The midwife rode into Pirates Swoop, cloak billowing out behind her as the wind whipped at her face along with the tears of the sky. They were weeping for many that night, the midwife guessed. The child tucked in the crook of her arm was unnaturally silent, while white lightning and roaring thunder split the sky like glass. Pulling the cloak tighter, she guided the horse with her knees as she adjusted the child's tattered blanket. Taking the reins again, she slowed the horse to a walk and told the watchmen her business for appearing. The gates creaked open and she rode inside, deciding to bring Elaura personally to the Baron.
Raising a gnarled hand to knock, the midwife looked down at the babe's face, so innocent, and sighed as she knocked.
A servant opened the door and let her in. "I shall tell Master Cooper guests have come." With that, the servant hurried off.
The servant quickly knocked on the Baron's bedchamber door and waited for an answer. George answered, looking tired.
"A guest, Master Cooper. She brings news from Lionhart." Said the servant.
"It's just George, no formalities for an old thief. Lionhart sends a messenger?" George asked as the servant nodded. "Tell this messenger I will be down shortly."
George watched the thief go and chuckled as he made himself more presentable, closed the door softly to not wake Alanna, who had just gotten the twins to sleep, and headed downstairs.
Watching the former King of Thieves as he descended the steps to meet the midwife, she still saw the air of quiet command the former thief had carried in his earlier years. She bowed, still considering him a king; "I bring a message from His Majesty, King Lionhart of the Rogue. He says his wife has passed into the Black God's realm and wishes his daughter to be safe from his life. He could think of no one else better to raise her then you and the Lioness." The midwife uncovered the babe from her cloak and smiled as the Baron looked on. "His Majesty's Lionhart and his Lady Cartha 's daughter, Elaura." "Lionhart trusts you, Baron Cooper, do not add your ears to his collection."
George nodded and took the sleeping child from the midwife's arms as she shuffled out, back into the rain.
