《Chronicles of a Watcher》 A Child is Born The weaver''s loom ticks away the passage of time, her threads crossing over and under and intertwining fates together in a cosmic tapestry only to be viewed by her. Today a new thread is added, it''s small, almost imperceptible, but her thread of fate has fallen into the loom. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Kiel''s shoulder rests a heavy belt made of rows of chains, the wide flat links prominently and proudly hung as a sash across his chest. The 12 link wide belt, being his most prized possession, it is well cared for. As Kiel begins to write on this day his mind, and quill, wanders to a young bride giving birth, her young husband pacing outside the door of the room as two midwives tend to his wife. The delivery is a smooth one, surprising for one so young. But the pale faces of the midwives show panic. The newborn daughter is handed to her mother, and she also pales. The infant is placed in a cradle, and handed to one of the midwives before the husband can enter the room. A note is placed alongside her, and the midwife rushes out of the room passing the husband with his daughter safely in her arms. He enters the room, and sees his wife in tears; and is told his wife''s first child, a daughter, was stillborn. He holds his wife, and cries with her deep into the afternoon, never doubting the lie. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. An hour after leaving the house, the elder of the midwives stops in front of a worn building, with a well made, and freshly painted green four panel wooden door. The cradle is set down, and the note placed by he mother is placed on top of the blanket. The woman, done with her solemn duty gives a final look as she walks away. "I''m so sorry for the hard life you are about to lead little one. May your body be strong, and your soul stronger little miss. I will always be watching you from the shadow. Know that your parents love you, and this is a regret that will haunt them both." The woman says to no one in particular as she walks away. An hour later a woman wearing a military uniform opens the green door to the sound of a baby crying. She looks down at this beautiful little girl and smiles. Grabbing the note, it is quickly opened as the uniformed woman stands. Inside the note is a simple plea. ''I regret that I can not provide what is needed for this child. Although I know the kind of life she will have in your care, please honor my wish so that I might keep an eye on this child from afar. My only request is that her name be Raina Nicole Sierra.'' The uniformed woman picks up the cradle, and walks inside. Two aides scramble in the room, and almost immediately the young girl is named with the name in the note. The note is then thrown into the fireplace. Just Another Day Her silver hair, and grey irises gave away her lack of heritage. Alyssa was only a year old, but as an android, her appearance was that as a late adolescent woman on the cusp of adulthood. Her creator had ordered her to come to the Albatross Branch Orphanage here in Crater City. Like its namesake, the city had been built inside a 25 kilometer wide crater. The Watcher''s books claimed that a single woman created it when she lost her temper, he had called her Tabitha. Watcher Kiel even drew a picture of the red-haired woman on the page that ended her story. Alyssa had read the story because of her current objective: to meet a young girl wh was the first person in 520 years to be born with Tabitha''s trait; her blazing red hair. She was to keep this young girl from being used in the games of politics. From her sources, the young android had learned that Tabitha''s story had been one passed through myth, what made her story special was only the fact that it had been recorded by a Watcher. The green door of the branch office appeared to be in great condition, and stood in an odd contrast being attached to a building appearing to have not been well taken care of. Children stood in the round cobblestone plaza in front of the orphanage, watching a few of the older children hook the Albatross Division flag to the rope of the flagpole. As they stood awaiting the appropriate time to raise it, Alyssa began to use the time to scan the children''s faces. She quickly found her target; the young girl stood with her shoulder'' sin line with the flagpole, and the corner of a repair shop resting on the edge of the plaza, a wooden reed-whistle hung in her mouth as she watched the edge of the crater''s wall where the bluish white sun would shortly appear. After a few seconds he first flairs of the sun cast a light through the city, and the clear tone of bamboo and ebony vibrating resounded through the plaza where 450 orphans stood. As soon as the pleasing low tone began the flag raced to the top of the pole, signaling the start of a new day in the crater. The whistle then played a prompt melody that seemed to energize the area as the shops in the plaza opened their doors, their managers having watched the scene as though it were something rarely seen, instead of the routine it was. The youngest of the children were then shuffled through the green door. Alyssa watched as her target filed through the door about a quarter of the way through the pack, which was obviously organized by age. Using the orphanages to train