The infant shoved her entire fist into her mouth as she slept. She was oblivious to the woman standing over her. Only weak moonlight illuminated the baby and her mother.
The young woman, barely eighteen, gently stroked the downy hair of the babe. The father was not even aware he had sired such a perfect little girl. Her mother didn't even know his name. Ten months before she had attended a party at a neighbour's manor home. After too many glasses of heady wine and nothing to eat she had flirted with a tall dark and handsome stranger and spent the night in his bed. The next morning she had woke with a splitting headache and alone. A month later she realised she was pregnant. Eight months after that she had given birth to a perfect little girl with massive dark blue eyes and wispy black hair.
With a sigh she stepped away from the cradle and sat at her desk and lit a single candle. She hesitated then carefully started a letter.
Just two candlemarks later a baby's wail disturbed to tranquil peace of the dark stone castle. When it did not stop for a half candlemark six young men ranging from seventeen to nine emerged into the hall. They exchanged silent glances as they padded down the cold hall to the closed door.
The eldest pushed the door open and peered inside. The candle was only an inch high. The cradle next to the dark fireplace held the wailing infant. On the bed the babe's mother lay with her bright golden hair fanned across the pillow. Her nightgown was up around her knees. One leg dangled over the edge of the bed. Her beautiful face was turned away from the door.
The six intruders stared at the bed. Finally the eldest forced himself to pick up the squalling girl and cradled her inexpertly. The youngest paled and turned away.
The second eldest picked up the piece of parchment next to the pillow. Blood stained one corner. Only two words were scrawled in the woman's spidery handwriting.
I'm Sorry.
They turned the woman over and her hand fell away from the knife buried in her heart.
"Why did she do that?" One asked.
The eldest stared at his sister's lifeless body and then down at his young niece. "I don't know."
The baby waved her arms in the air and continued to scream for her mother. She was so tiny and defenceless. Poor little thing didn't understand she was orphaned and that her mother would not be answering her cries. The young man holding her shifted her uneasily.
"What are we going to do?" Someone else asked.
"I don't know." The eldest said in his normal quiet tone.
The second eldest tore his eyes away from his sister to look down at his tiny niece. "Maybe one of our cousins will take her in."
"No." The eldest said firmly. "She has already been abandoned by her mother and father. We won't abandon her as well."
The youngest edged closer and traced his finger down her cheek. It was incredibly soft. "I think she is uncomfortable."
The eldest blushed and tried shifting her in his arms so that she was more comfortable. Quieting, she stared up at the males surrounding her. Massive blue eyes stared up at them with innocent trust.
"Should we go downstairs?" One of the twins asked.
The eldest led the way out. Soon they were clustered around a revived fire in their great hall. Each still wore only their nightshirts.
A servant dressed in a long slightly worn nightgown appeared to see if they needed anything.
"Where's is the Lady?" She asked as she stopped a few steps from them. "Shouldn't she be seeing to the little miss?"
"She is dead." The eldest answered softly. "Will you please find someone to nurse the babe and someone to take care of the body?"
The woman nodded but her eyes rested on the infant. "My sister just lost her babe a few days ago."
"That would be excellent."
Concern for the new Lady prompted her to be bold. "Let me show you how to hold the little Lady."
She shifted the child so her head was supported then gave the boys a blanket and admonished them to keep her warm.
"Are we her dads now?" The youngest asked.
"No silly, we are just her uncles. Right Avren?" The second youngest scoffed with all the knowledge an extra year had bestowed upon him. "You have to have a baby to be a father."
The eldest ignored his brothers and watched the small face of the child. This was the first time he held her. He swore no one and nothing would ever bring harm to the girl. He would give his life before he allowed that to happen.
~ * ~
She hung from the branch staring at the ground several feet below her. Her nurse was going to have her hide for this latest scrape. Her dress was torn, her hair was loose, her hands were scraped, and when she hit the ground her knees would be scraped too.
A movement caught her eye. A man was standing not to far away watching her.
"Hi. Could you help me?"
The man started at her question. "You can see me?"
She nodded. He gripped her waist and lowered her carefully to the ground.
She turned her face up to her rescuer. "Who are you?"
The man had dark red hair that curled around a triangular face. An amused smile tugged at his lips.
"Call me Stef."
"Pleased to meet you Stef." She dipped into a precarious curtsy. "Do you live around here?"
The man laughed. "You could say that? What's your name?"
"I am Sherria. My Uncles call me Sherri." She answered. "Can you help me see the nest?"
The man looked up at the tiny nest far up the tree she had been climbing. "There are no eggs in it. The birds moved away several years ago."
Sherri's face fell. "I was hoping it might be a firebird nest."
"No, they have much larger nests." Stef said.
"Can you show me one?" Sherri asked hopefully.
Stef hesitated. "I'll bring you one tomorrow."
