Year of the Fledgling

By Linda Kage

Theron, the Eradicator, has one job: to protect the people of Starcast by killing the deadly creatures that attack them. That’s it.

Being an Eradicator comes with a heavy price, however, for he’s strictly prohibited from having any kind of personal contact with the villagers.

But one night, he sneaks into the town’s harvest festival, anyway, and meets Xia, the lovely, young healer’s apprentice.
As Theron and Xia grow close, it becomes harder to tell what’s more dangerous: risking a fatal injury while battling dark ones or risking fatal punishment by beginning a secret, forbidden dalliance.

In either case, doom seems to be the only outcome, and tension mounts as love and danger blur across the reach of this fantastical, seaside landscape.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Kage
• Release date: Jul 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798986599182

Linda Kage

The youngest of eight children, Linda Kage grew up on a dairy farm in the Midwest. She now lives in Kansas with her husband, daughter, and nine cuckoo clocks. Linda is a member of Romance Writers of America and its local chapter, Midwest Romance Writers.

Book preview

the legend

OF THE DARK ONES

When one small dwarf planet among the stars was young, its creator captured the worst abominations to mutate and prowl her world, and she buried them deep under the Cold Sea, just north of the mainland, in the hopes of keeping her people safe.

But the creatures fought back for their freedom. They pushed up against the roof of their prison, heaving at the earth above them until they formed a new island in the middle of the fathomless waters, and then they kept pushing until they shoved a mountain right up into the center of that island.

Decades passed, and curious voyagers discovered this patch of ground created by the dreadful beings under their feet, only to settle there and make it a home for themselves.

But every so often, a dark one would emerge, finding its way to the surface and cutting such an atrocious swash of death and destruction across the land that the people set up a system of warriors to protect them all from their evil foes.

And they called their champions the Eradicators.

As years passed, battles grew more frequent between monster and man, until a prophet foretold the end, saying, The only chance the people of the island have to exterminate the dark ones, once and for all, will come in the year of the great fledgling.

Except no one, not even the prophet, quite knew what that meant.

Presently, hope for the fledgling’s arrival wanes dimmer by the day as the Eradicators’ numbers dwindle ever lower from laying down their lives to keep humankind safe. And many citizens doubt this mysterious foretold year will ever come at all.

Meanwhile, on the northernmost edge of the isle in the small village of Starcast…

magda

AND THE FOURTH SON OF A THIRD DAUGHTER

Magda! I need you in here.

The healer’s apprentice lifted her attention from the bowl at the table where she’d been grinding a poultice into a creamy paste.

Yes, sir. I’m coming, she called back.

After carefully setting her pestle next to the mixture, she lifted the full mortar with both hands and started to turn away, only for a resounding crack of thunder to cause an animal-like whine to yelp from below the very table she’d been working at.

Frowning curiously, Magda crouched to peer under the surface, and she found a young child huddled there with a short mop of disheveled hair, wide, frightened eyes, and two tracks of tears streaking through the grime coating his face.

Well, hello there, she murmured in surprise.

This was the youngest boy of the household, if she recalled correctly, and only two or three years past his birth. She’d seen him and his two older brothers numerous times around the village and at the market with their parents. They’d always been so well-groomed, not a hair or fold of clothing out of place, for they were fine, upstanding, and notable citizens in the community.

It spoke volumes to see the child this filthy and unkempt.

His whimper trembled pathetically as he scurried backward, deeper into the shadows of safety away from her.

Hey, shh… It’s alright, Magda told him gently. You don’t have to be afraid. Everything’s going to be just—

Her reassurances were cut short by an even louder bang of thunder that caused the windows to rattle while a woman’s scream of agony echoed in terrifying waves throughout the cottage.

The child howled.

Magda! the master healer bellowed. "Now."

Yes, okay, okay, she said, bustling back to her feet, only to pause and whisper to the boy, Your mama will be just fine. I swear it.

Hurrying now, she hustled the poultice toward the closed door, where she could hear the woman’s groaning pleas with more clarity.

Two young teens had been pacing in front of the entrance, but they quickly stepped aside to give Magda room to enter, while the woman’s husband remained slumped in a chair next to the door, holding his head in his hands.

