Daily Write - Night on the Row (Part 3)

He was hunter, as was she. They talked about the difference between the woods and the city. They talked about animals, both as prey and companions. Then he asked how good she was with a bow. She took another drink.

“Used to be one of the best in my clan. Could hit a squirrel at a hundred pace in the dark.”


“And now?”
Her shoulders visibly sagged as her chin fell closer to her chest,“Couldn’t hold a bow if I wanted to.”


“Hands shake every time you pull the arrow back?”


She turned around, a little surprised at that response. She couldn’t tell what facial expression he had under that helmet, but she guessed he had a wry grin playing across his lips.

“Same happened to me after my wife and son died. The one thing you know how to do and even that is taken from you.”


“How did you get over it?”


“I killed the bastard who killed them.”


“I don’t really have that option,” she said, sighing “But the alcohol helps with the nightmares.”


“What happened to you?”


She turned back around and stared at the street in front of her. No wagons or carts came by this time of night. The lamp lighters had come and gone hours before. Still the riff raff that hung around spilled out into the streets, just as raucous and uncouth as when the evening had started.


“Nothing that’s worth talking about.”

He frowned. Well she couldn’t be sure he was frowning. But the awkward silence led her to believe that he was. She sighed and corked the bottle. He had just admitted to murdering a man. The least she could do was stop drinking for the moment and reciprocate a bit. Besides, she could already tell that her face was getting red and soon enough, she wouldn’t be able to string together a coherent sentence.


“Got dragged to some island where a group of us were captured by a crazed gnome claiming to be a scientist. We were overpowered and locked away in his dungeons for about a week or so. Don’t really know how much time passed. He toyed with us, mostly. Lab rats for his experiments. We all had our own personal torture rooms.”


Even with her alcohol soaked mind, she could feel that poison coursing through her body once again, driving her crazy. The blinding white light, the bone chilling screams. The screaming would probably be something she could never forget. However, her brain could not hold onto those thoughts for very long. It had slipped into that warm and comfortable spot where there was no holding on to much of anything. The moment a thought went by, it soon left. She now functioned on nothing more than the fringes of her intellect and base instincts.

There was a soft clink of shifting armor as he stood up. He was taller than she suspected he would be. A high pitched whistle came from underneath the helm. In response, a large shaggy wolf came bounding to his side, tongue lolling between a set of ominous looking fangs.


“It has gotten late, so I will have to take my leave for the night, Miss…?”


She never liked people calling her Miss. It made her feel old and stuffy. But it showed that he was polite. He definitely didn’t belong anywhere near The Row. Perhaps there was still some worth in the theory that she was making conversation with an inanimate object her brain had brought to life.


“It’s Cixi.”


“It has been a pleasure, Cixi. My name is Kalecsin, but most simply call me Kale.”
He started to walk away, but was stopped when she spoke up after him.


“All this time we spent here talking and you aren’t going to at least let me see your face?”
He paused, reached for his helm and slowly pulled it off. A messy tangle of crimson hued hair, tied into a single bundle, fell down his back. He looked at her. He grinned. She wished that filter between her brain and mouth was back in place.


“Like what you see?” he asked, obvious that he wasn’t expecting an answer.


“You’re easy on the eyes,” she responded, wishing she wasn’t so forward, but couldn’t do a thing to keep it from happening.

“I am glad to hear that you think so. I have been admiring you from the moment you sat down.”


Cixi snickered at the compliment, reaching for her bottle, which surprisingly she hadn’t emptied yet,“I’m drunk, what’s your excuse?”


“My excuse?” he repeated. A small grin formed at the edges of his mouth, “You’re pretty.”

Daily Write - Night on the Row (Part 2)

Taking another drink, she listened to the sounds of breaking glass and loud shouting. Bawdy songs were yelled from some broken down tavern, while female voices shrieked in response to the grubby hands that played grab ass when females passed by. She took another drink. Predators walked up and down these streets, letting their glinting weapons be seen by all. They walked up to anyone, taking whatever they wanted and dared something to be done about it. It was a group of them, a group she never saw aside from here on The Row. They ignored her. She had nothing they wanted. She had nothing but a bottle of alcohol. A bottle that she would empty before the night was over. Yes, it had come to that.

She couldn’t remember her last sober day. When she was rescued, everyone headed to the rum and ale stashed away on the boat. While some drank the first night, she drank every night on the trip home. And had been drinking every night since.  It didn’t matter. No one had noticed. Everyone was dealing with the nightmare they had just clawed their way through. No one noticed anyone else. So she could get away with stumbling around the Estate or disappearing without a word to anyone. She tilted the bottle up to her lips and let the alcohol burn its way down her throat.


“You really shouldn’t be drinking that much,”


She turned towards the voice. She hadn’t seen him sit down. He had obviously been there for a while and made himself comfortable, leaning against the wall of a dark, grey building.


“Trust me. There are no answers in the bottom of that.”


“Who said anything about trying to find answers?” she replied in a sarcastic tone, taking another pull from the bottle.

She hadn’t seen him before. But would she have remembered if she had seen him before? He sat partly in the shadow of the building he was resting against and the rest of him was splayed in the harsh flickering ray of lamp light coming from a nearby post. There wasn’t enough shadow to cover the mail armor that he was clad in as it glinted whenever he moved.

She couldn’t make out his face, seeing how he was still wearing the helm that went with the suit. For all she knew, she had one drink too many and just struck up a conversation with a statue she had paid no attention to until now. But, real or not, he continued to speak.

“Isn’t that what most people are looking for? A solution?”

She did not answer, simply placed the bottle next to her lips again. If this suit of armor was looking for a philosophical debate tonight, it wasn’t going to get it out of her. Despite her silence, he continued.

