It was March and snow was everywhere. There was lone man standing in the woods, big in every way possible. He was high and wide, as if he was not human, but a bear. His fur coat, pants and hat made him look even bigger. His short white hair barely visible under hat and his beard, also white, was long, reaching his chest. He had wrinkles and clearly was in his old age.
That man was standing there, looking at mountain at in front him, with steady breath, creating a cloud of steam.
"Richard? Are you okay?" asked low voice and big man turned towards person who was asking. It was another man, just as big, maybe a little smaller than Richard. He had long black hair and black eyes and a small scar on his left cheek.
"Yes, don't worry Gubo" said Richard with a barely visible smile under his white beard "How is my daughter?"
"We brought the best midwife we could find in this world" answered Gubo "She will be fine, you shouldn't worry" said he coming close to Richard "Everything will be okay"
They both stared at mountain for some time with silence, when Richard finally said.
"You don't have to continue with this path, Gubo" Richard switched his gaze towards young man "This is a big risk.."
"I don't want to hear it, general" said Gubo interrupting Richard "I am following you not only because I respect you, but because I also think that this is the right side of the battle"
Richard smiled, then suddenly started laughing and hit Gubo on shoulder. Richards blue eyes were wide open and it seemed like they were on fire. He put his hand on Gubos wide shoulder and said.
"You are great soldier and friend Gubo, much better than I ever was" and then hit Gubos shoulder a few more times, while laughing a bit "Right, let's go back. I don't want to be late to my grandson birth"
He went towards a small wooden hut, which was in the centre of nothing. Just one house and lots of trees.
* * *
Once Richard stepped into house he heard the moans of woman. His heart squeezed, any man is weak towards his child's pain and Richard was no exception. Gubo went inside after Richard.
"And.. father?" asked Gubo looking at Richard, while both were taking of their jackets and hats.
"Useless man, he was drunk again, when I spoke to him last time" Richard was clearly angry "Begged me not to hit him like last time" added he, while rubbing his forehead "If only my daughter would listen to me a bit more.."
Richard sat into the big chair near table, slowly hitting his fingers on table. House was small, but with high ceiling. Small windows barely gave enough light to see everything. Fireplace on the right side of the house had a big flame, but it was barely enough to make room warm, but at least, it was making room brighter.
"Everything will be fine, I am sure baby will be just as you expect" said Gubo.
Richard just nodded and opened a bottle. He poured in two big glasses and handed one to Gubo. Slowly it was starting to get dark outside, Richard snapped his fingers and suddenly a few lanterns lit up. They continued to talk and drink, while woman in the other room was in agonizing pain, trying to give a birth.
Hours went by, when moans went to screams and midwife was asking woman to push, while reassuring her that everything will be alright. Then the baby cry and in short time midwife came out with tired face and smile. Richard rushed to the room with his daughter and saw a baby, a boy in her hands. He smiled, slowly coming to baby.
"He is so small" said Richard, a bit scared to put his rough and big hands on baby, woman smiled, but she clearly was tired and couldn't speak.
"Lady needs to rest, my lord" said midwife "She had a hard time"
Richard nodded, but suddenly stopped when he saw baby reaching his hand towards wall. Richard looked at the wall and saw his sword, his family legacy. It was shining, as if infused with some light. Richard didn't know what to think, be happy or scared. He turned back to woman and suddenly shock was all over his face. Woman was without her consciousness and Richard barely caught child, which was falling from her hands.
"Out! Now! Bring me hot water and my herbs!" cried midwife and in a few moments Richard was outside, where Gubo was waiting, with child in his hands, who was unexpectedly calm.
Minutes went into hours. Both Gubo and Richard were sitting in silence. They had midwife, who can use healing magic and if she can't help her, then nothing could. After a few hours midwife came out and just said "Sorry".
Night was still young, but nobody could sleep that night. Richard was looking at his new grandson, thinking of how he is so different from his mother and father. Gubo was sitting near fireplace with midwife who was tearing up from time to time, as she felt it was her fault. Only Richard knew, that it was not her fault, but the most likely the killer of his daughter was no other than his grandson.
* * *
At morning Gubo took midwife to nearest village and she said she will be fine going from there. Then he came back to Richard, who already buried his daughter, while his grandson was asleep.
Midwife create a substance that they could feed the child for a time being, but she said that they need to find some woman who will feed the child.
"Do you have any plan now?" asked Gubo, when Richard sat down on the chair outside.
"I do" said Richard and drank another glass, just like at night.
"I can do some things for you, Richard. If you need time" said Gubo looking at Richard.
But Richard returned him half empty, half surprised gaze. Gubo felt at that moment how different Richard was from other human beings. No wonder he was considered to be one of the strongest person alive.
"I am fine Gubo, I can manage" said he and smiled, then returned his gaze towards mountain "You know, I always preferred mountains over sea. Always made me more calm" he looked at the baby, which was near him "I have the same feeling when I look at this child"
Gubo looked at Richard with uncertainty. He didn't quite catch what exactly Richard meant.
"But Gubo, just so you know. The prophecy is probably true. This child will change the world as we know right now" said Richard and poured another glass for Gubo and himself "We are starting our plan, just as we thought"
After morning Richard took everything they needed from house and then burned it down. Leaving only ashes on the snow.