Rumors of the thronechild's disappearance had plagued the domain

Rumors of the little thronechild's disappearance
had plagued the domain

The speculation about the cause had always been so outlandish

The speculation surrounding the incident had always been so outlandish

Mani's hand shook, fingers digging in,
but his eyes were steady,
searching Kilyan for a sign of anything other than what he saw.

One bedtime verse claimed that the child had been taken by cradle mourners,
the spirits of bereaved parents who steal unguarded children in the night.
Some folks claimed that the king had been hiding a miscarriage
until it could be hidden no longer.
Certain whispers in shady corners told tales of the king's own sister,
who had been denied the throne and wanted revenge.
The truth was that no one knew the whole story.
Both king and queen had remained silent about their ordeal,
only holding a quiet ceremony for their young son.
The royal sister's disappearance had also received no official attention.
Even Cajmel's journal could not tell the whole story.

Mani's hand shook, fingers digging in,
but his eyes were steady,
searching Kilyan for a sign of anything other than what he saw.