(Author's note: Anya is Loid's biological daughter in this story. He is a spy for Ostania but is a double-secret agent for Westalis. Anya was born in Ostania. Told from Anya's P.O.V. Enjoy!)
I don't remember much about my father. He was tall, and had blonde hair, and was kind- or I think he was. I was four when last I saw him, but that particular night I remember like it was yesterday.
Father brought me to a place called Eden Academy; I didn't know at the time that this was a special orphanage for offspring of party members. We arrived late in the evening and Father pulled me out of the car. Holding me in his arms, he informed me that I'd be staying here for a while. "A while", he said. Of course I inquired as to where he was going, and he replied that he had to go to Westalis on some business. Now being the tender age of four, I had no clue about country borders or the upcoming war spies like my father were desperately trying to avoid. All I understood was that Father was going away for a little while for his work. I knew he was a spy but really nothing else- he forbade me from ever talking about it, and I readily obeyed.
While Father cradled me close, this tall, lanky, scary-looking man emerged from the building. He had long grey hair and a grey beard, and his eyes were so sharp that they pierced through my soul. I huddled into my father's chest afraid while he shook the man's hand.
"Evening, Mr. Henderson." "Good evening, Mr. Forger. All set for your journey, I presume?" Mr. Henderson- I guess that was his name- pulled his hand away and clasped his other hand behind his back. Father nodded. "Yes, sir; all ready. I'll be leaving on the midnight train. There's just one last thing…" Both men suddenly gazed down at me, sending a shiver up my spine.
Mr. Henderson's stare intensified. "So, this is the child?" "Yes, this is my daughter, Anya Forger. All the paperwork's been filed, and I've had her belongings delivered to her new dorm." Mr. Henderson's head nodded in approval. "Very good. She's a small girl for her age. Has she had any schooling?" "Not yet. I'll trust that you'll fill in any educational gaps," Father responded. I felt Mr. Henderson's eyes give me a once over before he lightly grinned. "What a beautiful creature. It'll be a privilege to have charge over her." "It should only be for a month or so. I'll be back by the twentieth, assuming all goes well," there was a hint of dismay in Father's voice. I'm not sure why he sounded anxious just then; it never occurred to me that his job might be dangerous in any sort of way. Mr. Henderson nodded yet again, and Father looked back my way. His eyes….. I'll never forget the look in his glistening eyes just then.
His arms began to tremble as he held me tight. "I'm going to leave you with this man, Anya. He'll help you however you need while you're here." "Yes, Father." "As you know, I'm going away for a while, and we might not see each other again for some time." "That's ok, Father. I know you always come home to me as fast you can," I smiled reassuringly, innocently…..
Father's voice cracked a bit, his eyes glossing over. His fingers grasped onto my clothes tighter. "Always remember, Anya, how precious you are to me. You are my beloved daughter- the one thing in this world I truly cherish, and you'll never know….. how much I love you." My eyes widened a bit, both in surprise and delight. "I love you too, Father." Smiling so sincerely at this, Father's face leaned in to kiss my forehead- a very long, tender kiss. Then, to my instant dismay, he proceeded to hand me over to Mr. Henderson and return to the idle car. Before getting in he gave me one last teary-eyed glance. "Be a good girl and stay strong, Anya. I'll return as soon as I can." And with that, the car door shut and it sped off down the road.
Mr. Henderson stood there for a second with me in his loose arms. I waved frantically until the car was out of sight behind the academy gates. "Bye, Father! Hurry back!" My tiny voice cried out. My new guardian didn't utter a sound, instead was staring down at me. He was observing me with this quiet sort of reverence. Looking back, it must have been heart-breaking to see a naïve child say such a warm farewell to her father, thinking he'd come back for her soon. I waved and waved, wishing my father the safest of journeys with all my young heart.
I never saw him in Ostania again.