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Trista concentrated on the newly planted seeds now placed around the fountain that fronted the church of Arhus in the small hamlet of Thisted. Her arms outstretched over the narrow strip focused her energies as deep brown soil suddenly produced green sprouts. Soon, large, full rose bushes emerged as she relaxed and opened her blue eyes to enjoy the fruits of her efforts.

"Nice," Vicana congratulated as the druidess packed the remaining tools into her backpack. "You've mastered that list well."

Trista pulled back the hood on her forest green cloak to reveal long, curly blonde hair. Being twenty two, she had already seen and accomplished more than most in her graduating class at Sonvico. She smiled and nodded in respect to her mentor who was only two years older. "I guess I can do something right after all."

The brunette chuckled and patted her friend on the shoulder as Trista noticed two of the resident priests step out from the chapel as the younger seemed to be agitated. He glanced back inside as the elder cleric closed the main door and turned to him.

"I can't believe that we could've been so blind to this abomination in our own town. Adalarsan should be purged from his heresy and those beasts that he's created should be sent back to the Dark One."

The grey haired father of the town representing the deity of justice eyed his overzealous acolyte. "We need to verify this rumor first before we do something against His will, brother. I will visit the alchemist myself and see what he and his wife have done."

Vicana also listened intently on the facts as she glanced sidelong to Trista. They both stepped out onto the central walkway as Father Gregory approached and straightened his cloak.

"You've done a beautiful job on the garden, sisters. I and the church thank you," his gravely voice lauded their efforts as he passed.

"Sir," Vicana began. "I couldn't help but overhear your issue with this alchemist and I was wondering if we might accompany you. It was to this sort of event that we've been trained."

Trista watched as tanned hands went to his beltline and brown eyes stared uncomfortably. "I appreciate your offer, but this is a matter for my attention as it's in my own town. You are from the Kingdom of Baden, are you not?"

"We are, sir. However, the Lady's eyes are on all life and she has no boundaries to her love."

Trista noted that the comment stung the cleric as brows dropped and his thin lips pursed. He eyed both of them and then nodded reluctantly. They followed him to a modest home within the market square, passed vendors plying their wares, mothers corralling unruly children and militia patrolling the streets. He knocked on the door loudly and they waited.

"Now let me do the talking," he insisted.

Vicana nodded, "Of course".

After a moment, a young pregnant woman opened the door and smiled warmly. Her light blue dress couldn't hide the protruding belly as she wiped her hands on a dirty apron.
"My lord, how may I help you?"

"Is your husband, Adalarsan, home?"

"No, sir. He's delivering some potions to the apothecary at the moment, but he should be home soon if you wish to wait."

"That would be kind of you, yes."

As the priest and Vicana stepped into the comfortable, clean home, Trista lagged behind as the young woman closed the door.

"I'm Trista. Vicana and I are druidesses from Sonvico."

"It's a pleasure, my lady," kind green eyes smiled. "What brings you to Thisted?"

"We've been traveling throughout the southern part of this kingdom, helping where we can," Vicana informed.

"Can I offer you anything?"

"No," Father Gregory returned as their eyes all fell on a young boy sitting near the hearth reading. Trista noted that the boy was missing the lower halves of both legs and immediately felt pity for him.

"What happened to your son," the priest asked as he neared the boy.

His mother intercepted the cleric nervously. "He was born that way, sir. But, Samad is a bright boy and may someday become an alchemist himself."

Trista could sense the mother's protective instincts kick in and totally understood as her blue eyes scanned to a sandy haired girl whose eyes stared blankly as she felt her way along the wall into the large room. Their mother immediately moved to take her hands and led her daughter to another chair.

"We have guests, mother," she asked. Trista's heart melted as the angelic voice echoed in her mind. Why would The Lady allow these beautiful children to be handicapped this way and how would their unborn sibling turn out? She grabbed Vicana's arm as she swallowed hard.

"Yes, Negan. Father Gregory from the church and two sisters of Elminoir have come to visit us."

"It's a pleasure, sir, ladies," the thin, tanned girl smiled.

Gregory nodded as he rose.

"The pleasure is ours, Negan," Vicana greeted.

The priest turned to leave, "Yoneko, tell your husband that I need to see him as soon as he gets home".

She rose and Trista noted the nervous green eyes follow the priest. "Of course."

"It was a pleasure meeting all of you," Vicana smiled and they turned to follow their elder guide. Trista also smiled as she headed outside with them.

"Take care," Yoneko called out as she headed to close the door.

"I don't think her husband is far away," Vicana said as they headed into the busy square. "Can't we wait?"

"I've seen enough," the agitation in the cleric's voice made Trista nervous as she stopped with her mentor and watched him fade into the sea of color.

"We can't allow him to take those children from their mother," Trista knew how far this could go and she didn't want to be responsible for destroying what appeared to be a happy home despite the obstacles.

"I want you to pray with me and ask for Her guidance in this," Vicana requested as they headed to a private grove near a chapel dedicated to Yaeby. Trista and she sat down in the shadow of the large willow and closed her eyes.

'Merciful Mother, we ask your guidance in this matter of Yoneko and her children. Help us to discern rightly how to help as well as how to proceed with what we've witnessed. We await your answer.' Trista calmed her breathing as she could hear the gentle breeze through the large leaves, the pigeons cooing and the movement of all life around them. Suddenly, she felt the presence of someone nearby and knew their response had come.
"Thank you," Vicana sighed. Trista opened her eyes and looked into the brown eyes of her friend who stared at the grass for a moment, then turned to her. She could tell the serious look and knew that this would take some diplomacy.

"You ready to become a mother," Vicana asked.

Trista stared blankly. "What?"

That night, they drifted among the shadows to the home of Adalarsan and his family. Through the upper window Trista could hear the cries of labor as Yoneko was delivering their third child. Vicana hadn't told her much of what their role in this discreet mission was yet, but she trusted her companion implicitly. Soon the quiet streets resumed to the distant barks of dogs and the night. They waited on the edge of the market, fully cloaked as the front door soon opened to reveal a young man, unshaven and tired.

"Take care of him," he implored as he handed Vicana a wrapped bundle. She in turn handed Adalarsan a pouch without saying a word and turned to leave. Trista noted the concern in the father's eyes melt to satisfaction as he closed the door. The two wraith-like forms blended back into the shadows as they made their way back to their horses and mounted up for the long journey back home.

Once out into the forest covered road, Vicana stopped. Trista rode up beside her and watched as the child's bearer whispered something. Suddenly, her right forefinger lit to brighten up the boy's ruddy, angelic face. Vicana quickly checked and noted that he had all of his fingers and toes.
"And nothing extra," Vicana smiled and glanced upward. "Thank you."

"What are we going to do with him?"

"Sceva is now our responsibility, and he is a gift from our Mother. He will be a great servant of Hers, I've seen it. He's going to make us all proud," she kissed him on the forehead as Trista reached out to touch his hand.

"I'm still not clear as to why we've rescued Sceva," Trista hoped for some explanation.

"His father was an animist. It was his own experiments that created the handicaps in his other two children. They however are already under their mother's care. Elminoir wishes us to raise and care for him in the manner she is a mother to all of us."

The light on Vicana's finger extinguished and they began their trek back to Sonvico.