Retta

The new day dawned much as the parents had hoped, yet not without its share of surprises. Now midday found Dastarn and Enara working together in the kitchen, the former mostly occupied in food preparation while the latter set their table.

"I trust you've forgiven my teasing from yesterday?" Enara inquired lightly. "When I jested that you'd cooked this feast solely for ourselves."

Dastarn exhaled softly. "It's not so much that. I merely want to lessen your burdens however I can." He turned to face his beloved fully. "You carry our family's weight so steadfastly, I felt I must do more to support you both."

Enara reached out and took his hands in hers. "But you are here, and that is all the support I need. Your presence by our side sustains me far beyond any chore or meal."

Her gentle gaze held his in a moment of intimacy, the unspoken language of souls long united. At last Dastarn stirred, breaking the silence with care. "Then let us enjoy this bounty together before it grows cold."

As they savored their meal, their conversation meandered through various topics, the amusing antics of the children upon meeting the newborn and the upcoming festival for the newborn. 

Unspoken but weighing on their minds was their shared concern that other children might perceive their baby as different or peculiar, particularly due to his eyes. 

However, much to their relief, their newborn appeared perfectly normal after waking up, with no lingering peculiarity except for the unique color of his eyes.

The day had been chaotic for the couple, as their newborn's erratic sleep schedule had deprived them of much needed rest. They had finally managed to lull him to sleep at daybreak after feeding him, only to be awakened by the neighborhood children who had come as promised by Dastarn to catch a glimpse of the child. 

The children ended up wanting to stay longer, causing Enara to gently persuade them that it might upset the baby if they overstayed. 

Eventually, they left with the promise of seeing more of the baby during the upcoming welcoming festival in five days' time. 

Finally, the couple found solace in the privacy of their home, until an unexpected knock echoed at their door.

"I hope it's not those kids again or something related to the council of Elders," Dastarn muttered as he opened the door halfway, trailing off upon seeing Retta standing there, her face adorned with a questioning expression. 

"Ah, it's you, Retta. Please come in," he said, making way for her. 

Retta passed him and inquired, "How are you feeling, dear?" addressing Enara, who was still seated at the dining table. 

"You're here, Retta. I'm feeling well, and the baby is also sleeping peacefully," Enara replied. 

Retta stood there for a moment, lost in thought. Sensing her contemplation, Enara offered, "Let me take those from your hands," preparing to stand up. 

"No need, dear. Just finish your meal and rest. I can place these on your bed," Retta insisted, gesturing for Enara to remain seated. 

She then glanced at Dastarn, subtly shaking her head, before turning her attention back to Enara and inquiring if the baby was in the room she was about to enter.

"Yes, he's sleeping there," Enara confirmed.

Retta proceeded toward the room, contemplating whether to check on the baby's wakefulness once more. 'I guess I'll come back when he's awake,' she thought to herself. 

Quietly, she entered the room, striving to make minimal noise.

Spotting the little one wrapped in sheets in the upper middle part of the bed, she decided to place the items she was carrying on the chair beside the bed, exercising caution. 

As she prepared to depart, she glanced at the baby, only to be surprised by his wakefulness. Even more astonishing was the intensity with which he observed her every move, akin to a vigilant guard on duty. 

Their eyes locked, engaged in a fleeting moment of connection, before Retta broke away from the silent contest and scanned the direction of the door, ensuring no one was approaching. 

She then settled on the bed beside the baby, inspecting him closely and peering into his eyes. A frown creased her brow as she failed to discern the peculiar thing she had noticed earlier. 

Retta, a tall woman nearing middle age, stood at almost six feet, just a few years younger than Danna, Chief Tarik's wife. However, their appearances differed vastly. 

Danna carried the expected signs of middle age, with a sprinkling of gray hair and a grandmotherly physique. In contrast, Retta possessed a striking presence, with ash-colored hair and blue eyes diluted to an almost silvery hue. 

