Cruel Indifference

*A week later*

Dust. Literally everywhere. And in places even a lady like Diana would never tell a soul about. Now Diana was no pampered lady, but becoming a part-time midwife had made her accustomed to a routine with a dash of peacefulness.However Diana would dare not complain about the wagon's bumpy ride along the trail. She had been in far worse situations, where her life had hung on by a mere thread.

As the baby gently gurgled in her arms, she gently rocked it. A characteristic that had once been foreign to her, was now as common to her as breathing. Love, or something close to it, had settled long ago within her as she had taken care of the baby. She understood quite well how it felt to be forced to live out a life not for yourself. Her gazed settled on the distant horizon, a singular though repeating through her head. A wish of sorts. The hopeful longing that she could spare the child from her impending doom. But she knew she could not, she had taken an oath to the kingdom as a mage, and it was to be fulfilled at all costs. How cruel, she thought to herself.

The babe who had been content with being rocked looked up as the calming motion had suddenly stopped. Diana, who had seen far too many deaths in her lifetime, was crying. She really didn't understand it herself, why would she cry for this baby she hardly knew, she was not it's mother. A chubby hand suddenly appeared within her field of view and tapped against her tear stained cheeks. Diana was so surprised that she stopped crying, and chuckled gently.

"Oh, you pitiful child. It really isn't me that should be crying and cursing the world. You should be the one to wail towards the sky. I'm surprised that you aren't the one crying, but after all hero's are known to be hearty physically and emotionally."

She gently grabbed the infants hand and kissed it gently.

"Thank you for your comfort little one."

After tucking the small comforting hand back into it wraps, Diana knew she probably wasn't the only one that needed comfort. Surely the parents couldn't be faring any better than her, the remorseful kidnapper.

Unbeknownst to her, Anna had begun to move on, and was in considerably high spirits at the moment, even though her baby had been forcibly taken away from her.

The disappearance of one's flesh and blood would cause most to mourn, or yearn to have them back. It was very strange indeed, that both mother and father were doing just fine. It seemed as if they had forgotten that they had just welcomed their child into the world a week ago. They had, in fact, not forgotten. They simply didn't care enough to spare the child even a singular thought. Sure they were shocked initially after Diana had taken the baby, but that feeling soon changed into acceptance. And from acceptance to indifference. That child was no longer of their concern.

Cruel. And exceptionally cold. This was how this world's people were. Their mindset had solidified into this after trying to survive in a demon and monster infested land. One could not afford to linger on thoughts of those already gone. Some would argue that a parent should always fight for their child. But all that went through Anna's and Theodore's minds was a simple fact. They could always. Try. Again.

Although Diana was not privy to all this information, she knew that the parents would have difficulty seeing their child again. They might never see their daughter in this lifetime. And so, Diana had come to the conclusion she should act in their place. She would try to the best of her ability to support this child. To help her grow up healthy and strong. And to make sure she had the best chance of survival in this cruel world.

This was the oath she made, and in her heart she knew which of the oaths she would honor. Even at her dying breath she swore she would heed it. As she looked outside the wagon at the setting sun, the beautiful color seemed to reinforce her decision. Against the blue sky, splashes of orange collided with red and purple. The clouds above seemed to be lined with a soft pink glow. As astonishing as these colors were, Diana could not afford to be completely distracted. No one in this world could be. Misfortune often strikes hard, and is ruthless to those unprepared.

If one listened closely they could hear it. Hoofbeats, and they were rapidly closing the distance.