Exton

Grace smiles, reaching out to stroke Star's cheek. "He will be a special little boy, Star. You already glow."

She claps her hands once. "Now. I have a last request, and as I have learned quite a bit about the different Peoples assembled in this room, I know it will be honored." She looks at Ike. "Did you bring it?"

Ike nods, handing a velvet sack to the old woman. She pulls out a set of Irish pipes. Torrent takes them with a smile and hands them to Tori. She shakes her head no, putting her hands out to ward off the instrument as if it held the plague.

"Ye have no curse lass. 'Twas removed by the one who set it, as it was set for no good reason by Brownie standards."

"Please Tori. My last wish is to hear the high stepping music of Ireland. I grew up listening to it. I want to hear you play the pipes. I am told is a gift you have hidden away." Grace smiles at her, "I understand you won't be playing alone."

Ike pulls out a penny whistle and grins at her sister. "Just like old times Tori..."

Herne stands and reaches within his robes. He hands Traeger a set of Taps."I don't know what you can play Master Witch."

Traeger looks at the two sticks in his hands and smiles. Memories of his days in the Irish woods, among the farmers during celebration come forward, as if it were yesterday. He taps the rods, sending up a steady rhythm to get the feel. Tori watches him, fingers running over the bagpipes Torrent has pushed into her hands.

Ob caresses his hand over the taut goatskin of the bodhran Herne has laid in his hands. He taps the double headed mallet, picking up Traeger's beat. Stoney takes the penny whistle from Ike joining the two with a lively melody. Tori absently pumps the bellows. As ike joins in on a small guitar. Keon grins as the Horned God hands him a fiddle. He picks the strings, following Stoney's lead. Stoney pauses and Keon sets bow to gut, counterpointing his bright air. There is a momentary pause as Keon and Ob play off each other.

Herne leans close to Tori as he turns back to the bed. "Would you forsake her last wish?  It will not bite you."

That said, he sits upon the edge of the bed. The children are bouncing to the music, making Grace smile. Still Tori does nothing. Ike bends her head to bring her strings back into play and suddenly the pipes burst into life. The music surges out, copying Keon's fiddle The pace picks up and Traeger and Ike add their own instruments in a rollicking race.

The trill of the pipes dances over the deeper tones, like a sudden flash of lightning over the roll of thunder. Everyone is clapping along, tapping their feet, or as in the case of the children, bouncing. Miko and Mya dance on the air, adding demifae high spirits to the mix.Suddenly the music ends, just stops. There is a breathless pause, softly broken by the trembling sound of the guitar. The pennywhistle joins, quieter, more subdued. After the rush, it is as if one has found the peace of a high meadow.

A low moan of the pipes brings the sigh of the breeze. The fiddle brings life back to the quiet, mixed with the tap of the drum and sticks. It segues into a lively reel, to which Miko and Mya dance a jig on Grace' desk. There are tears in Grace's eyes, laughter and merriment having banished the melancholy.

Herne touches Grace's hand. "It is time Graclyn."

Grace nods.

"Now... out to the other room please. I will be out shortly." She watches a gloom start to replace the gay attitudes of the moments before. "Stop it. All of you! My life has been like that music, wild and spirited in the last year. Now, I need the peace of that meadow, then will be back among you all." She grins. "Play music like that, like what we just enjoyed, when you spread my ashes."

As the room empties, Grace calls back Torrent and Tori. Herne stands and moves from the bed leaving them have a few moments.

"The two of you have been more to me than mere companions. Tori... Once my friend, you have become my daughter in all things except birthright. When you my will is read, you will find there is a fund set up for each of the children. I have made you Trustee. There are bonds for each of them that will mature in 21 years, Human years. There is also one bond in my name. When Star's son is born, roll that into his name. Something told me to get just one more." She smiles. "Actually, it was Guunnar. He took me to the bank that day."

Tori nods, trying hard to hide her distress. Grace holds out her hand to Torrent. he takes it and sinks to his knee.

"Drmak. If times were different..."

"Graclyn, you are more than I ever thought would come to me. I am happy to have had this time with you."

Grace kisses his gnarled knuckles where they wrap around hers. "I have been blessed Drmak Torrent. I had my husband Mathias in my prime years until his God took him, and I have had you in my final year to show me how not to fear what is beyond."

Torrent leans forward and gently kisses her lips. "And I can now truly say the my life has been touched by the love of Grace."

She pats his cheek. "I love thee too, Drmak."

Torrent rises, kissing her hand, and bows. "Come Tourmaline. Lord Herne waits to escort her Home."

They leave the room quietly, closing the door.


The conversation in the living room is muted. Cassie and Tara visit with their families, cramming in as much time as they can. A short time later, Grace is standing among them, Lord Herne and Matthias flanking her. The years have fled, leaving her skin nearly unlined, her hair a deep auburn. She kisses all the babies a final time as Cassie and Tara say their goodbyes. One moment the five are solid forms, the next, they are mist, slowly fading from sight. Grace waves one last time, blowing a kiss to little Tara.