Chapter 1 the Lost of a Son
The old crone looked up at the hooded woman and smiled. "You're pregnant, madam. I give you and your husband my congratulations."
With the news still ringing in her ears, the young woman walked out of the doctor's house and started back to the village of Dunwiddy, situated in the middle of the kingdom of Enchancia. The looming castle that was the permanent background to the villagers' lives seemed to shimmer in the air as happiness swelled inside of Miranda. Another child! Another wonderful son, or maybe even a daughter! Oh, how she wanted a little girl to dress up and raise for her own.
Her husband, Brik, waited at home with their firstborn, a son named Mario, and she couldn't wait to tell him. After hurrying through the streets to her shop, she burst through the door to break the joyous news to him.
"Brik!" she gasped, falling into his embrace. "Another baby! I was right! I'm pregnant!"
Brik lit up, spinning his young, beautiful wife around before kissing her tenderly. Mario made a face; he never liked to see his parents' affection.
"Another baby!" Brik exclaimed. "That's fantastic!"
Miranda glanced at Mario as he looked at her belly. "But Mama, your belly isn't big. You can't have a baby."
His parents laughed. "Don't you worry, little soldier," Brik said. "Your mother's belly will get bigger. The baby is really tiny right now."
"Was I that tiny, Papa?" Mario asked.
"You were, once upon a time."
Brik smiled at his wife, who was looking wistfully around the small shop. "Mario will have to share his room with the baby," Miranda murmured.
"We'll make do, Andi," Brik said. Miranda smiled at the nickname.
There was a tinkle as the bell above the shop chimed. Miranda turned to see a family. Brik scooped Mario into his arms.
"Come on, Mario," he said. "Let your mama work."
Miranda was just finishing up with the customers, chatting gaily about whatever came to mind. Her mind was swimming with joy at the thought that she was going to have another baby. She was torn from her revelry when there was a clattering of hooves and the shrieking neighbors of horses out of control. Miranda looked out the window to see what was going on, and she let out a cry as Mario dashed toward the shop, laughing.
With her heart pounding, she pushed through the customers and practically flew to the door. She didn't even think of the danger as she rushed toward her beloved son. Bilk was running from the other direction, but it was no use. Neither of them were fast enough. The thundering hooves of the horses were upon their son before they even reached the street.
Miranda screamed as her son was trampled underfoot before being sucked under the carriage wheels. The crunching of bone would echo in their nightmares for the rest of their lives, and the splatter of blood and brains over the pavement burned into their memories. By the time the horses were calmed down, it was far too late. Mario lay in the street, his sightless eyes staring at nothing as his parents stood still, shocked and unable to believe that he was gone.
