Chapters 1-5 Summary

"Birthmarked" is the first novel in the "Birthmarked" Trilogy.

Chapter 1. The Baby Quota. Gaia, who has been training under her mother for years, has just become a full-fledged midwife. Called out while her mother was gone, Gaia has just delivered her first baby, a perfect little girl. The mother believes the child will remain with her, therefore she becomes hysterical when Gaia tells her she must advance the child to the Enclave as required by Enclave law. Gaia walks the baby to the Enclave gate and is greeted by Masister Khol and praised for doing her duty to the Enclave.

Chapter 2. A Small, Brown Parcel. Gaia is on her way home when she runs into Old Meg, her mother's assistant. Old Meg tells Gaia that her parents have been arrested. Old Meg is running away to the Dead Forest and she...