future soldiers had become commonplace over the past three centuries. The popular view was that the children would become the dregs of society if they weren''t properly trained. Even the Watcher''s Chronicles claimed this used to be the case. Where normally one would not be allowed to join the military ranks until their 16th birthday, children raised in these branch divisions would be allowed in at their 10th birthday. But could only take part in research and development jobs until they were of legal age. They would forego the basic training of normal recruits, as they had been raised within the machine. The eldest looking boy stood by the door, holding it open for all. Alyssa followd the last of the children in, the boy slamming the door closed as soon as she was safely across the threshold. A mature woman''s voice rang through the building, she was obviously not using the intercom mounted in the ceiling throughout the building. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it "Sergeant Carter! What have you been told about slamming my door? Add 20 laps before your allowed lunch today!" Despite handing out the punishment, the timbre of her voice betrayed to everyone, children included, that she had been pleased about something. Alyssa stood by the door without making a sound. She was an android, and as such was not allowed to move further into the building, or speak until someone allowed it. She didn''t wait long when the woman came out of her office, the sight of Alyssa in her ghost grey and black uniform shocked her for only a second. The woman approached her, giving her a prompt, yet attentive look over. "Who is your creator, Young One?" The woman asked, while using the respectful title to refer to androids who hadn''t been introduced. "My creator was Boyd Ribbons, fourth Sage of the Winds." Alyssa spoke the pass phrase to the woman who obviously understood what it was for. Alyssa had been expected. "Ah! Your here because of the Nadin, follow me to my office, there aren''t any little ears in there." The woman reentered the door she had just exited, having been given permission, Alyssa followed her into the room where a tea set sat on a well maintained knee high table. The he ebony whistle her target used earlier rested next to the teapot. The woman directed the android to sit across from her at the breakfast nook just past the table. As she sat Alyssa confirmed her reason for being there. "Yes ma''am, I am here because of Tabitha''s Legacy." "I haven''t heard that phrase since the girl was left on my doorstep. You androids never cease to amaze me. We haven''t told her about any of that, and our lecturers have been prohibited from reading that story since she arrived, we wanted her to grow as normal as possible without letting her know about it, and the way these children are, we didn''t want her to start looking into who her parents were just yet. We feel this wouldn''t be good for her." Alyssa thought about it for a few seconds and came to the same conclusion as the organic sitting across from her. "Understood, ma''am." "Okay, I have two rules for you, Young one, and as long as you adhere to them, you may consider this your home, just as the children here do. First, the obvious one: discussion of, hinting of, or telling of Tabitha''s Legacy is prohibited around the division''s members until further notice. This includes me." Alyssa nodded in agreement; "second: until you are vetted, and I say otherwise, physical contact of any kind is prohibited between you and the one we are discussing. The only exception is in the case of immediate threat to her life." Alyssa understood the precaution and agreed as well. "Any questions, Young One?" "Yes, what is the child''s name? Because of the risk of my capture up to this point I was instructed to inquire about it upon arrival." "The six year old we are discussing was named by her mother: Raina, but most of the children just call her by a name a maid once called her: Amazon." "This one''s name is Alyssa. As per orders I am to become her property. As per galactic treaty 340.94 upon transfer to a new owner I am required to take their surname. Does the child not have one?" "Welcome to Albatross'' Phoenix Division Alyssa Sierra." Walking in a New World. The weaver''s loom sped up, the bobbin snagging hundreds of threads at once, weaving over them time and time again, the new thread warping the fates of those around it. How many centuries since the last time the bobbin caught, since the last Watcher fell? --------------------------------------------- The stacks of old armor seemed like they would fall at anytime. Some dating back to this planet''s dark ages, before the Watcher came. A bear of a man sat at a desk with a quill in his hand, dipping its hand carved tip into the inkwell every few strokes. The characters used were foreign to most who looked on them. The man''s turquoise irises matched the color of the ink he used, his straight black hair was tangled, and showed the early signs of matting. The remnants of the clothes he wore, threatened to fall off his body from the dry rot. A knock on the door was timid, but even the soft knock, was enough for it to collapse onto the floor. "Watcher Kiel, my grandfather asked me to come and retrieve a book from you." The new man called out. "Alright, give me a moment