Child Of The Forgotten

PROLOGUE

The night was crisp and cool as Riodhan bid his dinner goodnight. He left the donor, Maria, to rest as he went to bathe and dress for the evenings’ festivities. She had been compliant and pleasant enough since Riodhan kept a happy herd among his staff and planned to continue doing so. He was old enough to go several days between feedings, but daily feedings kept him amiable. She would sleep for the rest of the night, so he advised one of his servants to make sure she was not disturbed as he left his chambers. Riodhan was greeted by his butler, Gronthe, as he descended onto the first floor.

Gronthe bowed and addressed his master, "Sire, a message was just received. I placed the missive on your desk in the study.”

Riodhan nodded and made his way to the study. He had a full night’s work ahead of him and was ready to get started. The nights were long with boring political notaries and daily tasks of running his territory so there was no time to waste if he wanted to keep business on task. As he opened the large mahogany doors of his study an old man was standing in front of the bookshelf, his back facing the door as if he were perusing the books. Riodhan doubted if the man had any interest in the full abridged works of Charles Hammond, methods of shearing and how to calm the herd.

"Ahem,” Riodhan cleared his throat.

The old man turned around, holding a knife and a slice of cheese to his lips. He was cradling the whole wheel of cheese against his chest as if he were afraid someone would try to steal it. "You shouldn’t sneak up on a wizard and his snack,” he managed to mumble as crumbs fell from his lips and into his long beard.

"We both know very well that you knew I was coming,” Riodhan said as he observed the crumb covered wizard. It wasn’t just the fact that the doors were too heavy to be silent when opened. Oh no, this man was sharper than he let on. Riodhan shook his head and made his way to the desk.

"True, but that is no excuse for lack of manners,” the wizard scolded. He popped another piece of cheese into his mouth and closed his eyes, savoring it. Riodhan had known Bolithius for many years and considered the wizard of Huile one of his closest confidants. The wizard was a glutton for punishment though when it came to his food.

"You might want to slow down on your ‘snack’, remember the last time you ate a whole wheel in one sitting?” Riodhan sat at his large, darkened desk, the message waiting for him that Gronthe had mentioned.

Riodhan grabbed the small knife to cut the plain wax seal as Bolithius chewed vigorously to swallow and respond. "I know good and well how much my body can take, thank you very much. It’s good for me.”

"Yes, so good you clogged up my plumbing. Don’t make me have to take it away.” Riodhan began to open the note, ignoring Bolithius’ reply.

"Try it and see what is left -”

Master,

I hope this finds you well. The time has come. Please meet her at the shore.

I wish I didn’t have to let her go but it must be done. I entrust her into your care.

Forever your faithful servant,

Xavier

"- You would be lucky if I left you with your hands. Are you listening?”

Riodhan didn’t respond, remaining silent and oblivious to the wizard’s threats. Bolithius, curious as to what could pull the man’s attention away during one of their banters, moved closer to peer down at the desk.

"What are you reading?”

Riodhan sat in silence, contemplating the letter and nearly forgetting his friend’s presence entirely. So, the time had come. He needed to set out immediately and his nights’ work would have to wait. Gronthe would not be pleased at the change of schedule, but he knew his servant would be up to the task of taking care of things while he was away. He would require the aid of the wizard as well.

"Bolithius, do you think you could extend your stay a few more nights?”

Bolithius rubbed the cheese, absentmindedly caressing it as he stared at Riodhan. "That shouldn’t be a problem, why?”

Riodhan shook his head at the wizard. "I have to go retrieve a very important item.”

"An important item? Wait. Do you mean-” Bolithius eyes widened, and he dropped his wheel, staring at the Lord.

"Exactly. I should return in a few nights,” Riodhan stood and made his way around the desk to leave, barely missing the wizard’s snack as he went towards the door.

"Oh my! Oh, there is so much to do. I can’t believe it is time. OH! My snack.” He bent down and snatched up the forgotten wheel, dusting it off and tucking it back under his arm. "I shall await your return, my Lord.”

