The young Jon Crane, Prince of Sansora, sat waiting in the Shrine of the All Mother with his Queen Mother and her party of royals, generals, and three of her famed Wolf Knights of House Crane; uniquely selected soldiers vowed to serve her family until death.

The Shrine of the All Mother was a small stone structure in the heart of the great City of White.

It was home to the Servants of the Red; which gave hospitality to the wounded, the pregnant, and all who seeked counsel. Many residents of the White City feared the Servants of the Red for their reputation of grotesque methods of rehabilitating their clients, but no Servant of the Red dared act in such a manner in front of the royal family unless they seeked a public execution or swift death from her Wolf Knights.

"Mum, when will the baby come out?" shouted Prince Jon of Sansora, a young excited toddler, "I'm getting sore sitting on these stone benches."

"Soon, Jon. The Men in Red are ensuring the baby arrives safely. They are going to make sure it is a healthy. It's important that it meets the All Mother's expectations if it is to be part of our noble House. We can't have another feeble Crane in our family. We are the White Wolves of Sansora after all," spoke his mother, the Queen Gwynemere Crane of Sansora.

Jon waited patiently in his chair, kicking his feet back and forth, brushing his priceless laced shoes against the polished white stone floors of the Church of the All Mother.

Jon looked over at the others in the room discussing and bickering amongst each other about politics and travels. Jon had no one to talk to. His sister Morgan had traveled to the Thousand Islands leaving him alone with his mother.

Jon turned his glance over to the three Wolf Knights who stood in complete silence. Their armour was fascinating and decorated with the finest ornate designs and custom-work, which included their uniquely crafted helmets in the design of a wolf. The wolf helm had its sharp ears back as if it was in a fighting stance, growling at the enemy.

Two heavy stone doors pryed open to the waiting room of the Queen. A large plump man entered the Queen's waiting room. He wore a strange white stork mask, and was covered from head to toe in a vermillion red robe.

"Is it soon, Mum? Will my cousin be here soon?" the boy questioned looking up at his mother.

"It will be any time now, young Prince," spoke the large man. "Our Red Seers prophesied that it would be on the thirteenth day of the Month of the Harvest- it will happen on this day. She has been given Redroot and Shade of the First Moon. Surely it happen on this day."

"That is good. I do not want to wait much longer, Errol of the Red," huffed Queen Gwyn, as she stroked a long wavy blonde lock of hair behind her ear.

Six robed figures approached the waiting room chanting from down the candle lit halls of the Church of the All Mother.

They were dressed in fine red silk and wore stylish cloth head dresses which covered their eyes.

Jon wondered if they could see wearing those masks or if they were just accustomed to walking those same halls.

"What are they chanting?" questioned Jon.

"Ordo Valiris; All from Blood," answered Errol of the Red, "a hymn from the ancient age. A code that we must all follow."

"What does it mean?"

"It means the Ritual of the All Mother is almost complete, dear Queen," announced Errol of the Red to the room, "You may all visit Lord Lucien and his newborn kin now, but your armed soldiers must stay. We forbid few things, but one is such."

The pitch black eye holes of Errol of the Red's white stork mask made Jon's stomach turn as Errol stared down at him.

It reminded Jon of the skull of a large dead bird he found outside his manor in the gardens. The dead bird's skull had rotten brain and flies throughout it, with maggots falling from out of the eye holes.

Errol of the Red bent over and whispered to the young prince.

"For one life given, one must be taken," he whispered.

Errol stood up and crossed his arms behind his back, proceeding to lead the family to the room of the birth with the six robed figures following close behind.

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Two massive white doors, engraved with an ornate bust of the All Mother, slowly pried ajar.

Lord Lucien Crane, Brother of the King, stood with open arms and a smile from ear to ear.

The loud cries of a bellowing newborn filled the halls, echoing.

Jon covered his ears.

"Welcome, welcome!" spoke the overjoyed Lord as he approached to kiss the Queen's hand.

"Congratulations, Lucien! I can hear the sounds of new life," smiled Gwyn, "A strong voice that one sure has- a true wolf's howl."

"Did the All Mother bless you with a male heir?" questioned Queen Gwyn with a sly smirk.

"Alas, no," he spoke.

"A daughter, yes? I could tell from the sharp cry." spoke the Queen as she stared at the pack of Men in Red attending to the newborn behind Lord Lucien.

Two Women dressed in White stood amongst the crowd of Men in Red singing a hymn.

"By the All Mother, we had two! Twin daughters, my Queen," he announced.

"Two?" questioned the puzzled Queen, "I only hear the one."

"Two baby cousins!" Jon shouted, "Can I meet them, Uncle? Please."

"As a matter of fact, we can do that right now, little Prince."

Lucien turned around, and gestured for the Men in Red to bring forth his newborns.

Two women in creamy white robes stepped forward, cradling the Lord's two small newborns.

Jon looked at them briefly and then turned his glance towards his mother. The two women had both of their breasts exposed, which were overly large and swollen.

They cradled the newborns against their large chests, lulling them while they slowly rocked their bodies back and forward. The newborns were carefully unveiled from the decorative black cloths that wrapped around them, revealing two beautiful white-haired daughters.

"You can tell a true Crane from a single glance," smiled the Queen, "Beautiful white hair. A unique trait exclusive to children of Cranes."

"What will you name the first of the All Mother's children, Lord Crane?" asked the Wet Nurse on the left, who gestured with a head nod for a scribe to approach them, "it is important to record each of the All Mother's blessings, and without a name the ritual is not complete."

"She will be Orianna Crane, the third of her name. A proud family name filled with the high honours of our lineage," announced Lord Lucien.

The Wet Nurse leaned over, and whispered in Lord Lucien's ear, who quickly dropped his smile.

"And for the second of the All Mother's children on this day. What will you name your second child?" asked the second Wet Nurse, who was swaying back and forth to lull the loud crying baby.

"They are beautiful, Uncle. I can't wait to play with them in the gardens," spoke Jon in a hushed tone.

"The one on the right is very charming. She bellows like a dragon, and cries for so much affection. But, for some odd reason the one on the left just sits and stares off into the distance. She's rather quiet," examined Queen Gwyn.

"What will you name the second child, Lord Lucien?" asked the impatient Women in White.

Lord Lucien looked upset, which turned quickly to frustration.

"I will name the second Orianna Crane, the third of her name. She will be the true eldest of the two and heir to all of my worldly possessions if I do not bear a son," announced the disgruntled Lord.

"What of the first? What should I change the firstborn's name to, my Lord?" asked the Wet Nurse on his left.

"The All Mother is right in saying that this child is an unfit newborn," spoke the Lord who nodded his head to the left Woman in White. "This child is damaged, mute and silent. She's thick-headed, dull as iron," spoke the upset Lord, "I do not want to have the burden of a sacrafice. Not on such a splendid day. But, still, she is unfit to be my firstborn. She will now be the second born, and by the laws she will have no entitlements."

"Agreed, she's as thick as Cressan white steel," laughed the Queen, "she should not be your heir."

Lord Lucien smiled, "Cressa. She will be named Cressa Crane, the first of her name," proclaimed the Lord.

"Thick as steel," he smirked.