This post occurs two months after Gunther’s engagement to Lydia, in the aftermath of the bad juju….

Westport Manor:

Holly loved cooking. She typically prepared the meals for the magister. This day she was working on a lamb stew.

 “Hand me that jar of spice please Asheara.” 

“Sure.” The blonde haired wizard smiled. “Sure smells good. Where’d you learn to cook like this?”

“Oh I grew up in this kitchen. I always enjoyed the process of it, similar to potion making you know.” She smiled as a fond childhood memory played in her mind.

“What?” Asheara asked, curious about her sudden change in expression.

“Nothing… I was just reminiscing. You know Devon and I would cook together when he lived here at the tower.”

“Really? Devon cooks?”

“Ok well maybe he would just hand me things but we did it together. It was nice. I miss those days.” She sighed. “We were so close then. I always thought…”

“Never you mind, child. I’ve told you time and again. I’d love nothing more than to see you two together but I wouldn’t put much hope in it. Dragon’s live a long time.” Magister Crowley interjected without taking her eyes from her book.

“I guess, magister. But you never know. As long as we keep brewing those potions of longevity you discovered I might actually live to see the day.”

“I can’t argue the logic of it. It’s obvious he still fancies you. It’s not hard to see.” Asheara offered in support of her friend.

Now Crowley did look up. “Don’t encourage her girl. You should know just as well the frustration of fawning over forbidden love.”

“Yes ma’am.” 

“The two of you should get out a bit more. Not to insult either of you but you both have been looking a bit thick about the waist lately. Some activity might do you good.” The magister said with raised eyebrows.

“Hey.” They said in unison then turned to face each other and looked themselves over.

Magister Crowley nodded her head before returning to her book.

Asheara leaned in. “You never know. There was that one night…”

Holly shot her a warning look. “I think a bit more salt. Would you mind Ash?”

Asheara rolled her eyes. “Sure here you go.”

……………………………………………………………

Two months later…

Holly stood in front of the full length mirror in her room. She had chosen a green floral dress, one she wore quite frequently but today, for some reason, it seemed rather snug. As she turned to her side she could make out a bump extending from her once flat stomach. “Ok. Maybe lay off the cookies for a bit.” She said to herself.

“You too?” Asheara’s voice came from the doorway. Holly turned to see her friend standing in the entry. The lacing of her long pants were open at her waist pushed apart by a protruding belly.

“We’re not fat.” Holly said defensively.

“I don’t think that’s it.” The blonde wizard smiled.

“No?” Holly tilted her head curiously.

“Have you gotten your… I mean have you…Are you late?”

“Late for…” Holly was deep in thought trying to figure out the cryptic question when understanding struck. “Oh no! It can’t be! Oh gods.” A look of panic spread across her face. “You don’t think? No no no no no. This is bad…”

Asheara stepped in and closed the door. “Why is it bad? Maybe it’s fate. The will of the gods. A blessing even.”

Holly was dumbstruck. 

“Think about it Holly. What do you want more than anything in this world? To be with Devon right? Well this is the perfect opportunity for you. You know he loves you. We both know how love magic works. There has to be something there for the magic to grow. Once he hears you’re bearing his child you know he’ll settle down with you. His sense of honor will make him.”

“I don’t want to make him do anything. If we’re going to be together I want it to be his choice. Not some act of pity because of one reckless night.”

“You think too little of yourself. Devon would happily take your hand. All he needs is a push and a reminder of how much you mean to him. I see the way he still looks at you.”

“Yeah well… What about Jarath? Is that your plan too? Not for anything Asheara, I’ve known him most of my life. So has Keira for that matter. I don’t see him abandoning her because of one night of excess drinking. Now whether or not she puts him out for it is another story but if you think going to him with a child in your belly will cause him to drop to a knee and put a ring on your finger you haven’t been paying attention.”

“He’s a good man. He’ll do the right thing. I know he will.  I knew it the day he laid eyes on me in the City of Brass. It was fate that brought us together then and fate that has given us a child now.” 

“Maybe.” Holly said with great skepticism. “Or maybe he’ll just bear the financial responsibility for you and your child. I don’t think marriage is a lock by any means.”

“I just need time to convince him. Maybe when he finds out he’ll be around more and I’ll get that chance.”

“And maybe Keira won’t hunt you down and murder you. You do know she was once a succubus right? I wouldn’t put anything past her when it comes to Jarath.”

“I guess we’ll see.” Asheara grinned with optimism.

“Well regardless we’re going to have to inform the magister. She is not going to be happy.”

“No I imagine not.” Asheara agreed.

Later that day the two sought out their master.

“Magister Crowley? Do you have a moment to talk?” Holly called into her study. 

