Milo's Charges

How do you tell someone that their world is over? How do you find words to say to them that the ones who loved you are gone from the world? How do you tell them that they will never be tucked in or read to by the people who raised them? I do not know, but I must learn quickly.

Yet, I feel that I am getting ahead of myself. My name is Milo Tedious Marlin, the eldest son of the Marlin family, a retired knight, and now scholar for Valin's Kingdom. I have seen death both on and off the battlefield. But to lose your life by giving birth to another? I could never understand that, especially now.

Not as watch my once beautiful and full of life sister, is now being prayed over by the priest. Her once rose cheeks are now pale in death, and her green eyes never to be seen again. The golden blond hair which many praised was now a matted mess. I would never hear her voice again, and that made me heartbroken.

Then I hear the cry from the room next door. I turned and walk to the tiny baby which laid in her cradle. The cause of my sister's death but also part of her legacy. The baby had blond hair and eyes which were a light blue. Her cheeks were red because of her crying, and I could not help but wonder if she knew what she had lost.

I gently picked her up, and she seemed to quiet down. I wonder if she knew I would not hurt her. I found myself smiling as the baby cooed at me. I kissed her head as the priestess, and the midwife came over to me.

"Sir, what will you do with the child?" the midwife asked.

I understood why they would ask; this baby had lost her father and mother, which meant that she would be in line for being raised by the church. I then thought of the other two waiting on me, the elder children of my sister. What would happen to them if I let this child go? Should they lose their parents and sister on the same day? I shook my head, and my heart made up my mind.

"The child's name is Rosaline; she is to be my charge."

I watched as both the midwife and priestess's eyes went wide at my claim. Yet after a moment, the priestess smiled and nodded. I then felt myself relax as Rosaline yawned.

"Very well, I can see that you have already made your choice. I wish there were more like you, Sir Milo."

"But what of the two…." I heard the midwife whisper.

"Their names are Willa and Bella, and they are my charges. They are well." I growled.

"I mean no disrespect, sir, but…" the midwife started again.

"Their father was an Arsalan, but they do have Valin blood," I replied, my eyes narrowing as the midwife stop her words.

Arsalan was the kingdom to the North of Valin, ruled by a warlord and his mage wife. It was said their magic came from the wilds and had no pack with light or dark magic. The kingdom had rough terrain and was covered in the snow most months had given birth to mighty warriors.

Yet even as Valin and Arsalan were allies, some Valins believed that since the Arsalans didn't pledge loyalty to the light, they could either work for the dark or be treated less because they are not part of the light.

My family did not believe this. This was why my sister was married to one of the sons of Berwald, the youngest chieftain of Arsalan. My parents even asked my sister to do this, and she agreed after meeting the younger son of Berwald, Bjorn, who fell in love with her at first sight.

I watch their love blossom; I watch it bear fruit with the twins. I looked down at Rosaline, who was also a product of the love between the two. I then looked up to the sky and promised their parents' spirits that I will protect the girls with life. I then felt warm on my face; it seemed my sister was blessing me with my promise.