Lorren

Seven

“The Lyall family has always had magic in their blood. They have always married and mated with others with magic as well. Not because they wanted power, you understand, but because it was part of their lineage - the power, you see. It is how they have maintained their Royal status - their power allows them to protect the realm. The Lyall family line has always produced twin offspring, since the beginning of the bloodline over thousands of years ago, but has never produced female offspring... Until Ledia and her sister, that is,” Aran started, still holding Lorren’s hand gently.

“Ledia has a sister?” Lorren asked softly, her eyes wide and childlike as Aran began his story.

“Had a sister. She went missing the night she was born. The Lyall family home was attacked late into the night, while everyone slept. The only casualties were those of the serving maids, the wet-nurse, and the guardsmen. I remember that night, having been around seven years at the time, Etan having been two. My family and the Lyall family have been close since my father, Aearion Vanval befriended Herion Lyall, the head of the family and the King of the realm, when they were just boys. We had been there for the birth of the twins, for the celebration afterwards, and were to leave for home the next morning,” Aran continued.

“Why was she taken?” Lorren interrupted, her grip on Aran’s hand tightening slightly.

“We are unsure why, but it’s been speculated that it has to do with the fact that the family has so much power in their blood, and the fact that they are the only blood-related females of that bloodline. The sheer power Ledia and her sister have coursing through their veins is immeasurable. Imagine what someone could do with that kind of power if they ‘bred’ either of them with another powerful being, creating an even more powerful bloodline. Right now, the Lyall bloodline is the most powerful in all of the Realms. But what if someone was to challenge that one day by introducing a bloodline that was stronger, regardless of whether it stemmed from the Lyall line at all or not? It would be disastrous. The Lyall family keeps the peace amongst the Realms, enforcing the laws that allow the different races to coexist peacefully,” Aran explained to her.

“What does this have to do with me, then?” Lorren asked, dread seeping into her features.

“I think you’re the sister of Ledia Cyrena Lyall, daughter of Herion and Vanya Lyall, Lorren. I think you were taken from your rightful home, raised to be something you aren’t, and are now returning to where you belong, whether you realize it or not. You are strong. Small? Yes, but strong. Like a sapling, you can bend, sway, and thrash, taking anything that can be thrown at you, and in the end, still stand tall and proud, never once having broken. I want to speak with Herion and Vanya, ask if they will see you. I want to see if my suspicions are correct, Lorren. I want your permission to do so,” Aran asked, his eyes probing hers with want of approval.

Lorren stared at him for what felt like an eternity before nodding her head in assent. Questions bounced around in her mind like rabbits trapped in a cage, but she held her tongue. Instead, she felt tears gather in her eyes and panic build in her chest. She had never cried without serious cause before, and now she felt she was about to. She fought back her tears for as long as she could before she let out a sob, covering her face with her hands in shame.

“Lorren?” Aran questioned, his eyes going wide before he gathered her up into his lap and wrapped his arms around her, rocking back and forth gently, murmuring in the old tongue to her quietly. He tightened his hold on her when she buried her face into his chest, her tears staining his dark tunic. “What’s wrong, Lorren? Talk to me.”

“What if I am who you say I am? I am not worthy of such a noble family, Aran. I’m a murderer. A trained assassin who coldly kills without asking ‘Why?’ How could they ever accept me into their folds?” Lorren sobbed brokenly, feeling weak and exposed in Aran’s arms.

Aran gently lifted Lorren’s face, using his forefinger and thumb on her chin, “You are not who you believe yourself to be. I have seen you. All of you. In every sense. You are not a killer. Have you killed? Yes. Does that make you the killer you claim to be? No. You were trained to be a killer. Training is for those who cannot do something so naturally as another. You are meant for love and light, Lorren, not death and darkness.”

Aran placed his forehead against hers as he continued to speak, his warm eyes drilling into hers, “There is so much goodness in you, it’s amazing that it has been untainted by the amount of evil you have been surrounded with your whole life. I have seen your heart, and it is pure. I know you mourn in your heart for the ones you’ve killed. Do not think that I have not seen it. I have, and I mourn with you. You do not need to be frightened. If you are who I think you are, you will be welcomed home with open arms and open hearts. Your secrets are safe with me. You have nothing to fear - I will protect you. I have since my brother brought you here. I will not stop protecting you now that you are healing. I have seen you, and I cannot, no, I will not let anything happen to you or harm you, not as long as I still have breath in my body and power in my veins. You are not alone anymore. Odulen an edraith angin - I am here to save you,” he swore in the old tongue, his hands now cradling her face as their foreheads touched.