Born during a cursed storm, he mumbled feverishly to himself. "Bad omen. It’s all a bad omen. I told her we should’ve ended this misfortune the moment we realized she was carrying. I told that blasted woman. Why did she insist on nurturing it to birth? Damned third daughter… Damned third daughter…"

Third daughter?

Magda sucked in a startled breath and gaped at the man in horror before quickly glancing toward his two oldest boys. They looked as scared as their youngest brother hiding under the table. She wished she could offer them a bit of comfort, but if the mad ravings from their father were true…

Then the Lord have mercy on them all.

She knocked briefly to give warning before she slipped inside the birthing room.

I have the poultice, sir, she announced proudly, trying to draw in a decent lungful of air in the hot, stifling chamber. Would you like me to—

Forget it, her teacher snapped. It’s too late for that now. Just get over here.

So you don’t need—? Magda glanced down in disappointment at the mixture she’d been so eager to share, prepared precisely as it should be. She’d been hoping to impress Master Benson with her superb mixing abilities.

But apparently, that would have to wait.

Okay, then. Reluctantly, she set the pain-numbing salve on a nearby chair and hurried over.

What do you need me to—oh! As soon as she reached the bed where the healer was kneeling between the spread knees of the panting woman, she glanced down to see more than she’d ever wanted to. I—I’m sorry. I hadn’t realized the babe would be crowning so soon.

She blinked in amazement at the patch of hair on the infant’s head that was trying to push its way from its mother’s body.

Magda had birthed three children herself. She was no stranger to the woman’s agony. But she had to admit, she’d never seen it from this vantage point before.

Yes, well… Master Benson concentrated on his task of helping the woman extricate her child more easily. The more you have, the faster they come.

The woman moaned again as another contraction seemed to be gearing up for action.

Get behind her and keep her sitting upright, will you? he instructed in a distracted voice as he waved Magda forward. It will help her push easier.

Yes, sir. Magda hurried to the head of the bed and made eye contact with the woman for the first time since she’d arrived at the cottage. Hello… she offered with a quiet, reassuring smile. Let me help you up, may I? As she held out a kind, supportive hand, the woman blinked at her from pain-filled, pleading eyes.

Can you see the babe? Is it a girl?

Her fingers were clammy and slippery, making Magda tighten her grip so as not to lose her hold.

Only the head’s showing, Magda offered politely, as she assisted the woman with sitting the correct way. Then she crawled onto the mattress behind her and scooted in close, pressing her front to the woman’s back. Hold on to me as tightly as you need.

The woman nodded gratefully and clung to Magda until her fingers turned white from the lack of circulation.

When Master Benson lifted his gaze with a questioning expression, the new mother trembled but bravely announced, Okay, I’m ready.

Magda wasn’t sure how ready she was, though. She had only been apprenticing under the healer for a couple of weeks now, and this was the first birth she’d assisted with. She didn’t want to do anything wrong.

As the woman clamped down on her harder yet and grunted, then groaned, and finally wailed through a push, the words third daughter kept swimming through Magda’s head.

If the mother was honestly the third-born daughter in her family, then this child—if he were a boy—would be her fourth son.

Magda shuddered in concern.

It’d been so long since they’d had a fourth son of a third daughter in the village. She hadn’t even considered the possibility of having to deal with such a situation when she’d agreed to become the next healer’s apprentice.

Glory be. But this poor, unfortunate mother.

Magda could only hope it wasn’t true.

The next few minutes were tense, but the master healer kept such a calm, reassuring voice as he talked the woman through her delivery that Magda found herself in awe of him. He was an amazing teacher, and she hoped to learn much under his steady counsel.

He was smiling and murmuring, There we go… before Magda knew quite where the time had gone.

The new mother probably didn’t share such thoughts, of course. She slumped back against Magda, panting hard and overtaxed after her exhausting struggle.

Yet the first words she managed to utter were, Is it a… Is it…?

Magda watched the healer tuck the child close and swab his finger over the babe’s mouth until it gave a small cry. Its miniature arms and legs jerked as if all this new, outer-womb air affronted it. Then the healer smiled and looked up. Healthy lungs, he announced.