“It is just that I think there are better ways to handle whatever it is that is bothering you instead of drowning yourself in alcohol.”

“Then you obviously are in the wrong place,” she answered, gesturing with her bottle, her words starting to take on that tell tale slur of when someone had had enough to drink, “Drowning yourself in alcohol is what happens here.  You and your sobriety is what is wrong with this picture.”

“You are pretty lucid for a drunk.” Was the response given.

“My night just got started. Give it a little time.”

She had sworn he had chuckled at her reply. But she could only that blasted helm on his head. He kept talking. About what, she really didn’t know. It really didn’t matter. There was something she liked about hearing his voice. It was much better to listen to than the normal din of The Row, especially late at night. He was settling, something solid amidst the hazy wash of everything else around her. He got her to talk, about anything. Of course, that wasn’t too hard since booze always had a knack for loosening her tongue and removing the filter that existed between her mouth and her brain.

The Nightfall Saga: Secrets Revealed (Part 6)

Lord Jaias watched as the carriage that had brought his sister and estranged niece to his doorstep finally pulled away. Tobias stood a step behind him. There was an icy silence. Jaias’ normal countenance was marked with agitation, his brow furrowed and forehead wrinkled. But, he only stood there, hands folded behind him.

“What will you have done now, sir?” Tobias asked, watching the carriage disappear into the distance.
 
“For now, we simply sit and wait. Have Matthias watch Cixithara. I’m sure that she will be returning to House Silvacce."

The elven lord turned to head back up the stairs and into the house again, "My niece will come back, Tobias. She knows that she is one of us now.”
 
“The Heads of Council?” Tobias asked, "What will they be told?"
 
“I will do my duty as the head of this House and tell them what I found. Cixithara Daybreaker is a candidate to be the next Vessel and should be treated as such.”
 




The  inside of the carriage was silent. The only sound was the rolling of the wheels against the dirt roads that left Silvermoon City. Both Cixi and Alara had taken off the fancy clothes and make up they had been decorated in for the past several days. It was back to simple clothes and plain faces, but everything between the mother and daughter seemed changed somehow. Cixi didn’t speak to her mother. She didn’t even look at her. She simply stared out the window, pretending to pay attention to the passing scenery outside.
 
“You were never supposed to know,” Lady Alara said in a low voice.
 
“Know what? That I was forced to be something else that I was never any good at in the first place?” Cixi spat out, a tinge of bitterness edging her words.
 
“You are were chosen as Guardian for First Hunt. The Elders recognize you, just like they recognize your brothers and recognized your father. Do not let Lord Jaias’ words poison everything you know about yourself.”
 
“What about Zendier and Taulithran? Are my brothers the same as me?”
 
Lady Alara ran her hand over her mouth before she spoke. The words slowly came past her lips, obvious that she was measuring the weight of every word coming out of her mouth.
 
“They are gifted, but not like you. You were different. Even when you were little, there was something about you and magic that your brothers just didn’t have.”
 
“Why didn’t you give me a choice?” Cixi asked, finally turning her face away from the window, “If you knew what I could do with magic, why did you not give me the choice of being a mage?”
 
“Because I was afraid that you would chose to be one of them,”  Lady Alara answered back, "And you  have no idea what they would have made you become."

"At least they were honest."

Cixi didn’t bother going back home.  She wanted to be by herself for a while, Just to  at least straighten things out in her head. The carriage dropped her off at the front gates of the Silvacce Estate. Cixi didn't smile and wave as the carriage left. Instead, she shoved her hands in pockets and watched as the brightly colored hawkstriders pull the carriage away.

Cixi's mind raced with a thousand thoughts as she slowly walked down the dirt paths that laced the Silvacce estate. Most of them starting with “what if”. Then, it came suddenly. A sharp pain behind Cixi’s eyes. Unlike any headache she had ever experienced before, in a matter of moments, the pain became excruciating. Cixi’s head throbbed, like someone was shoving a spike between her eyes and into her skull. She grabbed the sides of her head and crumpled her to knees. Bright blinding lights streaked across her vision. The only thing she could hear was the thumping of her own racing heart beat in her ears. 

Moments later, Cixi fell over in the grass, writhing, her screams of pain caught in her throat, the piercing pain only going deeper into her skull. The last thing she remembered before passing out was seeing an outline of a woman’s face in the blinding flash of light.

The Nightfall Saga: Secrets Revealed (Part 5)

“Lord Jaias has instructed that he not be disturbed at this time, milady. He should be done very soon. If you would come back at that time, I am sure he will take an audience with you.”
 
The servants were not allowed to put their hands on Lady Alara. She knew that and they knew that. But it didn’t keep the servants from trying anything else they could in order to get her to stop. However, all of their efforts were for not. Lady Alara still pushed her way through, towards her brother’s study. As she entered the outer room, she heard something. Something very familiar. What was that? Was it music? Alara hoped that it was just her frazzled nerves, creating the noise in her own head, playing on her worst fears. She remembered that song, quite well. What felt like a lifetime ago, her father had handed her a toy and told her to open it. She remembered the way he looked at her as those pieces slid across the sides.
 
She grasped the handle of her brother’s study and yanked it, barreling through the door as she did so. There was only quiet afterwards. Quiet that was fringed with a soft melody playing, the music that Alara had hoped she was only hearing inside of her own head. That dreaded song. That terrible song.
 
Cixi stared at her mother’s wide eyes with a startled stare of her own. She dropped the small box on the desk, music still continuing to play. Lord Jaias stood up from his chair and took several steps toward his sister.
 
“What…what have you done?” Alara replied, her stomach sinking with every second.
 
“It’s just a puzzle box…” Cixi started to explain.
 
