Exton

"Come on in, Ke.  Have a drink…."

Keon follows us into the cabin and sits on the couch. I stand for the moment; this is a tense situation for me. Taking a man's daughter to raise as your own, that's a serious thing, not to be entered into lightly.

"What will you have to drink? I promise you, I won't make you take mead."

Keon gives me a ghost of a smile. "Would ye happen to have whiskey?"

"That we do. Straight, water, ice?"

"Straight for now."

I find the whiskey and bring back a generous portion.

"You'll always be welcome in our home, Ke, and we'll teach Mera that her father is a man of honor, who did what he believes is best for her. You'll have access to her at any time, so that you can be her father in whatever time your duties leave to you."

I take a sip from my own glass and speak again.

"I have given this much thought, and I would ask something of you, if I may.

You helped to hunt down and punish Star's attackers. You were my second in that battle. You have proven yourself a friend many times over. If it is not against your traditions or beliefs, I would ask that you become my blood-brother, in the Viking way." I hold up a hand to forestall any hasty words. "You don't have to decide right this minute. Just think on it. In the meantime, would you like to join us for supper? I can burn some more meat while Star takes care of the vegetables - and you can come keep us company in the kitchen and spend some time with Mera."

The atmosphere in the kitchen is jovial, with Star grilling vegetables while I do the same with beef and chicken and some thick-cut bacon. I bring out a plastic bottle of my special sauce and set the table while Star dishes everything up. Some thin wooden skewers complete the preparations and we sit down to eat.

"You can eat this as kebabs or loose, as you please. The sauce is spicy, so go easy on it till you know how much you need."

Keon sets to with a good appetite. The sauce bothers him not at all and he has three helpings before he's done.

We head back into the living room after leaving the dishes in the sink. Keon kicks back on the couch with Mera in his arms and we talk comfortably about ordinary things - not a Fae bitch to be found anywhere in the conversation. Star is sketching something, and the time passes quickly….