Shattered Exile

SEVEN Emotion-2

‘Pathetic!’

Despite being the architect of the creature’s miserable existence, he had no remorse for its wretched being. Experience told him that melding key bodily components ultimately lead to failure, thus he had taken a different approach with his latest work. Rather than swapping limbs and significantly reworking the flesh, he had instead decided to adopt a more simplistic approach, choosing to graft the mother’s torso onto the back of the daughter’s own. Together they crawled awkwardly across the floor, with arachnid-like movements. Both retained their original limbs and head, however, the front of the mother’s torso was now fused to the back of her own daughter, forcing the pair to work in unison. Their heads were bowed low, due to their own weight, which in turn caused their long hair to drag across the floor, further obscuring their vision. For a brief moment he considered tying back their hair, yet it amused him to watch their continued struggle. However, despite his personal amusement, he could not permit the creature’s release; he still had a use for the aberration, so he approached the wretched construct, which recoiled in his presence, and proceeded to separate its lips.

‘There – now you can eat. Now be quiet! Do not make me regret this decision.’

He turned his back on the deformed mother and daughter and once again lay down upon the hard stone floor. With his creation no longer whining, he could think clearly about the path ahead. During his time spent holed up in the store, he had overheard a number of conversations in the street outside, despite the meddlesome scrier’s impromptu curfew. Conflicting advice had filtered down from the Tri-Spires, as guards patrolling the streets openly reaffirmed public safety, informing the Freylarkai of the queen’s decision to proceed with the Trials. Some of the civilian Freylarkai appeared to welcome the news, though most had said nothing, suggesting a lack of faith in their queen’s conviction. The general hesitance in accepting Mirielle’s proxy sermons meant that the streets would remain largely empty – for the time being at least – thus providing him little in the way of cover to mask his movements. Nevertheless, Mirielle’s hubris meant that ultimately the Freylarkai would push ahead – albeit reluctantly – with their pompous Trials, thus populating the streets of Freylar again. A leering wide smile formed across his pitted face, as the fact crystallised in his mind; news of the Trials was most welcome indeed, and would provide an opportunity to advance his agenda once more. Yet despite the fortunate turn of events, he remained frustrated, forced as he was to exercise restraint. Breaking cover now would only lead to his detection; he needed to remain patient. Eventually, come the cycle of the Trials, he would slip unnoticed through the busy streets of Freylar, ever closer to his imminent goal. The thought caused his mouth to salivate incessantly, which in turn saw black liquid collect at the corner of his lips, before dripping to the floor. His pupil-less eyes widened as he licked his cracked lips. In just over one more cycle, his patience would be rewarded. He laughed quietly to himself, amused by the path fate had chosen for him, courtesy of Mirielle’s own poor judgement. His amusement was short-lived, however, as the renewed sound of whimpering quickly began to grate on him once more. The thing opposite had finished its meal and was now starting to irritate him again. He groaned audibly and rolled over, facing away from the fledgling construct.

‘For the last time, be quiet! Any more noise, from either of you, and it will be the last noise either of you hears.’

Lothnar’s mental interrogation of her sister ceased abruptly, ending his hold over Darlia’s mind. Hurriedly, she moved to help her sister, who struggled to rise to her feet. Lothnar’s methods were blunt and intrusive, the result of which had left Darlia reeling. She held onto her elder sibling tightly, who rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet, clearly struggling to compose herself. Darlia’s eyes were full of tears, and she could feel her sister trebling in her arms.

‘You love her, this Lileah?’ said Lothnar impassively.

Darlia looked up, and stared teary-eyed at her former interrogator.

‘More than your ransacking of my mind will ever allow you to know.’ replied Darlia, who continued to cling to her closely.

‘You realise, of course, that this will not end well for you both?’

‘Lothnar, my actions hasten such outcome. Lileah’s success or failure is now irrelevant to our future together, which has already ended. All I wish now is for the chance to atone, and to spare the unnecessary release of our kin.’

‘Including that of your lover?’

‘If I am able, though I fear Lileah may have already sealed her own fate.’

‘And as a scrier, you accept this?’

‘Lileah cannot be swayed from her cause, one which we once shared, but is now solely hers. Her impetuous need for revenge against those who have wronged her, or those whom she cares for, has now consumed her entirely – she must be stopped.’