Her physique struck a balance between femininity and strength, reminiscent of a female warrior. It was this formidable presence that often frightened the children, as Retta would occasionally employ a stern frown to keep them in line. 

Yet, her smile radiated the warmth of a seasoned mother, a juxtaposition that puzzled those around her. And now, she frowned at the newborn, only to realize a minute too late that her expression might have caused him to cry. 

However, to her surprise, he remained silent, fixated on her with an unwavering gaze. Instinctively, Retta took a step back, breaking eye contact once more. 

It was reminiscent of their first encounter when she had first laid eyes on his captivating gaze, an instinct within her warning of something peculiar about the baby. Retta left the room in that state of uncertainty, carrying the weight of her suspicions with her.

After that brief encounter with the baby, Retta felt an inclination to take her leave. However, Enara insisted that she join them for a meal. 

Persuaded by Enara's warm invitation, Retta decided to stay and dine with them. As they savored the food, the conversation gravitated toward Chief Tarik's recent words and his decisions concerning the safety of the village and the surrounding forest. 

Retta shared the details, highlighting the significance of the chief's plans. The atmosphere was filled with a mixture of anticipation and concern for the well-being of their community.

Enara expressed her support for Tarik's vision, emphasizing the importance of unity and protection.

Dastarn listened intently, his eyes filled with admiration for Enara's wisdom and strength. "You always have a way of seeing the bigger picture, my love," he remarked, reaching across the table to gently grasp her hand.

Enara smiled, her gaze filled with love and determination. "We are bound to our village, our people, and the forest that surrounds us.

We must do whatever it takes to preserve our way of life and protect the secrets that lie within the Ash Crown."

Dastarn nodded, his grip on Enara's hand tightening. "Together, we will face whatever challenges come our way. We have each other, and our love will guide us."

As the meal drew to a close, Retta bid her farewells, expressing her eagerness to witness the name they had chosen for their child during the upcoming ceremony. 

With a sense of anticipation lingering in the air, the days passed swiftly, and the time for the naming ceremony, or as some referred to it, the welcoming festival, arrived.

The festival was a vibrant affair, divided into two distinct parts.

The first part commenced before midday and consisted of spirited activities and friendly competitions for men and children. 

Laughter echoed through the air as groups playfully vied against one another. Although the games were conducted purely for the joy they brought, the winners would later be rewarded by the chief in the latter part of the festival.

With the sun reaching its zenith, the village gathered for a grand lunch feast. It was a time for fathers to display their hunting prowess, presenting the fruits of their labor in the form of the most substantial catch that could satiate the entire community. 

Dastarn, filled with pride and skill, surpassed expectations in this display of his hunting abilities, leaving the villagers impressed.

As the afternoon unfolded, the focus shifted to the younger members of the community.

Children eagerly showcased their talents, captivating the crowd with their youthful energy and boundless creativity. This interlude provided a well-deserved respite for the adults, who reveled in the youthful exuberance surrounding them.

As the sun began its descent, casting a golden glow over the festivities, the women of the village stepped forward. 

Their voices rose in harmonious melodies, enchanting the audience with their songs and recitations. 

The air was imbued with a sense of reverence as the ladies displayed their poetic skills and celebrated the beauty of their shared heritage.

With twilight casting a magical veil over the gathering, the feast reached its culmination with a delectable light dinner. 

Mothers proudly exhibited their culinary talents, showcasing their expertise in tantalizing dishes that delighted the senses.

Just before the feast drew to a close, the eagerly anticipated moment arrived, the time when the name of the newborn would be officially announced.

The anticipation hung thick in the air as all eyes turned to the baby, the center of attention. In a hushed moment of anticipation, the parents stepped forward, their faces glowing with pride and love. 

With voices filled with emotion, they proclaimed the chosen name, bestowing upon their child a sense of identity and belonging within the community.

The villagers erupted in joyous applause, their hearts brimming with happiness for the newest member of their close-knit society.