Riodhan fetched for Gronthe, setting in motion preparations to leave immediately. As he waited for the carriage to be brought round, he thought of Xavier. The man had been a loyal member of his staff for many years and had taken on a special mission for Riodhan a year ago. Unfortunately, the man had been unable to separate emotion from work. Riodhan had granted his blessing for Xavier to leave his service to be with the woman he had fallen in love with, and they kept correspondence every so often. The world had changed the day he had sent Xavier on that mission.

***

The night air seemed to be coaxing Riodhan as he stood along the shore. The coach was well far enough back that the human driver shouldn’t be able to overhear anything, and Sten should be in position if needed. In the distance, he could see his appointment gliding in. She arrived on leather-like wings, landing on the beach, and holding a white bundle. Seeing him, the woman cautiously strode forward, glancing side to side.

"Are you Lord Riodhan?” she asked.

"Yes, I am assuming you are-”

"Don’t say my name,” the woman interrupted, "She has eyes and ears everywhere.” She continued to survey the area, pausing to stare at the tree line. "Is he with you?”

Riodhan regarded her with mild curiosity. "He is.”

The succubus eyed him down, her gaze flicking between his steel-like gaze and the man hiding in the tree line. She inhaled a long breath and held it for a few beats before exhaling and returning her sight to him.

"All right then. Here is the package.”

She approached him and gently placed the bundle in his arms. She hesitated but a moment, her hands lightly laying upon it before pulling back. Rhiodan lifted the corner of the cloth to see a small sleeping baby. He noted how fragile humans are as he searched for the babies’ hands. Laying in the child’s right palm was a mark, the pyramid of ascension. Satisfied, he bundled the babies’ hands with enough care to not wake the sleeping babe.

The woman hugged herself as if cold, her wings enclosing her body like a cloak. "Will you protect her?”

Rhiodan regarded the sleeping babe in his arms, "Yes, I shall keep her safe till it is time for her to fulfill her purpose.”

The woman nodded and started to turn but turned back towards him. "She likes her milk warm, and to be sung to when she goes to sleep.”

"Thank you,” Rhiodan told her, calming her a bit. "I will see that she receives adequate care.”

And with that the succubus left, lonelier than when she had arrived. Rhiodan cradled the babe to him as he walked into the tree line. "You were spotted… Don’t let it happen again,” he called to Sten.

Sten dropped to the ground behind his master. "Yes, Sire.”

They continued towards the coach, safely waiting near the road. With each step the baby’s eyes seemed to squeeze tighter as the jarring sensation began to wake it from its slumber. Rhiodan began to levitate slightly off the ground, making for a smoother ride for her and lulling her back to sleep. He made sure to remain low enough that his floating would be hardly noticeable to the coach driver in the dark and remained just barely a loft of the ground.

This child would one day save them all, but not now. Now, she was a frail infant, anyone’s prey, and a target. Finding a suitable hiding place would be difficult, but he had help waiting for him back in Bachron. Shouldn’t keep the wizard waiting too long or he may return to a home with empty cupboards. His snacking was routine when things were well enough but add in any kind of pressure and the man would develop an endless abyss for a stomach.

"Driver, home.”

Rhiodan climbed into the carriage and settled into the cushions. It was going to be a long ride, but they should reach the castle before dawn. He peered down at the child in the darkened carriage to see two eyes the color of the sea staring straight up at him just before they shut and a wailing began to come forth from the baby’s lips. Her cries of hunger began to grow louder before they had even made it onto the main road. Rhiodan tried to quiet her, but she only went from crying to screaming. He laid his finger against the babe’s mouth and the babe began routing around, grasped it between her lips and began to suckle. Rhiodan smiled down at the suckling babe, who quickly realized that this would not give her the sustenance she was craving and squalled around his finger.

"Driver, stop at the nearest house for warm milk.”