A family asks Wraithvine and hir companions if they would be godparents to their children. -- Anon Guest
"Not many people want a Faekindred goodparent[1]," Wraithvine said. "Many of those with origins in Nanogh are... quixotic to say the best of it."
"I know I am," said the Brauniin, popping into visibility as ze leaned over the babies in the cradle. "My blessings come out as curses, it's a whole thing. You might not want me in the equation to be honest."
"We're working on it," sighed Wraithvine, whilst the Kobold currently in hir company was methodically pulling things out of their backpack, arranging them in a strange order. They were sitting on the ground and not stealing anything so they were less concerning than the sudden Brauniin. "Over by the cradle is Ontsab. And this is Kathri. They're an artificer of some amazing merit. And we all need to remember our good manners..."
"Huh?" said Kathri. "Oh. Hi. Blessings on this house and yadda yaddah. I had an idea." They fell to mumbling about materials and runes, looking things up in a disreputable-looking book. It was infected with bookmarks. It was not only slightly foxed, but also appeared to be badgered, wolverined, and definitely Kobolded as well[2].
Borug started to look concerned, he protectively scooped up his babies and held them close. "You're heroes," said the Orc. "I thought... since their mother perished... You'd... help?"
"We will help. I am going to workshop blessings with Ontsab. I will make sure it can't be a curse."
"And... the Kobold?"
Wraithvine whispered in slightly antiquated Orcish, "I would trust the Kobold more than the Brauniin."
Borug looked very worried.
It all took two hours, during which Kathri stitched together two soft dolls, one a horse and the other a figure that could be either a wolf or a dog. There were runes stitched into the fabric stuffing that went inside, and several layers between the insides and the outside.
Ontsab went first. Laying two fingers on each brow and saying, "May you always know how to avoid a threatening situation."
Wraithvine added some charms made of hir own black hair. Set with interesting beads of rowan wood. "May you become strong enough to protect and guide your loved ones," ze said to the firstborn. "May you never be wanting for sufficient food or shelter," this added to the second of the twins.
Borag began to breathe a little more easily.
Then Kathri offered up the figures. The horse, "This one protects from disease." Then the canid, "And this one protects from cold. They can both share."
It turned out pretty well, all things considered.
[1] The practice of "godparenting" is from Xtian roots, and this is the non-Xtian alternative.
[2] GNU Sir Terry Pratchett (salutes).
[Photo by Olga Ferina on Unsplash]
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