Weaver: A Silver Crown

Chapter 10

I awoke being dragged into somewhere. Looking around hazily through one eye – the other was swollen shut – I managed to make out that I was in the High Widow's throne room, being dragged along by two guards. My weapons gone but my cloak still on. I craned my head to look behind me and saw Talo, his eyes hard, face bruised with a bloodied lip, staring at me with worry in his eyes. I gave a slight nod at him to tell him I was alright. He gave one back.

I looked ahead to see Mahima Raj, the High Widow and the most powerful female in all of the court peering at me with bland curiosity masking her beautiful yet brutal features. And she was beautiful, in an odd kind of way. It wasn't obvious beauty, but more of a subtle tilt of her rouge lips when amused, the blush on her cheeks, the way her eyes crinkled and her black hair shone. But her hair was bluntly cut, pulled back sharply, her eyebrows too neat and her nose too pointed. Mahima wore a simple yet beautifully cut black gown that was tight around the body and flowed freely around the legs, her skin parchment white against it. She was old by human standards yet young in Fae. Still her eyes were slightly wrinkled at the edges.

The floor surged before me as I was launched in front of the throne and sprawled out in front of the High Widow. Talo received the same treatment, if not a little bit more brutal purely because he was a Mixling and not a Court Fae. I glanced up to see my father, Mahima's most trusted steward, standing at the side of the throne, his face bored but his gaze never faltering. I tried to adjust to my surroundings, even though I'd been in the throne room many times for balls and parties and functions before. It was an extremely large room carved into the side of the mountain. All the walls glistened with marble and gems and crystals alike. Some even had water trickling down them.

All the noble family members were gathered today for this interesting spectacle. To watch the next potential in line to be High Widow receive her next death sentence. I peered harshly at them all, recovering myself and getting back onto my feet. The world swayed slightly but I didn't let it show. I glanced around, noting Pateen standing next to my father, my mother and... Aash. He was next to my horrible, brutal mother, her callused hand on his shoulder as if to hold him back; just how I last saw him. Tears glistened in his eyes.

Talo appeared next to me, his throat bobbing in anticipation. I did a full circle of the room, noting all the families: Terash of guard and security, Querisha of silk creation, Wilox of court armies, Raj of court affairs, Yatid of weaponry, Fitel of magic and alchemy, Liauzo of trade and Gratnir of the Pits. My eyes landed on Mahima and I gave her unyielding stare. To my surprise, she burst into a cackle.

“Oh my dear Anera how you do manage to amuse me.” She chirped with her cold, lilting voice.

“What of this then?” I demanded, my voice never wavering. It had wavered before and they had seen it as a sign of weakness, choosing to sentence me to the Pits.

“My my, how you do look absolutely ravishing...” She trailed off, a slight mad gleam to her eye. When no one responded, she clapped in annoyance. “Well, doesn't she? She has grown up to be a beautiful woman has she not?” Murmurs and nods were the only response. She rest her elbow on the side of the throne and placed her cheek on her fist. “How dull you all are.” She pouted childishly. I'd always found Mahima odd but today... She seemed stranger than usual, more entertained. There was something I was missing. I looked to my father, to see if I could catch his eye, but his stare was elsewhere – at the throne room doors.

I swivelled round to found some Yatid nobles dragging in the dead, lifeless corpse of Willow – my absolute most dearest friend – and place her in front of me. It was an effort not to vomit or cry. Her dark skin had paled and blood was splattered all over her from various wounds. She was still her nightgown, as if she had been pulled out of a deep sleep to then be tortured and brutalised. I decided then and there I would behead them all.

“Do you know why she died, Anera dear?” Mahima chimed from her large throne. I gave no response, deeming myself to big of a person to play these silly games. She clicked her tongue in annoyance. “She died,” she said with quiet fury “because she was insufferable and did not obey orders. She helped you with alchemy while you were in the Pits – which is against the rules I'll have you know, magic or no – and then she tried to come after you, abandoning her darling husband.” Her eyes flicked to Leon Wilox, standing at the edge of the crowd to look upon his dead wife's body with tears glistening in his eyes. I couldn't even bare to look at him, did not have the courage. It should have been me. I would grieve later, I promised myself. After I get me and Talo out of here.

“Well what is it then? What do you want with me? With us?” I ordered, urging her to tell me.

“Oh Anera dear I'm just getting started, I still have surprises for you!” She exclaimed. It took much effort to hide the incredulous look on my face. My eyes flicked to Talo's and Mahima must've noticed for she turned her attention onto him. He stood there, hands slack at his sides, his face plain, bored almost. He would've been a good Weaver, I thought. “I almost forgot you bought a friend with you...” She began, her lips pursed. “This is good! I have a gift for you, Talo Diya, too.” My stomach dropped. No no no!

