Calina smiled and ran away into the courtyard to play. Zaros turned back and looked ahead into the hallway that ran on the outside of the palace around the gardens. There, he saw her.
Zaros ran through the rows of flowers and up the marble steps to his wife. He threw his arms around her and kissed her warmly on the lips. "Esther," he muttered when they were done. "I've missed you."
"I missed you as well," the woman replied, hugging the Emperor tightly.
"I won't leave you and Calina again," Zaros said. "Especially in these times." He rubbed her torso, which had a slight bulge in it. Did Ihrba*ka ever come back?"
Esther smiled and looked down at the bulge. "He did. He said it's going to be a boy."
Zaros knelt and put the side of his head to the unborn child. "My son," he whispered. "My son. Ah, Esther, what did we do? Bringing a child into these times of rebellion; it's not right."
Esther kissed Zaros on the forehead. "We'll find a way," she replied. "He will grow up to be a fine man, regardless of how hard it is now. You've been a great father to Calina, and I'm sure you'll be no different this time."
Zaros smiled. "Thanks, Esther. It's just stressing me out. Speaking of stress, how's Azzanadra doing?"
Esther rolled her eyes. "He's not happy that he can't stay in his room all day doing whatnot. He actually has to do a job now."
"He's a researcher. I'm sure he misses his experiments. That's fine, I'll relieve him of his duties. I mean my duties."
"About time," came a voice from the nearby door. Zaros looked up, and it was Azzanadra.
"Hey, Azzanadra," Zaros cried out, a smile on his face. "How have things been?"
Azzanadra didn't smile. "I need to speak with you, now."
"What's going on?"
"This way, please."
"Go ahead," said Esther. "I'll make sure the cooks make your first meal back in Senntisten a good one."
"Thanks." Zaros kissed Esther, and then he walked into the tiny, soundproof room with Azzanadra, who closed the door tightly behind them.
08-Jul-2008 06:20:39
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