The Welcome

    The room in the massive stone building had only four people in it. An old man sat in an ornate chair while a younger man sat next to him and they both stared at the man and magically youthful woman a few feet in front of them.
    “Have you any news today?” the older man asked the woman.
    “No, Sire, nothing the normal way, Sire,” she replied.
    “And what about the non-normal ways?” the man asked, leaning forward slightly in his chair. It had been too long since she had shared anything.
    “A girl was brought in the gate this morning. For some reason I was drawn to her.”
    “Have you any idea why?”
    “She is different, Sire, I do not know how to explain it but she was not raised by humans.”
    “What was she raised by?”
    “I do not know but she has a reason to fear humans. What little she knows of us, up until lately, has only shown her terror.”
    “Where is she from?” the seated man asked the man standing a few feet away from the woman.
    “The Easterners who brought her said they found her in a clearing in the Forest that was soaked in blood, as was she. They said they knew not what to do with her but leave her at the gate.”
    “What do you propose we do?”
    “Sire, if I may be so bold, take her in.”
    “Why should I do that?”
    “I do not understand what is happening that the Fates can no longer speak to us, but I do know she is connected. Whatever is coming, she will play a large part in events. It would serve us well to have her on our side.”
    “That I can agree with. We have many empty rooms, see she is put in one and properly clothed. She will be my ward until things are settled. See to it," the man stated to the younger man seated next to him before the conversation moved on to the next item of note.