Chapter One
A tall muscular man with broad shoulders and long red hair stood in the pouring rain with his mismatching eyes focused on the grave in front of him. “Where’s Mommy?” A small shaky voice asked from beside him. He looked down at the shivering little girl next to him. Her red hair was matted to her face, her normally vibrant brown eyes were clouded with tears and her normally pink cheeks were white as snow. “She’s gone,” he whispered unsure of how to approach the topic, “she won’t be coming back Ferral.” He said picking her up to keep her warm in his strong embrace. He searched her eyes looking for the understanding to flash through them and as those young innocent eyes filled with such naked pain he thought of how young she was to have lost her mother, he hadn’t been much older than her when his life has been changed forever. It was his fifth birthday when a powerful old man dressed in white came to visit his dreams. He had been told that one day a darkness would try to swallow the world but he would be the light to protect it.
Athunan Cypher turned from the grave feeling the pain of his lost love bear to hard on his heart. He held the shivering child close to him realising she would most likely get sick from being in the rain so long and turned to walk back to their home. “Will you ever leave me like Mommy did?” She asked quietly. “No Ferral, I will always be here to protect you. I won’t ever leave you.” He whispered.
Athunan had learned discipline at a young age with the prophecy always hanging over his head. He spent hours each day training his body and mind waiting for the day the sky would turn black and he would have to take up his title as the bringer of life.
Around the age of ten a sorceress had moved into the village with her daughter. The daughter had introduced herself as Ferialitia, she taught him that life wasn’t all about training and that it was alright to have fun now and then. She was his best friend who grew up to be a very beautiful young woman. Ferialitia had long brown hair in tight ringlets and playful brown eyes always sparkling with some plan or other to ditch training and play. Whenever she came around he would notice every difference between the childhood friend he had known and the beautiful woman she was becoming. He couldn’t help when his eyes would follow each curve of her changing body. Athunan only had eyes for her but Ferialitia had eyes for Athunans friend Bayith Faine. Bayith returned her feelings of course and before Athunan could fully understand his own feelings he was standing next to Bayith as the girl he adored became Ferialitia Faine.
The new couples happiness didn’t last long though as they often argued. Athunan would be left consoling a weeping Ferialitia as once again the fight with her husband had left her feeling alone and worthless white Bayith would leave to clear his mind and drink his problems away. Their marriage hadn’t been strong but they had managed to have one child. A little girl they name Ferral. She had her mothers eyes but her flaming straight red hair matched neither her brunette mother or her dark haired father. The betrayal cut deeply in Bayith, he couldn’t even look at the child without thinking of murder. He never confronted his wife and friend about their affair but he couldn’t live with the knowledge of it anymore. Every time he looked into “his” daughters face he saw who her real father was and he disappeared from the village, his body was found cold and lifeless hanging from a tree outside the village a week later. Devastated Ferialitia had looked for comfort in the man who had always been there for her and it soon led to their quick marriage. Athunan adopted his biological daughter and life slowly started feeling right to him. While Athunan was happy with how things were turning out guilt was eating away at Ferialitia and her sanity over Bayiths death, guilt she kept secret until the day she couldn’t bear it. She walked over to the tree they found Bayith hanging from and slit her wrists taking her own life, unable to live knowing she had killed her first husband. She left behind her daughter and her husband to take care of each other and prayed to all the gods that they did not suffer from her decision as she had from Bayiths.
Athunan had traded in his life of training to raise his daughter alone. He still took time out of everyday to keep himself prepared but he was dedicated to the happiness and wellbeing of Ferral. She grew slowly day by day and as her ears started pointing like his he knew she had traces of his fairy blood in her. He was ecstatic about being able to teach her fairy magic but as her magic started progressing passed his he knew she was showing signs of having her grandmothers sorcery. There was a school nearby, the one her mother had gone to when she was young to learn sorcery. He taught Ferral all he could about fairy magic and when she was old enough to attend the school of sorcery in Dinestia he sent her there, to Imperial Academy.
Ferral spent six long years studying at that school. They had taught her not only to control her sorcery but also to mingle it with her fairy magic to make it more powerful. To make sure she got an all around education she was also taught basic self defence along with basic swordsmanship. She was top of her class, Athunan was always proud. He would visit her as often as possible to make sure she was safe and happy and brought her home for all the holidays. He hated missing those six years watching her grow up but he wanted her to be educated and that was the most important thing.
