Dex was taking a vacation from the palace with his family. Unfortunately, it becomes quite stormy. But, fortunately, his parents' place wasn't far, and it'd been quite a while since they'd visited the farm. -- Anon Guest
They had been on their way to Waelrin's capital and castle when the threatening storm started to beat their carriage around. The good news, for King Kormwind Arachis Felbourne Whitekeep, tenth of his name (Dex to his friends), was that they were close to Dromlynne. He had his firstborn and heir on his knee and the twin girls, Glee and Hope, playing at his feet. Taking care not to accidentally kick his children, he leaned out the window and called up, "Head for Dunrulin farm, please. It's closer."
"Opa," cheered his son, who had inherited the same name. "We're goin'a Opa!"
The girls squealed, "Opa! Opa! Opa!"
His poor Tulip, who had been trying to doze during the trip, glared at him. Her eyes said, You set them off, you have to settle them.
He whispered, "Opa's going to help me, like it or not."
"I would much like a silence spell and a nice, soft bed," sighed Tulip.
"That can also be arranged," Dex promised. "After a nice hot meal. Mum will complain about fixing extra, but I'll help and she loves us."
"She loves spoiling the children," Atula Gwenhwyfar Tabithe Mariaster, better known to his heart as Tulip, tried once more to make herself comfortable. A difficult task, given that she was anticipating another little prince or princess. Or, perhaps, two of them. She was not due for months, but that didn't ease her discomfort.
Alas, his efforts to create softer seating for her in a carriage came to naught. Enough padding for her ease took too much space to accommodate anyone else. Especially not the children. Dex had attempted to concoct a carriage with enough room for all and the cushioning Tulip needed, but it would have been unwieldy and far too big for many roads.
He'd had to settle for a ring of levitation that she could activate for two hours at a time. Alas, it only had so many charges.
The storm truly hit like a stone elemental just as they got to the door. True to form, Dad had anticipated their arrival and opened the door before anyone could knock. "Get in, all of you. Raus!"
Dad meant all when he said all. The associated servants were also welcomed while the horses were encouraged into Dunrulin's stable area with the Dire Goats. Nani the goat who thought she was a dog gambolled between the newcomers. Sniffing and wagging her stumpy tail for family, and halfheartedly barking at the staff.
Mum had a spread of food in progress, laid out on the big table. "You're lucky Kosh warned me there'd be more at dinner, tonight. And you're even luckier that he helped."
"I'm helping with anything left," insisted Dex. "I'm the king and you can't stop me."
"I'm your mother, I certainly can," said Mum. "There's dry clothes for everyone in the usual guest room. Get changed before you do anything. Shoo!"
He might be a king, but a mother must be obeyed or else. The staff were led to other guest rooms - Dad had plenty - and gifted something comfortable and dry.
For one night, they weren't royalty. Just a family sitting down with friends and associates for a nice dinner while they waited out the storm.
It was as good as a holiday.
[Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Unsplash]
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