one year later

I am of the Realm.

I have never had to remind myself of this until this day. As I held my newborn son in my arms, I did not want to think of his destiny, that he will one day confront Evil's Force in the Realm. And how am I to prepare him for such a fate when I am forbidden to tell him so much as my true name? Here, I am not Mohan, but "Hanna." None of our children shall know us — what we are and whence we have come. All we can do to aid our progeny is to love and protect them, to instill in them bravery and strength, and to nurture their gifts and talents. Will it be enough? The Dungeon Master is wise in all things, and believes it will be. I must hold to that.

Oh, if not for my sisters' presence, I could easily have lost myself in the praiseful words of my husband and his family as they held Hank. They speak of his bright future. If only they knew of the unspeakable darkness he must face.

Only "Elyse" was not here today. She complained of the physical strain of carrying her unborn son. She could have come, if she'd wished. Her burden is not so great. She needs not lift a finger in the house of the man she married. She is as pampered as a princess. But all the wealth to be had in this world and ours could not remove the jealousy she feels at my having birthed before her. I can only hope our sons will not suffer a similar rivalry.

"Leigh" cried often today, but would smile, just for me, through her tears. She is engaged, and will be married soon.

Syanna, now "Anna," wed an astronomer early in the year, and recently shared the news of her pregnancy. She will bear a daughter. I feel it.

And poor Peia . . . It was hard for her to be here today. It seems she feared I would scold her for not yet having found a suitable mate. Her love is in libraries. She has such a fascination for Earth's religions and mysticisms. She tells me my son is born under the sign of The Archer, Sagittarius. She is "Patience" now, and so I will have patience with her.