Blood Moon Rising

January 1st, 1057 “Pay attention, Jirani. This is how you lead your bloodline to success.” Delaney Thorin begins his speech to his only child, 20 year old Jirani. “This is exactly what I’ve been training you for all your life. If you abide by my instruction, you’ll do fine as a leader.” He tells her. She only silently listens to her fathers words, her deep brown eyes studying the aftermath of her fathers most recent chaos. The once bustling village stood before her in shambles, reduced to burned buildings and scattered goods all around. The silence of the village both comforted her and made her unsettled, due to the hidden heartache beneath the peaceful silence. “Some sacrifices are necessary, Jirani.” Her father says, cleaning some blood off of his sword. “I want you to take a good look at this village, Jirani. I want you to understand that this is the way the world works. If there’s something in your way—you take it down, no matter what.” He tells her. She nods her head very quickly and sharply, keeping her anger contained. Those people were innocent, undeserving of her father’s selfishness. “Now, this entire area will be ours. I have so many spectacular ideas. I can dedicate this area for labor.” He thinks aloud. Jirani only stands there silently, wondering if there was any way she could have helped the people who once resided here in secret. “My lord.” One of the elders appear out of thin air, bowing in front of both Delaney and Jirani. “Your transport is ready, my lord. If you would like, Jirani, we have arranged for a separate transport for your highness, as well.” He says as he keeps his head low. “Very well. You may take the journey home alone if you wish, Jirani. But understand there will be no sightseeing or stopping.” Delaney instructs. “Yes father.” Jirani replies. She walks away gracefully, her long fur coat following behind her in a beautiful flow. The elder then rushes off behind Jirani, trying to catch up with her. “Jirani. May I have permission to accompany on your journey back?” He asks her. She nods her head quickly before climbing inside of the carriage. “Yes you may.” “Thank you my lord.” He thanks her then climbs inside himself. He gives the driver the okay to take off, sending them on their bumpy journey back home to Malachite. “May I ask a question, young master?” The elder asks. “What is it?” Jirani asks, keeping her eyes on the window. “May I help you?” He asks. Jirani blinks at him for a second. “Hm? Help me?” She repeats his question for clarity. “Yes. I know that you want to thwart your father’s plans for expansion. They’re rather unethical.” He explains to her. She studies him carefully before replying. “How do I know my father hasn’t sent you in order to sniff out my disloyalty?” She asks him carefully. Instead of replying with words, he pulls out a small box wrapped in a tattered white cloth. “Please keep this very well hidden. I don’t want you to open this up until you’re safe in your quarters, okay?” He instructs her. “You will certainly trust me after seeing that. Til then, let’s not discuss this any longer.” The elder adds on. Jirani nods her head, tucking the box in a little part of her dress that she hides small things in. The entire carriage ride back home, she ruminates over what could be in the box and why the elder is so confident that she’ll be convinced that he could be trusted after seeing whatever is in there. Keeping the box hidden is no trouble. It’s containing her suspense, that’s what’s troubling her. Growing up in the castle, the elders, her father, and Rex are the only ones she’s really had the opportunity to speak to more than once. Even so, her relationship with the elders is very professional and guarded; she doesn’t even know their names. Delaney kept Jirani very sheltered as a child. All she knew was training, and doing everything her father told her to do. She never agreed with the choices her father made. He was completely fine with destroying entire villages, killing women and children, and conducting unethical research on other ademians and their sub species. Ademians are pure blooded werewolves, direct descendants of the original 5 that once roamed the earth. The family that has reigned over malachite for generations upon the next has very specific goals that have transferred through many different eras: expansion of the bloodline. The men are always seen as leaders and decision makers according to their tradition. They are looked at as the anchors of the family. The men are the ones who go out and work hard to bring back wealth and food for their families. A families wealth in malachite is directly affected by the father. The men are expected to lead the household. Most, if not all, decisions are ran through the father. The women are seen as the nurturers and caretakers. They are required to give their husbands as many children as desired. The women are expected to abide by their husbands wishes and support them in everything that they do. Going against your husband publicly is seen as grave disrespect and embarrassment to your husband. The women are expected to be extremely well behaved and very well hidden from the public. Most women in malachite are house wives; those who aren’t only spend minimal time in public. Once Jirani arrives at the castle, the guards escort her inside. Much to her dismay, she runs into her soon to be husband, Rex Athene. He smiles as he sees her approaching, but she doesn’t acknowledge his smile. “I heard the mission went very well. This is great news.” He exclaims. “It may prove to be as time crawls on.” she replies. He sighs. Sometimes her distant, cryptic way of speaking truly confuses him. “I know you may not agree with everything your father does, but he does mean well.” Rex tries to reassure her, no stranger to her resistance against her father. It has caused countless arguments between the two. “Mean well to who? To him and his ego?” She asks, brushing past Rex to walk to her room. “To you, to us. He’s creating a great country for us and our future descendants to live in.” Rex replies. Jirani shakes her head, internally disgusted. Due to her being her father’s only child, she’s spent her entire life essentially being cultivated to support a man in his shadow. Her father had her husband picked out very early in her life. At the mere age of 10, he introduced the two and explained what he expected of Jirani. Knowing that she had no other choice but to comply, she accepted the expectations without any argument. She tried her hardest to accept Rex, but his docile nature in regard to her father upsets her. He takes everything that he says without any resistance, which she finds undesirable. “Come on, Jirani, don’t you see? We should be grateful to him! Not this! We have easier lives than most. We don’t have to worry for shelter or food or protection.” He tries to convince her even more. “Just let it rest, Rex. I’m not in the mood to bicker with you at this moment. I’ve had a long day.” She’s in a rush to get to her room to hide the items she’s snuck in, but Rex’s useless chatter is delaying her. “Why do you seem so antsy right now? Are you alright?” Rex asks, reaching out to touch her forehead. She quickly dodges his hand. “I’m fine. I need rest. I’ll speak to you in the morning.” “In the morning? You aren’t coming down to eat dinner with the family?” He asks. She scoffs, barely glancing at him. “What family? This cursed group of people…I’ll speak to you in the morning. Good night.” Jirani says dismissively. Rex only sighs, nodding his head. “Goodnight.”