And to my horror, as I twisted round, guards walked in with a stone faced Koell, a squirming Fliteen and a hysterical Mira.

Talo saw them the same second I did, but he was already off, racing towards them, arms outstretched. But he was outnumbered and outmatched, and Pateen was faster, appearing in front of him with his fist ready, sending Talo flying back. Flit screeched in outrage. I turned to Mahima, her eyes glinting with pleasure as she watched us. “What's the meaning of this? What have you done?” I shrieked, her eyes flicking to mine and holding my enraged stare.

“Why, we went to that village you so kindly lead us to of course.” She began, waving her hand in the air in boredom with a sadistic smile on her face. “And burned it to the ground.” She said sweetly, as if she were speaking to her lover in the bedroom. “Along with everyone in it – except these interesting three of course.” She gestured towards them as if they were a bit of dirt on her pristine black slippers. I blinked back tears as my eyes flicked to Mira's, her expression mirroring my own. Oh Gods, Al... Everyone – dead. All those beautiful people – gone. Like they were nothing at all. It should've been me, echoed through me again, vibrating in my now pounding skull.

“W–why?” was all I could manage to moan out as I slid to the ground. I had caused this. Me. All those people, all those beautiful shops and jewellery and bakeries... Gone. Because of me. I could've sworn I heard my heart c***k.

“Well, you see my sweet child. We had always been very curious as to where our lovely Koell ran off to into the night with that disgusting Mixling Paqua Diya after abandoning her dear husband Yerur.” I turned to Koell, tears glistening in my eyes. So that's what had happened. A noble had fallen in love with a Mixling and she'd run off to be with him. I had to give it to her, she was as brave as me, but not as stupid to come back. As if out of nowhere, Yerur appeared, coming to stand at the front of the gathered crowd.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” His gruff voice echoed through the room, he grey silver hair twinkling in the Auralight. “For bringing my wife back to me.” Koell's eyes widened in terror and she began to screech and squirm.

“NO!” She yelled, pushing off one of the guards that held her.

“No?” Mahima asked, c*****g her head to the side in curiosity. “And pray tell, why would a woman not wish to be returned to her husband?”

“HE IS NOT MY HUSBAND!” She howled, her fury a wild thing in her eyes. The devastation of what she had lost hung in the air.

“Oh I believe he very much is so, and it's now time for your return.” Her voice sounded so small and quiet against the bellowing of Koell. “Take them away.” She ordered, waving a hand in the air. “I tire of their presence.” She leaned back in her thrown and gave a childish huff.

“No – wait!” I demanded, putting a hand out to stop the guards from seizing me and the others. “What is to be done with us?” I let the venom creep into my voice, a silent promise to them that I would kill them – soon. Mahima smiled fiendishly, showing teeth.

“How about a deal?” She offered, spreading her hands in front of her. The first rule of being Fae: don't make deals. They never ended well. But curiosity peaked it's ugly head and I had to get them out, including Aash.

“What kind of deal?” I asked, my lips pursed and head c*****g to the side. I squinted in suspicious. Talo's head whipped towards me with wide eyes. He mouthed the word no. I ignored him, waiting for the High Widow to speak.

“If you can figure out the riddle we sent to you – both of them – then you are all free to go.” She voiced so the whole council and all the nobles could hear, with a sweet smile plastered to her face.

“What's the catch?” I urged impatiently. “And free to go where?” I knew how deals worked, they often had loopholes. I had many over the years and learnt the hard way.

“Why, free to go anywhere of course!” She sputtered. “Well... Except you. You must stay.” My whole world tipped upside down. Stay – here. Forever was the idea I got from her wicked smile she now gave me. Aash –

“What about Aash – my brother? He goes too, I will stay.” I demanded even though I was in no position to do so, but I had to try.

“Done.” She waved a hand in the air and I felt the magic settle between us, sizzling my nose. “Do you remember the riddles?” She asked pleasantly, as if we were friends. It was an effort to keep in my snort at the idea.

“No.” Talo answered for me, his voice hoarse as if he'd been screaming. Maybe he had.

“I will have them sent to your cells. In the meantime, you will be fight challengers in the Pits. Take them away.” Dismissed then. I was expecting a cell, it was obvious. The deal did not state we were to be treated nicely. I nodded at Mahima before flicking my eyes to Aash. Tears slid down his beautiful, youthful, boyish face, his black hair glistening in the Auralight.

