Time Traveling Stories

I walk the rest of the way up to the tree, casting a blast at the bugbear that's now focused on the tree. The anger I feel at my kids being attacked allows the force of my magic to not only bloody the creature, but also push it 10 feet away from the tree.

"Way to go Ana!"

I brush off the attacks, and am infuriated that I can do nothing about the other bugbear that lands a solid hit on Kitty. I turn to the bugbear that attacked Kitty and pray it back, "Come back and fight me you tick infested monster." and then turn back to the bugbear in front of him and attack him, with TWO CRITS!

"Did you see that Ana? Two critical hits in a row!"

Ana cheers excitedly as she raises both of her hands to clap, starts to lose balance, and regrips the tree before she continues to cheer. The interaction has caused her to stop crying and despite tear stains on her cheeks, she smiles excitedly watching you defend her.

A bit taken aback by the morningstar impaling my arm, I attempt to blast the creature down but fail to do so.

"Third one's a charm!"

I rush to your arms and kiss you and layon hands and heal you with your own love. I call to Chip to come give mommy a hug to make her feel better. Come Ana!

You rush over and my lips meet yours, wincing briefly in our kiss as your initial touch over my wound causes a second of pain before the healing takes place. As you do, Ana climbs the rest of the way down the tree and runs over to the stick she threw, picking it up and running to the bugbear that you just very overly and unnecessarily smote with such divinity that it felt it in the afterlife, and smacks it with the end of the stick. She then drops it and proudly runs over to hug your legs squealing excitedly, "Look Daddy! I helped kill it too!"

I in the mean time, pull away from your arms to help Chip down out of the tree, holding him tightly as he clings to my neck for dear life the moment he's low enough and cries the last bits of his fear out. I kiss his head and hold him tightly, quietly and lovingly reassuring him as I turn to you with concern in my eyes.

I see the concern in your eyes and I pause my celebration. You caring of our son and his need of you gladdens my heart. Ana seems actually energized by the experience. But your beautiful eyes are showing concern. "What is it love? What concerns you so?". It was the same look you gave me before we entered the breast’s lair under the waterworks those many years ago, when our love was so fresh. We are more mature in our love now yet you still have that look of concern.

I open my mouth before I close it again and decide to use my thoughts. "Is this how bad it is now Duke? Where did they come from?! They had to have wandered off and ended up here... right? Why were they so focused on getting to them?! Maybe we should take the kids home, this may have been a bad idea." You see the same fear for our safety that I had so long ago for our party. This time, it's not our new friends, it's our children. The creations of our love. My overly fearful and protective nature is kicking in as even a twig falling from the tree the kids were in makes me turn, ready to protect my son in my arms. Despite my jumpiness, I try to contain all expression of my feelings to my eyes and thoughts in an effort to help Chip calm down as he seems to have inherited my intense fear response.

"The raiding parties of bugbears have never been more than three members. Let us go to the next stand of trees closer to the shore and have our picnic. This scene is too raw and aromatic. I know there are concerns and that I have used all my lower spell slots, but I want to take our reward for our risk. I knew the dangers and I still came out with the family. I trust you to protect your young and your man. I want to relish that. It is the feeling of an adventure." you still protest, but even Chip tells you that he is hungry and wants his cookies.

I lead them down to the next stand of tree which we inspect thoroughly this time. I unpack our picnic from the grey mare’s saddle bag and let Spirit roam upland to spot any invaders on our family outing. You busy yourself with the lunch and are a bit surprised to see me duff my armor. I help you off with the uncomfortable parts of your own. I settle your head on my tummy as the kids eat and run. They splash in the waves but do not wander far from us. I stroke your hair and try to help you relax. But we need to be straight and honest with each other. You are the protector as much as I.

"The raids are getting more frequent. It has raised gossip. That is why Stormy is inquiring around and Teth consults the Oracle. I am still hoping she arrives soon. Maybe she can take the kids back to Quezalici and we can stay out here for more time to ourselves. " I turn you over to lay on my unarmored chest, your fingers in my chest hair. I kiss you and wrap my hand around your neck. "I miss our alone time together, where we touch wherever we are and hold hands constantly. Another child is going to make that more difficult rather than easier. Let us enjoy this time of our lives just as we enjoy the family. I love you Mama Kitty"