The Foundling, or as affectionately called by the children, 'Kitten', after its mewling cries was saved from the watery clutches of the Olorun. Attia begrudgingly found herself the person formally responsible for Kitten. But it was Jack, who each morning, noon and night, fed Kitten with stolen milk, it was Jack who cleaned up Kitten's messes, it was Jack who rocked her to sleep in his little arms each night. Some nights, when Kitten would not stop her wails and Marna started to lose her temper, Jack would take Kitten and sit on the rooftops of the neighbouring warehouse, and quiet her down with the vision of the moon and stars, and the sounds of the Olorun rushing beneath their feet. When Jack was out scavenging for food with Attia, the children under Lanyan's care would take turns holding Kitten while they learnt their letters, watching Lanyan write out words on one of the Court walls in black chalk.
One night, there was the worst raid yet, courtesy of the neighbouring district's children. Brennur lost an eye to a boy twice his size and half his age. Marna lost her little finger on her right hand. Allie and her little group of healers tended to all these injuries and more. But they were only children, after all, so Brennur never got his eye back, nor Marna her finger. But the best Allie and her healers could do was staunch the bleeding and burn infection out of the wounds. That night, Jack fought like a demon to protect Kitten from harm. His group mates fought valiantly as well, not letting the raiders within an inch of the baby. Attia had dealt out blows left and right, only to be knocked unconscious by Marna's table, which for some inexplicable reason had been flung into the fray. Brennur's fellow guard, Jord, had lost the remainder of his teeth and most of his nose, after taking on an especially toothy raider. Child brawls rarely used weapons, but made up for the awkward fighting style in terms of viciousness and ferocity.
As the years passed, Kitten gradually grew up and out of babyhood, surviving more raids and learning the orphan's art of survival. Kitten learned to walk, which made more trouble for every one. Lanyan started to teach her to speak and read, while Allie waited impatiently for Kitten to grow up some more, so that she could harness her Gift.
One lazy afternoon, while Marna was dozing under her table (which now had only three legs) and most of the children were playing in the streets outside or asleep, Attia stole up to Kitten. Kitten was tied to the wall by her ankle with a piece of cord. From her corner in the room, Lanyan opened one eye and nudged Allie. Allie opened both her eyes and silently prepared a freezing spell. But no attack came. Attia lifted Kitten into the air and cooed softly, blowing quiet raspberries against the toddler's stomach. Kitten giggled and waved her arms in the air, grabbing Attia's nose. Attia let a small smile escape her lips, then put Kitten back down on the floor. She then went to join Lanyan and Allie, propping herself against the wall.
"So you like her, then?" Allie asked suddenly.
Attia turned her head away. "I don't know what you're talking about," she grumbled.
"Suit yourself," Allie said, contentedly. She looked over at Lanyan. Lanyan had her eyes closed again, but let the corner of her mouth twitch upward in a small smile. Attia saw all of this and stood up abruptly, marching off and grumbling to herself.