‘Very well.’ replied Lothnar, at last softening his voice. ‘Your mind confirms your sincerity, in addition I recognise the courage required for you to come here. I will therefore consider your counsel.’

‘Thank you.’ she said, relieved that Lothnar would at least hear her sister out.

Darlia wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded respectfully to Lothnar. The tension in the room immediately eased, like thunder clearing the humid summertime air. Sensing a degree of acceptance amongst those gathered, Nathaniel offered Vorian and her sister the rocking chairs at the far end of the room. Both readily accepted his kind offer, and promptly seated themselves, though Darlia still required her aid. As they began to relax into the large wooden reading chairs, their host hurriedly gathered a couple of wooden stools for her and Rayna, after which Nathaniel perched himself upon one of the dusty piles of books nearby. Lothnar chose to stand, leaning against one of the walls with his arms firmly crossed. Ever the opportunist, Krisis seized the chance to lie across his master’s feet once more, sharing the Paladin’s body warmth with his own.

‘Please forgive the lack of space – we do not typically receive so many visitors.’ said Nathaniel, who tried to get comfortable on his makeshift perch.

‘There is no need. It is you who must forgive our unannounced arrival.’ said Vorian respectfully.

There was another awkward moment of silence. She could see the mounting expectation on everyone’s face, as each of them waited respectfully for the other to commence their proceedings. Stealing a leaf from Rayna’s book, she chose to begin the discussions by cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

‘I am afraid that a proper reunion between us will have to wait, sister. Tell us, when will Lileah most likely attack the vale?’ she asked.

‘I cannot say for certain, though it is likely that we still have a little time. By now, Lileah will have likely gathered up the retreating Narlakai herd. Despite their natural aversion to the light, there are numerous subterranean caverns that run beneath the surface of the borderlands. Lileah will exploit these passages to mitigate the Narlakai’s ponderous movements, by keeping them moving whilst it is still daylight.’

‘I have seen those caverns – you used them yourself.’ said Lothnar, further validating her sister’s account.

‘Correct. Although they do not run the length of the borderlands, they will significantly advance Lileah’s schedule. We cannot delay our response, in my opinion, longer than a cycle.’

‘Nor can we permit the Narlakai to enter the vale.’ said Rayna sternly.

‘Then we must assemble The Blades immediately, if we are to meet this new threat.’ said Lothnar grimly.

‘Agreed, however, Mirielle will not consent to such action based on my sister’s claims alone, despite your confirmation Lothnar. Darlia is an exile and would be treated as such.’ she said flatly.

‘And if we speak to her together, what then?’ asked Lothnar.

‘She would likely feel pressured – maybe even threatened – by such a display of unity, and therefore react unfavourably towards each of us. The Queen has displayed increasingly capricious behaviour as of late.’ she explained.

‘We could speak to Marcus first, win his fav--’ said Nathaniel, before she rudely cut him short.

‘That would be a mistake!’ she said, commanding the gathered ensemble’s absolute attention. ‘My apologies Nathaniel, I did not mean to interrupt. However, what you are proposing would be seen – by Mirielle at least – as a betrayal of her trust. We need to find a way of forcing the Queen’s hand, thus denying her the decision.’

‘And how do you propose that we achieve such an end?’ asked Lothnar, suddenly pushing himself away from the wall, disturbing the contented dire wolf, before moving closer.

‘If we could win over the Freylarkai, and sow the seeds of our desire amongst them, they would ultimately force the issue for us.’ she said, musing aloud.

‘Careful, sister, for you talk of insurrection. Besides, such an act – even if successful – would surely take too long. We do not have the time necessary to politic our way out of this one.’

‘Actually, Darlia, that is not strictly true.’ said Rayna, unexpectedly.

‘This should be interesting.’ said Vorian, who until now had remained largely silent. ‘What it is that you propose, Rayna?’

‘Vor, I am glad that you ask.’ replied The Guardian, offering the Knight a playful wink. ‘My proposal is simple, though it is not entirely without risk.’

‘Rayna, every moment spent dallying sees Lileah approach one step closer to the vale – we are already at risk.’ she said, eager to learn of the light bringer’s thoughts.

‘Very well, Kirika, then ask yourself this question: are you finally ready to step out from Aleska’s shadow?’