It was Ferrals sixteenth birthday as she walked towards her father dragging a large trunk behind her. She graduated not only a year early but with honours. Athunan had been waiting for her when she left the building and gently took her trunk from her, “Did you enjoy your time here?” He asked loading the cart behind him. “Yes but I missed home.” She said tying her long red hair back out of her face. He finished packing the cart and turned to her expectantly. She seemed off always looking around like she was waiting for something with a look that told him she had something to say, “What is it?” He asked smiling at her, “Did you forget something in your room?”
“Can I have a horse?” She blurted out before she could honestly think of how to ask him. It was so sudden that Athunan was surprised and didn’t hear the question. “Uh, I don’t see why we can’t look into getting you a horse at some point.” He muttered scratching his head and glanced over at his horse, “I’m sure Luthean could use a friend.” He was met with silence from Ferral. “What would you say if I told you I found a wounded pony when I first came here and I raised him and nursed him back to health and I loved him?” She said slowly. “I’d ask if I already put the damn thing in the cart.” He said rolling his eyes at how well she had him wrapped around her finger. “He isn’t small enough to fit in the cart.” She laughed and grabbed his hand to drag him along behind her. As they neared the stables one thing kept going through Athunans mind, ‘How much is too big for the cart?’. As they walked through the stable doors Ferral disappeared into one of the stalls and Athunan slowly trailed behind her. He looked into the stall to find Ferral climbing onto the back of a large grey unicorn, “This is Raith dad, he’s the pony I mentioned” She said putting on the cutest ‘I’m your little buttercup’ face she could manage. Athunan looked the unicorn over. He looked young but not pony young and strong. “This isn’t a pony.” He said noticing that Raith would stand taller than Luthean. Athunan shook his head and walked around Raith to examine him, “Nice grey coat, clear silver eyes, sturdy horn. You’ve found yourself a very strong and healthy unicorn here and the clover marking on his side will make him easy to distinguish from other unicorns the villagers might have.” He said sarcastically. “Does that mean I can keep him?” She asked pleading with her eyes. He was always weak when it came to Ferral and he was already pulling Raith towards the cart before she finished asking the question, “I guess I’ve already made my decision.” He snapped disappointed with himself for caving so quickly. “But this is your present for graduating.” He added relieved that he didn’t have to go hunting for something she’d like. “Thank you daddy!” She squealed from Raith’s back. It was hard to believe she was sixteen he though watching her face light up.
Since Ferral had gotten home from school she’d been taking Raith out to the woods every day. There had been a lot of attacks happening in the forest surrounding the village and Athunan was nervous about Ferral being in them so often. He was happy that she hadn’t gotten bored of Raith like so many other children when they get a pet but he still didn’t want her spending so much time in the forest. She had only been home from school for two weeks. She didn’t understand the dangers of the forest or the things in the forest and it was time to set her straight, he called her into the kitchen to sit with him before she left for the day with Raith, “I want to talk to you about the forest you’ve been disappearing into everyday.” Ferral rolled her eyes joining him at the table. “What is wrong with Sylvenecty forest?” She snapped. “Well for starters I’m sure you’ve heard about all the attacks that have been happening lately?” He said thinking carefully about how to approach the teenager with this subject. “What about them? So you think I’ll get into trouble? Dad I was top of my class.” She snapped insulted. “You were top of your class in a hypothetical situation. Have you ever come face to face with a real threat?”
“So what? We all have to start somewhere and it’s not like I’m out looking for trouble. I’ll be fine stop worrying about me!” She snapped and jumped to her feet. “Come back here right now!” He called after her as she stormed from the house. Ferral was already on Raiths back, “I’m not a child anymore, I’ll be back later.” She said and charged off into the forest, “But you’re my daughter and I don’t want you getting hurt.” He mumbled walking towards the stables to saddle up Luthean. There was a bad omen in the air Athunan thought as he tracked Feral through the forest and slowly his anger turned to worry. The sun burned through the branches easily lighting his path but he found it harder and harder to track her. After wasting two hours on a hunt for her he realised she was most likely using sorcery to cover up her tracks and send him on a goose chase. He couldn’t follow a magical trail if it was leading him eight different ways and he made the decision to wait for her at the house. “I guess if she can loose me she can handle herself right?” He said trying to convince himself more than anything.