"But is it a girl?" the mother insisted, growing impatient.

Glancing down, Master Benson’s smile faltered. When he lifted his face again, he met Magda’s eyes first.

She knew then the woman would not like what she heard.

It’s a beautiful baby boy, milady, he finally said.

No… the woman sobbed and instantly buried her face in her hands to shudder out her grief. "Nooo!"

Magda winced in sympathy.

The woman would only get a few moon cycles—a year at most—with the child before he’d be taken away for his service. Magda couldn’t imagine losing any of her children in such a horrendous way. She was suddenly very thankful that she was the only daughter her parents had birthed and not a third.

Magda, the healer said, lifting the child in her direction. Take him, will you? He needs to be cleaned and swaddled. And suction his nose and mouth some more. Keep all his airways clear.

Yes, sir. She nodded and then patted the woman’s shoulder sympathetically, for she and her entire family would become outcasts after this.

As she crawled off the bed and the bloody child was passed to her, she looked down into his young but wise and fathomless eyes that opened briefly.

Hi there, little one, she whispered. My, but you’re a handsome charmer, aren’t you? Yes, you are.

She took the infant to a table, where she laid him out on a waiting sheet.

Murmuring soft, soothing words to keep him settled as she attended to him, Magda patiently cleaned away the afterbirth and checked all his air passages before tucking the cloth around him until he was swaddled, snug and warm.

I have a daughter at home, almost as young as you, you know, she told him conversationally as she worked. Xiamara. She’s loud and demanding, always sure to let us know when she wants food or attention. But when she’s happy, she kicks her legs and gurgles with the cutest sounds.

The boy wasn’t loud like Xia, nor did he move all that much. And he didn’t demand a single thing from Magda. He just lay there, his ear tilted her way as if listening to everything she said. She had to tickle the bottoms of his tiny toes every few seconds just to ensure he still could kick and fuss.

Once she had him wrapped securely and back in her arms, the baby turned his head toward her, eyes closed and frail body trusting. It was as if he were thanking her for seeing to his needs.

Magda smiled and stroked a finger along the side of his soft cheek. It was impossible to imagine this precious face becoming a hardened Eradicator. She just wanted to hide him away from his fate and keep him safe forever.

But reality prevailed.

With a relenting sigh, she returned to the bedside and offered the infant to the new mother just as Master Benson finished treating her. Magda’s smile trembled with sympathy as she extended the child forward. Are you ready to hold him now?

"What? Never! Grimacing in revulsion, the woman lifted her hands to block Magda. Keep that horrid thing away from me."

But… Horrid? Magda blinked, not understanding. "No, he’s your son."

Magda, Master Benson said in quiet reprimand.

She glanced at him, surprised and confused that he seemed dissatisfied with her of all people. She wasn’t the one rejecting her own child.

He tipped his head toward the doorway, silently commanding her to take the child out.

Her lips parted. She couldn’t believe the new mother didn’t even want to see him or that the healer would condone such behavior. As a mother herself, it seemed preposterous. Who cared what the babe would do to her status in the community; he was a part of her.

But Magda nodded her obedience and hurried from the room, where the child’s father and two older brothers crowded eagerly.

Is it—? the man started with hope in his eyes.

It’s a healthy baby boy, she told him, making sure her smile was bright and promising as she held out the swathed gift.

But the man lurched backward as if she were offering him the pox instead.

A boy? No… Cursed storm, he hissed and spat degradingly on the floor at Magda’s feet. Get it away from me. Get it out of my house!

She shook her head. But… You’re allowed to keep him until he’s weaned. You can—

Foul woman, he snarled. Shut your mouth before I smack it off your face. Gaping at Magda as if she’d been the one to spit at him, he seethed sanctimoniously. "Are you suggesting we house that filthy Erad in our home for one moment longer? How could you—"

"How could I? she repeated indignantly, her back going rigid and chin lifted. A righteous heat filled her belly. Now, you listen here. This child is your son. He isn’t—"

The crack of his palm against her cheek resounded through the room and muffled her cry of outrage.

