It was an odd day for the hunter to say the least. First, the forest was barren, not a single animal. And then he found a baby in a tree.
The poor thing's crying was what drew his attention. Its not common to hear in a place like Bratton Wood. It's not a particularly...safe...area to take children, never mind adults.
He looked for the child's parents, or anyone who could know who he was. But there wasn't a soul in sight.
This man decided he didn't have the heart, or lack of one, to leave a babe to die. So he took it home.
His lady certainly did not expect her husband to return without any kill, never mind a baby.
"I hope you have a good explanation for this," she said, raising an eyebrow at the child in his arms.
"I found the poor thing inside a tree in Bratton," he said, watching his wife's eyes widen. "Not a soul in sight."
She involuntarily reached out, and he placed the boy in her arms. After all, she'd been the one to nurse her young siblings. He'd never even held a babe before then.
"Aw, he's so precious. Look at his eyes, Darne! I've never seen such a bright green," she exclaimed.
He leaned over, and sure enough, she was right. Two little gems stared back at him, wide with wonder--or fear. Surely, the boy would rather see the faces of his parents than strangers.
"We have to keep him, until someone comes looking for him. That way, we know he's safe until we can find his parents," he said, smiling at his wife.
Turning away, Darne moved to shut the door. But the soft, fearful voice of his wife made him look back.
"I don't think anyone will come for him, Dearne," she said, her voice trembling.
She held out part of the blanket to him, where three words were embroidered. Ones that allowed dread to settled in his heart.
Hearne Acteon Derora.
Everyone in Balme knew that name. The Derora's moved into town nearly a decade before, and the husband was known to be the last of the Kin.
Most people avoided them, not impolitely, just cautiously. Everyone also knew that they had beef with the new king, Marix. That alone was dangerous enough.
Put those two things together, and you get the most dangerous person on the planet. Last of a species, and sought by one of the most powerful and corrupt men in the world.
"Can we protect him?" She whispered weakly.
Dearne stared at the boy for a moment longer, then grasped his wife's shoulders. "No one knows he is here. Gale, how old do you think he is?"
She thought for a moment, her eyes sweeping the bundle. "Six months? Maybe seven."
"You haven't been seen in a while, you could pass him off as ours," Dearne said.
She swallowed anxiously. "I suppose. It's not as if we can leave him to die."
He held his wife in his arms as she cradled the child close to her chest. They shared a look and he held on tighter.
Things were about to get a lot more complicated for them. But the sight of Hearne's little green eyes made it feel worth it in his heart.
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