Chapter One

"What?"

Cassidy stopped what she was doing to look at her husband. Her momentary innatention resulted in a shower, as Liam brought his hands down smack against the water.

"Stop that, sweetie."
She washed the boy's hands as Barny kept talking.

"They're getting old. Senile. At least, that's what it sounds like, talking with Sofie. They have a choice. They can grow old and suffer and waste away and eventually die, or they can pick new Avatars and just... leave."

"They can leave, just like that?"

"Well... it's a little more complicated than that, but yes. Basicly."

"And you think, what? That Tommy fits into this?"

"Put the pieces together, Cass."
He ran a hand through his dark hair, sighing.
"I told Cernunnos that I'd do anything to have a child. A rash promise, but... A promise. A bargain. A contract."

"Why Cernunnos? Baby, stop that. Mommy's hair isn't food."

"He's a male fertility God.
"That's irrelevent. I asked him, he came through miraculously, and then the dreams... I saw him ensconced underground, surrounded by the roots of an Oak tree. You've seen him, in visions, with horns. That isn't normal, and you know it.
"He's the new Avatar. He just hasn't ascended yet."

"But he won't until he's grown, right?"
Cass pulled the infant out of the bath, wrapping him securely in a towel.
"He's just a child. He'll get a chance to grow up first, right?"

Barny walked across the room, looking out the window at the snowy expanse outside. It was late afternoon, and the world was a monochrome of white snow and black branches, pale sky and dark shadows.
"Nothing can happen until the other half of the prophecy. He's one side of the coin. Winter. Death. Male. Nothing will happen until the Daughter is born... Spring and rebirth."

Cass sighed.
"That was a stupid promise to make, Barny."

"I know. Believe me, nobody knows better than me."
He ran his hand through his hair again. He could see his reflection in the window pane. His dark hair was sprinkled with grey, something he'd never thought he'd see. He looked old to himself.

"Luv, can you get Liam dressed while I bathe Ellie?"

"What? Yes. Of course."
He reached for the baby boy, clean-smelling and warm from the bath. Barny held him in big hands, tenderly drying his damp hair. Ellie started screaming as Cass took the girl's clothes off.
"She's loud."

"She likes to be comfortable and isn't afraid to speak out. She reminds me of you, love."

"Of me? Because I cry so often, is that it?"

"No, of course not!"
Cass laughed, from the back of her throat and the pit of her stomach. She picked up the red-faced girl and eased her gently into the water.
"She's outspoken and stubborn, and she likes her baths. Just like her daddy."
Ellie looked around as soon as she was properly in her bath, and patted the water. She smiled, suddenly, and bounced.
"She's adorable, Barny. Just like you."

"You hear that, Liam?"
Barny buttoned up the snaps on Liam's jumper.
"Your mother thinks I'm just like a little girl. Watch out for her."

Cass laughed again.