The Scheme of All Things: Part I

25

"Are you Le'adida?" His voice was rounded and matter of fact is intonation led her to believe he already knew the answer.

"Why are you asking and who is the child?" She hoped by changing the focus to the child would disorient the man and reveal his nature.

But when he spoke again, it was clear it hadn't.

He raised one hand while keeping the child secure in the crook of his other arm, and pulled the hood of the cloak down revealing, in part, his face. He knelt down letting the bag slide off his shoulder with a clump as it hit the ground. He deftly grabbed the bag and pulled it front of him, digging through it with his free hand the child squirming and fidgitting.

"My name is Luthe and I was told that you, Le'adida, would help me; more specifically, the child." When he finished his sentence he stopped ruffling in the bag and looked up at her for a response.

Le'adida looked down at him for a long while before responding and when she did, she knelt as well pulling from seemingly thin air, a primitive tray and kettle with two small cups set to the sides.

"Tea?" She inquired.

"Please"

"Tell me sorcerer, who told you I would help you, or your child?"

"It is not my child. The child is the heir to the vanquished Igre tribe, son of their king."

With a smirk she replied: "If they are vanquished, what exactly is he heir to?"

Luthe sat still and contemplated her rhetorical question, studying her face, then extended his hand to except the tea and took a loud sip.

"Heir to tremendous power. Power that many others seek."

The lioness chuckled, "and I am to be his great protector? I know of men and their desire for power, it is insatiable and often results in tremendous violence. How is it that you think I am the one best suited for this position?"

The sorcerer moved the bag away pulling a smaller snuff bag from inside. He placed the end of the string closing the bag in his mouth and pulled on the opening. Once open he reached inside pulling something on out pinched between his fingers. Le'adida could smell something bitter as soon as he opened the bag and it grew stronger when he pulled his fingers out.

He moved the tray of tea off to the side, still holding the fussy baby in his arms, then with his pinky, made a small cup in the dirt and released the substance from between his finger into the tiny hole. Snapping his fingers a puff of silky white smoke rose from its center and was followed by a small, glowing fire.

Leaded could feel the warmth from it immediately and despite its teeny nature, the heat felt like that of a normal fire, the light from it as well, opened up all the shadows produced by the dawn sun.

The fire light illuminated Luthe's face and she could finally see it in detail. When she looked into his eyes there was a glow, a deep ancient fire that was burned into his eyes, burned into his soul and it occurred to her that her question was answered.

"The Wyrd has come to you? The spirit lioness said excitedly. "That's who sent you! That's who told you of me."

Luthe merely smiled in response.

Le'adida sat back and put her pinky in her mouth, absently chewing the claw at the end of it. It made perfect sense to her now and what more, gave her little choice in the matter. But ever the skeptic, she wondered how this would benefit the sorcerer- but then just as quickly dismissed it. Everyone seeks a benefit, just as she would benefit from protecting the child, what the payoff was, was meaningless, at least for now. If the child were left here with her, then it would be for several years, until the child was old enough to think on its feet, and by then their, his designs would be known.

She looked back into the eyes of the man again, possible maybe, she thought, but not familiar. The mark of the Wyrd glowed behind his eyes while he sipped gently at the tea, unconsciously rocking the baby in his free arm.

She stretched out her arms to the sorcerer and almost dropping his cup of tea, took Baror in both hands and gave him to her. She brought him to her breast and looking down cooed gently to him. She thought he was a beautiful young boy, a bit dirtied for a man-child, but beautiful none-the-less.

"How long will he stay?" She asked without looking up.

"It's hard to say, I hope until the boy reaches manhood. I will check on him when I'm able, but I'm afraid it will be sometime before I am back again."

"Some time for you perhaps sorcerer, I am of spirit here, time flows slowly." She continued to rock the baby, then looked back at the man with new intensity.

"Here me sorcerer, when I take the child, this child becomes like my own." As she continued her voice took on a menacing tone, almost a growl. "And his enemies will be treated as such, as I would deal with anyone who threatens my cubs-the gods will fear my vengeance."

"I understand," he said as he stood, bag in hand. "I have to go, as I said there are others..." he trailed off as he saw the glare from Le'adida's eyes. "Take care Le'adida, and may Atis protect you."

"Wait! She said scrambling nimbly to her feet as the man turned to go. "His name, what is the child's name?"

"Baror, son of Guomundr. Fare well Le'adida." With a short bow and a smile, he pulled the cloak back around him and walked off towards the horizon again. The next time she looked up, he was gone.

Le'adida rocked the baby and sat back down near the entrance to the makeshift den. She could hear some of the cubs stirring as they became aware of her presence. She looked deep into the child's eyes as the child stared back into hers, his face a portrait of silent content and she whispered, "Baror, son of Guomndr. Welcome home my son."

End of Book 1