Ferral opened her eyes as she felt confident her father had either given up or had no hopes of finding her. “I wasn’t sure I could get rid of him,” she said twirling Raith’s mane between her fingers, “better get moving though or we’ll be late.” She said moving him back on the path they’d been taking. The path lead to a large clearing, a clearing she’d been visiting almost everyday since she’d returned from school. “You’re late.” A man said appearing suddenly beside her. Raith was startled and jumped in surprise almost knocking Ferral off his back. “Whoa boy.” The man said steadying Raith. She quickly jumped off Raiths back to soothe him. He calmed instantly at her attention and she let him go off to graze. She turned to the man who appeared only moments before, “I’m not late, just not exactly on time.” She said smiling. “Well miss Cypher are you calling me a liar?”
“I’m not saying anything.” She said walking into the clearing followed closely by the man. He was tall and slender with long silky black hair and dark eyes. He liked to wear dark colours and mystery surrounded him, “Ferral, come and sit with me.” His warm velvety voice called to her, she felt a thrill at hearing him say her name. She walked over to where he’d sat and made herself comfortable. “Artose? Why do we always have to meet way out here?” She asked curiously. He took a few moments to think over his wording and turned back to her, “Because darling I’m new to the village and I’m not sure the good people would like me spending time with you.”
“Why me?” She asked and he looked her over, “Well you’re beautiful and very young. It wouldn’t look proper to them.” He said carefully. “Is that why you want to spend time with me? Because I’m very young and beautiful?” She asked slyly. “That my darling was only a wonderful perk. I sensed your strong magical abilities and called you to me.” He leaned close to her and she knew he was going to kiss her but she pulled away from him, it didn’t feel quite right to her. “Why’d you move away? I though you liked me.” He asked looking wounded, “I do, I just don’t think I’m ready for that yet.” She stammered feeling put on the spot. The look in his eyes changed suddenly. He was no longer warm and inviting he had a predatory look in his eye that she didn’t like. She tried to stand up and separate them a little but he crawled closer to her quickly and she couldn’t get to her feet in time. “I like you a lot.” He said pulling her closer to him, “I’m just trying to show you how much I like you.” He whispered. She felt threatened and desperately searched her memory for any lesson that would help her but she knew her sorcery was nothing compare to his power and her fairy magic would most likely only tickle him. Her best bet was to use force but he was taller and broader than her, she’d have to use all her strength to even hope to get away from him right now and he was scaring her. “You’re very good to me Artose I know you like me, I like things the way they are.” She said pulling away from him slightly. If she did manage to get away would he be able to just summon her back with the wave of his hand? She wouldn’t know until she tried though. She went to push him away and make a run for it, “I just want to kiss you.” He said forcing his mouth against hers and none of her struggling seemed to help her by that point.
She hoped he’d let her go when he got his kiss so she could run home and never come back but his hands started roaming her body. No piece of her was left untouched, “Stop!” She snapped trying to push him off of her. “No, I think we make a good match don’t you?” He asked climbing on top of her to keep her still, “I don’t think we make a good anything.” She growled trying to roll out from under him. His hands continued to roam her body taking a great interest in her chest. She felt violated, his hands were touching parts of her body that she hadn’t even explored herself. “Get off me!” She yelled using as much force as she could muster he slapped her hard across the face stopping her struggle for a moment splitting her lip. Raith sensed Ferrals distress and charged at Artose, some sort of force pushed him away. He tried and he tried to get to Ferral but that force kept pushing him back.
Something changed in Artose and he stopped moving to look into Ferrals eyes, “You make an excellent match for me. You’re exactly what I’m looking for to produce an heir for me.” He said and kissed her again. His hands started moving again but now he was tearing at her clothing, she knew what he was trying to do and started fighting with all her being to stop him. She tried multiple spells against him, he simply laughed and tore another piece of her clothing off. First he tore her shirt open exposing her breasts and took one in his mouth, “If you keep struggling I won’t be able to enjoy this.” He snapped slapping her across the face again hitting her eye. Tears started rolling down her face. It stung where he’d hit her and the little bites he was making on her breast were hurting her, she wasn’t sure if hurting her was exciting him or he was trying to make a point. She struggled until the last of her clothing was removed and his fingers her invading her body, “Please stop!” She chocked as her body tried to accustom it self to the intrusion. She pushed her palms against his chest trying to push him off her, “Hell spawn villain, creature of death, fire shall take thy very breath!” She yelled as fire burst from her hands catching onto his shirt. He chuckled and the flames vanished, “So strong even now, a perfect match indeed.” He mumbled and pushed his mouth against hers, he explored every inch of her mouth with his tongue and suddenly his fingers left her to be replaced by a sharp intrusive pain. He forced himself inside her in one thrust and didn’t stop for her to adjust. She felt like she was being ripped in half. He was not gentle or tender with her, he pushed into her deep and roughly each time never stopping to let her body adjust to him. “Please stop!” She sobbed giving up trying to push him away. Her crying angered him and he hit her again harder than before.
