Exton

Lifting the lid of the box, Star emits a small sigh of wonder. The baby's sundress is a pale shade of sea green with iridescent swirls of turquoise. A small ruffled cap accompanies the outfit.

"Fea said our Mera is a child of the water. She gifts this for her naming. She sees herself as a..." Keon pauses, "I don't want to say grandmother, but for lack of another phrase, I guess that is the closest description."

He laughs. "You should have seen her. She had seven dresses, all very elaborate. I think she was upset when I chose the simplest. I reminded her this is not Court pageantry and Mera doesn't need a lot of jewelry or fancy trappings." There is a bitterness to his voice. "Having those things doesn't show love. It just shows how rich you are."

His finger strokes the fabric. "How soon do we need to...?"

His phone rings. Flipping it open, Stoney's voice can be heard. Keon listens for a bit then asks,"Is someone with Rowan? Do I need to call Guunnar to ride point?" He waits a few moments. "No. Torrent will be there, he is escorting Grace. If her critic shows up, he will be kept away. Torrent is good at unseen barriers. he is a Brownie." another pause and he nods. "We will be there. In two hours then, my friend."

He clicks the phone closed and slips it back in his shirt pocket.

"Stoney said Rowan is heading for the clearing to set up. Guunnar has already warned the shifters about the Reverend. It seems he is well known among their people and they will confuse his attempts to enter their lands. He shouldn't be a bother. Stoney has already warned Ob to keep his demon under control if the human does find us. But with the shifters willing to play wild animals. We shouldn't see him at all."

His dark fingertips touch Mera's dress. "I wish Cassie could be here for this. In flesh, not just spirit."