His two oldest children shied backward in surprise as he stepped threateningly toward Magda. I told you—

Sir. Master Benson cleared his throat discreetly, interrupting them from the doorway of the birthing room.

The man turned slowly, his eyes flaring with wrath, and a cowering Magda scurried away, out of his line of fire.

The healer’s lips were pressed thinly in displeasure, but all he did was glance at Magda to ensure that she was okay, and then he turned back to the new father, his voice modulated and firm, even as he said, "We could, of course, take him to the Eradicators’ Keep for you tonight, milord. Then he sent the irate man a tight but calming smile. If that is your wish."

No! the new father fumed. "That is most definitely not my wish. I’d rather you take it out back and drown it."

Magda hissed out a breath and tucked the infant closer as she scowled at the man for his inhumanity. They’d have to go through her before getting anywhere near the boy.

Meanwhile, the master healer was bowing his head submissively. An understandable desire, he murmured, causing his apprentice to swerve a startled scowl his way. But then he paused and held up a finger. "However… The law dictates that every fourth son of a third daughter be given over to the Eradicators by the end of his first year, or ten lashes apiece will be delivered to every person present at his birth: man, woman, and child alike. I assume you don’t wish for yourself or your three boys, along with your weak wife in there, to receive ten lashes, now do you? I can assure you I don’t wish that for them. Ergo, I recommend he be taken to the keep instead of being drowned."

Well, then… the man blustered for a moment, his face screwing tight into an embarrassed pink. "I suppose what must be done must be done, but we can’t have anyone knowing an Erad came from our household. Our reputation, you see. It would be ruined. Can’t you report my wife’s…incident as a miscarriage or stillbirth or whatever? I beg you."

Magda bit her lip, wanting to rail at the man.

Of course, no one wanted to admit to being kin to one of the Eradicators, but this sweet, innocent child was his flesh and blood. He couldn’t help being born fourth in line, or that his mother had been born third. None of this was his fault, and yet they were acting as if he were already a monster.

Sir… the master healer said uneasily. The unethical request you’re making isn’t—

I’ll make it worth your while, the father interrupted intently. Twenty coins, he offered. "I’ll pay you twenty coins over tonight’s fee. Just don’t associate that…thing—he motioned toward the child with a sneer—to our family in any way."

Milord—

Fifty!

But—

I’ll pay you a hundred coins over your usual fee.

The master healer fell back a step and then glanced toward Magda, as if considering the offer. She lifted her brows, silently telling him she didn’t accept any of this.

He turned back to the father. "A hundred apiece? he asked pointedly. For my apprentice will need her silence assured as well. You understand."

Magda’s lips parted in outrage. She did not want to be bought off. Why, she had half a mind to go out into the street right now, amidst the storm and all, to announce to everyone that a new fourth son of a third daughter had just been born in this very cottage.

But the man was unstable. And she had a family. If he was so willing to cast off his own child to protect his reputation, she could only imagine what he might do to hers if she spoke a word about tonight to anyone.

The father squinted at Magda with mistrust, as if he’d rather strangle her to silence than pay her a single farthing. But then he gave a slight nod of the head. A hundred apiece, he agreed.

Alright, then, Master Benson announced, clasping his hands together as if pleased to come to such an arrangement. We have a deal. Smiling pleasantly from the man to Magda, his grin faltered when he caught sight of her scowl.

But all he did was clear his throat past any guilt he may feel, and he held out his arms. Give the child here, Magda, he instructed. I’ll take him to the Eradicators’ Keep posthaste.

With a sniff of denial, she turned slightly to block him, no longer trusting the babe with anyone. I can take him, she argued.

Her mentor lifted his eyebrows at her insubordination. Don’t be ridiculous, he scoffed. Women don’t belong anywhere near there. Besides, you have your own family I expect you’re eager to return to.

After witnessing this household’s lack of love and devotion, she was, in fact, very eager to get home to her husband and children and embrace them all. But a heated stubbornness had fumed to life inside her, and she held fast to the babe. If I’m to take up your post someday, sir, she told the master healer steadily. "Then I suspect I’d better get used to visiting the Eradicators. So, as I said, I will take the child to them myself."

