The sun rose red that morning in the Sheshite Kingdom. It was a good omen for the people. All knew the Queen would give birth to the heir of the Runeian dynasty, a dynasty built from the ashes. It was a dynasty as ancient as it was proud. 

People from all over the kingdom from all walks of life stood patiently under the great balcony. It was customary that the child of the king and queen was to be presented for all of the Sheshite people to see. As the sun rose higher and higher more people began to arrive. 

By the time the sky turned a brilliant shade of blue the people started to shift to create a path. In the path was an old man, stooped and wrinkled with a long silvery beard and flowing hair of the same colour that gleamed in the sun. He wore a simple robe of grey and held a large staff with a green gem at its top. The people called him Rakib but even that was not his only name. He walked among them and smiled. To the common people, he was a healer, a priest, a wise man, a storyteller, a powerful sorcerer and father to them all.

To the King, he was a friend.

The Imperial guard moved aside to let the old man through, for today he was to bless the newborn babe. As such Rakib ascended to the king's private chambers. the man who stood guard smiled at the old man. Rakib remembered him.

"How is your sister?" he asked Zachariah.

The young man smiled. "She is better all thanks to you. You saved her from death's grasp."

"And the King?"

"He is worried. Though the omens are good. Shall I let you in?"

Rakib nodded and smiled as Zachariah opened the door to the King's chamber.

"Markys," said the old man as he saw the young king pacing about.

There was no doubt that he was worried about his wife Queen Sura who was in labour. 

He is wearing the royal colours of red and gold. His black beard was as uncombed as his hair, and his dark brown eyes flitted about the room anxiously, His golden crown rested on a velvet cushion . As soon as Markys saw Rakib he stopped in his tracks and a grin broke out on his face and he went forward to embrace his one time teacher.

"This journey has not been too rough I hope," Markys smiled as he pulled away,

But anxiety still had not left him. 

"Put your crown on young one and comb your beard and hair, I believe your Queen will be here shortly."

His words seemed to dispel all fears in the young King, for Rakib was hardly ever wrong. Markys tidied himself swiftly and placed the crown on his head.

At this moment the door creaked open. Queen Sura walked in with a little bundle. King Markys's smile this time was one of relief at seeing his wife healthy and well as well as curiosity for the bundle.

 Queen Sura was as beautiful as ever in her silvery green dress, her face was flushed red. Her hair a caramel coloured waterfall flowing down her back with slim circlet of stars crowning her brow. Her coppery eyes were filled with mirth. 

She gave a small smile as she looked at the little bundle in her arms. Marcus came behind and kissed her cheek lightly. In response she leaned her head on his shoulder and continues to stare at her baby contently.

Marcus looks at his baby for the first time. The baby had dark hair like its father and it's father's same eyes. The eyes held serenity and light. A warm feeling rushed over Marcus and he vows to protect the baby even if it meant giving up his own life.

"It's a girl" breaths Selene.

Marcus smiles. He strokes his daughter's cheek. She smiles her first smile. The king takes the baby in his arms and hands her to Rakib.

Rakib takes the little girl in his arms. He walks over to the balcony, a huge expanse of stone with an intricate design to match its majestic structure.

The people look up and crowd around trying to get a glimpse of the heir. Rakib reaches the edge and gracefully yet powerfully thrusts the baby towards the sky.

The baby gurgles and cooed and lets out her first laugh. Her eyes shine with serenity and mirth. The people of the Pridelands are struck by the pure joy. Then a ray of light shone unto the laughing girl.

This is no light from the sun for the sun shines still to the east. Yet the light from directly above. Like her father and the kings and queens before her the little girl has been approved by the Divine. She was the true and rightful heir. She is the future queen.