The sky was black as pitch. A woman was screaming in pain. After a few moments, the woman's screams were replaced with cries from a baby. The king rushed down the dimly lit hall to a room full of commotion. When he walked through the doorway a woman lying in a bed was holding a crying baby.
She was sweaty and the sheets were stained with blood. She noticed the king at the doorway. She looked up and smiled at him. "Tis' a boy Your Majesty." She held the baby out to him. The king walked over and held the baby to his chest. "I shall name you Kane, little one." He smiled at the now cooing infant.
A few days later a messenger arrived at the castle to The Shadow Kingdom. He knelt in front of the king and queen. "Your majesties, I have a letter from King Theodre of the Goblin Kingdom. He says it's urgent." The king motions for the messenger to bring him the letter.
Once the messenger hands him the letter the king waves him off. "You are dismissed." The messenger bows and walks out of the throne room. The king opens the letter and reads it out loud for the queen.
Dear King Aien and Queen Naesala of the Shadow Kingdom,
I King Theodre of the Goblin Kingdom am writing you on behalf of my son Kane. I am ashamed to admit, but I had an affair with a servant girl. She gave birth to a healthy young boy three nights ago. Since the child is a bastard, he will have no claim to my throne. I've heard you were having trouble producing an heir, so I am offering my son Kane to assist. All I ask is you raise him as your own and never mention the circumstances of his birth. I also ask that you allow his mother Nadine to serve you as she has me, under my rule. I await your response.
~King Theodre of the Goblin Kingdom
After reading the letter King Aien looked to his wife. "Well, my dear. What are your thoughts?" Queen Naesala sighed. "Dear husband you already know my answer. We will accept King Theodre's offer take in the child." King Aien nodded and called for the Goblin Kingdom messenger. The messenger strolled in and knelt down.
"Tell King Theodre we accept his conditions and will make preparations for the child to arrive. Now, make haste." King Aien waved him off a final time. The messenger stood then bowed. Then made his way back to the Goblin Kingdom. The messenger rode hard and fast to deliver the message to King Theodre.
When the messenger made it back to the Goblin Kingdom he made his way to King Theodre, who was working in his study. The messenger knocked on the door for permission to enter. "Enter," said King Theodre. The messenger opened the door and shut it swiftly behind him, then made his way over to the king and knelt down. "Your Majesty. I have a reply from The Shadow Kingdom." King Theodre looked up from the paper he was reading over.
"Yes, continue." The messenger stood as he placed his arm across his chest as a salute. "King Aien and Queen Naesala have accepted all conditions and are making ready for the child as we speak." King Theodre smiled with relief.
"Excellent, then I shall have the child and his mother escorted to The Shadow Kingdom at dawn. Inform Sir Azemar of the plan to depart at dawn. Make sure he comprehends no one can find out about the child or his mother." The messenger bows and shows himself to the door.
King Theodre picks up a quill from his desk and grabs a blank sheet of paper. He begins writing a farewell letter to Nadine.
My dearest Nadine,
I apologize things can't be different for us, but I hope you understand this is best for everyone. Though I will always love you I have an obligation to my kingdom and its people. Since you are not of noble blood I am unable to be with you. I am having my best knight and his men secretly escort you and my dear son Kane to The Shadow Kingdom, where King Aien and Queen Naesala have agreed to take you in. Even though little Kane has royal blood, he is still a bastard child. Therefore, has no claim to my throne, but the king and queen of The Shadow Kingdom are unable to produce an heir. So, Kane will become their crown prince. I hope that one day you two can forgive me for not being able to give you a better life. Please know I love you both dearly.
~Love you always,
Theodre
When he finished writing the letter he sent for his pageboy to deliver the letter to Nadine. The boy bowed and took off down the corridor to the servant's quarters where Nadine resided. He knocked on her door. "Come in," she whispered quietly. She was holding baby Kane as she lays him in a cradle to rest. She looks over to the pageboy and sees the letter in his hand. She accepts the letter and gives her thanks. The boy bows and quickly makes his way back through the castle.
Nadine walks over to a table with a candle on it. She opens the letter and places it closer to the candle so she could read it. When she is finished reading she lets out a deep sigh. Tears begin to trickle down her cheeks. She looks over to the sleeping baby. "Your father really loves us, Kane. You are a bastard child, but you will still be a king. I pray one day you grow to be a wonderful, kind, and caring king like your father." She stood up and walked over to the crib. She reached down to caress Kane's cheek. "Don't worry my son, I will make sure I tell you everything when you are older. I will not let you forget who, and where you come from."
The next morning King Theodre watches from his bedroom window as Sir Azemar and his men secretly escort Nadine and baby Kane to The shadow Kingdom. That was the last time he ever saw them again... No one noticed a boy about 7 years of age, with blonde unruly hair. He was wearing a finely made cloak with a brooch of the royal seal holding it together. He seemed to be sneaking out the stables with a horse to follow said escort.