Exton

Pandora saw her chance to talk to Mortuis; to plead her case for taking some precious clippings away with her. Before he had reached the terrace door Pandora asked Mortuis... "Your garden; it has wondrous beds of herbs, especially the  ones with magical uses... might I have some clippings when we leave? There is wolfbane, which I have seen in books, but never found... and a variety of foxglove with a coloration to the flowers that appears quite rare... I am thinking it is probably a heritage variety you have nurtured for years."

There is a twinkle in her eyes as she looks at him..."I love gardens, and yours has many highly prized but obscure varieties; I would be ever so grateful to have them."

Her mind travels to the neat manicured beds tended by the gnomes and the fragrance that lay heavy in the air as they had wandered there.She pictures again their first moments.... Alise knew every nook and cranny... she took them beneath an arbor laden with wisteria and had shown them statues and ponds and all matter of beautiful florals... even a small maze; which she took note of, knowing that if they ever ventured here when the children were older, this would draw them like flies.

They had rested on garden benches, watching the children play with Lobo and the baby kittens the mama cats had led to our spot... scooping one up briefly to stroke it and listen to its purr before setting it back down to pounce on Lobo.

It had been a wonderful distraction from thinking of Ob leaving; and she felt that the women had all bonded, moving closer in spirit as they ventured together. The babes were wide eyed and attentive... even tiny Mera lay quiet in Star's arms, drinking in the scent and bright color before her eyes; Star stopping periodically to whisper to her and stroke her cheek.

Now Star was so attached you could see her aura plainly wrapped about the child nursing from the bottle she held. Pandora had a feeling things were going to turn out for her... Keon was a strong, but sensible man... he would do what was best for Mera.

She returned her attention to Mortuis; awaiting an answer to her question... her mind laughing at his discomfort when confronted with the antics of small babes, and how well he recovered... she smiled sweetly up at him, knowing she would miss his home in many ways. His hospitality was flawless and he truly had a world of his own within its walls. Silk with her mysterious beauty and Mortuis were a perfect foil for each other.