Well...this is my version (or one of them) of Tala's backstory, and how he ended up at the abbey.

"Come on, dear...come on, one last push..." Anya Ivanov let out a shriek, which was soon joined by the cries of her baby. The midwife gasped, meddled for a minute or two, then laid the baby on Anya's chest. "It's a boy, dear. Isn't he handsome?" Anya was forced to agree. Her newborn son was a chubby little cherub, with a fluff of red hair atop his head. He was kicking and screaming something terrible, then suddenly he stopped, looking up at her enquiringly. Anya gasped, seeing his little sapphire-blue gaze. She was sure that his eyes wouldn't change colour, not with hair that shade of red...he was so like his father...

"Hello..." She whispered tentatively. The infant looked away, sticking a thumb in his mouth and simply laying there. "What shall I call you, my little darling?"

"Did his father- may he rest in peace- have anything particular he wanted the baby called?" Anya shook her head, eyes full of tears, both at the memory of her late husband and the beauty of the child he'd left behind. With a disgruntled wail, the baby started screaming again, until Anya cradled him in her arms.

"Oh, my baby...whatever shall we name you?"

"Wa. Wawa!" He wailed. Anya laughed softly.

"Wawa? That's a strange name. Although...it sounds like my Father's name...Tala. What do you think, little one? Are you a Tala? A little baby Tala?" The baby fell silent again, sucking his thumb. Anya leaned down and kissed his little forehead, making him blink most confusedly. "Tala. How's my baby Tala?" The midwife watched, smiling.

"Try feeding him."

Carefully, Anya levered Tala until he was lying against her chest. Almost fiercely, his tiny lips fastened around a nipple and he started to drink. As he did, Anya stroked his back gently, closing her eyes for a second. When she opened them, her heart swelled with pride, seeing her beautiful little son once more. "Your father would be so happy..." She looked around the scrubbed but shabby doctor's surgery and sighed. After Yakov had died she'd had no money, and this was the only place near enough that didn't charge when she'd gone into labour. Somehow it didn't seem to deserve a person as brilliant as Tala.

The midwife cleared her throat and Anya looked up. A tall figure was standing in the doorway. It moved forwards, and Anya gasped. "Luka..." Yakov's father...

"Anya. I'm so glad I managed to track you down..." He looked tired, and Anya felt suddenly guilty. She hadn't thought to contact any of Yakov's family. They had never approved of her... "Is is a boy or a girl?"

"A boy...I...I called him Tala..."

Then she suddenly realised that there was nothing covering her top half and blushed. As if sensing why, Luka shook his head. "Don't be embarrassed. You've a child to nurse." He came forwards and looked down at Tala, smiling. "So this is my grandson?" Tala looked up at him with wide eyes, then started to cry. Anya, rocked him gently, for a second forgetting there was anyone else in the room at all. "I have a proposition for you, Anya."

"What?" She asked, puzzled.

"When the child is off breast milk, let him come and live with me." Anya stared.

"...And leave me?"

"Yes. It's for the best. What can you give him if he stays with you? If he came to me, I would give him the best education money can buy, the best of -everything-."

"Without me?" Anya asked in a small voice, already feeling as if it was probably the right thing to do. After all, she had no job...no money...

"Anya...the family wouldn't approve of you coming to live with us. But Yakov's child...is different. Don't be selfish. Give your son this opportunity. Feed him until the time comes, and then we'll take him." Anya looked down at Tala, who had fallen asleep. He was like a little angel...he deserved everything in the world...she knew he did...

"But...he could come and see me...when he's older...couldn't he?"

"Of course, of course. When he's old enough to know." Anya bit her lip, looking down at Tala again. He gave a little sigh and shifted, snuggling into her chest.

"Luka...I..." She started to cry, feeling helpless. Yakov's family were rich, they could give Tala anything he wanted...and that was what he deserved... "I...I think it would be best...but...please...when you take him...look after him..." She bowed her head. "Please..."

MISSING

Tala Ivanov, eight, disappeared from his Grandfather's house in Moscow last week after an argument. There will be a cash reward for any infomation of his whereabouts. He is of average height for his age, thinly built, with red hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt and black trousers, with a black coat and a brown teddy bear.

MISSING

Tala looked down at the paper that had been trodden into the slush and glared. After an argument. After he'd found out about his Grandfather exploiting his mother! Telling her he needed private school and money to make him happy! And then saying he couldn't go and see her! Hugging his bear to his chest tighter, he carried on walking, until he bumped into a large man. "Sorry..." He went to walk on.

"Are you Tala Ivanov?" Tala turned, suddenly frightened. "Don't be scared. I'm Boris. I run a school for young men like you. Do you want to make sure your Grandfather won't find you?" Tala looked up at this man, then nodded.

"If you come with me, I can enrol you in our school. It's a school for beyblading." Tala's eyes lit up. He'd always wanted to beyblade, but his Grandfather hadn't approved. That was what had made his father marry below his station, he'd said. "Would you like to come with me?" Tala looked up at the man critically. He was smiling kindly, and he looked trustworthy.

"Okay."

"Right. But...who's this?" Boris laughed and touched the bear half inside Tala's coat.

"He's Henryk."

"Then we'll have to enrol him as well!" Tala giggled and let the man lead him away down the street.

I know I made Tala intelligent for an eight-year-old, but if he's been in private schooling since he was five and with his Grandfather's family around him all the time, he'd be well above the rest of the people his age in the intelligence stakes. But being raised in his Grandfather's household, I don't imagine he would be very worldly-wise. Or at least un-wise enough to go with Boris...anyway, R&R please!