Why?

Questions arise as the little one must be presented before the Senate.

A SHADOW'S TALE

Children from my dimension are born already able to walk and talk, thanks to the magic in their blood. I was born different to the others, and I knew that right from the very beginning. My mother, Arella, held me close as soon as she was allowed, stroking my violet hair.
“My little Allyssianne.” She whispered into my ear. I cuddled closer to her, unsure of this new world.
“Mother.” She kissed the top of my head before looking up as some one walked into her bedchamber. I followed her gaze to see a tall, muscular man dressed in hooded white robes.
“Arella.” He said with authority. “Give me the child.”
“Marcus, no, I can’t. Allyssianne is my daughter, no matter who the father was.”
“She must be destroyed, or she will destroy us!”
“We can raise her the Synari way, show her how to use her magic peacefully.”
“Arella, I beg you to listen to me and to reason. She is a demon and nothing will change that. She will be constantly fighting her other side. This is the kindest option.”
“But it isn’t! She can still live a good life until the destined time!”
“She will always be evil, and there is nothing we can do about it!”
“We can teach her!”
“There is no persuading you, is there?”
“Not when it comes to something dear to me.”
“You will be called to the Senate, where the final decision will be made.”
“Women have the right to keep their children.”
“She may be allowed to live, but if her demonic side ever manifests, she will have to leave you, and may be destroyed.” Arella bit her lip, but lowered her head. Marcus bowed low to Arella and left, robes billowing out behind him. Arella looked down at me and I looked up at her, sparkling blue gaze locking with deep violet.
“What is going on?” I asked quietly.
“Nothing, little one.”
“You’re lying.” I mumbled as I drifted off to sleep.

A fortnight later, my mother and I walked into the Senate Towers, heading for our judgement. A mass of different sized turrets all linked by passageways and terraces. I looked around in awe at the marble sculptures and the runes carved into the varnished wooden walls. Arella had donned a set of flowing hooded white robes, the same as everyone else was wearing. As we waited outside a pair of heavy looking wooden doors, she nervously straightened my pale blue cloak, telling me over and over again that it was going to be ok. Her nervousness put me on edge and I jumped as the doors opened, an armed guard stepping out. He conversed with Arella in rapid Synari before pointing us in with his spear. It was time to meet the Senate.

Even at two weeks old, I was as tall as a two year old. I knew that other children didn’t grow that fast and it just added to the confusion that I felt. All the emotions in my mind were wiped out as I looked around the semi-circle of seemingly hundreds of people there. Half the human-like Synari, native to this dimension, and the other half the winged, humanoid people called the Careen who lived in harmony with our race. Everyone wore the same white robes as Arella, all but one, one dressed in silvery robes. That’s when I made the connection. Arella was part of the Senate!

Arella bowed to the person in silver and gestured for me to do the same.
Don’t do it. A voice in my mind said. Arella frowned at me and I decided to obey her, bowing to the silver person instead of listening to my mind. It continued to mutter angrily at the back of my mind.
“Arella Dove Roth,” Silver person said clearly. “you expressed a wish to keep this child, Allyssianne Roth, and to teach it our ways, despite what it is. Is this true?”
“It is, High Priestess Arias,” Arella responded in the same clear tones. There was a collective gasp around the Senate members. “I believe that Allyssianne could grow up well, fighting the influence if only we teach her how and why.”
“Impossible!” Shouted one member. “It is a demon!”
“Peace Meran.” Arias said softly, and he immediately fell silent. She turned back to us. “A mother has the right to keep her child, no matter the identity of the father. We offered Arella the chance to rid herself of the child before it breathed the air, and she refused on account that she may be saved from the fate in store for her. The girl has already shown us that there is a demon deep within her mind. Do you still stand by your choice?”
“I do.” Arella affirmed. She looked down at me, smiling slightly before turning back to Arias.
“Does the child know the consequences of your actions?”
“I have not yet explained as I fear that I do not know enough.” Arias sat back, thinking.
“What does the Senate decide? A show of magic will cast the vote. All those in favour of Arella keeping the child?”

There were a few seconds of muttering as the Senate members summoned their magic to cast the vote. I glanced around in wonder at all the different colours of magic. Blues, purples, greens, iridescent. There was a rapid scratching of a quill as the court scribe, one of the Careen, quickly took down the number of votes with a long chestnut quill, probably one of her own feathers.
“All those for the destruction of the child?” Arias asked once the last of the magic had dissolved into the air. Yet more tendrils of colour reached into the air, followed by the rapid scratching of the scribe’s quill. “Results of the vote Carai?”
“Ninety votes both ways.” Carai announced, glancing quickly at the parchment.
“We have a tied vote from the Senate, and therefore we must follow what the law states, which is that the child may live and that Arella gains custody of her.”
“Thank you!” Arella breathed in relief.
“Patience Arella, I have not yet finished. For the safety of the child and of our dimension, Allyssianne must remain in the care of the Senate.” Arella bowed her head.
“Yes Arias.” She said sadly.
“Arella, we are not removing you from her life. It will be safer for her. The child will not be able to walk the street safely. Once you are well enough to resume Senate duties, you will be closer to her. Will you hand us the guardianship?”
“I do.”
“Quarters will be arranged immediately. Armen, please take the child away. There are things to discuss that are not for the ears of one so young.” A tall, blue-haired man stood up, leaving the semi-circle of people and over to me, kneeling so that his green gaze locked with mine.
“Will you come with me?” He asked softly. I glanced up at Arella, who nodded once.
“Yes, sir.” I replied timidly. Standing up, Armen put a hand on my shoulder, escorting me out of the heavy wooden doors.
“Sir?” I asked. “Why did Arella have to present me before you? She said that it was not normal.” Armen frowned.
“It is not my place to tell you.” He said. I did not ask anymore questions, as I sensed that he was a bit worried about it.