PART I:
The day came when the royal court of Mithar was convened and became unlike any other and changed the realm forever. Several lords throughout the land had gathered to bring their petitions before the King when suddenly a lowly minister carrying a babe in his arms whispered to the royal scribe. She stood before her lord, which was highly unusual saying, “Sire, this one must be allowed to speak.”
Before, the now-silent court, Korale told the lowly minister, “Speak and be heard by all.”
“I am no one beneath your sandals oh King of the realm, likewise, are you before the throne of Alno’ilmana Lord of the All Domains, in this matter most grievous I must be heard, and this matter settled.” Turning to the court, the minister addressed them saying, “This babe is but a few days old, and its tether still attached, naked was it discovered upon the steps of the Marble Gazebo, even beside the Great Hall of the Brotherhood and by its servants was this child recovered. My king and his loyal court never have such a thing been known before and neither the sacred priesthood nor city guards have learned the heritage of this life, whose matter is now yours to decide our King.” With that the lowly priest laid the babe, wrapped in swaddling, at the feet of the throned ruler, as he then stood beside the scribe Cirrus again.
Before the king could utter a word, his queen interrupted, “Scandalously horrific and shameful could this thing have occurred. Surely its mother felt no recourse and feared shunning by her family. My husband, how could such a thing be allowed and thwarted henceforth, pray?”
Without touching the sleeping babe, Korale lend forward peering down at it sadly for a long while, then at last spoke, “Call together all the people of the realm, and make it a decree of urgency, that in three days all the people shall appear before the Crown and this matter addressed and settled. Court dismissed.”
It was then the mayor of Kathos spoke, “Dismissed? But my lord there is still much to be discussed.”
“Court dismissed.” At that, the wall-lined guards began clearing the chamber of everyone. At his stern face, even the queen knew Korale was immoveable, when in such distressed form. He picked the child up embracing it as he bitterly wept. His watching wife was greatly moved to tears at the sight.
That evening King Korale spoke to minor priests who maintained the Great Meet Hall, and only of his needs, for presentation but nothing of his intentions. For three days he refused to speak to anyone, or to eat and was served only wine upon his throne. If he spoke to anyone it was to Circus his nine-year-old scribe. Her training instilled steadfastness as she never left the king’s side, (except when visited the queen’s bed chamber, bathed, or relieved himself in the privy).
Before, the now-silent court, Korale told the lowly minister, “Speak and be heard by all.”
“I am no one beneath your sandals oh King of the realm, likewise, are you before the throne of Alno’ilmana Lord of the All Domains, in this matter most grievous I must be heard, and this matter settled.” Turning to the court, the minister addressed them saying, “This babe is but a few days old, and its tether still attached, naked was it discovered upon the steps of the Marble Gazebo, even beside the Great Hall of the Brotherhood and by its servants was this child recovered. My king and his loyal court never have such a thing been known before and neither the sacred priesthood nor city guards have learned the heritage of this life, whose matter is now yours to decide our King.” With that the lowly priest laid the babe, wrapped in swaddling, at the feet of the throned ruler, as he then stood beside the scribe Cirrus again.
Before the king could utter a word, his queen interrupted, “Scandalously horrific and shameful could this thing have occurred. Surely its mother felt no recourse and feared shunning by her family. My husband, how could such a thing be allowed and thwarted henceforth, pray?”
Without touching the sleeping babe, Korale lend forward peering down at it sadly for a long while, then at last spoke, “Call together all the people of the realm, and make it a decree of urgency, that in three days all the people shall appear before the Crown and this matter addressed and settled. Court dismissed.”
It was then the mayor of Kathos spoke, “Dismissed? But my lord there is still much to be discussed.”
“Court dismissed.” At that, the wall-lined guards began clearing the chamber of everyone. At his stern face, even the queen knew Korale was immoveable, when in such distressed form. He picked the child up embracing it as he bitterly wept. His watching wife was greatly moved to tears at the sight.
That evening King Korale spoke to minor priests who maintained the Great Meet Hall, and only of his needs, for presentation but nothing of his intentions. For three days he refused to speak to anyone, or to eat and was served only wine upon his throne. If he spoke to anyone it was to Circus his nine-year-old scribe. Her training instilled steadfastness as she never left the king’s side, (except when visited the queen’s bed chamber, bathed, or relieved himself in the privy).
On the third day, following the deliverance of an abandoned babe unto the King of Mithar, all the realm of Eriduah had turned out as commanded by royal decree. City lords, their courts, Priests, and even prophets were seen mingling among the gathering crowds. Upon the middle, platformed steps of the watchtower called Varlendur was erected a prayer stone altar, with lit lamps to either side. Two rows of armed knights ran along the foot of the great steps and lined their way up to the immense tower. Its bell rang out instantly silencing the city as the heavy-timbered, iron-clad doors split open inward revealing the exiting king alone, and with crying babe in arms the only sound heard. Stopping before the pillared stand, Korale laid the child to rest who then fell silent as the king called out, “This child was abandoned and left for dead by its unclaimed mother who desired only to be rid of it and then fleeing. Fruitless was the efforts of many in finding the woman. For whatever shame she felt placed upon her she turned her back on this newborn life.”
He continued, “From this day henceforth let it be known that if a mother does this again and is found she shall be devested of her life before all, even as her family sought to shun her, they in turn shall be shunned instead.” Pointing to the skies overhead, “This is the will: From henceforth, a foundling such as this shall be known as a forfeited life. What is done now shall be the ritual performed before all the people, the ‘rite of calling forth.’ After such a rite, the first woman to be declared with child shall have it forfeited as the reincarnation of the forfeited life given up. For on that day, it shall be taken from her, and shall no longer belong to the mother but dedicated unto the blessed service of Alno’ilmana’s Brotherhood all the days of its life. This is by command and sacred decree, a law unbreakable unto all future generations.”
Then, to the utter shock and horror of all those in attendance that day before the Lord King, Korale anointed the babe, emptying a full flask of oil, and then scattered the fire from a nearby lamp onto the bundled mass. The infant's screaming cries fell short before the gasps of the overwhelmed crowds. None moved from where they stood. Korale never took his gaze off the child until it was fully consumed. Then, at long last he turned away without a word and reentered the great doors from where he came and was ever a changed man after that stark day.
As the crowds abated it was the Lord High Priest who came and claimed the ash remains. Taking them to the Great Hall he carefully added them atop the ash of Mithar’s founding Watchers and closed the enormous, gilded urn.
. . . .
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