lad." The big man called. His voice cracking from obvious lack of use. As he stood, a portion of the pants he was wearing broke away and fell to the floor. He sighed at the rotten fabric, now laying on the floor. He grabbed a book bound in a shimmering grey hide, and walked towards the door at the mouth of his cave. "Here you go Brian. This is the history of your family, starting with your first ancestor to earn a surname. I had only been on this world for 122 years when he was born, so I can give you a full recount." Kiel stood and looked at Brian for a moment longer and realized he was staining at the chain belt hanging off his shoulder. And Kiel began to caress the metal links as he spoke again. "The belt of oaths are the pride of the watchers, not only do they display our station, but also our oaths, binding us to not interfere. We are allowed to share your history, but not anything more current than the last century." Kiel stopped talking for a moment, then looked Brian in the eyes for the first time since he entered. "You need to hurry home. Tell your father I will be leaving for a few years lad. And my condolences to you and yours." "Condolences? For what Watcher?" Brian said with a tinge of fear on his face. "Not a moment ago a bandit gang attacked your grandfather''s transport. He and your sister are no longer counted among the living. You are needed at home. Keep your head on a swivel. They won''t be the last deaths by those hands." Kiel points to one of the links. "Even if you ask, I am not allowed to tell you more Brian, I''m sorry." Brian raced away from Kiel''s cave. When he arrived home, a messenger pushed his way through the compound''s gate barely ahead of him. As he walked into the main room he heard as the messenger finished telling his father that his eldest child was gone. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Kiel went back into his writing room, and looked at his legacy tome, the blue runes had finished drying and were no longer turquoise. He read over them a few times. Solidifying his resolve. The time had come for him to trod the world again. A clan had just been reborn. And even though he could see the events unfolding anywhere, he knew something was coming; he wanted to see it with his own eyes this time. For the first time in 490 years he made his first footprints in the soil of this world. The remnants of his old clothes barely covering his manhood, and not a scrap of the shirt left. He carried a smal leather sack, and a red bound book with him, and began walking west, toward the rising blue sun. After an hour walking, he stood in front of a round stone, he reached forward and drew a symbol on the stone with his finger, a six pointed star, each point touching the inside of a circle. As soon as his hand was away, the surface of the stone shimmered and changed into a view of a beautiful meadow and a stone in the center. Kiel walked through the cusp of the image, knowing that this space is the burial ground of the one being he ever came to call a friend. He set his hand on the top of the tombstone and smiled. "It''s been a long time. I haven''t stepped foot out of my cave since we buried you. I modeled this space off of the place you once loved to visit. I''m sorry friend, that I was never able to restore it, but I''m glad you have this place to rest, and we can remember it together." The air around Kiel became thick, and new clothes appeared covering him in the latest style. His untidy hair became silky smooth, the matting disappeared, and in it''s place a single braid fell down his back. He held his hand in front of himself, as he closed his fingers, as if grabbing something, a pitch black box appeared in his hand. It was skinny, and if stood on edge would come up to Kiel''s armpits. He walked out of his sanctuary, saying goodbye to his friend as the portal sealed itself behind him. "See you later, Tabitha." --------------------------------------------- A/N: I hope you are liking the story so far. I only have the next four chapters planned out, and will definitely be re-writing them later. Although I only have the next few planned, my goal for this story is at Least 40 chapters. At this point, they are supposed to feel slow. But please be assured it will pick up, be aware: I write for myself. I''m happy if you read my work, thrilled if you like it. Thanks for reading ~Tink Revelations "There was a new face today madam, at the repair shop." The teen boy fidgeted on the hard stool. He had been doing this job since he was nine, and at fifteen still had t figured out why this woman paid him to tell her what went on every morning at the Albotross'' Phoenix Plaza. Most days were just saying who did what part, or noticing new faces. But she had made it clear that if he felt something was wrong, to mention the repair shop that sat on the western side. In six years, he had never mentioned it. "Describe the new one." "She is one of the bots." He replied. "So they have finally found her." The woman said to him. He didn''t know what to make of the comment. Only that it now confirmed the one thing he had figured al this time: he was watching someone for her. He just didn''t know who. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I walked up to the door and knocked. In a few seconds the door was opened by a middle aged woman, she looked up at me, obviously surprised at my size. "I have something for Raina." I said to her, my voice still shaking. The woman looked hard at me, her stern features were more chiseled, now that I had mentioned the girl. "I know that you have been dying her hair, I know that you have prohibited the telling of her possible heritage, and I know you won''t deny me to see her. So drop the act little January." Using a name she hasn''t heard in a long time got her to look at me again. "Who are you, and how do you know that name?" She asked while directing me to enter the building and go into her office. I waited until she sat down to answer, knowing she would stand up again. "I am Kiel Ramthun. But you only know me by my title. I''m Watcher Kiel." At that she stood back up. As expected. What I didn''t expect were the next few words out of her mouth, a question rather than the order I expected. "Do you know who her parents are!? We''ve been looking for the since she was left here." She looked at me for a second, then gave the order I expected. "Alyssa, you''re needed in here now." If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The platinum android came entered the room, looked at my chains and then greeted me officially. "This one, Alyssa Sierra, greets Watcher Kiel Ramthun, Oathbound." I nodded to her. "I need to see Raina there are things left in my charge that belong to her." "Does this violate any of your oaths, Watcher?" The android asked. "No. In fact, I have several artifacts at my home that are to be given away once certain conditions are met. Part of non-interference is also keeping other entities from doing the same. We have about two hours before I have to give these items to her. But the sooner the better. As explaining these to her will take time, and I''d rather use it." I looked at both of them for a second, let out a sigh. "She has been found." That worked. A few seconds later the six year old girl with emerald eyes came in being led by Alyssa. "Raina, this is Watcher Kiel. He has some things to give you, and needs to tell you something. Okay?" "Hello, Mr. Watcher." I took the red book out of my vest, and handed it to her, then held the ebony case level in both hands. "Raina, in a few hours you will undergo one of the most painful things in your life. That book will tell you the story of two of your ancestors that also went through it. This case holds the weapon used by your kind. I now pass it to you." The girl took the case and set it on the desk, slit it open and touched the staff inside. The black Miasma that shrouded the staff flowed into the girl''s arm. It was now bound. "We have a trip to make, January, say goodbye to your charges." "For someone who isn''t supposed to meddle, you are doing a lot of it." She said to me. No Watcher has ever taken an oath not to meddle, after all, it''s our job to keep others from doing that. Besides, I have an oath to Tabitha I have to honor." A Strange Day it was supposed to be Sarah''s day to signal the raising of the flag, but last night Matron Garrett asked if I would do it since it was my birthday. I looked over toward Sarah when I was asked, when she nodded, I said I would be delighted. So here I stand, six years ago today I was born, and some woman left me here. Matron Garrett had told me several times that the note left with me only said what my mother wished to name me, so she could keep an eye on me. As the blue corona of the rising star flares on the edge of crater city, I tighten my lips up on the bamboo reed, use my fingers to block the holes, so the low somber tone is given; once the flag is up, we are allowed to play a melody of our choosing. I played a short piece that comes to mind once in a while. It seemed to energize the people around the flagpole. There was an eerie calmness along with the feeling that everyone was alert. It gave me a strange feeling. I fell into place in the line, first of the six year olds. As I passed Matron''s office I handed the ebony clarinet to her, and continued to the dining hall, where we were to eat breakfast. As was the custom here, I was not to help set the table, clean up, or sit in my normal seat. Today, my seat belonged to Matron Garrett, and hers to me. It took her a bit of time to come to the table, she had a guest in her office, but soon they joined us, we weren''t allowed to start eating until Matron Garrett sat down; once she did, we all dug in. He platinum haired guest stood in the corner, and watched all of us. When I was done, I slid my plate forward, and the platinum girl started picking up all the plates of the kids who were done. "Are you on punitive detail?" Sarah asked aloud, noting the woman''s uniform. She looked at Matron Garrett before answering. "No. This one has a special assignment here; and I can assure you, this one has received no punishment to acquire it." She looked back at Matron Garrett and I watched as they shared a brief nod, there was more going on here, but both women were being very tight lipped. After breakfast, I went to the workshop with Sarah and Jeremy; the platinum girl was asked to follow us. It is normal for the new staff members to accompany us, so I didn''t think anything was unusual. "Hey, Amazon, what do you think of the new maid?" I wasn''t shire immediately who he was talking about. "I don''t think she is a