“- and before Kos and our lightful Kofanarch, we welcome Agnes Elizabeth Jamesin known to our Church as Agnes Goodlight, child of Alaric, Templar of the Second Order and her mother, Viva Elizabeth. May she work hard beneath an Everlasting Sun and reap sweet rewards.”

“Thank you Templar Jonesson, that was lovely. May I now return to the childmothers of the Church, they are anxiously attending- yes Jared what is it?” says he, turning to a tugging on his overcoat.

“Da, whassat in the blanket?” Jared blinked his pale brown eyes up balefully at the bearded man. His father sighed with slight impatience, and upon taking the swaddled infant from his colleague, sat down upon a wooden bench, and lifted his other child onto his knee.

“Well Jared, this is your little baby sister. Your childmother had another babe by me, and so she’s your proper sister, moreso than the other children.” With a quizzical look, Jared poked at the squishy flesh of the baby in his father’s arms. “Hmmm no I’ve a baby brother.”

At this, his stony faced father finally cracked a smile. “No, mine light, she’s a little baby sister. A little light”

“Oh. Ok then.”

“This is very important, Jared. You’re her big brother now. Will you keep her good and living well in the light, according to the ways of our Church and its teachings?”

Though not really knowing what was being asked of him, Jared nodded solemnly, and poked at the bundle again, brushing a tuft of red hair. A tiny pale hand gripped tight around his little finger.

“Hullo Agnes.”