The Prince's Sacrifice

Chapter 8: A New Family

At a farmer's cottage near the edge of the woods, a man and woman looked up as they heard the galloping of horse hoofs. Sweat glistened on the semi bare chest of the man who had been chopping wood to add to their supply. The woman looked up briefly before going back to beating the rugs she had pulled from their modest cottage. She was heavy with child but being a farmer's wife, she had chores to do or they would fall behind on their winter preparations. "Whoa," a man in shrouds said as he steadied his black mare. A tiny face peeked around the shrouds of the mysterious man before hiding her head in the shrouds. "Can I help you," the man that had been chopping wood moments before asked. "I am looking for a safe place for my charge. The girl is young and learns quickly. Labor will not be a problem for her, either. I ask that you take her as your own. I am her protector and trust that she will be safe and secure here. I can offer you a financial reward for taking her, good sir and ma'am," the stranger said in a hurried tone. The woman looked up as she was addressed confusion filled her face but as soon as she seen the stranger's charge, she rushed over, taking care not to spook the man's mare. "Oh my, Peter, it's a fairy child," she said warming to the idea of taking the child as their new charge. "No, Mariam, my love. A young fairyling is not what we need. I'm sorry but we can't take the child it doesn't matter what her work ethic is, I don't need anyone 'round here to know that we are harboring a fugitive no matter how young she might be," the man said firmly. Tears welled up in the woman's eyes but she made little sound, nodding her understanding. 

"I am very sorry to hear that good sir. With a child on the way, I would think that you would want another pair of hands to help with the chores. Thank you for your time," the stranger said. He turned as if to ride off, but then looked at Peter. "If you change your mind we will be in town for a fortnight," the shrouded man said before riding off towards the nearest town.  

Crowds of people bustled in the marketplace, Anisa snuggled into Ryder's chest for comfort. Ryder patted her hand as they rode to the nearest livery stable and inn. "I don't like this either, but it is necessary for us to find you a safe place," he whispered. 

In the days that followed, they stayed in the main hall always keeping to themselves. No one paying much mind to the strangers. The morning that Ryder was ready to give up hope of the humans actually wanting Anisa, the man stepped hesitantly through the doorway. Looking around nervously, he spotted Ryder and the child. Making his way over he cleared his throat nervously. "Good sir, is there a more private place that we can talk business," he asked Ryder as he approached the both of them. He nodded leading him to their room.

"Does the offer still stand for the fairyling," Peter asked. Ryder nodded once, "It does. Have you had a change of heart?" Peter blushed, "The change of heart is more my wife's doing. She is convinced that this little one of yours is the perfect help that she needs when the baby comes. When am I to argue with her when she gets an idea in her head." Ryder smiled nodding his understanding, women could be bullheaded sometimes. 

After the arrangements for Anisa had been made, Ryder looked at the child. Her expression terrified. He knelt down, hugging her. "Be a brave girl. These people will keep you safe I promise," he spoke softly to the frightened Anisa. She held tightly to him, he was the safest person she had been with and she did not want to leave that. "Come little one," Peter said gently. 

*** 

The memory of leaving Anisa with the humans awoke Ryder, along with the crying of baby Tanis. "I'm coming little one," he said groggily. He stumbled in the cavern that he had made his home, coming over to the crying babe. The moment he came closer, Tanis, quieted down, cooing. Still trying to figure out what to do with his new niece, he sighed taking her in his arms. He had no idea how to raise a young fairyling and his connections were severed the moment they rescued the princess from the Lord Victor Adams. Grief over his brother and sister-in-law still fresh brought tears to Ryder's eyes. He allowed himself to feel it before putting the sleeping Tanis back down in the makeshift bed he had crafted for her. Sitting on the edge of the ledge that he had been sleeping on, Ryder thought to reach out to Mags, but it was too risky. For now, he would build a more suitable place for the both of them.