“How long have you known?”
 
Cixi stopped talking. Lord Jaias had walked around his desk and was facing his sister. There were no pleasantries passed or civility faked. There was nothing but raw reality between the two of them now. It felt as if her mother and uncle had forgotten that she was even in that room. The conversation was now just them.
 
“You had absolutely no right! You had no right!”
 
Lady Alara’s shouting had no effect on her brother. His voice only became colder and deeper.
 
“How long have you known?” he repeated,”How long did you keep this from the rest of us? How long did you keep it away from Father? From the Heads of the Houses?”
 
“Cixithara is a trained hunter, just like her father and his father before him…”
 
“…with Ebonlynx blood running through her veins! Something you can’t erase no matter how badly you want to! There is a reason that your daughter was never able to fit into that excuse for a House that you married into.”
 
“My daughter will never be one of you! Not as long as I have breath in my body!”
 
“Stop shouting!”
 
Alara and Jaias turned from each other. Cixi stood there, opened puzzle box in hand. Alara half stomped, half marched her way over, reached for the toy and hurled it across the room. The box crashed into the wall. The music stopped, the glowing stopped. The box closed and relocked itself. As Cixi stared at the small toy that was now on the ground, Lady Alara grabbed Cixi by the wrist.
 
“We are leaving.”
 
Cixi yanked back.
 
“No we aren’t," Cixi replied, "Not until someone tells me what is going on.”

Story Finale: Secrets Revealed (Part 6)

The Nightfall Saga: Secrets Revealed (Part 2)

Just like that, the Testing was over. There was no more calling of names, no more sitting in hallways, no more secret meetings behind closed doors. Everyone went back to socializing, eating, gossiping and whatever else they had occupied themselves with doing before. Lady Alara busied herself with packing. She was leaving as soon as possible and taking her daughter with her.

In the middle of the frenzied rush, Cixi snuck away. She was just as happy to leave as her mother was anxious to get her out. Nothing would make her happier than to be rid of these ridiculous clothes, ridiculous people and be back in her hammock at the clinic with Nic and Erad. But, there was one person she had to see before she left. After making her way quickly and quietly down the maze of corridors, Cixi lightly knocked on the familiar study door. She knew that she was supposed to have Matthias do all the knocking and introductions for, but that just seemed so silly. Besides, she was on her way home. What could possibly be done to her now for knocking on a door?
 
The door opened and Cixi met the rather stunned gaze of Tobias, wearing his long brown robes as always. He looked past Cixi, obviously searching for the servant who was supposed to be accompanying the young lady elf. Cixi spoke up, directing her question at Tobias
 
“Is Lord Jaias busy?” 
 
“You know that you never have to ask that.”
 
The answer came before Tobias could form one of his own. He quickly moved out of Cixi’s way, allowing her to come inside of the study. Lord Jaias was sitting behind his desk, as it seemed he always was whenever Cixi had come to see him. He rolled up whatever it was he was working on and placed it to the side. His eyes had dark circles beneath them and the lines in his faces seemed deeper than they had been before. A grin crossed his lips as Cixi came into the room.
 
“Has my sister allowed you to come and see me?” he asked, leaning back in his chair and placing his arms on the armrests.
 
Cixi shook her head, as she took a seat on the opposite side of the desk, “No, she doesn’t know that I have come here to see you. But I thought it was only polite for me to come and say goodbye. 

"Goodbye?" Lord Jaias asked, "Rushing off are we?"

Cixi shook her head again, "My mother and I are leaving today. In fact, we are leaving pretty soon. My things are probably being loaded on a carriage as we speak.” 

Lord Jaias took a deep breath,”I had hoped you would have stayed for a bit longer. But once my sister has made up her mind, there is no unmaking it," Lord Jaias paused for a moment.

"You have a position in House Silvacce, I heard. You should take a few of those outfits that you wore while you were here. I’m sure that you will have use for them again.”
 
“I really don’t think my mother would let me keep them,” Cixi replied, “It would probably be best if I just let them remain here.”
 
Lord Jaias nodded, pursing his lips slightly at the thought. There was silence for a few moments. Cixi started picking at the frills on her dress. What it was that had driven such a wedge between her mother and her uncle? He seemed genuinely nice and understanding. And her mother was usually sweet, despite her stern streak. Cixi could feel her curiosity churning away in her head. However, she wasn’t entirely sure if it was something that she wanted to ask. At least not right now. Looking to change the subject, Cixi eyed something in front of her.
 
"Oh!" Cixi exclaimed, seeing the small object on Lord Jaias desk, "I used to have a toy just like that one!"
 
Lord Jaias sat forward in his chair and moved some papers around to see what Cixi was talking about. Nestled next to some ink bottles was a cube. It was constructed out of polished wood and metal with shifting pieces on each side. With a grin on his face, Lord Jaias picked the cube up and slowly turned it around in his hand.
 
"Really?" Jaias replied, interest causing his ears to perk up, "I didn’t think that you would have any interest in puzzle boxes. Especially ones like these. Do you still have yours?"
 
Cixi shook her head, "No, I don't know what became of it. I used to play with it all the time and then I lost it somehow. My brothers were going to let me play with theirs, seeing how they didn't really care for it. But oddly, they lost theirs too. Just figured they were given away or something."
 
"Did your puzzle box have any special markings on it, like this one does?"
 
Lord Jaias turned the box over to reveal a black cat etched into one of the sides. Again Cixi nodded her head.
 
"Yes, it did. All of ours did, actually. They all had silver crowns etched into the side. We never knew what they meant. Just figured it was a toymaker mark. But I have never been able to find a puzzlebox like that since. It was so pretty, like yours."
 