I didn't fight as the guards came to take me away. Didn't hear the pleading of Mira, the squirming of Flit, the yells and squawks of Talo and Koell. Didn't feel as the guards lead us down and down towards the Pits, the place I had promised myself I would never go ever again, and threw me and Talo into one cell – Flit, Mira and Koell in the one opposite. And then they proceeded to beat us. A punch to eye for Talo, to match his lip, knocking him out cold. A kick to the ribs for me and Gods knew what was in store for the others. I couldn't see in the shadows – couldn't bring myself to look their way. But I could certainly hear their cries and something inside me cracked.

These people I had slowly come to feel for over just a couple of weeks... They had made me feel like I was at home, part of a real family. And what had I done to return the favour? Ruined their lives – forever. I let the thoughts tumble for a long time as I sit and watch a knocked out Talo lie in the middle of cell and the screams of Koell, Flit and Mira eventually die down. I couldn't help the tears they silently slid down my face or the great heaving gasps that came my way. It should've been me.

There was a pile of hay in the corner of the cell and a little bathing area which consisted of a bucket full of filthy, stinking water and a smelly hole in the ground. I crawl over to the hay and lie down, careful not to lie on the side where I was kicked. Wincing as I twist to get comfy, I wipe at my tears now rolling down my face and dripping from my nose. Exhaustion envelopes so strongly that I can't do anything but close my eyes and let the darkness sweep in.

~~~

A thump sounded behind me and I jumped out of a deep, dreamless sleep, my eyes – or eye – flying open.

“Shhh...” A deep male voice soothed from behind me. I let out a breath. Only Talo. He wrapped an arm round my side and slid his other under my head. I tensed, the closeness of him making me feel sick. He must've felt it for he whispered “You're absolutely freezing Anera.” It was true, even with my cloak, trousers, shirt and tunic, I was still shivering. It was bitter in this cell. Talo moved closer and I nestled into him, reminding myself he wasn't going hurt me, even if he did hate me.

“I'm so sorry.” I whispered into the dark, my voice barely audible over the screams and howls of other prisoners of the Pits.

“It's not your fault.” He said tenderly, squeezing me. I winced. “Ah right, they kicked you in the ribs didn't they?” I simply nodded, not trusting myself to talk as the tears began to fall once again. I hated feeling weak, but I couldn't help it. Talo was moving then, leaning up and twisting me round gently so I lie on my back and could face him as he lean above me. He wiped away a tear that slid down the side of my face with his thumb and let out a sigh. “What are we to do?” I scrubbed at my face, careful of my eye.

“I don't know. The riddles – they made no sense. One was just a jumble of letters and the other... What could it possibly be?” I asked to no one in particular, staring blankly at the darkness that was the ceiling. Talo slumped down next to me, also staring into the shadows.

“Do you still have note with all the letters on?” He asked, as if an idea had struck through him.

“I do. But we cannot read it in this darkness. There's barely enough light to just about see each other.” I stated dejectedly, sighing.

“Then how about we change that?” I felt him move and stand, staggering and shuffling in the darkness. I heard him hit what sounded like the iron of cell bars. “Hey!” He yelled into the inky tunnels. “Part of our deal is to be able to read the riddles and figure them out – we need some light in here!” I heard a huff in response and then an Auralight appeared in a sconce on the wall. I blinked back tears as the light seared my eyes. And then there was Talo, walking towards me as I sat up and gave him a small smile. He stopped dead, his eyes widening. I frowned.

“What's wrong?” I asked, c*****g my head. Had the smile been awful? I had to admit I rarely did smile nicely, they were normally rather wicked opposed to nice.

“No – no, nothing.” He stammered, coming to sit next to me. He was quiet for a long moment before opening his mouth and then closing it again.

“Shall we look at the note?” I asked, the sound obtrusive in the silence that hung between us. Something had happened. Maybe I'd shocked him. Foolish males. He nodded at me and I thumbed through the large pockets of my cloak before fishing out the little note that I had received what felt like a lifetime ago now. I showed it to him.

Uyoryiflamielintteredhsaslies

“What does it mean?” I queried, pursing my lips in thought and leaning in to scrutinise it more carefully.

“It's definitely words, just jumbled up.” He said with confidence, almost smug. I rolled my eyes, fighting the urge to hit him.

“But where does one word begin and the other end?” I questioned impatiently.

“The first word is 'Your',” He began, “And then yif – lam.” He sounded out. I thought for a moment, thinking of the word those letters spelt. And then it came to me.

“Family.” I chirped. “Your family.” As if to confirm I was write, Talo squinted at the paper, scrutinising it.

“Your family what? And who?” He asked to no one in particular before turning and facing me, his nose almost touching mine and his breath tickling my lips. “You?”

“I don't know.” I whispered, peering into his eyes. “My family are here and from what I know, they don't have much to hide.” Other than the fact they were monsters. Apart from Aash, of course.