Raith charged again at Artose and got thrown back. He couldn’t reach his young friend to help her, every bone in his body wanted nothing more than to ease her pain. Her loud sobs tore at his heart little by little. “I will give you a gift.” A man said suddenly appearing next to him. The man was dressed head to toe in white. He place his hands on Raiths head, “I grant you the ability to change shapes. She is a very important person please help her get passed this.” The man said and a warm feeling overcame Raith. He could feel some kind of popping throughout his body and something shifting. He looked down to his surprise to find that he was no longer on four legs. Two human hands were outstretched before him moving at his command. “You will soon discover your abilities and your limitations. When you get her to safety find the bringer of life, he will help you.” Raith snapped out of his trance and looked around. The man in white was gone and he was indeed human. With human legs he moved much quieter and managed to sneak right up to Artose. He went to move the man off Ferral when he made a sudden grunting sound and trusted deeper into the girl staying still for a moment. Raith ripped him off the shivering girl and prepared to fight, “I’ve done what I came here to do there’s no need for me to fight you.” Artose said laughing and disappeared. With the threat gone Raith rushed to Ferrals side. He removed the tunic the man had given him, noticing now that he was dressed, and slipped it gently over Ferrals body. What was a shirt for him was a dress for her he noticed thankfully and scooped the girl into his arms. He could feel deep inside himself that he could shift back to the unicorn form to run faster but his human arms were more secure for Ferral.
He easily remembered the path back to Ferrals home and traveled as fast as he could go. A half hour trip turned into an hour trek but he refused to stop at any point to rest and luckily his stamina kept up. He could see the outline of her house coming into view and started calling Athunans name out. If Athunan was in the kitchen or chopping wood he would be able to hear him but Raith noticed the light burning in the second floor window and worried that his cries might not be heard.
Athunan sat in his study going through reports from his land outside the village. All seemed well but a request was sent for him to visit and to bring his daughter along. He was contemplating the idea when a cry caught his attention. Someone was desperately calling for him and getting closer. The thought of his daughter still being in the woods rushed him into action running down the stairs to meet with the voice. A man with long white hair wearing nothing but white pants and a pair of black boots was rushing towards the house calling to him. It took a second for him to register that he was carrying Ferral wearing and oversized white tunic. Panic jolted through him and he rushed to the man snatching is daughter from him, “Who are you and what did you do to her?!” HE snarled cradling her to his chest, “We left this morning to ride out and meet that man. He, uh, I never liked him from the beginning. There was always something off about him.”
“Who are you and what have you done to her?!” He snarled again rushing into the house with the stranger following closely. “My name is Raith, he gave me a last name too Diamonde. I’ll explain myself later, she’s important now. He forced himself on her.” Raith explained trying to get a glimpse of the pale girl shivering. “Explain now!” Athunan snapped rushing through the kitchen to the stairs and up to the first room on the left to place Ferral onto her bed. “This morning I was a unicorn, your daughters to be more precise. We left after your fight with her about the dangers of the forest to go and find the man she’s been seeing. We were late because you were following her and she said you couldn’t meet this man. His name was Artose, he excited her for some reason. He told her that she was beautiful and powerful an excellent match for him. He was scaring her, something wasn’t right something changed. He said she would be perfect to produce an heir. I heard her struggling and tried to help her but he was very powerful and heard me coming each time. An old man suddenly appeared next to me and changed me, he said he was giving me a gift. He told me to save her and find the bringer of life.” Raith said watching as Athunan laid Ferral in her bed and pulled the covers over her.