Lord Jaias grinned, “Yes, this particular one is quite special. It was a gift. My father always kept it right here on his desk. I find myself doing the same thing.”


Story continues: Secrets Revealed (Part 3)

The Nightfall Saga: Secrets Revealed (Part 1)

The story beings with The Nightfall Saga: The House Gathers
And continues with The Nightfall Saga: Moving Pieces
 
The reason for the Gathering was now coming ever closer. The Testing was about to begin, made pretty evident by the ambient intensity increasing by the day. Cixi was not entirely sure testing meant, but the swell of  whispering clued her in to it's importance and shrouded secrecy. She asked once or twice before it began, but the only answer Cixi received was from her handmaidens. She was told not to worry about it. Lady Alara had made sure that Cixi would not be participating. Of course that didn't quell Cixi's curiosity in the least. If anything, her exclusion only added more fuel to her ever burning questions.
 
What Cixi could glean from the clandestine whispers, the five heads of House Ebonlynx gathered together in one of the many rooms in large estate and called for candidates to come and sit with them. Behind those closed doors, some sort of examination was administered. What it entailed, no one would say. How the test was passed, no one would say either. Not even so much as what the test was for. But, when the day came that the first name was called, everyone headed to those doors and made themselves comfortable outside of them.

Cixi watched the entire procession with everyone else. One person after another walked into that room and had the doors closed behind them. Time would pass, the doors would open again and they would walk out. A servant announce the results for everyone to hear, then he call the next name. Cixi was confused by the somber ceremony of it all, especially after all the lighthearted socializing that had gone on before. None of those who failed looked disappointed. Those who passed did not seem elated or joyous about their success. There was no discussion of it afterwards. Everyone talked about everything else except what was happening behind those doors. And no matter how many times Cixi inquired, even her own mother never expounded on what was going on.

Cixi had tried asking others, but her questions were met with less than warm answers. Her status among the House had changed slightly now that everyone had seen how protective Lord Jaias had been with this niece. The powder haired huntress was under the protection of one of the Heads of the Council. No one was to so much as look at her cross ways. And while this had saved her from the arrogant berating she had received when she first arrived, it could not save Cixi from this. Her inquiries about The Testing had been met smoldering stares and tight lips.    

Cixi was exempt from having the go through the Testing. That did not sit with anyone in House Ebonlynx. Especially since everyone knew it was because of her deserter mother, Lady Alara. If Cixi was to be accepted as an Ebonlynx, she should be at least be considered as a candidate as well. Cixi should get no favoritism, especially being the granddaughter of a former Head and the niece of the new one.  And while no one breathed a word of it, the air was thick with dislike for Cixi and her the outcast mother.And now, Cixi didn't even have Lord Jaias to talk to.

Times like these, Cixi wished that she was back at home, hunting, with her actual family. There was none of this smiling in your face and then ripping you to shreds the moment you were out of the room. Cixi wondered how much longer she was going to have to tolerate all of this. How much longer she would be able to tolerate this. Little did she know, it would not be long at all. Thanks to a relative whose name Cixi never knew, the days of her stay were to be abruptly truncated.


Story continues: Secrets Revealed (Part 2)

The Nightfall Saga: Moving Pieces (Part 5)

It was the normal exchange that Cixi had become used to seeing and yet didn’t quite understand why it was done. She stood quietly while Matthias went and spoke to Tobias on her behalf in order for Matthias to alert Lord Jaias that she wished to speak with him. Cixi didn’t understand why couldn’t she just walk up to the door and knock on it. However, she simply watched the two elves cloaked in brown whisper to each other. The older slowly shook his head and walked away from the younger, disappearing behind a closed door. Matthias turned and walked back to Cixi, bowing his head when he was within earshot.
 
“Lord Jaias is in a meeting right now. His manservant has gone to see if he will accept your request to meet with him.”
 
“If he is busy, then I can come back later,” Cixi replied, “No reason for Lord Jaias to interrupt anything.”
 
“Unless the interruption happens to be something more important.” 

The closed door was now open and Lord Jaias darkened the frame. A hint of a smile was on his face as he walked through it. He signaled for the door to be closed behind him as he walked over to Cixi, robes swishing about his feet.
 
“You wished to speak to me, Cixithara?”
 
“Yes,” Cixi replied nervously. The more she thought about what she wanted to say, the more the words kept evading her. Suddenly she couldn’t help but feeling that this was a very bad idea.
 
“Well no reason to mince words,” Lord Jaias said, noticing that Cixi was pausing longer than usual and was fiddling with cuffs of her sleeves, ”Tell me what it is that you want.”
 
“I was hoping…”
 
Again, there was a slight pause. Cixi turned her head away slightly. She just couldn't look her uncle in the face for some reason. She knew who he was now. The status that he held. How the entire House viewed him.
 
“I was hoping that you would stop requesting that I accompany you for the rest of my stay here.”
 
Cixi kept her eyes averted when she spoke.Lord Jaias had nothing but protect her since she had walked into his home, wide eyed and naive. He had never looked down on her, never made her feel less. In fact, he had done quiet the opposite. And now she was asking him to leave her be. Cixi half expected a response that was something along the lines of anger or maybe grave disappointment. Part of her expected to be rejected again and things would go back to the way they had been before.  So the soft return caught her off guard.
 
“Have I done something to offend you?”
 
“No,” Cixi answered quickly, her eyes meeting Lord Jaias' concerned face,”You haven’t done anything. It’s just that…”
 
“Your mother,” Lord Jaias interjected.
 
Cixi chewed the inner part of her bottom lip. She didn’t want to lie, but she didn’t want to mention this being her mother's doing either. There was a heavy silence however, it only lasted a few moments. Lord Jaias put both of hands on Cixi’s shoulders and lightly kissed her on top of her head.
 
