The Coming of the Child

The cries of a child sounded so clearly in that early day astounded the guards that stood by the doors. The servants were in a hurry and several of them stood by the closed doors of that bed-chamber, gladden that at last their mistress achieved her long-lasting dream, to hold a child in her arms, to sired a great light unto her days. The cries penetrated the young day, and the happiness that it brought shone even before the sun rose up in the morning and broke forth in a great light. For the news of the empress' labor has spread since the past days, and the doctors congratulated the emperor in advance, saying that they found it unsounded that in her forties the empress still held unto strength and even sired a child of her dreams. And when upon daybreak, the servants rushed inside and the doctors came to assistance. At last at her side, the Emperor arrived to saw her in her labor.

It was known throughout the Empire of Lythindon, that the Emperor and the Empress have yet to sire a child, an offspring of their glorious rule. For they have long for it but received not any of joy until these last months. So when the Empress found that at last she was pregnant, the Emperor invited all the princes and kings of his empire, and in his joy gave amnesties to prisoners and those sentenced to crime, invited all to attend so that all people knew that the couple have received a new blessing. At the Seventh Month of her pregnancy, the couple stepped upon the golden gates of the Temple of the East, so that the empress can received blessings from the great priest.

But what will happen then can never be predicted by a common laymen. For when the Empress was cleansed with the water of the Temple and stepped upon the outer chambers, the insence offered inside turned golden and red and a new fragrance invaded all rooms of the temple. In surprise, the great priest went out and requested that the maids of the empress shall be at her side, so that anything can be anticipated. At once, the great priest entered again and before that great altar, offered again insence as thanksgiving. The golden smoke invaded him and when that great priest rose up his hands in prayer, a great fire of blue ignited and covered the altar in great might. The great priest was covered by it thoroughly but he was not burned. In shock he fell down in reverence and in his fear he received a great sight of the heavens and an angel of unknown countenance.

Afraid of what he saw, that great priest covered his face with his hands and dared not to saw that great angel. But a surge of great power enveloped him and he heard a mighty voice bellowed in mystery. "You shall tell that woman outside that the child in her womb was not of the ordinary and that the prophecy of Issond shall be fulfilled." Then the might vanished and that angel was no longer there. The great priest recovered and finished the rite in a haste. He went outside and with his body shook in still fright, fell down and pointed his hand towards the womb of the empress, who upon seeing it was greatly astounded. "Hear my words, Empress of Lythindon. For this temple will depart from you in times of great trouble. But know this, that Issond has prophesied about that child in your womb. She shall encounter many great things in her life. For she will suffer and will find rest." In fear, the empress went out from the temple, but not before the great priest pointed a finger and a flash of great power depart from it. The flashes of it ignite the ceilings of the temple and suddenly thunders were heard and flashes of golden and silver filled the rooms. The great priest stood up again and in a unique calmness said. "Look, My lady." And the empress gazed upon the corner of it that the great priest has pointed. Then she saw the painting of that prophet Issond, that held a staff of great power upon his right hand and a scroll upon his left. The scroll was written in one of the ancient alphabets, long gone and was used by the Men of Old. She knew not of that alphabet but with great oddness she realized that she can read it. In shock, she shivered in wander for It was written so beautifully and what it said puzzled her greatly.

She gazed again upon that great priest who only stood in silence and smiled at her, he will himself to went back inside and request her to depart. The empress went out in confusion and greeted her husband with a face of forlorn. The emperor was worried then, for he can not fathom of how can the empress be sadden by a gift of blessing? But then the empress told him everything and he understood. The imperial family then was informed and in great haste they brought her back and attended unto her needs, for the prophecy was not something they were accustomed with and seeing that their beloved empress was troubled by all of this, they became worried and were in guard. The emperor was troubled also by this and seek many ways to attained the advice of that great priest who only turned away from him in keep it a mystery for all.

Thus it was such until finally that day came for the empress to entered into labor. Her husband was at her side and spoke to hear in sincerity, hoping that at least a little comfort can be provided for her. The emperor remembered about how the empress was not in her prime state and has prayed so thoroughly the nights before. So, at the first cry of the child, the emperor was gladden to the heart and became the first one to beheld her in his arms. He noticed how the child was greatly different from the firstborns of the Common men, upon the strange quietness of her that is diffrent than other when they entered into the world, but in his happiness, he dare not to thought about such thing so thoroughly and kissed the child with affection. His eyes watered, for at last, a child came unto him. His hands shook softly, and he kissed her again and again before sensing that his wife has awaken from her sleep. The emperor recalled how troubling and tiring the labor was and plead softly to his wife so that she remained laid upon the bed.

But the empress who at once glanced upon that bundle of joy with the remain of her strength pushed herself unto the edge and sat in silence. She gazed softly at the father and child, and gave a new sound of a cry of happiness. The emperor comforted her and gave that beautiful child unto her bosom, and with a soft look, the empress beheld the baby with love and spoke to her in a comforting voice. The wife glanced upon her husband only to saw his stunned face, his eyes shone a little in a golden light. She held the hand of her husband and speak quietly unto him, and as though a force compelled her to do so, she asked in a voice unwavered by anything but still beheld that strain as when she spoke with that great priest inside the temple. Her hands enveloped that child with her left and her right lingered on her husband's hand. She gazed again upon that beautiful daughter of her, and shed tear of silent happiness. "My Lord, what should be her name?" the empress asked softly, her eyes shone secretly and she kissed that asleep child. The emperor was awaken suddenly from his thoughts and gazed upon that mother and child, upon that great daughter that will brought many tidings unto the whole world. Silently, he caressed his child's face and smiled. "Oth-Lothia. Mean, She that endures. It will be her name, a name of strength, a name of comfort." the empress smiled sadly, but nodded her head in agreement, her feature soften and she gazed upon her husband in affection.

She brought the child unto her hands and kissed her forehead. She sigh and greet that morning sun." Yes, my Lord. She will endure and emerged victorious. She will took up arms and went out as a power never seen before. Welcome to the world, my child, my daughter, Oth-Lothia."

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