Athunan was startled by the strangers story. He knew far too much about this morning and absolutely no one would know about his other name except the man who gave it to him. Athunan looking into the mans eyes, they were silver just like Ferrals unicorn. There was a birth mark or a scar on his side shaped like a clover, “I don’t believe you, turn into the unicorn.” He snapped. Raith knew there wasn’t time for all of this but Athunan had to be confident that Raith was who he said he was. He walked downstairs and outside followed by Athunan and looked back at him, “We don’t have time.”
“Transform.” Athunan demanded. Raith did as he was told and transformed. “Unbelievable.” Athunan meticulously looked the unicorn over and couldn’t find any proof that this wasn’t the same unicorn Ferral has talked him into keeping. Raith transformed back, “Why are we wasting this time?” He snapped. “Because if you weren’t who you said you were you’d only know what you know because you were the man meeting my daughter and I’d have to kill you.” Athunan snapped and looking up towards his daughter window. “How much of the village do you know?” He asked turning back to Raith, “She showed me everything, why?”
“Go and fetch the midwife, this is a delicate job only a woman can do.” Athunan instructed. Raith nodded and transformed to move faster. Athunan returned to his daughters side. She was pale and sweating, her eye was swelling and bruising, her lip was split, she was shaking and groaning. He took her hand using any fairy magic he knew that might take away even the slightest amount of her pain. Nothing he did seemed to have any effect on her so he stayed quiet offering her comfort when he could.
The sound of hoof beats filled his ears and soon the midwife entered the room escorted by Raith. “He said she’s been raped, is that true?” She asked moving to Ferrals side and felt her forehead. “Yes, what can you do to help her? What can I do to help you?” He asked quickly wanting desperately to help his daughter. The midwife didn’t even turn to him as she spoke, “I need boiled water and lot’s of towels. If it’s possible boil some extra water and cool it down.” Athunan rushed out of the room to fetch what she’d asked for. She pulled the covers back glad that she wouldn’t have to move the girl around too much to remove her clothes. Athunan rushed into the room with two buckets, one of boiling water and the other of cold water. “Did you use magic?” She asked curiously, he nodded. “Get me lot’s of towels and then leave the room.” She said and waited patiently for him to return before she continued. Athunan was quick when he brought the towels in and left closing the door behind him. “Now sweetheart I’m going to clean you up.” The woman explained to the girl so she wasn’t startled by what was happening to her. She pulled Ferral to a sitting position and made eye contact to make sure Ferral understood what was happening. As if being sat up had woken her up realisation of what had happened hit her and silent tears poured down her face. The midwife pulled the tunic gently off Ferrals body and quickly examined any markings on her. There were teeth marks and bruising all across her breasts but nothing that would pose a serious threat to her. Red marks down her back signified he was rough with her and she was pinned to the ground. The bruising on her face and split lip meant he’d hit her more than once, but she’d fought back the midwife noticed looking at her hands. It must have hurt very badly she thought. They spend less time enjoying themselves if the girls are fighting and just thrust in to get it over and done with. “You poor thing.” She whispered preparing for the worst of the damage. She laid Ferral back and gently spread her legs. Ferrals silent tears soon turned to quiet sobs as the midwife gently began cleaning away the blood and seamen. “I’m sorry dear, I’m trying to be gentle.” She whispered as Ferral flinched sobbing louder. It took time to clean up the mess between Ferrals legs but soon the midwife was slipping the tunic back over Ferrals head. “I’ll tell them to send for the doctor, he’ll be able to give you something for the pain.” The midwife explained to Ferral as she sat up slowly, still crying, and nodded. “I want you to come and see me when you are feeling better, just to make sure you’re healing properly.” The midwife said and then took the girls hand, “We’ll make sure everything is alright.” Ferral nodded again confused. The midwife opened the door. “You may see her now.” She said to Athunan and stepped out of his way, “I will see you soon miss Cypher.” She said walking passed Raith, “You should fetch the doctor for her.” She said and he nodded following her out. Athunan pulled his daughter into his arms. “It’s going to be ok.” He soothed brushing his fingers through her hair. She clung to him while she sobbed into his chest. She sobbed as if she were shattering into tiny pieces. He could do nothing to help her but hold her in his arms and offer words of comfort to her.