“Your mother has not changed a bit since she was young. If she is having that much of a problem with us spending time together, I will no longer ask that you join me for anything else. The last thing I want is for you to be fighting about me with your mother. However, if you change your mind, there will always be room for you at my table.”
 
“Thank you, Uncle!” Cixi exclaimed. She gave him a quick curtsy and left. Now her mother would be pleased and things would go along smoothly from here until the end of the Gathering.
 
Tobias spoke up as Lord Jaias walked back to the door, “I am very sorry that happened, sir. I know that you wanted to make a good impression on the young lady. It would seem that Lady Alara is very much against you having any type of relationship with her daughter.”
 
Lord Jaias only gave a slight grin as a response, “Did you hear her, Tobias? Cixithara referred to me as her uncle. My sister has failed. She simply has not realized it yet.”

The Nighfall Saga: Moving Pieces (Part 4)

“I have been trying to see you, Mother, but it has been really hard to get away. It is  like Lord Jaias is trying to make up for all the lost time between us in a matter of a day or two.”
 
Most had gone to bed quite a while ago. Now was only time that Cixi wasn’t being primped and preened by a team of hand maidens. Or tethered to Lord Jaias’ hip. Ever since the spectacle at dinner, Cixi had been asked to accompany Lord Jaias everywhere he went. She knew that everyone was still talking about her. Even more now that she had become the "favored niece". But, at least no one would dare to do it to her face. 

In her mother’s bedroom, they both sat  quietly in the darkness. Darkness which was only lifted by the moonlight spilling in through the windows and the outdoor lamps on the city streets. They spoke in whispers to each other, so as not to wake anyone. But mostly to not be overheard.
 
“I can’t really tell him no. I am staying in his house,” Cixi explained,” I am eating his food. All these clothes I wear every day are things that belong to him. I can’t just be openly defiant. You and Father taught us better than that.”
 
“Cixi, sweetie,” Alara said, gently grabbing onto her daughter’s forearms, “I do not like you being around my brother. I know him better than anyone. I don’t want you getting close to him.”
 
“Why?” Cixi asked.
 
“Just listen to you mother, sweetheart. I know best about these things.”
 
“i have done a lot of growing up while I have been away, Mother,” Cixi answered, “I can handle whatever it is that you think is bad about Lord Jaias."

Alara did not answer, so Cixi kept pushing.

"We are already keeping our being here a secret from Father, Taulithran and Zendier. And I have not asked why we are doing that. But the least you can do is tell me why I have to stay away from someone whom I share blood with.”
 
Alara sighed, seeing that her daughter was not going to let this go. She straightened a bit in her chair and let her hands slide down to Cixi's elbows. Alara looked at Cixi earnestly.

“My brother always has a reason for doing things,” Alara replied, “And most of his reasons are self serving. I don’t know why he is doing what he is doing, but I am sure that it can only hurt you once it is all over. It is what this family does.”
 
 “He doesn’t really seem all that bad to me,” Cixi whispered back, "He has done nothing but try and make me feel welcome."
 
“He isn’t bad, not entirely” Alara replied, “He was a kind man once. And he will continue to be kind until you decide not to fall in line with his plan. Then you will see him for what he truly is. I want to get you away from him before it ever reaches that point.”
 
Cixi made to promises to her mother that night. In fact, despite her mother’s warnings and pleading, Cixi found herself at Jaias’ side more times than not. At meals, she was requested to sit at his table. Evening activities, she stood at his side. There were even times where she was called to his study, where no one was allowed in but him and her. The two of them shared small conversations about things that seemed inconsequential. What was life at the village like? How did she get along with her brothers? How were things growing up? And the more she shared about the Daybreaker Clan, the more Lord Jaias would share about House Ebonlynx
 
Despite Cixi feeling very awkward around her uncle, she could not see what her mother was so worried about. He was genuinely nice, even if it was wrapped in a chilled and stilted distance. However, every night, Cixi’s mother implored her to stop saying yes to Lord Jaias when he requested to see her. And even though Cixi could not see the justification in it, she could not ignore her mother’s fear forever.

Nightfall Saga: Moving Pieces (Part 3)

Utensils clicked on plates as lively conversation filled the dining hall. That table were Cixi was seated was no different. However, Cixi really didn’t have much to say or add to the conversations being had. She wondered if this was what it was like to be the Seneschal or someone who had the last name, Silvacce. Blathering on about things which were only important to those seated around the table. Cixi believed it all rather dull, to say the least. So, she sat quietly and chewed her food as those around her battled with words and wit.
 
“So tell me, Young Lady Cixithara, how do you spend your day?”
 
Cixi snapped her eyes up and over to the woman who had addressed her, being painfully obvious that she had not been paying one bit of attention to the rambling that had been going on since she had sat down. Even with the smile on the woman’s lips, Cixi could tell that the question wasn’t really one of curiosity so much as it was for malevolent intent.
 
“I am under the employ of House Silvacce,” Cixi answered simply.
 
From the reaction of the table, the answer had been unexpected. Maybe they had wanted her to say something like she swung from tree branches all day and slept with dragonhawks. Or that she rolled around in mud pits. A part of Cixi had a small bit of satisfaction that she had shocked them.
 
“Ah, House Silvacce,” the woman continued, that viper-like look still in her eye, “I have some familiarity with that name. Tell me, what does someone of your upbringing offer to a House such as them?”
 
“What do you mean by that question?” Cixi asked, eyes narrowing.
 
“Even though we are not known to you, that does not mean you are not known to us,” the woman quipped haughtily, “ It was quite the gossip when your mother ran off to live in that little village with those people. I wouldn’t have expected anyone from there to been able to find any place among any house that has such a renowned name. Unless you clean out their stables, of course.”
 
