[when I Played Hawke as a mage, I couldn't help but feel that she was incredibly powerful. Maybe it was the spells I'd picked for her, but she just felt so ...invincible. What if, I surmised, whether it be a trick of fate, or simply lineage, Hawke really WAS exceptional, even from the very beginning of her life. Sensing that power, Hawke would find the world of the Fade and its denizens beckoning to her long before she was ever taught of the danger...]

Chapter 1: Big Sister

She hid behind the sofa, her azure blue eyes round with fear and unnatural intelligence. Her father, Malcolm Hawke, did not spy her there, which was unusual. He was speaking to a plump woman who had been coming every week to see to mother. This evening, she'd stayed for hours.

"If she can keep off her feet, sirah Hawke, t'would be the best. Complete rest! Tis a bit too early if the babes should decide to come now, we could lose them."

The girl frowned from her hiding spot. She watched as her father nodded grimly, thanked the woman, and showed her to the door.

Taking her chance, the little girl scampered quickly across the room and into the room that had been off limits to her all day. Her very own mother, off limits! It had consumed her throughout the long hours. Why would Mama not want to see her?

The thought brought her to a complete stop. Her three year old brain wondered at the connection. New babies were coming, and she was very excited to become a big sister. Yet she frowned. Mother wasn't planning on replacing her, was she? With the new babies?

Leandra was resting quietly, her large middle seeming like a blanket-covered mountain. She felt a gentle movement of the bed, and smiled. "Mirah?"

"Mama!" Mirah Hawke gushed. "Are you going to be alright? Are the babies okay?"

"They're going to be just fine, Mirah," a deep voice answered from the doorway.

Malcolm Hawke carefully closed the door behind him and walked over to the side of his wife's bed. "I thought we'd agreed to let your mother rest?"

"Oh Malcolm, I'm glad she's here," Leandra countered. Mirah's sharp gaze thought her mother looked far too pale, however. She turned to her father. "She needs more healing!"

Malcolm raised an eyebrow. "She does, does she?" he asked.

His daughter nodded, her two longish pigtails bobbing. Malcolm couldn't help but smile. He had planned another healing session anyway, but didn't share this. Instead he said, "Healing can help, Mirah, but if your mother cannot get proper rest, magic cannot fix that."

His daughter nodded solemnly.

Malcolm sat on the edge of his wife's bed and took her hands. "Another session is probably needed, Leandra."

Leandra closed her eyes and nodded her permission. With Mirah, she had avoided healing save for the actual birth. The twins, however, were proving far more difficult for her to carry. She worried about the effect of magic flowing through two unborn children, but kept that fear to herself.

Malcolm rested one of his large hands on the swell of Leandra's abdomen. He drew deeply from his own reserves, weaving a wash of blue healing over his wife and unborn children. Mid-spell, he felt Mirah's small hand atop his own, and he smiled…until he felt a tiny spark of energy from Mirah herself.

The spell faded and Malcolm frowned.

Leandra mistook his expression. She'd felt nothing amiss. "What is it, Malcolm? Are the twins -?"

Malcolm Hawke blinked and his gaze met Leandra's again. He smiled to reassure her. "No, they seem strong and well, my love." He leaned over and kissed his wife gently on her forehead. "I'll get this one tucked into bed," he offered.

Mirah Hawke, however, was already deeply asleep.

(into the Fade we go ...) (Comments or reviews are so welcome!)