“Of course child. Come in.” She saw Asheara standing with her. They were both attired in new dresses that seemed a bit oversized for women who typically wore more form fitting clothing. “You and Asheara both. What’s wrong?”

The two young wizards sat. As they did the loose material of their dresses seemed to cling a bit more closely to their bellies. Crowley looked them over then met their eyes. “What have you two done?”

“It’s a long story magister.” Holly said red with embarrassment.

“It wasn’t our fault.” Asheara added defensively.

Crowley pursed her lips. “How about the short version for a woman on in years, with little patience for prolonged explanations.”

“We’re pregnant magister.” Holly announced.

“That much is obvious. Do you know who the father’s are or have I gone from training wizards to raising harlots?”

“We do magister.” Asheara seemed almost excited.

“Well? Let’s hear it girl. You seem quite eager to say.”

Holly turned her head away in shame.

“Devon and Jarath. Well Devon…” She said pointing to Holly, “…and Jarath.” She announced rubbing her own belly.

The color drained from Magister Crowley’s face. “Is this true girl?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“How? When? Do they know? Who else knows?”

“The night of Gunther’s engagement to the celestial. I think we had a bit too much to drink. It’s all still a bit fuzzy but I remember waking up next to him and knew we had been together. I grabbed my clothes and left before he woke. I’d never known him to be affected so by strong drink and I don’t remember drinking much myself… A glass of punch maybe? Anyway he doesn’t know or likely doesn’t remember because he never spoke of it. We’ve told no one.”

“Would Jarath remember anything Asheara?”

She grinned mischievously. “I would think so.”

“This is no joking matter young lady.”

“You’re right, magister. I’m sorry. I just don’t feel the same as Holly. Why can’t this be a good thing?” 

“Because it’s not.” The old mage said stoically. “Now does Jarath know?”

“I don’t believe he does. I had a similar experience as Holly. I was going to wait for him to wake when she sought me out and scurried me away. They were gone before we had any opportunity to talk and they haven’t been back since” The blonde mage said with some sadness.

“Well at least one of you was thinking.”

“What are we to do magister?” Holly asked.

“Well for one thing, what you won’t be doing is calling on those boys and telling them anything. I forbid it.”

“But why?” Asheara protested.

“There is more at play here than you realize, child. You will trust my judgement.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Furthermore you will sequester in the tower until the children are delivered. I do not want anyone to know of your… conditions.”

“Magister. You’re talking quite possibly remaining hidden for six months or so.” Holly offered

“If Devon could manage to stay inside for all those years as a child you should have less difficulty as an adult.”

“Just because you never caught him doesn’t mean…”

“Excuse me Holly?”

“Ahem, nothing magister.”

“Good. Now I will attend to whatever you two need.”

“Thank you Magister Crowley.” Asheara said appreciatively.

The wizened mage nodded. “Well at least you’ll have each other. I’ll figure this whole thing. Don’t you worry.”

Holly nodded but didn’t say anything.

“Now, now child. I know the circumstances aren’t ideal but if you had to choose a father for your child who would it be?”

Holly smiled weakly and nodded again.

“As I said. I’ll sort all this out for both of you. I promise.”

………………………………………………….

“Oh my gods!!!!” They screamed together.

Unseen servants flew about the common room as Magister Crowley set to the task of delivering two babies at once.

“Calm down girls it’s not so bad.”

“Are you kidding?!” Holly screamed. “It feels like this thing is cutting its way out with a kukri!” She shivered. “And I’m so cold. Why am I so cold.”

“Grrr.” Asheara said, grating her teeth. “I’ll trade you. I feel like I’m birthing a fireball.” She growled. She was sweating and breathing heavy all the while grimacing in pain.

“Ohh. When I get my hands on that Darkstar…”

“RRRR…” Asheara growled. “Isn’t that what got you into this?”

“Oh you shut up!” She fired back. “Ow ow ow. I didn’t hear you telling Jarath no.”

“If I had known it would feel like…Ahhh. Ah. …this, I damn sure would.”

“Well I’d like to know how the two of you managed not only to conceive on the same day but birth on the same day and at the same time. Let’s not make it easy for an old woman now.”

“SORRY Magister Crowley. I’ll be more considerate next TIME.” Holly snarked

Tears trailed down Asheara’s cheeks. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts to laugh.”

“There isn’t going to be a next time for either of you. Am I understood?”

“YES.” They both agreed as another sharp wave of contractions struck.

“Oh. Here we go Holly. Deep breath. Looks like you’re going to be first. Makes sense. That boy was always in a hurry to do everything. Why should his son…”

“Son what!” Holly pushed again. “What’s wrong? What about his son?”

“Wahhh. Wahhh.” Came the cry of a baby.

“Not a son child. Congratulations. You have a beautiful baby girl.” 

“Uhh!” Asheara screamed.

