::Joff continued to try and chew his mouthful of pie while Nissa got a scrap of cloth and tried to wipe the smudges of fruit from his cheeks.
Tauer opened the letter to find a note written in a very neat hand. ::
Dear Princeling,
Consider this pie a token of my good will. By now I am sure you have suspicions as to my true identity. I would ask that you keep such thoughts to yourself. In exchange I will, in return, not seek to reclaim your wards into my fold. Nor shall I venture again into your entirely too accessable home.
The only reply I need to show your agreement to my terms is your continued silence.
Yours, M
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Tauer could see the threat in the words. But he would not let Nissa and Joff fall back into Piper's gang and their street rat ways.
He screwed the letter up into a ball, pocketed it and smiled. No need for the children to worry. The demonkin would keep quiet for their sakes...but that didn't mean this was over. Not by a long shot.
Tauer sat down with the two siblings, helping himself to some of the pie. For now, he would enjoy breakfast with his family. The rest could be dealt with later.
"Mmm, this is good pie."
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Tauer stepped out on to the balcony and stood, basking in the glow of the full moon. The siblings were asleep in the next room. Joff had been adamant for the silver-haired prince to read him a bedtime story but was out like a light within minutes. Nissa followed her brother to the Land of Nod soon after.
The demon prince closed his eyes, exhaled slowly and smiled. The stone floor beneath his feet was cold but thoroughly refreshing. The night air was cool and the world was calm and quiet. Having the two kids here was a blessing. They kept Tauer on his toes and were a constant source of conversations and questions. But he also cherished moments like these. Moments alone, when he could reconnect with himself; calm his mind, think clearly and reflect.
As he opened his eyes and looked up at the celestial bodies shining in the sky, Tauer's thoughts turned to his parents. Were they staring up at the heavens, like their last living son was? Would they be thinking of him and remembering Merik? What would they say if they saw him now, taking care of two young orphans as if they were his own kin? Would they be proud?
The young demon prince wished he could just catch a glimpse of them now; to see his mother's grief replaced by a smile, and to see his father resist the temptation of falling back into his dark ways. But it was difficult to imagine.
The prince leaned over the edge of the tower and sighed. Unless he risked the trip home, Tauer would never know for sure what was happening back in Broodenberg. And in this instance, he thought not knowing was for the best.