Cixi could feel her ears burning again. But this time it was not embarrassment. She hadn't realized that she gripping her knife as tightly as she was until she felt a hand lightly rest on her wrist.

“You are quite bold, Millicent. You would dare open your mouth and insult a guest at my table?”
 
Cixi hadn’t noticed that Lord Jaias was paying attention to this side conversation. Though his voice was calm and serenely placid, a commanding quality laced around his words. His eyes slowly slid effortlessly over to the woman who Cixi had been speaking with.
 
“It would be best if you remembered your place while in my house. I hope that I do not have to repeat myself after this.”

Part 4 

The Nightfall Saga: Moving Pieces (Part 2)

One of the many things that Alara didn’t miss was –this- part of her past life. She watched as the parade of fine tailoring and haughty countenances clacked their way over polished floors to their seats in the dining hall. Burning eyes and smoldering glances were tossed her way. The prodigal child of a former Head, the sister of the newly appointed head; jealously still flowed freely from those visages. Alara was still envied. And no measure was taken to ensure this jealousy was hidden from her. However, with a gracious nod and an even more gracious smile, Alara greeted every single person who looked her in the face. Just as she had been taught to do all those years ago. No matter what was going on, she was still to act in a way befitting a lady of her status. Her mind wasn’t on her covetous family members anyway.


She looked for one person, her daughter. It had not taken long for Cixi’s name to be on the lips of everyone there. Her powder white hair set her aside from all the crimson colored tresses of the Ebonlynx House. She had no magical prowess, had not studied any magic in any fashion, had no knowledge of the Ebonlynx family or their maneuverings. Her attempts at friendly conversation had been met with snide comments and mockery. The poor girl had been thrown into a pit of snakes.

Alara watched as she daughter had simply given up on introducing herself. She simply sat next to Alara quietly, watching everything else that was going on. Cixi refrained from asking questions, seeing how most of her inquiries were met with degrading snickers and, at times, boisterous guffaws. The first few times, Cixi had worn her feelings on her sleeves, feeding the fires of those who enjoyed seeing the outsider falter. Now, there was no reaction, just a short curtsy and a muttered greeting. Alara could not wait until this whole affair was over and she could take her daughter home.

Cixi was one of the last to finally make her way into the dining hall. The handmaidens had tried their best to lightened her sunbronzed skin and curl that cornsilk mane of hair that had only known ponytails and the occasional braid. Alara caught her daughter’s eye as she walked in. Cixi looked nervous.

“Ah, Cixithara, you do look quite stunning this evening.”

Alara felt her stomach starting to twist in knots as her brother approached Cixi. He placed his hands on both of her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. Alara’s jaw tensed, teeth pressing down onto each other.
 
“Thank you, Lord Jaias,” Cixi replied in a low voice. Cixi was not sure how to address him. On one hand, he was her uncle. But on the other, he was a very important person in this House. A house that she was not entirely sure if she fit into or not.

“I hope that one day you will be comfortable enough to address me with a much less formal title. However, until then, please, come and sit.”

Cixi followed behind her uncle, feeling the crowd of turning heads that were all aimed in her direction. Lord Jaias pulled a chair out for his niece. She tried not to take notice of the multitude of eyes that were burning holes through her as she took her place at the table. She could feel herself getting warm and no doubt, the edges of her ears were turning pink. There was nothing but silence. Silence and staring. However, with a single, Lord Jaias sat down and waved his hand. Like magic, time had started again and the silence disappeared.

Part 3 

The Nightfall Saga: Moving Pieces (Part 1)

This story starts with The Nightfall Saga: The House Gathers.
 
Cixi had tamed wild mountain cats that were less aggressive than this pack of women who proceeded to "attack" her every single day. Combs, brushes, powder and lipstick were among their weapons of choice. Shoes that no one in their right mind should have on their feet, and dresses that were impossible to clasp together unless you folded your ribcage in on itself, all flooded through the doors of Cixi’s room every single day. All of this, just so she could masquerade around with these people she barely knew. They were somehow important and because of this, Cixi had to undergo this torture every morning. As Cixi’s handmaidens dressed her like an inanimate play thing, there came a knock at the door.

“Lady Cixithara, your presence is being requested,” a voice said through the door.

“She will be out shortly,” was the reply.

That was the way things worked here. Cixi hadn’t spoken for herself since the moment she was first hauled away and painted up like a life sized porcelain doll. At least not to any of the servants. Her hand maidens talked for her. She had also noticed that not a one of them would lookher fully in the eye. She was followed around all day long by a man in brown robes. In fact, it was him who was talking through the door now. She had gathered his name to be Matthias.

With a final hair pin and the last tug on her bodice, Cixi was ushered out of her room. Matthias bowed his head as she walked out in front of him.

“Lord Jaias has requested that you sit with him at his table tonight.”

Cixi stiffened upon the mention of her uncle's name. Though unspoken, Cixi knew that her mother was not going to take it very well when she saw Cixi sitting with Lord Jaias. Ever since they had arrived, there had been an unspoken tension between her mother and her newfound uncle. They had been civil to each other in public. But those cold stares let everyone know that it was all a charade, right down to every bow and curtsey. Of course, from the whispering going on, it was what everyone had expected from the two of them the moment that Lady Alara had arrived.

“With him?” Cixi stammered, “I’m sure that there are others who he would rather have sitting there. Someone that is more important?”

“Lord Jaias made his request quite clear. Would you like for me to tell him that you are declining his request?”

Cixi looked at the top of the reddish blonde head that was bowed before her. She sighed and shook her head. It could not be helped. Her mother would just have to be upset.

