Don't Move

The Neverending Problems

Another month has gone by since Camden attacked me and since Baruch survived another assassination attempt. Although we didn't find out who caused him harm, everything moved on and everyone moved on.

I'm back in my room with my sons and everything seems to have calmed down a little.

Today is what they consider a family day, but only in the night will everyone meet up and spend time together. Anyways, I make my way to catch up with the rest of the family.

"Hello Mother Basilah," I say kindly as I come into the room to find Norah and Emery sitting there. They both wave at me as I head into the room. "I guess you heard it's family day," Basilah says with a smile as I sit down beside the girls on the floor. Emery plays with Baruch while Norah holds Amadeus. I nod, "There has been so much chaos lately that I haven't gotten to see the rest of the family lately." She smiles, "Soon, it will only be you, Calliope, Anax and the kids." I smile sadly, "The home will feel so empty without you guys, but we don't have to think about this for some time." "Well," Norah says sadly, "soon, I will be travelling with Mother to see my land and my people, then when I am 18 I will stay there. Even, when Berli's children are older, then he will go with them to their area of rulership." I nod slowly, "That will be very sad. You are one of my closest friends, but I will come by to visit often." Norah smiles brightly, "I can't wait." Emery frowns, "Norah's leaving?" Basilah nods, "Soon, but you won't be alone." Emery smiles brightly then continues playing with Baruch.

After some time, I make my way to the gardens and find Alora is sitting there with all her children beside her. Udeline and Imogen run over to play with Baruch, while I carry Amadeus and sit beside Alora and Hagan.

"Finally," Alora says seriously, "Camden is being red-tagged." Hagan nods, "He was such a bully, but Kamali won't be happy." I sigh, "I guess that puts me in the line of fire again?" Alora nods, "Kamali has a lot of power and she will use it to get what she wants. If she loses her son, she will do whatever she has to to make your life miserable." "Why would she do that when she might end up losing all she cares about as well?" I ask Alora and Hagan shrugs. "She won't lose," Alora says firmly, "she always wins. Even though she has one son, she is the successful one amongst the Mothers. Why do you think that is?" I sigh deeply, "Who do you think hurt Baruch?" Alora tenses, "Could be Kamali or Calliope." "I need to protect him," I say seriously, "I won't lose my children to anyone."

Udeline runs over and sits on Hagan's lap, peacefully, while Imogen runs over with Baruch as he has a bunch of flowers in his hands. "Dada," Baruch says happily. "Dada gave these to you?" I ask him and he shakes his head. "To Mama," he says cutely and I smile at his little face.

I get up and make my way over to Ellerie as she sits further on in the gardens.

"Athena," she says happily, "I am so glad to see you beaming. Amoli and Jaxon are on their way with the little ones, but Kabir and Ivaan are playing over there." I wave at them and they come over to kiss my hand, then they run off to play. Soon, Amoli and Jaxon come with Athena, Holden and Waylen. Athena runs over to Baruch as they play with each other. Holden and Waylen lay in either Jaxon's or Amoli's lap.

Jaxon hugs me tightly and then holds Amadeus as does Amoli.

"Time will tell what happens next," Ellerie says sadly, "Calliope and Kamali are a deadly mix, but I think they are working together." I tense at her words and look at Amoli for confirmation, but she just sighs deeply. "You think?" I ask and Amoli looks at me with pain in her eyes. "The palace is brutal," Amoli says with sadness, "Father has been asking us if we would like to leave anytime soon, but we can't yet. Everyone is after lives especially when they are not on top of the food chain." My fear keeps building up inside of me, "I would rather not be viewed as a threat." "You already are," Ellerie says seriously, "you have two sons and there are more to follow." I laugh, "Blame Mother Eden." Everyone laughs.

Soon, it is everyone's turn to spend time with James.

We gather in the garden to wait for our turns.

After Alora and Basilah, then Eden's crew make their way to James.

Everyone is sitting on the floor. In the room there is: Eden, James, Anax, me, Calliope, Baruch, Amadeus, Berli, Heidi, Azai, Aziza and Cayle. In Eden's side of the family there are 7 boys, which, in my opinion, is a lot of boys.

James just plays with his grandsons, since that is all he has on Eden's side, while everyone just makes conversation.

"Soon," Calliope says with a smile, "there will be 5 grandsons in this room." Heidi laughs, "And what if you have a girl? Also, there might be 6 grandsons or 2 new grand daughters." Everyone smiles at the thought. All I think about is the amount of children popping out and the limited space there is in this castle.

Amadeus remains in my arms for most of the time until James asks to hold him.

"He reminds me of Anax," James says with a smile and Anax chuckles. Soon, we all leave the room and James continues seeing the rest of his family.

At the end of the day, everyone spends time together and all the children spend time together.

"I have an announcement," James says seriously, "I'm sorry to do this on family day, but I have decided that Camden has been red-tagged and will be executed." Kamali breaks down and starts sobbing as she rocks herself with Edolie in her arms. James comforts her, but no one else seems to be feeling sorry for her. All I feel is guilt especially as she looks at me with anger on her face.

"It's your fault," Kamali shouts at me and James just signals to the army that takes Edolie away as well as confines Kamali to her room. Everyone just looks at me and the fear builds up within me once again as I make my way into my room with my sons in my arms.

I sit on my bed with my children next to me and I am physically shaking, but then Anax walks into the room and I put Amadeus into his crib.

"Are you okay?" he asks me and I just nod. "I'm fine," I say nervously. He stands infront of me and forces me to look at him, "Are you afraid of Kamali?" I look at Baruch to find him sleeping, "Yeah, everyone is saying that she is very powerful and I...everyone is saying she is working with Calliope, which makes me fear that they are the ones that targetted Baruch." Anax sighs, "Any proof?" I glare at him, "You asked, so I'm telling you." He sighs, "Well, I can't do anything without proof except listen." I move away from him and sit on my bed, while I look at Baruch and Amadeus.

"Soon," I say seriously, "we will be trying to have another child and, then, what?" He looks at me with confusion and I sigh. "We can't protect them," I say seriously, "no one can. You can't act like you can." His anger is clear as I continue to speak, but he just leaves without saying anything.