Aidan came in the door from another hunting trip and found the house filled with music. Flame Song was sitting cross-legged on a cushion on the floor and playing a small lap harp. Her fingers moved over the strings of the instrument and a slow, flowing melody filled the room. She stopped and looked up when Aidan came in.

“That was pretty! I haven’t heard you play in forever.”

“I know, I’ve been neglecting it,” said Flame. “It’s just too frustrating sometimes. I practice and practice, but I don’t think I’ll ever be all that good. I just don't have the dexterity for it.”

“But you can sing better than anyone else,” said Aidan.

“One of the five gifts,” said Flame.

“That what?”

“The five gifts of the firecats. I haven’t told you that story? I’ll have to sometime. I should tell Littlespark too. I’ve been neglecting my duties as a storyteller almost as much as I’ve been neglecting my musical skills. She should know all the stories of her tribe. Which reminds me, I’d like to take another trip to Snowcap.”

“What already? We went just last month.”

Flame laughed. She put her harp down and got to her feet. “We can go shopping more than once a year you know. But that’s not why I want to go. There’s someone there I need to talk to.”

“Who?”

“A lady I met last time I was there. She’s got a little girl about Spark’s age.”

“Why do you need to see her?”

There was a twinkle in Flame’s eye as she said, “Oh, it has to do with her job.” She was enjoying a little revenge for the way Aidan liked to surprise her.

Wondering what in the world Flame was talking about Aidan asked, “And what job is that?”

“She’s a healer, and a midwife.”

“A mid…” Aidan stopped, his jaw dropping. “Are you saying you’re…?”

Flame grinned. “I think so. It’s a bit early to be completely certain, but all the signs are pointing in that direction.”

Aidan gave a whoop of joy and caught her up in a hug.

Once he’d calmed down a bit he asked, “Why see a midwife though? You didn’t with Littlespark.”

“It never occurred to me. There isn’t any such thing among firecats. Had I given birth back home my mother would have been there, or my nearest female relative. But talking with Corinne at the shop the other day I realized that seeing a midwife might be a good idea if I had another baby.”

Aidan hugged her again. “I can hardly believe it. Do you think it’ll be a boy or a girl?”

“Well, when we go see Corinne we can ask her.”

“She can tell?”

Flame nodded. “She’s a very good clerical healer. She’ll be able to confirm that I’m actually pregnant and tell us all about the baby.”

“Amazing! Remind me not to shake hands with her though.” He grinned, feeling a little giddy. “When should we go? Not tonight, it’s already too late I think.”

“Tomorrow then,” said Flame.

And so the next evening they set out. The trip was uneventful and they slept that day at their usual inn. The young man at the desk greeted them with a smile and showed them to the same room. They left the inn well before sundown, Aidan squinting at the unaccustomed sunlight. They made their way through the streets with Flame Song in the lead. They came out into the market square to find that a crowd was gathered. Branson Alder was preaching again.

Aidan almost turned back to take the long way around. He wanted nothing whatsoever to do with that fanatic. But he didn't want to let the man intimidate him either, so he and Flame continued on, making their way along the edge of the crowd, Flame holding Littlespark close. Branson's voice suddenly rose to an even more fevered pitch.

"There! Think not to hide your evil from me! I can see, I know, what manner of creature you are, son of Hell!" Aidan glanced over to find the preacher staring straight at him, and pointing as well. Some of the crowd turned, trying to see what Branson was pointing at. Several of those standing near them gave Aidan and his family curious looks. One man looked fearful and fell back a step as Aidan went past. Flame gave Aidan a worried look and hurried faster.

"Those who serve darkness flee from the light, and from the sound of righteousness!" proclaimed the preacher. Aidan nearly turned around at that. He wasn't fleeing the "sound of righteousness" he was trying to spare his daughter, and avoid having to deal with a bigoted fanatic! But arguing with the man would serve no purpose, so he didn't.

Flame looked as angry as Aidan had ever seen her. “That, that… Oh! I don’t even know a word foul enough to call him!”

Aidan laughed. “I can think of a couple, but I’ll spare Littlespark’s delicate ears.” He normally didn’t like swearing, but he had to admit Branson annoyed him enough to make him want to curse a blue streak. What does he have against me anyhow? he wondered. It's not as though I've done anything to him! Quite the opposite, he's the one who hurt me. Aidan glanced down at his hand, where the mark from Branson's holy symbol still hadn't healed. It didn't hurt anymore, but it was healing much, much more slowly than it should have.

“He’s not a nice man,” said Littlespark. “I don’t like him.”

“You and me both, fuzz-ball,” said Aidan.