The healer must’ve seen the determination in her eyes because he paused before giving her a deferential nod. As you wish, Magda. Just remember… Ten lashes go to anyone who refuses to turn over a fourth son of a third daughter by his first year.

Magda lifted her chin. I will not refuse my duties, she said steadily before glancing hard at the infant’s father. "I fully respect the laws."

The father scowled back before turning away and dismissing her completely.

Then hurry along, Master Benson said with a single nod. I believe there’s a break in the weather. If you time it right, maybe you can avoid getting soaked from the storm.

Yes, sir, Magda answered, glancing down at the child in sorrow and silently wishing him strength and perseverance to weather the difficult life he had ahead of him. I won’t disappoint you.

magda

AND THE SEVEN ERADICATORS

After casting the infant’s father one last condemning scowl, Magda hurried toward the exit. The two oldest sons stepped forward as if they wanted to see their baby brother at least once before he was taken away, but with a swift growl from their sire, they scurried backward again.

Magda’s heart sank for them.

As soon as she was outside in the bitter elements of the cold night, she paused to tuck the child inside her cloak with her to keep him warm. But the wind was brutal and cut right through the thick material as if she were wearing cheesecloth.

The infant was not a fan of such conditions and became agitated. He was screaming in short, agony-filled bursts by the time they’d made it to the edge of town, and she still had nearly a mile to go yet.

What was worse, his crying made her milk come. Xia was barely three moon cycles old and hadn’t been weaned yet, so Magda’s breasts were full of the very nutrients this boy needed to survive.

Grinding her teeth, she hurried past the cemetery as the lightning flashed. Then she crossed the old arching stone bridge until she stepped onto a narrow dirt path she’d never traveled before, even though everyone knew exactly where it led.

The first wave of trepidation hit her then. But she shuddered through it and marched determinedly along, tripping over rocks and roots in the uneven roadway that wound its way steadily upward to the dark looming keep that sat frightfully close to the woods…where evil things dwelled.

She knew she was safe from the dark ones at this time of night. She’d heard they only attacked in daylight; something about the sun aggravating them and sending them into an irrational, bloodthirsty rage. But other wild animals lurked in the blackness, plus actual Eradicators lived out here.

Wincing when the rain began again, battering her face with stinging slaps of freezing pellets, Magda bowed her head, resolved to forge onward as she hoped with all her might that the Eradicators left her unharmed when they saw she was bringing them one of their own.

But they had to, right? They’d be punished for hurting a villager.

They weren’t supposed to go near women, really, but being a healer—even an apprenticing one—she was exempt from that singular law. So they’d be allowed to walk right up to her. Even touch her.

Her limbs began to tremble, and not just because of the dropping temperature. Maybe she should’ve let the master bring the babe up after all. She’d never spoken to an Eradicator before and had no idea how to even address one.

Beginning to think she should just turn around and head back, she glanced up to gauge the distance, only to gasp and grind to a startled stop.

She had arrived.

Well, she told herself, stiffening her spine with all the bravado she could muster. It would be foolhardy to turn back now. Might as well see this through.

The stone wall guarding the Eradicators’ watchtower was visible from the village, but she’d never realized how very tall it was until she was standing right before it and tipping her head back to ogle the fathomless expanse before her. Distant lightning flashed briefly, momentarily illuminating her view, which somehow made it look even larger and more ominous.

It had to be four or five times as tall as her, and Magda wasn’t a short woman. Swallowing uneasily at the intimidating sight, she studied the portcullis with its grid work of iron bars that kept her out.

A large bell hung above the latticed gate with a thick rope dangling from it. Magda took a deep breath and reached up on her toes for the rope with one hand as she held on to the bundle under her cloak with the other, and she pulled with all her strength.

When the bell rang, the baby jumped against her and whimpered fearfully, reassuring her that he was at least still alive.

Shh, it’s okay, she told him, swaying gently to rock him as she bit her lip and peered between the bars for any sign of life from within.

And then… A pair of large, oaken double doors opened from the stone watchtower before a hooded figure emerged, toting a lantern that he held up in front of him to see better.

