A mother and father looked down at a beautiful baby girl; a small, brown, shaggy pony nuzzled the baby. The girl giggled and then sneezed. They were in a small barn with a thatched roof. The mother then looked up with a serious gaze.
"Will, we can't tell anyone about her." The Alyss said sadly, looking outside the window. Will nodded his head, how could he not tell his best friend, Horace, or formal mentor, Halt? He then looked at his newborn baby, with her mother's eyes, and his brown hair. Alyss raised Will's head so he looked into her eyes.
"How can I pretend that Ivy doesn't even exist, and what will she do on Choosing Day." Will pleaded then asked the question to no one in particular. He knew he wanted her to be like her mother, a Courier. He knew that she couldn't be a ranger like he hoped. Only men could be rangers, he wished that women could be, but nope they weren't allowed.
Alyss looked at him with sad eyes, "She have to live in Redmont Ward," Will took an intake of breath, but Alyss started before he had a chance to argue," I know this will be sad, but we need somebody to take care of her when we're on missions."
Will then did a heavy sigh. "Okay, I'll go put her into a basket and put her on Castle Redmont's door, no one will see me." Will said in a voice full of sadness, for his only daughter will be given away. Alyss had a tear in her eye, when he got up and got a basket with a molten cloak. Alyss gave him a look, and he just looked the other way. As Will got up to leave, Alyss grabbed his forearm.
"I like the name, Ivy, it's better than the name you gave Shadow." She said trying to lighten the mood, and Will gave her a sad smile, and left the small barn.