“No. Let him know I will sit with him at dinner tonight.”

“He will be pleased to hear this.”

Part 2 

The Nightfall Saga: The House Gathers (Part 3)

Lord Jaias stood at the bay window, watching the servants below mill about the courtyard. Hands placidly folded behind his back, his mind ran over what had to be finished before the rest of the families arrived. It had been quite some time since a gathering of this magnitude had happened for the House. He had always expected his father to still be head of this branch when the gathering started. But, things had changed and Head had fallen to him. Personally, he would not have had it any other way.

The supple cloth of Jaias’ robe swished around his ankles as he moved away from the window and sat in the large leather chair. Neat stacks of tomes, scrolls and several empty bottles of ink covered the polished mahogany desk in front of him. Jaias absentmindedly ran his fingers along the spines of the books, his thoughts continuously turning over and over. This morning would probably be the last peaceful morning until the gathering ended. The five branches of House Ebonlynx were readying themselves for the Ritual. A grand undertaking if there ever was one.

The serene quiet of the study was suddenly shattered by what Lord Jaias could only make out as scuffling, arguing and profuse verbal berating, muted by the closed door. The noise only got louder and louder, approaching his study. Only one person could make this much of a fuss so early. Only one person would dare approach his study in such a  fashion after he has specifically ordered that he not be disturbed.

The brass knob was wrenched to one side. The door came flying open and an angry female stomping her way inside, skirts swishing loudly. She was promptly followed by two servants, both apologizing for the disruption and trying to coax the woman to leave as peacefully as possible. Still keeping the calm look on his face, Lord Jaias straightened in his chair and held up his hand.

“It has been quite some time since I have seen my younger sister,” he replied, his voice low and even, “She is allowed to come to me when she wishes. Both of you are dismissed.”

The servants bowed deeply before backing out of the room and closing the door behind them. Jaias extended his hand towards the seat across from him, in front of his desk. His voice was smooth and honeyed as he addressed the fuming female still standing at the study entrance.

“Sister. I trust that Tobias extended my gratitude to you this morning?”

“You can dispense with the pleasantries, Jaias,” Alara replied, making it a point to show that she was not going to sit, “You know the reason why I am here talking to you.”

“I see your hunter husband and his kind have done wonders for your disposition,” Jaias replied sarcastically, leaning back in his chair and placing his elbows on the armrests, "I assure you, I can think of a thousand reasons why you came barreling through my door like a crazed elekk. So, instead of making me guess which burr has gotten caught in your corset this time, why not just tell me, Sister dearest.”

“You haven’t changed at all,” Alara sneered.

“I shall take that as a compliment.”

“My daughter, Jaias!” Alara shouted,” Why did I run into my daughter in the gallery wing?!”

“Because I wanted her sent there,” Jaias answered furrowing his forehead, “She has no idea what this side of the family even looks like. She needs to know where she comes from. Well, at least part of her.”

“Why is she even here at all?!” Alara said in a raised voice, “I was promised she would never be asked here, or brought here. This family would stay away from her and her brothers. Why was she sent an invitation?”

“I’m afraid you remember your agreement incorrectly,” Jaias replied, lacing his fingers together and resting them on his desk, “House Ebonlynx promised to stay away from your daughter, all of your children actually, as long as Father was one of the five Heads and sat on Council. And since you have been to the gallery wing, you realize that he no longer sits in either position.”

“I want my daughter to be sent home!” Alara demanded.

“Cannot be done,” Jaias replied,”Once Father was replaced; the Heads gathered and agreed that your daughter was to come. It was even put to a vote. Leniency could not be shown to one man’s granddaughter if it could not be shown to all. Everyone is taking the risk and no one can be exempt. Especially if it is for the good of the house.”

“Cixithara is not even a mage,” Alara replied, her voice not getting any quieter despite her brother’s being so matter of fact, “She could not possibly play any part in the Ebonlynx Ritual.”

“And whose fault is that?”

Alara's mouth twisted. She knew her brother was trying to sting her with that last comment, but it wasn’t going to work. She had made the right choice, for all of her children. There was no talking to Jaias. She would have to get someone else on her side.

“If Father is not head any more, then who do I need to talk to in order to get this whole thing straightened out?” Alara asked, ready to end this conversation with her brother, “Who is the head of this family now?” 

"I'm not sitting in Father's chair because I'm feeling nostalgic.”

Alara felt that sinking feeling in her stomach all over again.


The story continues with "Moving Pieces"

The Nightfall Saga: The House Gathers (Part 2)

How long had it been since the last time Alara had ridden through the gates of the Ebonlynx estate? A grandiose mansion house that was nestled nicely into the splendor of Silvermoon City, complete with spires and animated objects of its own, swirling about the front lawns. And emblazoned on the entrance was painted a large black cat reared up on its back legs. It was an impressive home, larger than a mansion had any right to be, with its glinting windows that caught the light of the morning sun, the stone steps that lead up to the doors, and the carefully etched columns which lined the long porch. And even though it had been a very long time since Alara had stepped foot in this place, she still remembered every brick and cornerstone.

Alara’s hawkstrider approached the marble patterned steps that lead to the heavy wooden doors. Guards were posted outside the gate and the front entrance along with footmen ready to assist her off her mount. Not a thing had changed about the Ebonlynx posterity since she had been away. You could not lift a finger without a servant helping you to do it. With less than a sentence spoken between all of them, Alara’s luggage was whisked away and she was lead inside of the house.

“I trust that you can find everything on your own, Lady Alara?” her cloaked traveling companion asked, walking diagonally two steps behind her.

She nodded, “I am sure that my memory of this place will return. If you don’t mind, I would like to have some time to myself before the gathering gets underway.”

