Okay so hears the usual spill……I do not own the world/ countries or SOME of the people in this story. They belong to Tammy Pierce but most of the content is mine. Please enjoy reading this story! :D
Chapter 1
Kaiyamichi
The Yamani Palace
In the twenty-first year of the reign of
Emperor Sayagoeragan Noh Nakuji
Mid-July, 687 HE (Human Era)
The Emperors Advisers, lead scholars and mages, along with the Emperor himself stood looking over the infant child before them.
"How long has she been here for?" questioned one of the mages.
"We are unable to tell how long she was outside the gates for," replied the head guardsman. "But my men found her a little over an hour ago." The child in question couldn't have been more than three to four weeks old and was found outside the palaces back entryway earlier that night by two of the guards. She was obviously left there in an effort to discard the child but now the main question was what was to happen to her. In truth this was the first time that something like this had ever happened. Usually the parents would leave unwanted children at a temple or outside a healer's home but never before had one been left outside the palaces gates. The fact that there was also only a small chance that she was Yamani also added to the puzzle. She had the start of thin brown hair and bright blue eyes, compared to the Yamani's black hair and dark eyes.
The child knowing that she was being talked about started cooing and squirming about in obvious pleasure at being the centre of attention. Markus, one of the lead scholars in the Yamani University despite being Scanran, found himself smiling down at the baby before him. He and his wife had 6 children, the youngest one just 10 years of age and at a school in Scanra. Julia, his wife, had always wanted a daughter but instead they had been blessed with all boys. At this thought Markus sat back down quietly.
Once everyone was seated around the large rectangular table again, the emperor spoke. "So what is to be done with the child? Are we to give her to the Temple?"
It was his main advisor that answered. "Your most esteemed Highness, I am of the belief that as the child was left in our care we must do all we can to insure that she is given the utmost care and the proper upbringing. And what better way to insure that she is healthy and given that care than to keep her in the palace where we may watch over her?" He hated the idea of parents leaving infants at a temple.
The Emperor looked down at the child once more. The overly religious pained him and he was more than willing to spare the child the fait of becoming a Priestess of some sort. "I quite agree, but who will be trusted with her wellbeing?" At this, the room fell silent.
Markus sat quietly, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew what he must do. After a moment more of silence he spoke up, "My Emperor, I would be honored to accept this responsibility. My wife and I have always wanted a daughter and our quarters are part of the palace so you may still be able to keep watch over her."
The Emperor eyed him suspiciously (though it was hard to tell under his 'mask'). He knew that Markus was a good man, even though he was not Yamani, and would take care of this strange new addition to the palace. Only one thought stopped him however. The war between the Yamani's and Tortall (a country across the sea) had been in full force last summer and Markus' wife, Julia, was Tortallan. Was It right to put the child under such influence?
The Emperor gave a slight shake of his head to clear his thoughts. Although both Markus and Julia were not Yamani they were well respected people and he knew that they would look after the child as their own and yet still in the Yamani traditions. Yes. His mind was now made up on the subject. "So it is then. Markus Goldenar will be from this point forward, the official guardian of this child by order of Emperor Sayagoeragan Noh Nakuji of the Yamani Islands." Sayagoeragan knew that an official paper would need to be drawn up but for now his word was all that was needed.
After a few more discussion points the people were excused to go about their business and Markus found himself alone (not including the child) with the Emperor. "I shan't keep you long for I know that you must go home and talk with your wife and put the little one to bed but I must talk with you."
Thinking that the Emperor wanted to talk about the new courses at the University Markus tilted his head in recognition but said nothing. "This comment is not meant to be of any offence to you but you must know that if ever you need anything, and I mean anything for the child, it will be my honor to be of assistance." Even through the emotionless face and words that were custom among the Yamani people Markus could tell that the Emperor meant every word. "I see this child as my responsibility as much as yours. As such I will do all that I can to help." With that the Emperor tilted his head in a bow and left the room. Markus was so stunned that he forgot to bow down to the Emperor and was left standing there for many a minute after.
"I now have a baby daughter and the Emperor himself just offered ME his assistance! ME! A non-Yamani raising a child that he feels responsible for! I have a daughter! " These thoughts just kept on playing through his head as he was left standing there and on the way back to the rooms assigned to him and his wife.
As Markus told his wife all that had happened that evening he saw a flood of emotions cross over his wife's face. Horror that someone could just abandon a defenseless child like that, shock that the counsel would even consider sending the infant to a Temple and then finally tears of joy and wonder that they would be able to keep the child.
For as long as Julia could remember she had always wanted a daughter but after their 6th child Mark (named after his father) was born and she was told that she would be unable to have any more children, she had given up on her hope. But now in her way of looking at it she had been given the most precious gift in the entire world. As she stared in wonder at the baby girl before her and as the child's light blue eye's looked up into her own she knew that this child was the answer to her prayers. "Thank you Mithros, thank you Great Mother goddess." It was all she could say before picking up the baby and holding her close.
"Julia, we don't have a name for her." Markus had been saying some prayers of thanks of his own until the thought suddenly hit him.
"She doesn't already have a name?" questioned Julia as she feed her a bottle of milk.
"No, or no I don't think so. If she had then I'm sure the counsel would have told me. So what shall we call her?"
"Well im not entirely sure that it would be proper for us to name her but we can't very well go around calling her 'girl' until we do find a fitting name." This was said in both jest and in all seriousness.
Markus smiled at his wife. "Well then we shall call her something simple until I can discuss it with the Emperor or until we find something that matches her personality. But I'm still unsure of what." Then almost as if on cue a wolf pack started singing their pack song very close by the palace.
"It's strange for a pack to be this close to the palace." Mused Julia still holding the baby as if something would try to take her away.
Markus suddenly sat upright, a thought coming to him. "You couldn't be more right. Wolf it is."
Julia was sure her mouth swung open at his remark. "WOLF? We are NOT naming this child 'wolf'. And that's final." With this she sat down in the rocker and proceeded to lull the baby to sleep.
"Okay well it's either 'wolf' or 'fish' so take your pick." A wicked smile spread across Markus' face. Then when all his wife did was glare at him he broke out in a laugh. Once his amusement had died down he walked over to Julia and crouched down in front of her. "Julia. I know you don't like the name but think of it this way. It is only temporary and as you said yourself, wolf packs NEVER dare to come this close to the palace. It could be a sign."
Looking into her husbands eye's she sighed in resignation. "Only if you promise me that we will actually change her name later on."
"Done." They looked down to see that Wolf was now happily asleep. "Have I ever told you how beautiful you look with a child in your arms?" Inquired Markus gently.
"Yes many a time but I will never get tired of hearing it."
"What about how much I love and adore you?"
Tears welled up in Julia's eyes. "Oh Markus I love you too." After sitting a while longer Markus rose and took the baby from Julia's arms to put her into the cradle that he had been made to re-assemble. As she watched him go with the child in his arms, fresh tears welled up. She had been so blessed in her life. A husband who loved and cared for her, 6 sons all happy and healthy and now a baby daughter. "Thank you Mithros and Yama and the Great Mother goddess. Thank you so much for my special little daughter." She just knew that she would say that exact prayer many times in the years to come.
