Coming of Age
Summary- For Talia Ducard, childhood ended at thirteen.
Disclaimer- The characters of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight belong to Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, David Goyer, Bob Kane, and other associated with the creation of the world of Gotham. I do not own the character. I merely dabble in the world.
Henri Ducard watched his daughter. He found it difficult to think of her as grown. Where was the wobbling five-year-old, barely able to balance on firm posts? What had become of the seven-year-old girl who could barely control a staff? When had the ten-year-old, nervous about learning swordplay, grown up?
He watched as the thirteen-year-old twisted, a sai in either hand. She was hardly an adult, but she was old enough. The boys raised by the League of Shadows, few and far between as they were, started assignments at eleven. It was unfair to them and her to shelter her any longer. As much as he wished he could stop time, keep his daughter young and innocent forever, Henri knew the time had come.
"Talia," he said as she finished sparring her imaginary partner.
The girl turned to face him and politely bowed her head. She answered him softly, "Father."
"Come with me."
Henri led his daughter through the fortress to his chambers. A servant took her weapons, and she nodded to her mother. Her father saw a glimmer of confusion enter Talia's pale eyes. He knew she was trying to figure out why Lian was present. His wife rarely sat in on private conversations he had with his daughter.
"Sit," he murmured to Talia.
With some hesitation, the girl sat on the bed near her mother. "Yes, Father?"
"You're thirteen now," he began. He had acknowledged every birthday, but he had intentionally let them pass without event. It made no sense to raise a child who expected a gift for simply surviving another year, not in the world of the League of Shadows. This year, however, was different. "Your mother and I have a gift."
Lian offered a wooden box on cue.
Talia took the box, silent. Henri knew her reaction was that of confusion, not a sign of an ungrateful child. He watched as she traced the carving on the box's lid. The sleek hawk, with its inlaid amber eye, was enough to hold anyone's attention. Finally, the girl looked up at him.
"Open it," he prompted.
She obeyed. "Father, Mother," she whispered.
Henri smiled as she examined her gifts. First, she drew two hairpins, topped with shining onyx stones, out. She was enamored enough with them just as they were, but Henri was pleased when she saw the sharp points at the ends and an understanding dawned in her eye. She seemed even happier with them. Next, she examined the vials in the box. She knew each of the twenty concoctions by sight from her father's lessons on poisons. Talia drew out a leather case then. She unfolded it and examined the long pieces of metal that would assist her in making short work of any locked door she might encounter.
"Thank you," she whispered when she regained herself.
Henri nodded. "Get some sleep. You have a plan to catch tomorrow morning at nine."
"A plane?" Talia repeated.
"You will be going on your first assignment. Damien will accompany you."
"My first..." Talia's eyes widened. "Really?"
Henri smiled at her and nodded.