She was well and gone. He couldn't make out any trace of Josie or his son. He tried not to let it bother him, tried to bury the agitation that had him pacing restlessly from one end of the territory to the other. His first born, his only child. She wouldn't take him away, would she? Or had he failed them.. Had something happened to them? Maybe she left for Tephra; she knew people there. He should search for them there..
Arrya's scent drifted to him on a lazy breeze. He closed his eyes and inhaled, a bittersweet pang in his chest. Happy, yet painful. Warm brown eyes turned to her, only to fall immediately on the dark little child at her legs. Bright blue eyes danced merrily as she introduced herself. Rora. He stood entirely dumbfounded, only staring at her. It took him a moment to register what she'd asked her mother. Cuddling? Friends? He grimaced. And then Arrya confirmed it for her. Yes, friends were indeed for cuddling.
He stiffened and jerked his eyes to her. Joke, right? Just a joke? But looking down at little Rora, all her expectant glee.. nope, not a joke. He cleared his throat.
Uh, yes. Friends and mommies are for cuddling. Uncles are not for cuddling.
He was still very awkward around children, still unaccustomed to them wanting anything to do with him. Always, he'd been in the background; silent and deadly. Now he almost seemed a novelty to them.
It's nice to meet you, Rora, he said with a noble bow of his head, almost a little wary. Like at any moment she might launch herself at him.
I am Akkadian. Or just Kade, if you prefer. It had been a while since he used his name, and it still wasn't his full name. Perhaps he'd grow into this Kade person, and Akkadian-Shakkad would cease to exist. It might be for the best.