I gave a parting gift to Mighel and Barat. I knew things were going to get rough for them. Ottie was still ashamed of them. He no longer ever claimed them in private. He would just refer to them as "the boys". He had some brief success with his wife. They had a girl and a boy in back to back years. She was too weak for the second pregnancy due to illness. He was given the same choice to make. Ottie chose his son over her. It was understandable. I did not approve, but I got it. He did not marry her for love. He married her for legitimate heirs that he did not need to be ashamed of when they were seen together. The son was that heir. She was gone, but the mark she left remained. She treated Lady like shit. She treated the boys like shit. Ottie only stepped in when it looked like things might get physical. He protected his children like a man should. Still, it was clear to see that Ottie would probably neglect them to focus on his human children. I did not want Mighel and Barat to lose heart. I had a heraldry shied commisioned for them based on the design I made. I gave it over. They loved it.
Dashing towards their mother, the boys showed to Lady. She was happy for them. "You should be part of our family, Mother." Mighel beamed at her. "Yes! Be a Yellowtail too!" Barat said in glee. Lady smiled at them. "I do have a yellow tail." she said before licking their faces with her tongue. I was just how dogkin showed affection. I have a near expertise since my cheeks had been licked several times by Bonnie. Grissell would complain I smelled like dog breath. I did not mind it. Grissell still hated that we had a great relationship. I could not take her out places, but I would often stop to chat with Bonnie. Bruiser, Boxer, Brawler, Battler, Ren and Len went out with her all of the time. Sometimes it was with money from my own pocket. Seeing Mighel and Barat so pleased with the gift made Ottie a bit nervous. "Would you like... for me to hang it up for you? Not in the main hall, but maybe above your room?" he offered. He would not put it in the main hall because that was where his was hanging. It would raise too many questions. The boys handed it over right away. He hung it up. It looked nice.
Eventually, they would grow into great, powerful knights. Right now, they were still really cute. The same was true for all my children. I loved how cute they were. I gave them a last look over. "Don't be afraid to reach out to us when it is time for you to come of age. Mansfield is the new seat of the county. You already know Lord Anthony and Count Swifthunt decently well. You might be able to become a real knight on your own merits. Just like your father." I said to encourage them to work hard. Having a long term goal might see them through until they could go off on their own. They said that they would. I would be doing my best to ensure that my children also were nicely set up to become knights of the county. If Jeffery and Anthony really did not want their service, that was fine. I could send them off to the capitol. The tourney arena was the perfect place to get noticed. I had no doubt that they would be champion material there. They were fully ambidextrous. They would be stronger than the average human. They were blessed by the Great Spirits to be faster. On top of natural speeds.
