Update March 2022: As I am in the process of posting this story on AO3, I will simultaneously update the chapters here. Minor edits will be made and some mistakes corrected. I might also add another scene or two if I feel like it.

Senator Tiloki, Duke of Idras, was halfway through the time-consuming and complicated process of getting dressed when someone knocked at the door to his apartments.

"My lord? I'm sorry to disturb you this early in the morning, but I urgently need to speak with you!"

Recognising the housekeeper's voice, Tiloki turned to face the door.

"You may enter."

The housekeeper's wife, Mrs. Miller, entered, carrying a basket. Her husband followed, looking curious.

"My lord", she said with a curtsy, "this is a rather – ah – delicate matter."

"Very well. I want the room cleared."

The servants attending him bowed and filed out of the door. Mr. Miller shut it behind them and placed himself in front of the door.

"When I opened the outer gate this morning, I found this", Mrs. Miller explained, inclining her head toward the basket. "There is a letter enclosed, addressed to you..."

She handed him the basket. Tiloki started. Inside the basket, covered only in a thin blanket, lay a newborn child. Golden hair curled around the tiny face. The baby was fast asleep.

Then, suddenly, the baby moved an arm, and the blanket slid. Tiloki's eyes were immediately arrested by the mark on the child's chest, black against the marble skin.

Mrs. Miller gasped. "Senator – what does this mean?"

"I think I know the answer, but first, I have to read this letter."

He carefully placed the basket on a small table, then, he opened the letter.

My dearest Tiloki,

I am sorry to impose on you like that, but I know no-one else who could help me... My clan would never permit me to keep her, that's why I wanted to ask you to take her in. Her name is Maian... She is our daughter. Please, I beg of you, keep her and raise her as your own. I have heard stories about the terrible abuse children like her have to suffer and I want to spare her that... Please give to her the token I have enclosed.

Maian, if you should ever read this, know that your mother is very, very sorry. I wanted to keep you so much, but the tribe would exile both of us, and that would surely result in our deaths. Please forgive me for not being stronger...

I should probably mention another thing. I know you beorc like staying in your grand palaces, but we herons need nature to stay healthy. I do not know how much Maian will be affected by that, so, please be sure to let her out into the open as much as possible.

Love, Sybille

Tiloki folded the letter and looked up.

"It is just as I thought. Please fetch Liane."

Tiloki refused to tell Mr. Miller anything while his wife went to wake Liane. He just watched the sleeping girl – his younger daughter.

"What is it, father?"

Liane entered the room and looked curiously at the basket.

"What I am about to tell you must not leave this room. If you are unwilling to take a vow of silence, I must ask you to leave, now."

Mr. and Mrs. Miller exchanged a glance before fixing their attention back on their lord.

"We will do as you ask, senator."

"Father, please tell us what is going on!", Liane urged.

Tiloki nodded. "Liane, this is Maian, your younger sister."

Liane stared at him, then, she dashed across the room to take a look at the baby.

"She is cute! But – who is her mother?"

"Sybille. A member of the heron clan."

"But that means – that my sister – is one of the Branded."

"Yes. And I do not need to tell you what that means."

"Are we going to keep her?"

"We are. And I want to make this clear – Maian is, above all, your sister, and a member of House Idras."

Liane nodded. "Of course. I understand. She is your daughter, after all."

Relieved, Tiloki turned to face his servants with a mixture of expectancy and anxiety.

"My lord, our allegiance lies with House Idras. Should you accept this child as your law- and rightful daughter, we will serve her as we serve you."

"I am relieved to hear that."

"Father, what is this?"

Liane had pulled something from the envelope.

Tiloki took it from her hand and examined it closely.

"Those are strands of Sybille's hair, and two of her feathers. This has to be the token she mentioned in her letter."

The child started to stir and let of a soft wail. Tiloki picked up the basket and started rocking it softly.

"Find me a nursemaid, and clothes for the baby. Her mark must remain hidden at all times."

"Yes, my lord."