Blood Moon Rising

Four

The dimly lit hall of the palace seem to suffocate Jirani as she quietly and quickly runs through them heading straight for the library.

The palace is quiet and still, the complete opposite of the atmosphere in the morning and afternoon.

Just as she turns the corner, she runs right into someone. It’s Rex much to her dismay. He catches her by the waist to ensure she doesn’t fall.

“Jirani? What are you doing up?” He asks her. Even he knows she’s not permitted to be up at this time of night navigating the palace.

“Rex!?” She seems irritated to see him. “Oh how wonderful!” She frowns. His eyebrows furrow. “… what are you sneaking around for?” he asks her.

She frowns as she stares at him, contemplating whether or not she should answer him or completely brush him off and get to the library before shes seen by anyone else.

“I’m not sneaking around. I was just trying to hurry before meddling people like you saw me.” She replies quickly trying to sound convincing.

But he eyes her skeptically. “Ok…but where are you going?” Rex asks. She sighs heavily.

“To the library. You know…to read. I don’t have the time or freedom to read during the daytime. So sometimes I have to sneak in here at night. Is that all right with you?” She asks.

“I understand that your father has a lot of rules and restrictions on you, but you have to understand he does that for a reason.” Rex tries to convince her.

She scoffs. “What reason? He has his own selfish motives in mind when it comes to any decision he makes…especially in regard to me. There is nothing that he’s doing for my benefit.” She replies.

“And being queen isn’t beneficial to you?” He asks. “No. Not when it means I’m just there to put on a show…not when my darling husband is the one who will truly be king. I’m merely there to support and be controlled.” She replies to him.

He stares at her for a second, unsure of what to say. “Jirani, I am not your father.” “Yet.”

With that, she pushes past him and goes to the library, finding Zaiyon there waiting for her.

“It was you who informed Orion about the plans of the conquest of Tritoy?” She asks him quietly, waiting until they were standing right next to eachother.

“…it was.” “So you’re an official spy from Orion?” She asks him. “I am. When I spoke of protection and connections in the south, I wasn’t lying.” He replies to her.

He takes this time to remove his hood, giving her a good glimpse of him. She can tell he’s a bit older, close to age with her father.

He has one silver eye, black hair, and a peculiar tattoo of a red moon. “This is my official marking.” “Do you mind if I ask a few questions?” Jirani asks.

Zaiyon shakes his head. “That it’s what I’m here for. Ask away.” He grants her permission.

“When did you get here? And how long have you been doing this?” “I got here a long time ago. Around…25 years ago. I’ve been infiltrating this nation since the day I got here.” He replies.

He turns slightly towards her. “See, here’s the thing about Orion and Runalia. They’re the oldest nations in the south, and the strongest. They’re rich, and their bloodlines are strong. They’ve been working hand in hand for generations now.” He begins to explain to her.

“Two of us were sent…and well. Let’s just say it didn’t go so well for the spy they sent from Runalia.” He says as he looks down at his shoes.

“What do you mean?” Jirani asks. “Well she uh…she actually convinced your father to fall for her. Then he discovered that she wasn’t who she said she was…that she had belonged to another man. So he took her child and cast her away.” Zaiyon replies, turning away from her.

“Oh no…that’s horrible.” “…” Zaiyon doesn’t say anything, he just stares dejectedly at a book on the shelf.

“Can I ask you some questions now?” Zaiyon turns to face Jirani. “Yes you may.” “Have you made your decision?” “I have.” “And what will it be?” He asks.

“I will work with you.“ she replies confidently. Just by studying her face, he can tell she’s telling the truth.

“Great.” “Jirani, how much has your father told you about your lineage?” He asks me. “Nothing much. He’s only told me about his and his family’s bloodline. We’re Kazeorian.” She replies to him.

“He’s kept your knowledge of Ademian lineage ignorant to keep control over you…I must teach you these things in order for you to be ready.“ Zaiyon explains to her.

She nods her head. “Understood. I will learn as much as i can.” “First, I need you to read these.” He grabs a few books off of the table behind them and hand them to her, having already been in the library searching for material for her to learn from.

“All of us are Ademians. Qevorians, Yemians, Runerians, Kaezorians, and Bremians. Your mother…she was a runerian. Do your research on both runerians and kaezorians. There’s a lot about yourself that your father has kept hidden from you.” He explains to her.

“Until then, I have to go. Someone’s coming.” He announces his departure. Her eyes cut to the door. “You hear someone there?” She asks, turning to look at him again. Only, he’s completely disappeared.

Jirani tucks the 3 books into her dress quickly before she’s caught. The doors burst open and a few guards burst in followed by her father.

“Jirani, what are you doing in here?” He asks her. “I was looking to see if my charm mother gave me was in here. It’s seemed to disappear after my lessons in here a few days ago.” She replies with a quick lie.

He stares at her for a second before replying. “Very well. Let me not catch you disregarding the rules I’ve set in place for you again. I will not be so understanding next time. Now good night.”

“…good night father.”