maid, Jeremy." Sarah retorted. "She is an android," Joseph, the shop owner, said, "and she is owned, her eyes are silver, not brass." He continued. "Young One, you may enter, talk, and walk freely in here." He turned from her, who had started looking around, to us, "the polite way to aim a comment at her, until she chooses to tell you her name, is ''Young One''. With Androids, especially owned ones, it''s used as a title. It is impolite to ask the name of an owned android, there are a few exceptions, such as legal agreements, or when one has been hired or purchased for protecting someone." "That is most often the case, yes." She replied. "Having our name without our owner''s, or their guardian''s, permission is seen as very rude, however only our owners are allowed to have our true names; as it is also used as a command, and there are protections against its use by the wrong person." "All true, Young One. I need to get these kids to work, so please excuse me." She nodded, and he sent Sarah and Jeremy on a mission of organize the bolts drawer. "Raina, I heard today was your birthday." He said to me, the platinum girl lifted her head quickly and looked at me as though she had forgotten something, she left the room and I heard her talking and helping Sarah and Jeremy. "It is, Mr. Joseph. I''m six today." "Well I made something for you, for the last two years of great work." He pulled a cloth covered square case out of a cabinet, and set it on the workbench I generally use. Stolen story; please report. "My family has a long tradition of wood carvers. It is considered the pinnacle of our craft to make what is in here. This is my second one I''ve made, the first being the one I laid in the ground with my daughter." I walked up to the case and opened it. Inside was a beautifully carved violin. The mix of the finished wooden pieces made this piece beautiful in my eyes. "I know you aren''t fond of ebony, so I found a wood that I didn''t have to finish, and was just as hard, to make the fingerboard and the chin rest out of." The normal instrument had a black or brown chin rest, and an, unfinished, ebony piece carved with a double curve for the fingerboard. Joseph had carved two pieces of linn wood, instead. Linn wood wasn''t rare, but finding pieces big enough to make these pieces was. And if carved right, the wood would fluctuate in color as the strings vibrated through the body. He handed me a small piece of rosin, and I immediately grinned, and took the bow out of its case, and began to play the same tune I had earlier, but this time I felt something in the air, a strange resonance as I played. Joseph grabbed my hand and stopped my bow. "Child, I know you played that tune earlier, but please don''t ever finish it with an instrument made of linn." He looked me dead in the eyes as he said it. I had never seen the playful man, the least bit serious, so seeing him serious, and fearful, I simply nodded and put the instrument away, loosened the bow, and snapped the case closed. "Thank you for something so beautiful." I said. Lunch was fairly uneventful, aside from the other presents the fellow orphans gave me, it was a normal day. I played ''happy birthday'' on the violin Joseph gave me, and then went back to work. It was about ten minutes ago, that anothe guest came by the orphanage. A huge man. After a few minutes of Matron Garrett, the Platnum girl, and him in the office, I was summoned again. The man told me he was Watcher Kiel, and he had things for me, the first was a book, and the second was a staff. When I touched it, the light blue mist that seemed to form around it wrapped around my arm. I suddenly knew this was a deadly tool, meant for war, and I knew that I would know how to use it if the time came. Mr. Watcher told me that in two hours I would be in some of the most pain I could be in. It scared me, but holding onto the book, I felt somewhat relieved. He called Matron Garrett January, then told me I was leaving with him. "I want to stay here, with Sarah, and Jeremy." "Well, Raina, what if I agreed to adopt them, so they could come with us." "Wait, does this mean you have adopted me?" I was struck dumb at the thought. How am I important enough to be adopted by a watcher. "That''s all in the book, and it seems you have selected two of your five companions, one selected you." Now we need the healer that is selected, and the one exiled, who follows." If you are going to need a healer, Natasha is gifted in getting this one to heal, none of the others could heal her well." "The healer selected. Now we must journey. I have procured a cart, in an hour, you will be in so much pain we won''t be able to get you to step." "Mr. Watcher, why will I be in pain?" He took the book from me, and flipped to the last page of the forward. He pointed to the eyes of the girl drawn there. "This will happen to your eyes, but most importantly, a power will rapidly grow inside you. It will age you, and make you look as though you are on the cusp of womanhood." He paused for a second, "your mind will still be 6 year old you, but your appearance will change." After 20 minutes Outside of town, we stopped walking, and Mr. Watched picked me up and put me in the cart. Not even 10 seconds later, when the headache started, I felt a though he made the right decision bring the cart. Then I passed out.