The second Duchess
Senator Tiloki, Duke of Idras, was halfway through the time-consuming and complicated process of getting dressed when someone knocked at the door to his apartments.
"My lord? I have to speak with you!"
"Wait just one moment, I will have time for you shortly."
Once Tiloki was done, he turned to face the door.
"You may enter."
The housekeeper's wife, Mrs. Miller, entered, carrying a basket. Her husband followed, looking curious.
"When I opened the outer gate this morning, I found this", Mrs. Miller explained, inclining her head towards the basket. "There is a letter enclosed, addressed to you..."
She handed him the basket. Tiloki jumped. Inside the basket, covered only in a thin blanket, lay a newborn child. Golden hair curled around the tiny face. The baby was fast asleep.
Then, suddenly, one arm moved and the blanket slid. Tiloki's eyes immediately locked on the mark on the child's chest, black against the marble skin.
Mrs. Miller gasped. "Senator – what does that mean?"
"I think I know the answer, but first I have to read this letter."
He carefully placed the basket on a small table, then he opened the letter.
My dear Tiloki,
I am sorry to impose on you like that, but I know no-one else who could help me... My clan would never permit me to keep her, that's why I wanted to ask you to take her in. Her name is Maian... She is our daughter. Please, I beg of you, keep her and raise her as your daughter. I have heard stories about the terrible abuse children like her have to suffer and I want to spare her that... Please give to her the token I have enclosed.
Maian, if you should ever read this, know that your mother is very, very sorry. I wanted to keep you so much, but the Tribe would exile both of us and that would surely result in our deaths. Please forgive me for not being stronger...
I should probably mention another thing. I know you beorc like staying in your grand palaces, but we herons need nature to stay healthy. I do not know how much Maian will be affected by that, so please be sure to let her out into the open as much as possible.
Love, Sybille
Tiloki folded the letter and looked up.
"It is just as I thought. Please fetch Liane."
Tiloki refused to tell the housekeeper anything while his wife went to wake Liane. He just watched the sleeping girl – his younger daughter.
"What is it, father?"
Liane entered the room and looked curiously at the basket.
"Close the door", Tiloki instructed Mrs. Miller. "No-one must know what we are talking about."
All three of them immediately realized he was serious.
"Father, please tell us what is going on!", Liane urged.
Tiloki nodded. "Liane, this is Maian, your younger sister."
Liane stared at him, then she dashed across the room to take a look at the baby.
"She is cute! But – who is her mother?"
"Sybille. A member of the heron-clan."
"But that means – that my sister – is one of the Branded."
"Yes. And I do not need to tell you what that means."
"Are we going to keep her?"
"We are. And I want to make this clear – Maian is above all your sister and a member of House Idras."
Liane nodded. "Of course. I understand. She is your daughter, after all."
Relieved, Tiloki turned to face his servants.
"As for the two of you, I would prefer it if you had not known about Maian's true nature in the first place, but now it cannot be helped. I must ask you to make a vow of silence. You must never tell anyone about this, or it might cause a tragedy."
The two of them nodded.
"Of course. Our allegiance lies with House Idras. Should you accept this child as your law- and rightful daughter, we will serve her as we serve you."
"I am relieved to hear that."
"Father, what is that?"
Liane had pulled something from the envelope.
Tiloki took it from her hand and examined it closely.
"Those are strands of Sybille's hair, and two of her feathers. This has to be the token she mentioned in her letter."
Tiloki picked up the basket.
"We should better get to work. We have a lot to do."
