A.N: Hey everybody! I'm trying out a new idea here, and I'm not sure how it's going to go yet, but y'all will have to tell me what you think. So. This starts midway through Lioness Rampant and continues from there. You can keep track of the timeline yourselves. The baby is the one rescued by Thayet and Buri in Sarain. If you've got any more questions, let me know! Happy reading.

Coram smiled at the baby and gave him his finger one last time. The group was just about the leave the temple, and he had wanted to say goodbye. The boy grabbed on, tightly for his tender age, and grinned, showing a glistening tooth. Coram patted him on the head and stood up, groaning as his stiff joints stretched. Turning, he found Liam Ironarm standing behind him, watching with a sad smile on his face.

"He's a fighter, that one," he said gruffly, covering up his moment of sentimentality. Liam nodded.

"He'll go far someday. Have they decided on a name?"

"Chanto," said Coram. "Thayet chose it. Apparently her favorite groom had a son that died young, and that was the name they had selected."

Liam nodded his clapped the older man on the back and the two left the room. The baby stared after them, dark eyes sharp. Orphaned by the civil war in Sarain, he had been brought to the Temple of the Mother of the Waters for shelter. The Daughters had promised to raise him and find him a suitable profession. Little did they know what that profession would be.

The First Daughter of the Temple of the Mother of the Waters was in her office reading through reports of the war when there was a knock at the door. "Enter," she called. The door opened to reveal one of the novices. "Yes, Daughter? Come in" The novice bowed and entered.

"Honored Mother, we have a guest. He is waiting in the Main Courtyard, and he wishes to speak to you."

The First Daughter stood up and rearranged her gray robes. "Lead the way."

The visitor was none other than Hakuin Seastone, the Shang Horse. The First Daughter curtsied just as low as protocol demanded, no lower. It was clear that there was no love lost between the two. "Good Master," she said, "What brings you here?" The Shang Master motioned her to rise and bowed in return.

"Honored Lady, I am here seeking more children to join the Order of Shang. I've been told that you're raising several orphans here?"

She nodded. "There have been many casualties recently. We do the best we can, but we can't help them all. Please feel free to meet with them. Would you like some refreshment, perhaps?" He shook his head.

"Thank you, but no. I have many more places to visit, and I had best be on my way." The great lady nodded, relieved. She worried that the presence of such a warrior in her temple would disturb the spirits of the Daughters. She knew that he, in turn, did not do well in the calm and quiet of the Temple. She went to the door and called down the hall. Moments later, the same novice returned.

"Please lead Master Seastone to see the orphans." The novice nodded meekly and left the room. The Horse walked after her with the grace of a dancer.

"Well, there's fine crop of children here. You've done well by them," Hakuin said to the priestesses gathered around him. "But I'm not sure any quite have the potential we're looking for..." Just then, a little lad of around three toddled in. He walked straight up to the Horse, who towered over him. Hakuin watched in amusement as the child reached up and grabbed his finger-any normal child would have been terrified of such a big brawny man. Not this one.

"What is this lad's name?" He inquired of one of the Daughters.

"Chanto, my lord."

Hakuin considered the boy. He had good balance for one so young, and-Hakuin winced-he clearly had a strong grip. Usually, three was younger than was accepted to the Shang discipline, but...

"He is a very active boy, my lord," spoke up one of the Daughters. "As soon as he learned to walk, we could never turn our backs on him for more than a second. He climbs into the most amazing places..."

Hakuin looked around at the many faces before him. Hope was evident in each-while the Daughters were not poor, if the war continued for much longer, it would be hard to come by enough to feed so many with. Even the removal of one would help. The Horse nodded decisively.

"Very well, I will bring him along. He is no longer your concern. If, for some reason, he proves unfit for Shang life, we will provide for him. If you would notify the First Daughter for me, I had best be on my way." The Daughters, all smiles and relief, quickly showed him to his horse and gave him provision for the road, as well as all of the boy's belongings. Hakuin was back on the road within half an hour. He mounted his horse, Wind Whisper, and nudged her forward. Chanto was settled in the saddle in front of him, looking very excited to be off. Hakuin tousled his new charge's hair.

"Well, little friend. It's just you and me for a while, and then you'll be wishing you had stayed at the temple. Oh well. With any luck, you'll turn out to be one of our better trainees. And who knows? Maybe you'll survive past fifteen! After all, stranger things have happened!"

He smiled to himself as they crested a hill, leaving the temple behind him.

Thanks for reading! Please tell me how I'm doing, and if I should keep going. Anyone who's ever read anything of mine knows that I love love LOVE hearing from readers!

-Forever the Optimist