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The morning rush was over, and Don Eyr stepped out onto the porch to bask in the mid-morning sunshine. The porch faced the exercise yard, and there was a self-defense lesson in progress. Cisco and Ail Den were pushing the older children hard, and they were rising to the challenge.
The younger children were at their ethics lesson, taught by Serana. Later, he would meet them in the kitchen, and they would collaborate on making the mid-day meal for the household. A household that had expanded, from the original nine children, to a dozen, guarded and educated by five very capable adults, supported by a veritable army of cats, fierce mousers, and interested companions.
There was more–a small neighborhood had grown up around them; an area of relative peace, in which the neighbors assisted each other, and kept watch for each other. The bakery provided bread, and sweets, and a gathering place, and the children of other households often attended lessons with the children of the bake house.
Don Eyr sighed, and stretched, and, hearing the step behind him, turned into Serana's embrace.
"Is it well, little one?" she asked softly.
He laughed softly.
"It is well, Serana. Very well, indeed."
–end–