Neonee Scarred

The table was set with marvellous food yet Neonee sensed it was not an occasion. At one end his Aunt sat, Queen Airabella and at the other his uncle Onicent. Neonee sat at the end closet to Onicent. Epis was on his left but far over, Enisia naturally was at his side. Both now were young adults. The littlest, the girl named Feia sat at her mothers side. Neonee was stuck facing Amos, who was dining with Neonee's wife. Ilo, as he had heard her referred to, was holding an infant on her lap. The child was definitely not Neonee's. At the beginning of the meal Neonee was introduced to the child. A son named Vown.

Between the stiff silence and Amos constant barrage of glares the meal was stretching on and on. It was evident Ilo wanted nothing to do with Neonee.

When the child suddenly made a sound Neonee gave Ilo a more prolonged look, he was contemplating his luck perhaps. Amos's face twisted and he drew his sword. This startled everyone.

"Enough!" Airabella said, "I wouldn't have weapons at the table."

Ilo had shifted herself to look at Amos, her face tart and annoyed, "imbecile," she muttered "you'll scare the child." She was rocking the infant back and forth.

"Nonsense." Amos said angrily, but under Ilo's glare he relaxed, "no child of mine could fear a sword."

Neonee now knew what he had suspected. He had been stunned to have Ilo as a wife, was he disappointed though. What would a goddess like Ilodeena see in him.

The goddess Airabella was aware of what she had done to him by marrying him to Ilo. Had she really thought Ilo would love him. He dared to glance her way. She was staring off into space it seemed. The veiled child was holding her sleeve looking frightened.

Amos had put away the sword. But he was grinning. He took Vown from Ilo and held him up.

"Isn't my son charming?" He mocked Neonee, "he looks so much like me."

Neonee didn't point out the child was in fact pink, so more like his mother.

"Enough Amos," Airabella said sharply. Perhaps she did feel something then.

Amos shoved the child back at Ilo, who took him in her arms looking annoyed. She fixed her alluring gaze on Neonee who felt a helpless surge of emotion and angry at his own fortune. Shouldn't the child be his own son. Why did Amos get to take it all away from him. Neonee's human parents were dead. His sister had died too. He had but his mother Serse.

"Father," Enisia interrupted Neonee's thoughts, "may I leave the table now?"

"You may."

Epis jumped up too. Both siblings departed.

Airabella stood up, "Ilodeena?" She said, "I need to speak with you."

Ilo cast a look at Airabella, tossed her hair and took Vown with her as she went off. Feia left with them practically on her mothers skirt.

Now it was Amos, Neonee and Onicent.

"I would hope you know Neonee, although my lovely wife married you to Ilo, a mistake I'm sure on her part. My son Amos has her heart." Onicent said smirking. He placed his sword on the table, a gesture Neonee failed to understand. But then Onicent was gone and it was him and Amos.

Amos was sitting more calmly, smiling at Neonee. "I would think that you could use a reminder." Amos said with a deadly edge, "Ilodeena belongs to me."

He whipped his sword out and jumped onto the table. Neonee surprised, fell backwards, somehow he managed to seize the sword Onicent had left.

"You think you are a man," Amos said, "but you are a boy still. I'll prove it to you." Amos was chuckling, "we are still soft when we are young. Take my poor young sister for example, have you seen her face?"

Neonee steadied himself.

"I think we will have fun." Amos said, "I am always up for a fight. Even if you aren't much of an opponent."

Neonee fought bravely, but was simply overpowered by Amos. No one was coming to save him.

"I don't think anyone will ever look at you again," Amos said at last.

Neonee lay on the floor. His limbs were heavy and his eyes closing. He was soaked, thought he knew he hadn't had contact with water. Within minutes there was a stroll scream, but Neonee couldn't raise his head to look for its source.