บท 98: Winter Begins

Surprisingly, Winter arrived not with a roar, nor with swift, direct change, but with a gradual, slow creep, the temperatures dropping by the day and the winds picking up.

The nights had grown freezing, whilst the days were accentuated by warm spots and falling leaves.

Most of the trees around us were barren, and I sighed as I stared at the empty field that once held my crops.

I missed seeing the sea of golden wheat and fiery orange corn, as well as my now pathetic looking garden, the Nettla Bush wilted and the Vetus Berries shriveled up.

Rhefia was leading the final hunt today, taking Aethisia and Yiksa out to scrounge around for the last remnants of prey.

With that, we would be truly done preparing for the winter; most animals would stick to their burrows and enter hibernation for short periods of time, only awakening to eat whatever they themselves stored up before returning to sleep.

As for the Monsters, they would spent these long, cold days hunting for those burrows, raiding them and picking apart whatever they could find.

So, I began tinkering with our house, expanding the size to allow for more room whilst also upgrading and winterizing what I needed to.

Hanging up large, furry pelts, arranging some of those pelts on the ground as rugs, getting some fur lined clothing made, creating a washroom, adding a larger fireplace to the main room, expanding Yiksa's room...

The list was long, but it was all done in a short amount of time.

I made sure the windows were as sealed as they could be, whilst I contemplated adding posts and fences around the entirety of the clearing, to 'section' off areas.

I at least did so with the farm area, before slipping back inside the warm house that had come to life over these last few weeks.

When I sat in my rocker, I stared at the sitting figures of Camara and Kalia, both of whom were carving wooden blocks again, chuckling and whispering to one another as they worked.

It was...

Refreshing and nostalgic, sitting here.

I felt old as well; maybe it was because every day felt so long, and each month here was eventful, but still...

Camara was a few months old, and yet she looked and acted like she was in her early twenties.

I could still clearly remember holding her in my arms when she woke up crying, comforting her when I told her I was pregnant with another child, explaining the world to her...

Now I had done that thrice; Kalia was my newest baby, and yet she was also grown now as well...

Smiling warmly, I pulled the blanket over my curvy body and took a deep breath, letting out a sigh as I closed my eyes.

I must have dozed off, as when I had awoken I saw the raised brow on my serious wife's beautiful face, her warm amber eyes staring gently at me.

Seeing her, I gave her a lazy smile as I puckered my lips, watching as she chuckled softly before giving me a kiss.

"Did you enjoy your nap Astra~?"

I chuckled as she lifted me from the rocker, the large Deerkin helping me to stretch out each muscle in my body, even going so far as to crack my back and massage my shoulders.

Leaning back into her chest, I sighed as my eyes drooped again, the warmth coming from her body lulling me back to sleep.

"Nuh uh! I'm hungry woman!"

Hearing her exasperated, exaggerated tone, I opened my eyes and stared up at her, the Deerkin struggling to hide her grin as I raised a brow as well.

Keeping my eyes locked to hers, I sighed as I felt her hands slip around towards my thighs, prompting me to push off of her comfortable torso.

Leaving her embrace, I stretched again and yawned as I entered the kitchen, where a frowning Camara and Kalia stood.

Taking in the charred meat, lumpy dough, and squashed berries, I sighed slightly as I approached the two women, tapping their shoulders.

"Watch for now."

They nodded, their cheeks darkening slightly with embarrassment as I began to expertly navigate my kitchen, whipping together a heart meal in what felt like moments.

I had them do some of the more basic, easier tasks, guiding them through it before making them step back and continue observing.

Of course, while this was going on Aethisia and Rhefia were giving Yiksa an 'appetizer', both Deerkin wearing content expressions as Yiksa gulped down their seed.

Ignoring them, I gave my two other daughters explanations for why I was doing what I was, the two nodding as I told them about the intricacies of cooking.

I of course had a few other things crafting in each station as well, using this time to begin preparing for those days when I simply am too drained and tired to cook on my own.

There was going to be quite a few of those days, going by the slurping sounds coming from the table...

With such an 'active' household, I can't imagine I'll have a moment of peace.

Not that I particularly want that; I do rather enjoy servicing my wife and our daughters, as well as Yiksa.

I'm just not looking forwards to being all cooped up inside.

There were many nights where we would slip outside and make love under the stars, and I think that I was going to miss that more than I thought I would.

Plating all of the prepared food, I watched as Camara and Kalia ferried it to the table, where a flushed Yiksa finally got out from under the table and took a seat, her lips stained white.

Camara promptly sat down beside Aethisia, the two sisters staring intently at one another as they communicated silently, which resulted in Aethisia hanging her head slightly as she looked away.

Kalia sat beside her dama, the two Dark Elves exchanging whispers as they began eating.

As for me, I found myself pulled onto Rhefia's lap, the large Deerkin wrapping her arms around my waist as she held me close, her nose buried in the crook of my neck.

"I'm so happy winter is here..."

Rolling my eyes, I began to eat as well, feeding Rhefia alongside myself as the Deerkin continued to embrace me.

That night, flurries fell from the sky, dusting the frosted grass around our home.