Raith soon burst through the door followed by the doctor. He was out of breath as he announced the doctor to Athunan. The doctor immediately ordered the men out of the room while he inspected Ferral. He turned to her slowly, “I’m going to need you to remove your clothing.” He asked gently. “The midwife was hear already.” She snapped trying to appear angry to cover up her terror. She knew where the markings that needed his attention were and removed clothing as necessary. The doctor fought to inspect all of her injuries but eventually nodded and put his equipment away, “We’ll wrap up your injuries. There’s a lotion for the marks on your back and a herb to mix in water on the table for you.” He said wrapping up her hands. “As for the injuries to your face, keep something cold on it to take the swelling down. The rest is going to have to heal naturally.” He said and walked toward the door, “I’m truly sorry for what happened to you miss Cypher.” He said opening the door and stepped out. Athunan entered the room followed closely by Raith, “Are you alright?” Raith asked stepping passed Athunan. Ferral panicked at seeing the strange man in her room and jumped almost out of the bed. “Who are you?!” She screamed Raith took a step back hurt visible in his eyes, “Ferral?” He whispered searching her eyes for anything but fear. Images played through her mind; her unicorn, a bright light and a man warm and kind taking her home. “Did you bring me home?” She asked and remembered looking at his bare chest that she was wearing his shirt, “I shouldn’t have let you near that man to begin with, I knew there was something wrong with him.” He said moving to him knees to make her feel less threatened. She looked into his silver eyes familiarity tugged at her memories. The clover birthmark on his side didn’t escape her either. She motioned for him to move closer, close enough she could touch him but didn’t. Just his smell comforted her, he smelled of Jasmine, sandalwood and the outdoors. “What’s your name?” She asked almost knowing his answer before it left his lips, “Raith Diamonde.” He was relieved that she recognised him and moved to stand but only succeeded in startling her. He placed his hands up and slowly backed away, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He whispered sadly. As comforting as he was to her he was still a man she wasn’t used to and she hadn’t been expecting him to move, it startled her. “No I, you just startled me. Don’t worry.” She said feeling the tears building up again. Athunan slowly moved to sit next to her on the bed, she crawled into his lap like she did when she’d been little and had a nightmare, “Make it all go away.” She sobbed burying her face in his shoulder. She reached her hand out to Raith who kneeled beside her and offered her his hand for comfort, she took his hand and squeezed it tightly. “I’ll never let anything happen to you again.” He promised.
Time had passed and Raith was escorting Ferral to the midwife’s house. He has kept his word staying by her side always watching over her. She had quickly come accustomed to having him with her and found that he made it easier for her to move on from the attack than she had thought it would be. She’d spent most of her recovery teaching him to be a normal person. He learned eating, hygiene, reading, writing, manners and Athunan had taught him a few basic self defence techniques. Raith waited for Ferral outside, it seemed like a midwife’s home was no place for a man. The midwife lead Ferral over to a table and asked her to get on. “I must examine you.” She said motioning for Ferral to remove her pants. “A new moon has already passed I was wondering if you were ever coming in to see me.” She said spreading Ferral’s legs. Even though it was another woman and that woman had been around that area before Ferral still felt uncomfortable and embarrassed. “Have you been feeling odd at all lately?” She asked. Ferral though about it feeling the midwife’s intrusive touch, “Just a little nauseous in the morning recently but my father thinks the new wheat he’s been buying isn’t agreeing with me.” The midwife sighed at how stupid men could be. She did all the possible testing and came to the same conclusion each time. “I think you should bring the young lad in waiting outside for you.” She said washing her hands. “Is there something wrong?” Ferral asked pulling her pants back on and rushed to get Raith. “Have you two been intimate with each other since the attack?” She asked knowing it wouldn’t have been before the attack. Ferral shook her head taking Raith’s hand. “Have you been with anyone since the attack?” She asked Ferral who shook her head again. “I’m sorry to have to tell you this but you are currently with child and if what you’re telling me is the truth then the only conclusion I can come to is that the man who attacked you has planted his seed.” Ferral went numb, she was carrying that mans child. Raith put his free arm around her and she clung to him. Silent tears poured down her face but she refused to make a sound.
