She ran across the street, headed for Wiglaf at full speed. Sasha instantly drew her broadsword and crouched in attack position, inhaling and exhaling sharply through clenched teeth.
"It's okay, Sasha!" Wiglaf barked. "It's my mother!"
Never losing stride, the woman launched into Wiglaf s arms, nearly knocking him down. She smothered him with kisses as a chastened Sasha stepped back and replaced her sword, looking around to see if anyone else had noticed.
"Wiglaf Wiglaf Wiglaf Wiglaf Wiglaf," the woman cried between kisses.
"Hi, Mother," he replied in embarrassment after he finally extricated himself from her embrace and noticed Sasha stifling a giggle.
"It's really you! Oh, my goodness! Why didn't you tell us you were coming home, dear?"
"Because I just decided to come. We'd have been here before you got word."
"Oh, of course you would. Oh, my goodness!" A cloud passed over her face for an instant. "This is a visit, isn't it, son? You didn't… fail in your studies?"
"No indeed, ma'am," interjected Sasha. "He's one of the finest students Master Fenzig has ever instructed."
They both turned toward Sasha-Wiglaf flabbergasted, his mother beaming with pride.
"Oh, and this must be your lady friend we've heard so much about."
"Sasha, may I present Ariel Evertongue, my mother," said Wiglaf, still quite confused. Finest students? Lady friend? Heard about?
"I'm delighted," Sasha purred with a smile and a gracious bow.
"Wiglaf, your father will be so happy to see you. I'm going to run to the-"
"Mother, I'd rather surprise him, all right? Please."
"Well… all right. I'll just… go home and… put something on for dinner. Get the guest room ready, and…" Ariel tweaked his cheek, "your old room."
Wiglaf's face flushed, to Sasha's unending amusement. "Thanks, Mom. We'll be along."
"I'm so pleased to finally meet you," Ariel said to Sasha as she backed away, looked at Wiglaf again, burst into tears of joy, and ran off sobbing, "Oh, my goodness!"
"Moms," said the warrior. "What are you gonna do?"
He turned to her, frowning. "Sasha, what was that all about?" But before she could answer-