Exton

"Guunnar... are you sure of this?" The big man nods solemnly. I feel myself growing pale as I realize that within nine months I'm going to be a father twice over, and it may be the prophesied child.

Now what? Do I tell Star or wait for her to notice it herself? Is Guunnar infallible in such matters? Should I ask Rowan what to do? Too many thoughts and no solutions. I struggle to control my face, but I suspect it's not working. A glance into a mirror confirms it; my smile looks like something more generally associated with rigor mortis.

Keon's soft voice startles him. "I ken what ye are thinkin'. Forget the prophecy. 'Tis yer child Star bears. A child of love."

The words reach some place deep inside me, and the burgeoning panic stops, just stops dead. Our child. The wonder of it takes my breath away.

Guunnar laughs, "Vat, do tink beink a vater ist easy? Fighting Grendall vould be a breeze compared to kinder."

I smile a little more naturally. He's right, of course. Our child will face special challenges - just like every other child - and I will have to help him or her meet and surmount them - just like every other father worthy of the name.