12, Ankto 5397
Dear Journal,
Silva came to me last night. It was after the eleventh bell. You can imagine how surprised I was when the Cortura portal opened and she came through with a small bundle in her arms.
"Silva!" I exclaimed. "What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"
When she did nothing but stare at me with tears streaming down her face, I knew something was seriously wrong. I quickly sat her down and she told me her story.
"You know how close Mec and I are of course? Well, you can't know how close. Everyone thought the times we were alone were just typical private times between step brother and sister."
She turned away, obviously trying to compose herself. When she somewhat regained control over her emotions, she turned back. My heart broke over the misery I saw all too clearly in her eyes.
She took a deep breath. "They weren't. We were in love. We both knew of his father's plans for him to marry well, but Mec was sure he could change his mind."
She sighed. "He didn't. Before we knew it, his father had it all arranged. His marriage to Nalewa and my dismissal to my uncle's. When he found out, Mec came to me. He... he told me that there would never be anyone else for him but me. I... we..."
Closing her eyes, she swallowed hard. "Things got out of hand. After that night, I was sent to my uncle's."
She carefully unwrapped the bundle she held until a tiny face peeked out. "This is the only evidence of Mec's love for me."
She handed the babe to me. I melted when the tiny brown eyes met mine. The little one's forehead creased with concentration, almost as if he was trying to see into my soul.
Silva interrupted my thoughts. "My uncle has fallen into serious debt. Nalewa has expressed a desire for a personal companion and Mec's father has decided that he will forgive his debt if I agreed to fill that position."
"Will it not be an awkward position for you?" I inquired.
She nodded, weariness etching her features. "It will be difficult, but I will bear it as best I can. However I cannot take the babe with me. If Mec were to see him..."
I frowned and opened my mouth. Silva leaned forward and gripped my arm with an intensity that surprised me. "I can't, indeed I won't, do anything that will jeopardize Mec's marriage. His position to do good for the future of Darrance would suffer too much harm if his,..." She bit her lip. "His... youthful indiscretion were found out."
She leaned back. "I guess what I'm trying to ask is, will you take care of him?"
I sighed. "You know I'll do whatever I can for you, Silva."
"And will you promise to never reveal his true parentage?" Her eyes met mine with unflinching intensity.
I frowned. "I'm none too happy about it, but I will abide by your wishes."
Her eyes closed with relief. "Thank you, Buvim. Now I must go before I'm missed."
"Wait." She hesitated in the middle of standing up. "What is the babe's name?"
She came to where I sat and caressed the babe's head. With tears in her eyes, she spoke but one word. "Colby."
~to be continued~
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