The Fire and The Storm - The Nexus of Kellaran #2

Part 4

After breakfast Mark’s grandparents arrived to meet their new great-grandchildren. They were soon greeted and seated, each with a baby in their arms.

“It will interest you to know,” Sana informed Mark with a smile, “That Balen and some of the other young elf-girls of The Devoted have taken it upon themselves to arrange a schedule for everyone that wants to visit the new babies, which is everyone in the settlement. Knowing that Talia wouldn’t want to be overwhelmed by so many visitors so soon after her birthing, they’ve arranged that everyone will drop by in small, well-spaced groups over the next week or so, with those with closer relationships to you coming first. We were actually scheduled to be before everyone but Yazadril and Nemia, but it looks like these youths have cheated by staying overnight!”

“Damn right!” Dren laughed. “I guess grandparents would come before cousins, but we were way too excited to go home last night.”

“Besides, they never told us about it, so I plead ignorance!” Mandri laughed.

“So when are you two planning on giving us some more great-grandchildren?” Sana teased.

“Well…” Mandri grinned and paused until she had everyone’s attention. “In about six and a half months actually, wouldn’t you say, Yzell?”

“About that.” the elven midwife smiled.

The room brightened with another round of joyous congratulations and hugs.

Twenty minutes later, Mark’s uncle Wittan and his aunt Koran arrived just as the babies woke up. Talia noticed before they were fully awake, and held her arms out for her babes to be returned to her.

“Good morning Mother.” they told her in unison as their eyes opened.

“Good morning my loves!” Talia laughed. “You are so very beautiful, and it’s delightful to speak with you, and I love you both very much!

as he fussed and kicked a bit, a tiny frown

you too Mother.” Helemia

cast a very dense psionic Shield around the three of them with both her power and Mark’s. “There,

thank you.” Reggie told her, and giggled in spontaneous and joyous relief as the

as you’re introduced, starting with these two lovely people;” Talia explained. “Reggie and Helemia, know your grandfather Yazadril and your grandmother Nemia, my father and

and Yazadril were gently handed the children. “We are pleased to meet

very nice, Grandmother.” Helemia giggled. “Your thoughts are

he couldn’t help looking into the child’s smiling eyes, fascinated and amazed by the lively intelligence

and memories!” Reggie exclaimed. “Many more than anyone else! Even more than Kragorram, and he is even older than you. How can that… Oh

wizard specializing in information and precision, I have Read and Linked with many,

it makes me confused.” Reggie frowned, and purposefully looked away, both physically and

surprised! The brain of a child your age should not even be able to retain enough memory

made an effort to

are always showing us how to do it.” Helemia explained. “We can know anything they know whenever we want, so it doesn’t matter if we don’t remember it,

turned to Talia. “So they’re using your

guiding them as well as we can.” she replied. “But their intelligence is entirely

Hilsith explained. “They only lack that ability because their brains are

Reggie for Helemia. “So what do

only hear a little bit, and we couldn’t really feel anything, and we could only see the minds and thoughts around us. Now every sense is so loud that it’s distracting, and it’s hard to keep thinking about what we’re thinking

but my arm just waves around, and I can’t control my fingers individually at all! It’s the same with my mouth and my voice! And I keep trying to raise my head or sit up, only to find I am too weak! And I can’t seem to cast any spells at all, not even the most basic ones! It’s