Magda sucked in a breath and jerked a step back.

Rumors about the miscreant Eradicators spread rampantly through the village. In Starcast, they were considered to be murdering, lecherous ruffians and weren’t ranked much higher than the mindless, bloodthirsty monsters they fought.

Magda assumed most stories about them must be tall tales, designed to scare children and keep them in line. But still… Some must have a grain of truth to them, otherwise, how had they gained such a rubbish reputation to begin with?

As the cloaked form started toward her, it lifted its free hand to wave her forward.

Just come in through the door on the side there, a kind voice called. It’s not locked. Dark ones can’t open latches.

Teeth chattering and shivering uncontrollably, Magda nodded and took a step back so she could survey the stone wall near the vertical-opening gate to find such a door, but she had to wait until more distant lightning streaked across the horizon before she could see… There. Yes, there was a normal-sized door, set right in the wall.

She hurried toward it, eager to escape the elements. But as soon as she was inside, she had to pause and gape around her.

For some reason, she’d always assumed only the tall, stone watchtower sat within the walls of the Eradicators’ Keep, but it looked as if they had their very own community in here with easily half a dozen outbuildings.

That’s the stables there, she was told as she peered at the largest building on her right.

With a startled jump, Magda guiltily whirled back to the man, but all she could see of him was his hand poking from the sleeve’s end of his umber cloak as he motioned with his lantern. Then there’s the barn, the pigpen, chicken shed, granary…

Giving her a rundown of the place, the Eradicator went on, pointing toward everything as he led her back toward the watchtower. We’ve a fish pond and herb and vegetable garden in the back, plus the training field, but of course, our living quarters are here in the tower with a communal space on the bottom level and private chambers on each floor up until there’s a spy scope room at the top. As they reached the entrance, he easily pushed open one of the large, heavy doors and added, Not that you’re here for a tour, I’m sure. So I guess I should be asking how we may be of assistance on this cold, stormy eve?

As soon as he stepped inside, he flipped off his hood as if shaking away the rain and turned toward her, revealing a weathered, gray-headed man who looked quite ordinary.

Yet Magda pulled back from the entrance and gaped at him as if he were anything but.

She’d never beheld an Eradicator with his hood pulled down before.

Then again, the edict for them to remain cloaked and covered from head to toe was only for when they went out into public in the village, wasn’t it? Of course, they wouldn’t be required to cover themselves in their own home.

Still…

It shocked her to realize he was just a man, like any other old man she might encounter in town. For some reason, that confounded her the most. He did bear a long, terrible scar on his temple, but other than that, he looked like a sweet, doting old man.

Land sakes, he cried when he peered back at her. Hurrying forward, he gently took her arm to usher her inside. Poor thing; you’re soaked through and shivering too. Are you lost, little lamb?

No, I—I… Magda stepped over the threshold and into the darkened interior, only to jar to another stop when she saw the rest of them.

All men, all older than her, all scarred as if they’d spent their lives fighting—one of them was even missing an arm—they gaped back, looking similarly shocked to find a woman in their midst. None, however, were the horrific devils she’d always assumed they would be after hearing all the village talk. There was nary a horn, tail, or forked tongue in sight. They were just normal, gray-headed, old men.

There were seven of them in total, counting the one who had answered the door.

The other six were seated at a long wooden table, eating their supper by lamplight. As they blinked back at her in stunned silence, the door-opener greeted, I am Orsando, milady. Welcome to our home.

Magda turned back to him just as the child she had hidden in her cloak gave a broken squall.

O-oh! he started in surprise as he glanced at the lump under her clothing. You’re not alone.

No. She shook her head and started to untangle the babe, glad he’d made it through the trek. I…I have a fourth son of a third daughter here for you.

As she struggled to work the child free, the men at the table glanced at each other and murmured their shock before they all lurched to their feet to scamper curiously closer.

Do you really? Orsando asked, lifting onto his toes to see better. "Well, I’ll be. This is a treat. It’s been years since we’ve had a new recruit. These days, third daughters stop the pregnancy as soon as they realize they’re carrying a possible fourth son or they drown the little nipper at birth."