“Oh my.” She placed the baby in Holly’s arms and rushed to help her other patient.

Holly looked at the baby. “She’s beautiful.” Holly smiled as she sniffled overwhelmed with emotion. The baby’s eyes lit up with a brilliant blue glow. “Um magister.”

“Not now child. I’m a little busy.” She cradled the head of the baby Asheara was birthing.

One more scream and the baby was free. The young mage was panting, out of breath.

“Now you have a son.” She announced handing the baby to its mother. With a wave of her hand the children, their parents and she herself were cleaned of blood and soil.

“Now what is it. Oh!” She reacted somewhat surprised.

“Her eyes magister. Is she a… I mean will she be?”

The glow faded as the infant girl nuzzled against her mother.

“No. She’s only half Sanguinari. She’d still need to go through their ritual and be embraced to become vampyr. She’s a healthy human girl child. I’d guess her blood is strong with arcane power. The two of you have potent magic in you and always seem to grow stronger together. But it does explain you feeling cold.”

“Oh. Yeah. I guess it would.”

She turned toward Asheara and ran her hand gently across her cheek. “How are you feeling child?”

“Ok. Tired. Thank you magister. Isn’t he beautiful?”

“Yes. Yes he is. Have you thought of a name?”

“I’d like to call him Callixtus.

“It’s a good name Asheara. A strong name. Holly? How about you?”

“Arabess magister. I’ve always liked that name.”

“Very well. Now here. Let me swaddle these two. I’ll tend to them while you get some rest. Here drink this. One for each of you. It’ll help you sleep. When you wake I promise you’ll feel right as rain.”

The magister wrapped the newborns in blankets and placed them together in a bassinet. She waited for the potion to take effect and it wasn’t long before both of her wards were deep in restful sleep. She leaned over Asheara. “I’m sorry girl. But this is best for everyone.” The incantation was complex, the magic incredibly strong. She merged her consciousness with Asheara’s and began to alter and erase all memory of the child she had just borne. Then she moved to stand over Holly. A single tear trickled down her cheek. “You were both my children and I know this is a terrible betrayal but the prophecy is far too important to risk. I hope one day, should the time come, you will forgive me. Know that I’ll never forgive myself.” She leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. “I really am sorry child.” She apologized as she cast the memory charm on Holly as well. She stepped away and composed herself. She stared for a long moment at the two infant children. They were beautiful. Perfect. Magister Crowley looked at the newborn girl. The offspring of who she considered to be her own children. She struggled with what she knew she must do. It wasn’t fair. She began to doubt her own strength to follow through with it. She sighed as she steeled herself and took hold of the bassinet. In a blink she was gone.

………………………………………………..

“Headmaster Izodalf Vosk…” Magister Crowley began. “Thank you for making time for me on such short notice.”

“Nonsense Joan. It’s always a brighter day when you come to call.”

“Thank you Izzy. I was hoping you might do me a favor.”

“Does that favor have anything to do with the bassinet floating behind you my old colleague.”

“Astute as ever I see. Indeed it does. The children there are orphans. A boy and a girl. Their parents made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the greater good. I would like you to accept them here, to raise and train at the Esoterica Magica.” 

“You’ve taken in orphans before Joan. Why not now?”

“These children are special. They come from powerful blood and I would like to see them receive a proper education.”

“Certainly there can be no better mentor than you Crowley?” 

“Thank you. That’s very kind. But I’ve grown too old and cranky to raise children. My duties now cause me to traverse to places unsuitable for young ones. I would not trust anyone else to care and raise these young ones other than you. It’s truly for the best.”

“I’m not convinced. You appear rather conflicted about this.”

“I am. As I said, these two are dear to me. I’ll provide whatever resources are necessary to see they grow up quite comfortably. Expense is not an issue. I’m also prepared to make a sizable donation to the Esoterica for the good taste that you will keep my involvement in all this quiet. I do not want them to know that I am their benefactor.”

“And the identity of their parents?”

“For their safety I can not say other than to tell you they are born of great heroes. The best I have ever had the privilege to know.”

“That’s high praise Joan.”

“I assure you. It’s watered down.”

“Very well. I’ll foster the children here and see they are properly educated based on their talents and ability. Do they have names?”

“The girl is Arabess… Arabess Ilixkret. You may call the boy Callixtus. Callixtus Firebrand. He has a fireburst looking birthmark on his back.”

“Very well. Anything else?”

“Yes. You can expect that I’ll be checking in on them from time to time. If I find they are ill treated in any way…”

“You’ve my word they will be cared for.”

“Good. Thank you Izodalf. This is very difficult for me.”

“Well if you decide to change your mind…”

“I won’t. I can’t.”

She stood to leave. She paused for a long few moments taking one last look at the children she was about to leave behind. A second tear rolled down her cheek and then she was gone.