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“Do you have any idea how long it took?” Ditti can’t help but smile just a little at the tone of long-suffering patience in Osiah’s voice. “Weeks, it took me weeks to make contact; and now they just want us to drop everything and turn around?”
The guard shuffles and says something in their own tongue that she doesn’t catch and Osiah’s growl of annoyance carries clearly through the tent in answer. A soft mewling cry from her lap answers that sound and Ditti hurriedly shifts to lift her son in her arms, blowing a soft kiss over his little face and cooing very softly - likely Osiah knew she was nearby and listening but she had meant to be subtle. There’s the sound of a blade being drawn and Osiah’s growl rises in volume harshly as he snaps something else.
A moment later, his voice - returning to a more conversational but stern tone - calls out, “Ditti?”
Caught and looking chastised, she rises and slowly moves around the tent to the front opening and steps inside. Unlike the Kin and their larger cousins, she doesn’t even need to dip her head to pass into the shade. Their son cradled in her arms and shielded from the sun by the light linen cloak around her own shoulders, she gives him an apologetic smile. “I… was curious?”
He sighs, a tired smile playing on his face as she eyes the guard. He’s massive, as tall as Osiah and terrifyingly more muscular - and he eyes her with a cold suspicion. Instinctively, Ditti steps quickly to Osiah’s side just slightly behind him, their son quickly shielded from this guard’s reach by his father. The guard notices her defensive manner and glances to Osiah, then pauses as the implications of that protective glare settle over him.
“Apologies, sire… I mean no harm to the innocents here.” His voice is deep and rumbles and Aolb mewls softly again at the disturbance.
This time, Ditti recognizes the little Chimera’s tone and her heart sinks a bit. Hunger, she moves further into the tent, to one of the blankets and sits, rearranging her cloak to hide the infant as he nurses; keenly aware of the golden eyes staring at her as she does so.
Again the guard speaks in their own tongue and Ditti scoffs softly as she catches the words this time. “A nursemaid?”
“She is none of your concern.” Osiah's voice is low, and his hand is on the hilt of his Kopesh as he moves to block Ditti from view again. The last thing Ditti sees of the guard is a shocked expression.
“As you say, sire…” A hesitation, “The King of Dawn will not allow an army to enter the kingdom.”
“We are not an army! Well… alright, there is an army but I am asking him to allow those who aren’t an army refuge. They are our Kin, damnit!”
“I am only the messenger, sire.”
“Stop calling me that!” Aolb begins to cry at the shout and Ditti tries to soothe him with soft hushing sounds. She shoots Osiah a worried glance, and he looks to her with an abashed expression.
Taking a long moment to consider her words, Ditti finally answers the question in his eyes, though her words are directed at the guard beyond him. “You address the Deathclaw of Sekhmet, who led us from the Silverwood with our blades bright and sharp; we broke the hold on Cais and gathered the Kin while your forces held the southern approach. We came here to ask the King to help the Kin… his people… If he will not,” she rises, letting the cloak fall away from Aolb’s face as she steps close to Osiah and looks up with him with a determined smile, “then we will follow our Prince wherever he will lead.”
She faces the guard finally, one hand over Osiah’s hand on the hilt of his blade, and watches the reactions play over his face. First surprise at the names she gives Osiah, then the dutiful determination and finally - ah yes! There it is - the shock of recognition as he sees the furry little face of their son as he fusses and mewls again. Osiah reaches down and rubs his face with a finger, and as he is soothed, the baby returns after a few moments to nurse.
“If my father will not help them, then my love is correct.” Osiah sounds tired but determined though he continues to watch his son as he speaks, “Abydos may forget its Kin, but we will not.” He lets his voice drop to something soft, almost a murmur, “When Aolb is settled, tell the others, we will break camp at dawn tomorrow.”
She nods in understanding, her own disappointment matches his. The guard shuffles his feet and makes a soft query in his own tongue, Osiah’s contemplation turns to a frown but he straightens and turns to eye the guard again.
“You would be surprised how clever this little Warsong is,” he smiles a bit at Ditti’s surprised expression, “if my father had one so wise in his court, perhaps he would not ignore his duties… Go now.” He looks at the guard, “You’ve delivered your message, we will go. Tell your King.”
The guard bows and rushes out. The tent is silent save for the sounds of a babe happily nursing for a long time. Osiah flops down onto the blanket with a look of utter defeat. “Damnit.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Ditti kneels and carefully settles down beside him, mindful not to jostle Aolb and disturb his meal. “We will find a place. We have to.”
“Don’t worry,” he smiles and kisses the top of her head, “we’ll find our own way… somehow.”
“Together.” Ditti looks up to him, “We can do this, we can do this together.”
He chuckles and looks down at their son as he fusses, “If we can stand against cultists and a vampire and an army of undead… then yeah, I’m pretty sure together we can do anything. We’ll find a place for everyone, I promise.”