Magda bit her lip and glanced at him guiltily, hoping he couldn’t tell that this child’s fate had almost ended that very way.

Well, let’s have a look at him, shall we? one of the other Eradicators instructed gruffly, twirling his finger to encourage Magda to hurry. Stop your dawdling, girly.

Krazzle, yet another reprimanded in a sharp tone. Patience. Can’t you see, she’s working as quickly as she can.

The scolder had such a commanding tone about him, Magda had to guess he was the one who led their troop.

When he realized she’d turned her attention his way, he bowed his head to her politely. I am Jarrott, milady. Chief Eradicator. And I thank you for bringing this fourth son to us. It’s an honor.

She blushed slightly, not ever having imagined that the Eradicators could be so polite and cordial, but also attractive. None of the sinister things she’d heard about them seemed to be true.

Here he is, she said hoarsely and stepped forward to carry the babe to the table. The men parted so she could lay him out for all to see. As she did, they stepped closer, murmuring excitedly among themselves with their gazes focused intently on the new addition.

My, he’s a wee one, one of them said in hushed reverence before glancing at Magda. When did you birth him, ma’am?

She lifted her face in surprise. Oh… No, she said. He’s not mine. I… I’m the new healer’s apprentice—Magda—and I—

Benson’s finally got himself an apprentice, does he? one of the others interrupted in interest. Good. It’s about time the old coot started training a replacement. We were worried he’d keel over any day, and we’d have no one left to tend to us.

And we’re so very pleased to meet you, Orsando rushed to add, smiling gently. Magda, was it?

Y-yes. She faltered at his overzealous politeness, then answered more firmly, Yes. She smiled with quivering lips. I’m pleased to meet you, too. She curtsied slightly, feeling ridiculous when the men merely gaped at her as if she’d lost her mind. Anyway… She cleared her throat and motioned to the child. I was assisting Master Benson this evening with a birth. But the mother and father didn’t…

She swallowed and winced, ashamed to even say the words aloud.

Krazzle snorted derisively. Of course, they didn’t. He glanced at Magda with anger boiling in his eyes. I don’t suppose they even bothered to name him before giving him the boot, did they?

I… Magda blinked down at the boy and sighed. Why, no. No, they didn’t.

Poor tyke. Orsando shook his head sympathetically as he reached out to gently tug on the babe’s toes. Now we’re not even going to know what name to put on his grave marker.

Magda recoiled in horror. "His grave marker? she gasped. Whatever do you mean? You’re not seriously going to kill him, are you? Just because he doesn’t have a name?"

She was fully prepared to swoop the infant back into her arms and run, but Krazzle snorted. Of course not, but that doesn’t mean he’s got any chance of surviving the night. Not here with the likes of us, anyhow.

When Magda frowned in confusion, Jarrott explained, We’ve never gotten a wet nurse to agree to come up here and help us wean our newborns. And our luck with nursing them ourselves is horribly…low. Plus, our cow just died, the goats are all male, and the village rations our milk to one jug every two moon cycles.

Magda swallowed just as her breasts tingled, reminding her how full of milk they were. She needed to get home to her daughter and feed Xia. Soon.

But instead of nodding in sympathetic understanding and backing away from the men, letting them deal with their problems on their own, she set a proprietary hand on the babe’s chest. I can feed him.

The men looked up in surprise.

She nodded, growing more certain of her rash decision the more she thought it through. I have a young daughter at home, she explained. Still on the teat. She gets more milk than she can handle. She could share with your little one. No problem.

Krazzle furrowed his brow in disbelief. "You’d have to come here daily. For moon cycles. To the Eradicators’ Keep."

It’s a kind offer, milady, Orsando told her with a grateful nod. But consider your reputation. You seem like a caring soul. We’d hate to besmirch your good name.

Magda looked down at the newborn, who was beginning to fuss on the table and kick his feet. He needed to be fed.

He’ll perish if I don’t, she said simply and scooped the boy into her arms. What would be the benefit of a good name if I only used it to let a child die? Glancing up at the men, she lifted her brows expectantly. So…? Is there a rocking chair nearby where I might sit and feed him or do you expect me to do it standing here in front of you all?