The elf nodded and melded away into the rest of the busy worker bees who were flitting about the estate halls, making last minute additions and preparations. Alara pulled the scarf down around her neck and made her way down the long, empty corridors. Nothing had changed. Nothing at all. The color of the curtains, the style of the rugs, the placement of the candelabras. This place had remained frozen in time. Frozen in that moment where she had walked away from it all.

Down one of the many hallways, in this maze of a house, hung a number of oil painted portraits. These portraits, which Alara had been forced to memorized, spanned from one end to the other. The heads of this branch of House Ebonlynx from generations past lined these walls, giving the feeling that; even in death; they held this House in their firm grips. The very last portrait was that of her father. The painting was a striking likeness. It even had the stern glint that was every present in his glance. But now there was something different. Her father’s portrait was longer last in the hall. An empty space was now adjacent to his portrait with an empty frame. For all the years she had been part of this family, her father had always been the head. But now she could not muster up enough interest to make herself wonder why her father was being replaced and by whom.

Another person was in the hallway, looking at the paintings that lined the opposite wall with the air of someone who had never seen them before. Alara did not speak. Instead she took a few steps closer. This elven girl looked entirely out of place, standing amidst the lavish décor and extravagance. She was dressed in beaten up leathers that had seen better days. Her corn silk hair hung straight and plain on her shoulders. Her boots were scuffed and caked in numerous layers of dirt, the buckles probably never had been shined even once. She stood there, staring at the portraits, eyes tracing over every small nuance. Alara was doing the same with this young woman. The hair. The clothes. The lanky body shape. Alara could feel her heart plummeting into her stomach.

“Cixithara?”

Alara wanted that figure to continue looking at the family portraits. She wanted this woman to ignore the name she had just called out. However, her fears became reality as the blonde head turned around and looked at her.

“Mother?”

Alara’s heart continued the fall from her stomach to floor. She ran over to her daughter and grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking Cixi as she spoke, “Why?! Why are you here?!”

This wasn’t supposed to be happening. Cixi was never to see the inside of these walls. That was the deal she had made. Cixi was supposed to be kept away from this place. So why was her daughter standing here? Now of all times.

The panic strickened face of her mother made Cixi a bit frightened. While she had expected her mother to be surprised to see her, Cixi had not expected her mother to react in this manner. Cixi winced as her mother’s fingers dug into her shoulders.

“A man in brown robes showed up at the Silvacce estate and left a letter for me,” Cixi explained, trying to pry herself loose from her mother’s grip, “I recognized your family name. It said that you were sent an invitation as well. I thought it was best if I came too.”

They invited her?, Alara thought to herself, They wouldn’t. They couldn’t do this. Why wasn’t I told?
 
A quiet cough interrupted the two. Cixi and Alara both looked up to see a group of young servant women who were standing behind them.

“Sorry to interrupt your conversation, Mi’lady. But we have been sent to tend to Young Lady Cixithara. Would you like for us to wait for a while before taking her to her quarters?”

Alara shook her head and let go of her daughter’s shoulders, “No, we can talk at length later on.”

She turned her attention to the servant women that were about to take her daughter away, “Could you tell me where my brother is?”

“Lord Jaias is in your father’s study," they answered. "He is preparing for the rest of your family to arrive. He has made it a point that he have no interruptions until later in the day.”

“He will see me.”


Part 3

The Nightfall Saga: The House Gathers (Part 1)

It was the breaking of the early morning. The sun had yet to rise above the horizon and the grey of the morning was starting to push away the night’s darkness. It was silent this early. Nothing stirring, no one moving around. No one except one lone person, creeping around their own house.

She silently came down the stairs, fully clothed in a long, draping dress, not bothering to light a single lamp or candle. She led herself, using the polished railing of the banister. In the darkness of the wee hours, she slid her feet into a pair of heeled shoes and wrapped her head in a lightweight scarf. Part of her wanted to leave a note for her husband, but she knew it would be best if she didn’t. He would simply assume that she had headed out to the city to see friends if she said nothing. And she would much rather have him believe that than the actual truth.

The click of her heels knocking against the wooden floors was deafening in the silence. She wondered if the noise would wake her husband. She wouldn’t have minded if it had. For a moment, she imagined that barely there smile on his face as he stood atop the staircase to wave and tell her to have a good time. No, she would not have minded at all if these shoes on her feet caused him to come to her. However, as she reached for her luggage that was sitting near the door, there was no one to bid her goodbye. It was just her and the darkness of her home. It was just as well. 

Not even the wind stirred this morning, like it was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. Much like she was holding hers right now. As the door softly clicked closed behind her, she lifted her scarf covered head and was greeted by a familiar sight. One that she had not seen in quite some time. A pair of brilliantly colored hawkstriders were right outside of the door and on top of one was the silhouette of a hooded person, draped in dark brown robes. Upon, seeing her, the cloaked shadow nimbly slid down from his mount and reached his hand out towards her.

“Lady Alara.” 

The formality in his voice, in that title, it sounded so foreign and yet she remembered the sound of that voice as if she had never parted from it. Falling into old form, she held her hand out and allowed herself to be lead to her hawkstrider. She did not speak to this man, only nodded when he called her name. Once she was securely in the saddle, the pair headed away from the village and along the winding road to Silvermoon City.

“Your brother wished for me to express how grateful he is that you decided to attend,” the elf in robes stated. 

“He says that as if he gave me a choice in the matter.”

Her voice was stiff and cold. Simply mentioning him made her blood hot.

“It is quite forward of me to say, and I hope that you forgive me, however I am grateful as well,” the elf continued, shifting his hooded head in her direction, slightly, ”It has been many years since I have seen you, Lady Alara.”

She only nodded.


Part 2