"Really? Thank you!" She smiled happily. "Do you know my uncles?"
Stef shook his head.
"Their really big. Not like you. They are all at war right now. Favram lied to get in 'cause he is just fourteen but they think he is eighteen 'cause he is so big." Sherri chattered happily. "Do you have any uncles?"
Stef shook his head.
"Uncles are fun. Ciro gives me candy when no one else is looking." Sherri scrambled onto a low branch and sat down.
"You live up in the fortress?" Stef asked and sat on the ground so his head was level with hers.
Sherri nodded. "Would you like to see it? My nurse is gonna be mad cause I ripped my dress but I will make certain she doesn't get mad with you."
"Not today."
"Tomorrow?" She pressed.
Stef realised the little girl must be lonely. There were very few people this far north. The fortress was only here because of the border. The nearest village was half a day's ride away and there were probably no children at the keep.
"Maybe someday." He promised vaguely.
Sherri accepted that. "Are you one of the people other's can't see?"
Stef jumped. "You can see others?"
"My Uncle Avren says they are imaga... imig…not real."
"Oh, I am real. Who else do you see?"
"There is an old man who lives in the keep and he wears really funny clothes. He says his name is Gadren. He says he is my great grandfather. And my momma but she doesn't hear me. She just mopes around in her room."
"Amazing."
"Are you like them?"
"Yes." Stef admitted.
Sherri's small face screwed up in thought. "Why can't anyone else see you?"
"Because you are special." Stef answered.
"Lady Sherria! Where are you? It is time for you dinner." A harried female voice called.
"You better go." He said as he stood.
"Will you be here tomorrow?" She asked as she scrambled to the ground.
"Yes."
Sherri smiled sweetly up at him and scampered off through the trees.
Stef watched her until she was out of sight. With a thought he vanished.
~*~
The next day Sherri found not one man waiting for her but two and a glowing horse that kind of looked like a woman.
The stranger had white hair and wore white clothing. At first Sherri was intimidate by him but then she saw he was as nervous as her.
"Hi." She gave him her best curtsy as her nurse was always reminding her to do.
"You must be Sherri." The strange greeted her.
Sherri nodded. "What's your name?"
"I am Van, this is 'Fandes." The man introduced his horse.
"Why is she glowing?" Sherri asked.
Van and Stef shared a strange look.
"Is she a Companion?" Sherri asked in awe. She had never seen a Companion before.
"Yes, she is." Van verified.
Sherri dug in a pocket of her dress, already stained along the hem, and withdrew a battered apple and held it up to 'Fandes. "I was gonna give it to Honey but she is already fat. Would you like it?"
The Companion mare shook her head.
"She isn't hungry and your Honey would appreciate it more than her." Van translated.
Sherri tucked the apple back into her pocket. "Do Companions eat?"
"Normal Companions do." Van said hesitantly. "Do you know what we are?"
Sherri nodded. "Invisidable."
"Partly. Do you know what ghosts are?"
Sherri nodded. "They are dead people and walk around with their heads under their arms."
"Would you care to explain it to her?" Stef asked in an amused tone.
Van shook his head. 'Fandes tossed her head in amusement.
"Did you bring a firebird nest?" Sherri asked.
"Shall I show you one that is still whole and in a tree?" Stef offered.
Sherri nodded eagerly.
Van and 'Fandes trailed after them.
:She is a sweet little thing. It will be nice to have someone new to talk to.: Y'fandes commented.
:She doesn't even realise we are ghosts.: Van returned.
:I doubt she would care even if she knew. As far as she is concerned we are friends.:
:She has a great deal of Potential. I wish we could train her.: Van sighed.
:I doubt she would remember a thing you taught her. You were too powerful for our own good.: Y'fandes retorted then her mind voice sobered. :Can you imagine seeing your own mother, who committed suicide because of your birth, and have her not respond? We should teach her at least a little about shielding out things.:
Vanyel nodded in agreement. :Stef is certainly drawn to her.:
:A captive audience perhaps? We have heard everything he knows how to play but she has probably never even heard a bard. Admit it, after centuries of being in this forest you are looking forward to some new company, even if she is only five years old or so.:
The tiny girl ran ahead on the path chattering happily about her pony, Honey, her many uncles, the dogs that lived in the Keep, and pretty much everything else that passed through her mind.
:I envy her carefree existence.:
:I doubt it is carefree. I think is very worried about her uncles. She may not understand war but she does know not everyone who goes comes back.:
"Van? Why are you all white?" Sherri asked suddenly. "Are all Heralds all white?"
"No not all Heralds."
"Is it because you are really old?" She pressed.
"I am all white because I am a mage."
"What's that?" She asked.
Stefen laughed. "It means he is special like you."
Sherri blinked owlishly up at him. "Am I gonna turn white?"
"Not for many years." Van assured her.
Sherri, satisfied return to her happy chatter.