With Each Passing Day

Prologue

A/N: I'll try not to make my author's note too long… But, I thought I should mention that I most likely won't be updating this fic until summer break (unless I get a few of my other fics finished). I just thought I'd post this to see what everyone thought of it.

Anyway, on with the prologue! I must say, this is the first story I've written with a prologue (I guess I mainly wrote one this time to describe things before Soren was captured and the actual story started). Oh, I should also probably mention that this takes place a little bit after my one-shot "My Destiny".

Okay, that was actually pretty long, but I promise I'm done!

--

How exactly would the raven-haired sage describe his life and marriage to a Crimean noble? Multiple different feelings and words flew through his mind. It was definitely unpredictable and crazy; he never knew what would be happening from one day to the next. And yet, it was rather boring. His wife was used to this, as she was raised a noble and dealt with such things her whole life. He, however, was more adjusted to the fast-paced life of a mercenary, and longed to be with the company still.

But Soren loved Lucia and would never in his life leave his wife all alone. Yes, his life wasn't what he'd expected it to be, but he couldn't complain. It'd started out rough and later calmed down, but now it was worse than ever.

Shortly after her father had died, Lucia had become the Countess of Delbray. When Ludveck escaped and tried to convince Lucia to be his bride by using Soren as a hostage, Soren had been nearly killed. Geoffrey had saved his life and he was reunited with Lucia.

A few months later, the couple had announced their engagement, much to her brother's displeasure. His sister was not to marry a commoner. A Branded nonetheless!

But she'd ignored her younger brother's protests and requested to leave her position as countess. The nobles' council had refused: who would take her place after all? Her brother was commander of the Royal Guard and her younger sisters were only eleven- and four-years-old!

However, Duke Renning had devised a plan that the nobles just couldn't refuse: Lucia would finish out the year as Delbray's countess, then the duke would replace her as count until her sister was old enough to take over the position. The nobles accepted and Lucia and Soren were ecstatic. They were married that same year and Soren was made temporary count of Delbray.

Those five months he'd spent as a noble were dreadful. There were meetings left and right, and always loads of paperwork. He knew Lucia was being overworked; she never rested or slept, and rarely ate. When she fell ill, Soren feared the worst. But the healer grinned as he told them the news: Lucia was pregnant.

That changed everything. The two had so cleverly disguised Soren to be a spirit charmer. Their baby would more than likely be a Branded--how would they explain that? Crimea now accepted laguz, but the pair doubted their child would have that same acceptance.

He held Lucia in his arms that night. He could see the worry in her eyes as he assured her that everything would be alright. How could he promise that though? How was he to know what was in store for their child?

--

The next day Soren had set out for the Grann Desert. Stefan had once invited him to live in his Branded colony, and hopefully that offer was still open. He needed it now more than ever. He had to keep his wife and unborn child safe.

Naturally, Stefan said his offer was still open. Soren returned to Delbray and told Lucia the news. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Soren kissed the top of her head and she smiled. Geoffrey…not so much. He was furious about the whole thing. The knight argued with his sister day and night, but no matter how 'evil', 'unfit', and 'useless' Geoffrey tried to portray Soren as, Lucia just wouldn't budge on her position. Who was her brother to tell her to leave her husband and put her child in danger?

And so, it was the Grann Desert where their daughter was born and spent the first three years of her life.

--

Kiana Marie Delbray. With her jet black hair falling at her waist in curls, she frolicked in the desert sand. Her deep azure orbs stared up at a cloudless sky that was equally as blue. She bore a distinct red mark on her forehead that clearly marked her race: Branded.

Soren had seen neither his daughter nor his wife since the colony in the desert had been brutally attacked. Many civilians had been slain on the spot; others were taken as prisoners to be killed later on to prove some point. Soren and Stefan had been captured and marked as leaders and protectors of 'atrocious beings that never deserved to breathe one breath'.

They had been locked up in a damp cell crammed full with others of 'their kind'. They were given little water and, thus far, nothing to eat. All they could do was wait for those they loved to come and rescue them. Those they had left behind were now their only hope…

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A/N: How was it? Hopefully not too awful, but it's just the prologue! It was awfully short, but like I said, it's the prologue. But as for Geoffrey disliking Soren, it's just my opinion that Geoffrey wouldn't like anyone Lucia decided to marry. Especially Soren since he's sort of harsh at times. And I know their child wouldn't necessarily be a Branded, but it's likely.

Okay, now I have to go work on our Science lab--we're making ice cream. :)