“We're already fighting a war, now this.”

“It’s expected that they would take advantage”

Three men sat on horseback and overlooked what was once a village, but now burned landscape. The stone well stuck up above the ground. It was the only thing that was left of the small village.

A group of men probed the village but could not find anything other than ash. But one man looked into the well and was surprised to find a baby. It was floating on a splintered piece of wood that had been broken off from somewhere else. The baby was wrapped in a pale yellow cloth that was darker on the sides. The water was slowly consuming the cloth and the baby did not cry even when the soldier grabbed him.

“Sir,” the man approached the three men. Bowing, he quickly lifted his head and presented a baby, wrapped in brown cloth. “This is the only survivor.”

“I don't know if it's a curse or a blessing for him to survive. Send it back to the house. My granddaughter can look after it.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

“Father.”

“Enough,” The older man glanced at the third who had remained silent.

The young man lowered his head. “Yes grandfather.”

“Good.” The man turned and he headed to what was once the entrance to the village. A small group of men, uniformed in their brown robes and blue stiffened leather, clasped their hands.

“We're moving.”

***

“The Grand Patriarch sent him back. He was the only thing that survived.”

“How sad.”

“The young miss won't take her eyes off him.”

“The madam is only encouraging her.”

“The young miss tried so hard. And then the young sir left.”

“At Least our hands will be busy. Less to think about.”

She nodded.

They walked through the open archway and into a small garden. Two women were staring at a brown basket on top of the stone table. 

They both bowed. “Madam, we have to take the baby for its milk.”

“Alright,” the Madam responded.

The two maids took the basket and left the garden for another room. 

“What will you do, daughter?”

“I will listen to Grandfather.”

“Father, is just worried about you.”

“I know. It won't be fair to him.”

“It never is.”