The Luna Cycle: Book One

Part One: Chapter Five

                                                                      FIVE

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Horam Palenlight pondered his son's future over the steaming eggs and ham Lucan prepared for their breakfast. He looked forward to this day every week; this same morning, since his children were too old to live with him, they had made him breakfast. Nearly always the same breakfast, but he still loved it. What the breakfast lacked in variety, it more than compensated with warmth, and not just from the food and crackling fire.

Layra, his only daughter, was not a very punctual person. But Horam and his son understood this; with her lateness in mind, they served the food scant moments before she burst through the door, carrying several large packages.

"I'm sorry—took me longer to get here with these than I expected!"

Horam slid his chair backward a few inches on the stone floor, but Lucan was quicker. He jumped up to assist to help his younger sister, and together they placed everything on a sideboard table near the stove.

"These two square packages are cakes from Bensa, for you Da." She smiled at Horam. He felt the warmth in it from across the room. Tipping his hat in a customary gesture, her smile brightened a few more watts.

"Show us the rest of your loot later, Layra. I'm starving!" Horam banged his fork lightly on the table. His two children settled in chairs, and dug into the steaming dishes mounded with eggs and meats.

"Oh, bread! She gave us bread, too!" Layra dropped her fork next to her plate, and pushed herself away from the table in one fluid movement. Hurriedly unwrapping several of the small loaves Bensa baked the night before, Laryra placed them to warm on the hearth,

"They'll be delicious." Returning to her seat, she dug into the eggs and ham. Lucan, who had already cleared half his plate, looked at the bread; Horam clearly heard his son’s stomach rumble. Lucan, like his wife, was always susceptible to eating massive amounts of Bensa's bread.

They ate in silence for a time, until Horam set down his fork and took a drink from a glass of pungent juice.

Layra made a sour face, still chewing a bit of ham.. "That juice is terrible. It tastes like mold!"

Lucan laughed, and nodded in agreement. "He's had many years to acquire the taste, I suppose."

Horam took his turn to make a face at his children. "I've also had many years to acquire a lack of taste buds! And besides, Starla says kivo juice is healthy, so I drink!" Horam took another big gulp and spluttered slightly. Clearing his throat, he changed the subject, "How's Diaen? Is she feeling well as of late?"

"Yes, she's been feeling only restless lately. Ready to be holding the child in her arms, rather than in her belly, I think. Starla told her a few more weeks." Lucan looked slightly relieved, which quickly changed into a stressful frown. "She's over at Bensa's now, probably doing all sorts of chores in hopes of inducing her labor." Lucan sighed, " I just want a few more weeks, that's all. Then I'll be ready for the little whelp."

Horam laughed out loud, feeling the weight of his expertise in child-rearing, "You'll never be ready, son. The babe will never do a thing you expect it to. It's a different journey for every child."

Lucan paled slightly, and looked at his sister, who was grinning madly across from him. "Don't forget you already volunteered to help!"

Layra bowed her head and spread her skirts in her seat."Of course, brother. I'll be there for Diaen every step of the way."