Raith pulled her close to him offering her all the comfort he could give and quickly walked her home. He brought her to her room and tucked her into bed telling her to take a nap, she didn’t fight with him and rolled onto her side. She would not sleep but she wanted to be alone for a while. He walked down the stairs and out back to where Athunan was chopping wood. “How’d it go?” He asked noticing Raith. “She has healed well since the attack. She is with child.” He said unsure of any better way to put it. Athunan stopped mid swing, “Is it yours?” He snapped glaring at the boy, “I haven’t touched your daughter inappropriately.” He snapped back angry that he hadn’t stopped the man in time. “I didn’t let you stay in out house so you could-it’s not yours?” Athunan had started ranting assuming that at night Raith was sneaking into his defenceless daughters room to take advantage of her, “You haven’t touched her?” He asked again now more than anything hoping it was this mans child standing in front of him, “I said I haven’t.” He replied trying to stay calm. “Is it that mans then?” Athunan asked knowing the answer but needed the conformation. “Yes.”
“What are we going to do?” Athunan said dropping the axe. “She’s in her room right now, I imagine she’s thinking about it as we speak. I suggest you talk to her about this when she’s ready.” Raith said attempting to give some kind of advice. Athunan nodded and picked the axe back up. “When she’s ready.” He said continuing his task to keep his mind busy. Raith walked into the house and sat outside Ferrals door in case she needed him.
Ferral sat on her bed holding her stomach, the tears had stopped but sleep would not be coming. “What am I going to do?” She asked herself. She could hear her father chopping wood outside, what would he want her to do? None of the villagers knew of her attack, the biggest news was always about the attractive stranger who’d moved in with them. They were already talking about a scandal between Raith and herself, what would they think about her soon to be growing belly? She hated that Artose had taken so many of her firsts from her; her first kiss, her first touch, her first time. Now she was sitting in her room with another first he’d stolen from her, her first child. He’d stolen her right to have her first child with the man she loved. Artose is a very powerful man, would he know about the child growing in her womb. Would he come to take the child someday? He’d said she would produce the perfect heir for him. Her mind was beginning to spin with all the thoughts running wild and she heard Raith shift in the hallway, “You can come in Raith I’m not sleeping.” She called and waited for the door to open like she knew it would. She motioned for him to come sit with her on the bed. As she felt the bed shift with his weight she took his hands and wrapped his arms around her, “Can we just sit like this?” She whispered, “Always.” He replied holding her tightly.
The sun had set before Ferral had prepared herself for the conversation with her father. She asked Raith to wait upstairs so she could talk to her father, he nodded and watched her slowly walk down the stairs. Athunan was waiting for her at the kitchen table. The spot he’d argued with her about not going into the forest, an argument she should have paid more attention to. He opened his arms to her, “Come here.” He whispered and she crawled childishly onto his lap for comfort. “Have you thought of what you’d like to do?” He asked knowing she’d more than likely already decided what to do. “I don’t care what anyone thinks about me. They can all talk about the unwed mother all they want in this village but it isn’t the childs fault how it came to be and it wouldn’t be right to punish it for it.” She said clearly. Athunan nodded, “This won’t be easy for you, are you ready?” She laughed bitterly, “Of course I’m not ready, I haven’t been ready for any of this but I am prepared to do this. I have you and Raith to keep me safe and happy who cares about anyone else.” he hugged his daughter close knowing her decision was final and the hard one to make and pushed her off his lap, “We’ll make all your appointments tomorrow but for now,” he said standing up, “I’m hungry and considering neither you nor Raith has eaten since breakfast you should be too.” She nodded and walked up the stairs to get Raith. He was waiting in her room where she’d left him, “I’ll never let anything happen to you or the child.” He said kneeling in front of her. Ferral moved to kneel with him and took his hands, “I know you won’t.” She whispered smiling. He quickly jumped to his feet and pulled her up after him, “I’ll take care of you ok?” He said almost nervous. She looked deep into his eyes and smiled, “I’m sure you will.” She said and turned pulling him along with her.
A shift in the room caught his attention and he sent Ferral ahead without him. Whatever had been in the room was gone now but a small piece of parchment sitting on Ferrals bed caught his attention. He snatched the parchment up and examined it, ‘I’ll be back for my child.’ was written in bold slanted letters. Raith rushed down the stairs and sat through dinner pretending nothing happened. After, while Ferral was cleaning up, he handed Athunan the letter and asked him to train him. He had already learned basic self defence but now he needed to learn all the abilities the man in white had mentioned and all the limitations. He wanted to protect Ferral and her child at any cost. Athunan had agreed quickly deciding that two of them would be much better suited to protect her than one and having someone strong enough to spar with would help make him stronger as well. Both wanted nothing more than Ferrals safety and that of her unborn child.
