Vocabulary: Ota means "little girl"copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCjnWPGyba
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The babe stayed quiet all throughout the night much to the concern of LeVane's wife. Kreta was so used to having children and looking after the village women after giving birth that she was very familiar with the nightly screaming routine, so familiar, that every couple hours she woke up herself to check on the babe only to hear silence and see a content sleeping baby in the dresser drawer used to cradle her. When dawn started Kreta climbed out of bed and put on her robe without stirring her husband and then went to the dresser underneath the window. The babe was awake and staring quietly at the heirloom above the dresser where the light from the window had caught the glass ball and swirled colors around the room. copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGn7Hbklqi
"What is it, ota?" Kreta crooned softly. She reached up toward the heirloom and gave it a light touch for it to sway above the child's head. The babe gave a kick in delight and Kreta smiled. She picked up the babe and sat on the bed to feed her. The babe ate until she was empty and then took a nap. Kreta gently lifted the baby and tied her in a bundle to her chest as she went to make breakfast. copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡciDfnIQ9l8
The boys were soon up from the smell of the cooking of the smoked sausage, the milky scent of the creamed wheat, and the inviting aroma of the warm maple syrup. Kreta had decided to bring out maple syrup and the good sausage for the morning occasion. She sat on her knees at the fireplace and slowly turned the spit holding the bread to toast. Kreta could hear the boys rifling around to get ready for church, knowing full well they were to be presentable to earn their breakfast. It was then that her husband entered the kitchen, whistling to himself with a lopsided grin. 403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5goezS0v3g
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"Good morning, wife," he greeted. He had even put on his best green hat with an ornate feather on top. copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BcxcHDgOJ
"Good morning, husband," Kreta acknowledged cheerfully. She gave him a kiss and served him his plate, giving him the first toasted bread. He promptly dipped it into the maple syrup in the bowl on the table. copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKYVpk86Bq
It was the Arlen who came down first, focusing on the ladder to help the two youngest brothers down as he always did in the morning. The eldest son Nolan guided the young Keenan and Hadin down from the loft, watching over them carefully from above. Nolan was the eldest boy of nine and Keenan followed at eight years of age; soon both of them would be old enough to go to training and begin learning their trades. Keenan was a sullen six year old and mostly kept to himself, and was kept content as long as he had a decent meal in his stomach. Lastly was stubborn little Hadin. All of the boys mostly looked the same with curly brown hair and brown eyes, however Hadin has mischievous green eyes that were always curious. Often Hadin was the first to notice things, and today was no different.copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sG64XYfHp
"What's that, Mamma?" he asked. He had gotten down from the loft first and had noticed the strange hanging bundle tied across Kreta's shoulders and hips. He had raced towards the table and climbed on top of the bench to point with his finger. copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuDhtTgT5X
Kreta and Andul waited until the children were seated until they broke the news. Kreta untied the bundle and revealed the little babe inside. The younger boys immediately came over to take a look. Keenan hovered over and observed in his own subdued way, but Hadin instantly fussed over the babe, poking and pinching her cheek while letting out excited remarks.copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡS72mjPDd6F
"We've got a sister!" he exclaimed. "Look, look!" he kept pointing. The older boys began asking questions. copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnDB6klYiC
"Where did you get her?"403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRwoJ5mRwE
"When did this happen?"copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OAD9qT3HR
"What's her name?"copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6n6RY9daC
"Ota! Ota!" Hadin kept clapping gleefully. copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6eUdyoZoM
The babe began to get irritated at the commotion and started making a loud fuss to match the reactions of the boys. Kreta rocked her back and forth and decided to sit down and feed her. It took a minute to calm her, but eventually she gave in and suckled as the boys quieted in realization that they had disturbed the tiny thing. copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡolvlIRtyhQ
"Mamma, what she called?" Hadin whispered loudly. copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLHeqTPrOJ
"This is Mira. She will be a part of the family now," Kreta explained. She looked across the table to her husband and he focused on his cream of wheat in deep thought. She could guess his worry from the furrow in his brow. Kreta let out a breathe before she continued, "Mira is different... We found her in a place the church won't like. But she is healthy and you father saw the Star of Fortune last night. It was meant to be... and boys, I need your best behavior at church today, you hear me?" she asked.copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkB4iZEGVf
The younger boys might have known what their mother fully meant, but what they did know that that Star of Fortune was good, and they already liked Mira. The older boys did understand the meaning, and knew better than to question their parents. The boys continued to watch stare amazement and curiosity at the squirming infant. It was in that moment that each brother knew that no matter what they would protect this little girl, as every brother in the world felt about their own sister. Mira was family now. 403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobvIThKZFA
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LeVane broke the silence. "Eat breakfast before it gets cold," he said. copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMIN3qj7ka
The boys snapped out of it and began to hungrily consume the breakfast, knowing full well that once the church bells ring they wouldn't be allowed to eat again until midday. copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd4WHL9yGo
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