Roots of the Beast-Kin

The little boy, Basalin Lenard, was born in the early hours of night, under steady candlelight and the tired breaths of his mother, Balin Lenard. A lion beast-kin, like his parents, he was the son of General Sakan Lenard, and though none could’ve known it yet, his birth would shift more than just the family’s rhythm.

The door creaked open.

The Beast King, Pholomin IV Lenard, arrived without announcement. Just like that... standing at the door, smiling.

"Congratulations, Balin and brother!"

Sakan bowed. "Long live the king. It's a pleasure to see you here. I was just about to send the word, you didn’t need to come here in person."

The old midwife lowered her head and slipped quietly out of the room.

Pholomin dismissed the formality with a warm chuckle. "I'm here as my nephew’s uncle, not as your king."

Sakan gave a soft laugh, then turned to the sleeping newborn. "How fortunate you are, my child," he murmured, resting his hand on Basalin’s soft mane.

"So Basalin it is..." the King said gently, testing the name aloud.

"Please, come in brothe—I mean… Your Majesty." Sakan stumbled on his words.

The King only chuckled, then nodded toward the hallway. "We have another guest waiting."

That’s when she appeared. The Forest Guardian herself—Temina. Even among royals, her presence was... distinct. Not something easily explained in words. The moment she entered, the room somehow felt quieter.

Sakan bowed again, this time with real reverence. "Today is the luckiest day of all. The sacred guardian is here. Basalin, you're really something. Just born, and already you've drawn both the king and our guardian!"

Sakan and the king drifted toward the far side of the room, voices lowered. Left behind, Temina turned to Balin.

"Congratulations! How's the baby?"

"He's healthy and lively," Balin replied, tired but smiling. "Here, would you like to hold him?"

"It would be my pleasure. You should rest. Don't try to move too much."

She cradled the child with surprising ease.

"What was your name again...? Right, Basalin! What an adorable cub you are."

That was when the boy glanced at her, eyes to eyes.

And smiled.

Temina’s expression changed, only briefly. She stiffened. Basalin’s tiny fingers gripped one of hers. Her knees buckled for half a second. She steadied herself, handed the baby back with care, and left...
...vanished into thin air.

Just like that.

No explanation. No farewell.

Basalin cried.

The King and Sakan returned at once. Sakan took the child and tried to soothe him, pacing slowly across the chamber. "There, there. Papa is here with you."

The King, now frowning, looked around. "Where did Temina go? Wasn’t she with you?"

"She handed him back and disappeared," Balin answered, confused.

"Maybe something urgent came up," the king murmured, though he didn’t sound convinced. Then to Balin, "Rest easy. I’ll bring her with me another time."

Eventually, Basalin stopped crying. Sakan placed him gently back into Balin’s arms.

The king stepped closer and placed a hand on the baby’s head. "Be a good boy, Basalin."

He turned to Sakan, his voice quiet. "See you later, brother. I’m counting on you, General Sakan Lenard."

Once the king had gone, Balin looked up at her husband, breastfeeding the little lion. "What were you talking about, dear?"

"It was nothing to worry about," Sakan replied, brushing his hand over the baby’s hair. "He wants to name Basalin as a potential heir. Not the heir... just second in line, after the prince. Said that this could motivate him, keeping the line strong. He wants to announce it on Basalin's first birthday."

He sighed. "I hesitated. He’s just been born… and you know no one will accept it. But Brother looked just as firm when he made me the General. Of course, this opportunity for Basalin also states more responsibility for me as a general."

"Don't worry too much, dear." Balin reached for his cheek and kissed it softly. "We'll be just fine. You, me and our little Basalin."

Balin leaned her head on Sakan’s shoulder, their hands gently resting on Basalin’s tiny blanket as he slept soundly, their world wrapped in golden candlelight and the silence of peace.

***

Knock! Knock!

Someone knocked at the door in the morning. Balin was with Basalin, lying on the bed. Sakan had already left for work.

Balin sat up and permitted, "Come in..."

When the opening doors revealed two regally dressed figures, the recent mother startled. "Oh my! The queen has come. What an honour! Bring a chair, Agatha."

Two-year-old prince Pholomin V Lenard came to visit his newborn little cousin with his mother, Queen Rekya Lenard. Though young, the prince could already speak in short, clear sentences. Unusually bright for his age.

Balin's servant Agatha, a young rabbit beast-kin, set a chair by the bed.
"I'll wait outside, my ladies."

The queen carried the prince and sat on the chair, before placing him beside his brother. "How is Basalin doing today? Still sleeping?"

"He just slept a while ago. If you'd like, I can wake him up, Your Highness."

"No, no! I just came to check on you. Also, this little cub became so excited after hearing about his brother. Besides," she smiled, "You don't need to be so formal when it's just the two of us here. You’re very much like a sister to me."

Pholomin stared at his cousin with great interest. 
"Bru...der!" he said, pointing with delight.

"How adorable, little prince. Brother was also asking about you." Balin smiled.

The queen gently patted baby Basalin and turned to Balin. "How are you today, Balin?"

"No need to worry. I'm alright now."

"Though we live in the same castle, I could not visit you sooner. I'm very sorry!"

"No need to apologize. You came to see me and called me your sister—that means a lot. I can't ask more of you."

"You see, this naughty one always keeps me busy. Even with all our servants, we can not hold him in one place for more than five minutes." 

They both laughed, then resumed their conversation.

All the while, the young prince kept observing his little cousin.

After a long and lively conversation, the queen rose, gently lifting Pholomin into her arms again.

"Okay! We should take our leave now. You should rest too, Balin. I'll come later when Basalin is awake. Let's go, my little prince, it's time for breakfast!"

***

Thus concluded the first ceremonial visits of the newborn boy. Life in the palace soon returned to its usual rhythm, but something lingered in the birth of Basalin. A sense that things had started moving.

And maybe, just maybe, some had already noticed.