu chuckled, pulling the youngling onto his lap but being mindful of not disturbing the egg Sage cradled. “Of course, I would love to see it.”

“Well,” Sage looked down with a frown, bottom lip poking out as he brushed his fingertips over the egg. “It’s not really a trick, but its fun and I won’t hurt anything and I really want to give you something, Godfather.” He leaned back as Gifu hugged him.

“I will take anything you want me to have, sweet one.”

Sage smiled up at him before snuggling deeper. “Hold out your hands.”

He nodded as Gifu brought his large hands out in front of them, still keeping the youngling within his hold. When they were cupping the air he put the egg in his hands before covering him with his smaller ones. As he closed his eyes he began to concentrate, humming a little tune that popped into his head. The object between their palms began to heat and he smiled. Sage leaned down, opening his hands a tiny fraction to blow onto the egg.

“Wait. Do you feel that, Gifu?”

Gifu’s eyebrows rose as the egg began to vibrate. He watched as Sage nodded once again before climbing out from under his arms. Turning he put his hands back on his before letting go to blow once more.

“Watch.”

Sage did not lift his eyes from the egg and soon it began to move in Gifu’s palm. The god-king watched, fascinated as a light tapping came from within. Suddenly the shell cracked, bits falling away and into his palm as a blood-red beak broke free. A spider crack raced along the shell before the whole thing split open. Gasps came from around the room, all but Sage and Spooky shocked by what was now in Gifu’s hold.

Ruffling wet down sat a vibrant blue duck. Newborn, the thing could not keep its head up. Sage petted it under the beak, smiling up at the grey eyes staring at him.

“You can pet him.”

Sensing that it might hurt his feelings if he didn’t respond, Gifu kissed Sage on the head before running a finger along the animal’s back. “Thank you, little one. I shall treasure this forever.”

Sage’s smiled brightened and he rose, kissing Gifu on the cheek before scampering away. He went around the room, puttering about until he found something he obviously deemed perfect for whatever it was that he was doing. Changing course, Sage came to stand before Fin’ Rae. The god-king still lay among his cushions, tea and food set aside. He watched the youngling with hooded, curious eyes.

Again that dusting of rose came to Sage’s cheeks and he kept his eyes averted from the god-king. Instead he gave all his attention to the thing he brought with him. Though chubby, his little fingers ran over each spike of the fish bone he found on the side of one of the dishes with graceful care. After running along the length, he took hold of the end with both hands. Keeping a tight grasp on it, Sage closed his eyes for a moment before opening them and bringing his other hand up. As his hand passed, fleshy green was left behind. A curvy stem, leaves replacing the furthest jutting bones and then the delicate skull was replaced with an explosion of fiery petals.

This delighted Fin and he took the flower when it was held out to him. He let out a pleased hum when he brought the bloom to his nose. A delicate scent like none he had ever smelled before. The petals were yellow in the middle, fading into a scarlet that was dipped in burnt orange. The entire flower had an iridescent sheen to it that mesmerized those that looked upon it.

“It’s real and it won’t ever die.”

The tinkling voice roused Fin from his staring and a smile came over his painted lips. “Thank you, bewitching cherub.” Another pleased murmur escaped him when he opened his arms and Sage readily climbed onto his lap to hug him.

A yawn broke from Sage’s pink lips and he snuggled against the god-king. He smiled, eyes drifting closed when the musician began singing a quiet song to him. Sage always grew tired after giving his family those kinds of gifts. When Fin started to rock back and forth he fell swiftly to sleep. He did not feel his father’s kisses before he left the room and gave him over to Triarchy’s care while Spooky prepared for their stay.

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