Chapter I, Reading 4

Flindra reached for Dakra and touched her on the sleeve.  "Momma, are you saying that I'm adopted?" she questioned in a whisper.  She was shocked to hear her mother's words.  "Why have you never told me before?"

"Flindra, if it were as simple as you being our adopted child, my heart wouldn’t be crying out in pain.  Once you discover your true identity, your fate will take you from here."  Dakra sobbed audibly.  "That's why we delayed telling you, little one."

"Momma, I'll always be your daughter, adopted or not.  I love you."  Flindra was crying again and it wasn't from the memory of her father's death.

Dakra took a deep breath to help fortify herself.  "If you were merely our adopted child, things wouldn't be so hard now.  It’s perhaps more correct to say that we’re your foster family, my dear one.  Now it’s time for you to return to your proper place in the world.

"Years ago, an ancient woman crossed our threshold and brought you to us.  She told us that the Blessed Spirit had chosen us to care for you.  She also told us that you’re the last of the line of King Meldh.  You are a princess!"

 Flindra looked stunned.  "Me a princess!  That's ridiculous!  I'm so ordinary it's absurd to think of me as being of royal blood.  I'm a peasant, Momma."

"No, my little one, don't underestimate yourself.  You’re far more than you realize.  We’ve all recognized your greatness."

Flindra shook her head.  "I'm not all that special," she argued in a whisper.

"Just after Eghero fell ill, we both began to have dreams telling us it was time to share our long hidden secret with you but we delayed sharing the knowledge of your birth.  We knew that you would have to leave us as soon as you heard the truth and Eghero didn’t want to part with you before he left life."  Dakra sighed sadly.  "Unfortunately, the dream comes to me every night and the message is becoming more forceful, so I know I can't wait any longer.  I had to tell you today."

Flindra frowned.  "Does Leudh know?"

"He’s always known the truth.  He was old enough to remember everything when you were brought to us."

"Oh."

Dakra smiled through her tears.  "I remember everything as if it were yesterday.  You brought me joy, such a deep happiness to my heart that I can't describe it.  My cheeks grew sore during those first few weeks for there was always a smile on my face.  At last, I had the daughter I'd always longed for.  You were such a sweet little baby and you took to us so quickly.  The joy of having you has lasted all these years.  You've always been so kind, helpful and loving."

She laughed softly in celebration of her memories.  "At first Eghero and I were a little afraid of the responsibility we’d been given.  Kewero told us that you will take your place among the great."

"Kewero?"

"That's the name of the old woman who left you here.  She made several visits to see how you fared during the first few years you were with us."

"I don't remember her."

"I think that's why she stopped coming.  I think she wanted to remain unknown to you.  At least until the time you had to begin your destiny."

"Oh."

Dakra reached over and took her daughter's hand in her own.  "We tried to teach you things that would help you fulfill your fate.  We decided to teach you the wisdom of nature, so you could always survive within her bounty.  You should always remember that nature provides not only subsistence, but is a vast source of wisdom and knowledge as well.  Nature is one way to gaze upon the face of the Spirit.  The Spirit is reflected in our mortal realm in the world around us."

"Papa always was pointing that out to me.  He said that knowledge would always bring me peace and strength."