Rafael's child

Mira asked for secrecy, to keep the morale, but cried when she was finally left by herself. While there were religious reasons for the paladins of A’hiriya to keep their chastity, there was also the very practical reason of avoiding pregnancy. Their sudden lack of a commander could break their spirit, and shatter the slim hope that they still had to defeat Marus.

"Goddess... your daughter is lost without your guidance, please tell me what to do, how can i serve you?" She prayed, and the goddess voice echoed within her, never having left "oh, favored daughter, you are our sword and our heart, and it grieves us to see you so"

"Goddess, all seems lost. I have yet to gain enough strength to attack my enemy's ****, and now I have..." she placed her hand over her womb "... this condition." Mira closed her eyes, and again felt the tears well from her eyes. "Why? why must it be so? What must i do?"

"There is an answer to each question, favored daughter, but which question are you truly looking for?" The voice was gentle, but invited a painful soul searching. There wasnt much she could do, and the goddess touch gave her the faith she needed to accept that, eventually, she would come to love her baby, as all mothers do. But that didnt change her present changrin.

"What must I do? My people depend on me"

"Retreat. Go into the mountains. Hide, survive the winter. See your daughter born." The sense of peace spread over Mira. "Live peacefully, as you always wished for."

"But... what will happen with my uncle, the King? and Princess Tara, and everyone else in the Capital?"

"Most will survive. Some will marry. Some will have children. It wont be easy for them" Mira felt as if she was an empty cup, free of guilt and despair. She was promised respite, and the Capital would endure. She nodded carefully and the presence began to vanish. Before it was gone entirely, she dared ask a last question: "Who is the father?"

"The demigod you called Rafael, my own foster son."

"... Will i see him again?"