2 The stars of Abasaba part. 2

As her steps were getting slower, the path through the forest to the wooden house down the hill, was getting longer and longer. The girl was holding onto her belly, which soon enough would disappear since the birth of the baby will happen in any moment.

"Just a little longer and I shall make it home...we shall make it home..." carrying a luggage after her, the girl was only a few meters away. Drops of sweat were travelling down her face, leaving the scarf around her neck wet. From just around the corner, through the dark night that took over the Empire, some dog bark noises could be heard over the fence of the wooden house. The dogs were agitated and anxious about the steps that were coming closer and closer to their master's house.

"Don, go check the barns. I think that bratty fox came for the hunt again. Make sure the doors are closed properly, I will check the front gate in case is open." With an oil lamp in her old hands, the woman opened the door and looked around for any clues that can be making the dogs that anxious. In front of the gate that was about to fall off anyway, the tired, fragile girl was leaning onto the stone fence.

"Oh my gracious Lord. Don!!! Come here faster and help me get Gloria inside. Poor thing look at you, all messy and alone in night time when you could've been hurt or even murder. My dear..." as her words were finding a way out from her mouth, the woman stopped and covered her mouth with her hands when here eyes witnessed the state of the girl.

Her husband came quickly and in an instant they brought the girl inside, laying her on a wooden bed that instead of the mattress that she loved to lay on in the manor house, it was a fur yet comfortable enough. There was no time to waste and no minutes should be took for granted since her breath fast changed, running through her lungs at a full speed. Around her a few children were being witness to the birth she was about to have, not scared, but curious about what was to happen with their older sister.

"Talia, go bring a bowl with water from the fountain and a wet cloth. Near to my room in the corner of the wardrobe, there are some new unused towels, bring them here along with the fur coat hanged next to my bed." as her mother spoke, it began. The door of the room got closed and the kids with their father along, were outside of it, hearing the pain that the fragile 18 years old girl was going through. After a long hour, a crying baby could be heard and so on all the tension around the house was at a low level.

"I knew it that I should have never allow her to go to work into the city. All this disgrace she brought home, making the whole village look down on us for sending our daughters away but bringing them back unmarried and on the top of it, with a child. Amusing is that she had the courage to come back home in her state." the father was angry and his emotions were to show off out of fear for her daughter that went to a strange place, and came home in a state he never saw.

There was silence in the room after a while, all the kids were smiling and looking at the small baby that was moving its' hands and legs at a free will. "Gloria, where is the father? What are you doing here this late at night? You should've sent word before travelling all this way with a luggage and a baby."

"There's no father and will never be. What happened it was an accident that occurred over a night of amusement at the Tailoring Festival in the city."

"So you were to the city to play with men? Gloria we've raised you and looked after you with all the time and patience that we had. Can't you see? The house is already full with seven kids, your older sisters are already married and living a happy life, but what about you? How will you earn for this child? Who knows if it will even live to see the tomorrow light at the fragile state she is." her mother said.

"You sent letters and told us what an amazing life you live and that soon enough you will be able to settle with an charismatic and caring man that hold lands, wineries, barn and money. All those words that were written on the empty pages, were lies. We did our best, sometimes we haven't even eat here with all those animals and kids, so you can play with men?" no one knew the truth behind the story she told her parents, but since Gloria had a complicated personality, none words of her parents were taken to the heart.

"I didn't know I was pregnant. I found out earlier this month since you couldn't even notice. The grand doctor told me that there is nothing he could do about it and it should be carried to the term."

"Gloria, hold your baby and feel her warmth, maybe this way your brain will settle back on the track and make you see the things clearly." as the mother handed over the child to Gloria, the girl pushed her away without showing any emotions.

"I don't need a daughter nor a baby. I can't gain power with a baby like this, it will make the higher society and nobles laugh at me for this disgrace I bring upon them." In that moment the cards were turned and the question of the father side, was almost answered. The old mother stood up and placed the baby into a small basket, covered in warm fur and then approached the girl.

"Tell me, who is the father Gloria? You either want to put everyone in danger because of your wrong doings or you just want to imply fear in our hearts. High society? Do you want them to burn us alive and throw my babies as slaves for this? Gloria, maybe a slap will not bring you back together but this baby has no place in this house nor will you."

Such situation brought everyone on the verge of fear, that tomorrow might never exist again if the higher society finds out. "It was just a short relationship with His Majesty's personal Knight." The atmosphere in the room made everyone boil but not of anger. Who knew what that influence could do to some poor people who had no idea what beds their daughter was jumping on.

The old mother put on a coat and one of her veil to cover her face as she took the basket with the baby in her hand. "You dared to bring fear in my house and make everyone wonder what can happen in the near future. Gloria, take a good look at this baby for this being the last time seeing it. Tomorrow you will be brought to Denver house and marry his son and no discussions should be brought here. I will take care of you if you are unable to control your own life." and with those words, she left the house disappearing into the deep night.

No one knew where she would go or what it will happen with the small soul, but the old mother was crying and for a moment stopped to take a look at the deep blue eyes that were opening and closing themselves for the first time being in that cruel world. Her journey ended in front of stone tower, tall to the sky that only the top lights could be seen, leaving the basket in front of the gate, she kneeled in front of the baby, making sure she won't freeze through the night until someone finds her.

"Dear, to my heart you will be always stuck and through my prayers your image without a name will always be put. Grow strong and always stay wise, work hard for everything you want, desire and wish for and show everyone that no matter how many times you fail, you need no hands to bring you up. Dear child, forgive your mother for she has brought you to this world without a sign of good life and make your way back home where you belong."

Leaving the basket there, the women stood up and left not even thinking that behind the door there was a man. His long white hair, his young appearance and the red cloak he was wearing, gave the out the image of nothing else but a mage of the tower. The door opened and he looked down at his feet, just to see a baby wrapped in a fur, sucking on her own fingers. On its face a smile appeared and without a hesitation, he took the baby in his arms and closed the door, knowing what he has to do from that moment on.