Lycantha blossoms

I've spent a lot of time focusing on the continent of Vassa in my fantasy stories. This story is a prelude to a novel I may be working on for NaNo this year. This gives you a view of another race of elves in my fantasy world.

 Ailsa Wintersong stared out over the dark forest, her eyes full of tears. She wrung her hands together, her nails cutting fine lines into her delicate fingers. The woman beside her took hold of them and pressed them against the window sill. “Ailsa, he's not returning,” she said, her voice carrying her irritation. “Why don't you accept that Illior has other plans for you?”

Ailsa pulled her hands free. “You're wrong.” Her voice choked in her throat. “The High Priestess confirmed that Torgeir and I are soul bonded. He's coming back. He has to.” She turned and fled back into the house.

“That was incredibly stupid, Rada,” Kelledron said. Ailsa's elder half brother, and heir to the Wintersong line, was leaning against the gleaming wall of the House's hereditary manor.

Lady Rada Wintersong glowered at her stepson. He took every chance he could get to remind her that, while Ailsa was a highly honored member of the Wintersong household, Rada herself was considered little more than an outsider by the rest of the House. The Law of Blood granted familial rights to the children of a second mating, but not to the mate in question.

“Well, oh wise one, what do you suggest?” she asked, biting off her words.

“I was going to suggest asking Aunt Eliana and Aunt Hania what to do,” Kelledron said. “They've been out in the world more than the rest of us. Perhaps they have some ideas.”

“Then go pester them,” Rada said. She turned on her heal and flounced off. Kelledron ventured deeper into the house until he came to the parlor where his twin aunts were sitting.

“Aunt Eliana, Aunt Hania, are you busy?” Kelledron asked, keeping his tone respectful. Of all his family members, his twin aunts were his favorite. His own mother died when he was very young and the two of them took over raising him, teaching him all there was to know about being a Day Elf. Once he was old enough to pass into the care of a proper tutor, the two Bards once again left Sunhaven for the farlands. They returned every few seasons to let their loved ones know they were alive.

“What is it Kell?” Hania asked.

“It's Ailsa,” Kelledron said, sitting down between the sisters. “She's soul bonded to Torgeir Darksun, but Rada keeps trying to force her into another marriage.”

“Was it confirmed by the High Priestess?” Eliana asked. Kelledron nodded. She shook her head. “We have noticed Ailsa looking more and more distraught. What's happened?”

“No one really knows,” Kelledron said. “There was a small group sent to establish the new waypoint at the other end of the forest. Father told me that Torgeir and Ailsa were going to be asked to be in charge of it. Two survivors made it back to let us know that the Crimson Elves attacked the caravan. They swear that Torgeir and one other were taken prisoner.” He shook his head. “That goes against everything we've ever been told about them.”

“The Crimson Elves are insane,” Eliana said. “You never know what those – those beasts – are capable of.”

“Eliana's right,” Hania said. “The question remains though, what do they want with living prisoners?”

Before Kelledron could answer, a terrible cry filled the house. The voice, familiar only to Kelledron, was full of such grief, rage, and pain that the three elves broke into tears. “Ailsa.” Kelledron was on his feet in an instant, knocking servants aside as he charged down the corridor, his aunts right behind him.

Ailsa was lying at the foot of the stairs, blood trickling from her nose and head. “He's dead,” she wailed. Her whole body shook. “He's dead.”

“What's this nonsense about?” Rada asked as she came to her daughter's side. She reached down and slapped Ailsa. “What are you talking about?”

Hania's sword hissed as it left its sheathe. Rada gulped hard and backed away from Ailsa's prone form. “The Law of Blood doesn't apply to you, Rada,” Hania said. With a flick of her wrist, she slashed Rada's face.

“What's going on here?” Thanolos Wintersong asked. He was Kelledron and Ailsa's father and the head of the House. “Hania, why is my wife bleeding?”

“She assaulted Ailsa,” Hania said. “Who is clearly suffering from a rather violently severed soul bond.”

“What?” Thanolos asked, turning his attention to his two children.

“Torgeir was captured by Crimson Elves,” Kelledron said, reminding his father of the recent tragedy. “I think they just killed him.”

“They slaughtered him, like an animal,” Ailsa said, whimpering. Her eyes were wide. “I saw it. I felt it.”

“Eliana, can you - ?” Thanolos asked.

“Kell, carry your sister up to her room,” Eliana said. “I'll be up in a moment.”

Kelledron lifted Ailsa into his arms. He looked at the stairs for a moment before summoning a floating disk in the sapphire and silver hues of his House colors. He stepped onto it. It lifted him up the stairs without jarring his sister. Eliana took the more conventional way up.

“Now, Hania, why is Rada bleeding?” Thanolos asked.

“Rada, or so I've been told by the servants, didn't approve of the match that Illior decreed for Ailsa,” Hania said. “Kell told us that Rada wanted Ailsa to choose another husband. Torgeir's disappearance was tearing Ailsa apart.”

“Do you know what happened to her?” Thanolos asked.

“She must have fallen down the stairs when the Crimson Elves killed Torgeir,” Hania said. She lowered her sword and looked over at her brother. “Thano, it's very rare that the surviving member of a shattered soul bond lives long past the other one.

“I know.” Thanolos looked down at his hands for a moment. “How long do you think Ailsa has?”

“It depends on her spirit,” Hania said. “If she wants to live, a moon or two. If not, I'd give her no more than a sennight.”

“What are you talking about?” Rada asked. “There was no soul bond. That was just the Darksun's way of trying to take control of this House. Ailsa's not going to die just because he's dead.”

Thanolos turned to Rada. She could see the barely controlled rage on his face. “Leave my House,” he said. “I took you as my second mate only because it was required of me by the Council. Your father got his male heir, and I was given my daughter. The contract was satisfied. You are no longer necessary.” He turned to his sister. “Hania, if she's not out of here in one mark, kill her.”

“As you wish, Thano,” Hania said. There was no disguising the satisfaction she felt at that command. She put her hand on the hilt of her sword. A bloodthirsty smile twisted the corners of her mouth up. Rada realized that there was a chance Hania wouldn't wait for the mark to be up. She paled and, not stopping to collect any of her things, ran from the manor.

Thanolos made his way to his daughter's room. Kelledron was standing outside, his pale blue clothing stained with blood. “Aunt Eliana said no one's supposed to go in right now,” he whispered. “She's trying some complicated magic on Ailsa. She says that soul bonding isn't unheard of among the Plains Elves, and that they have ways of preventing the death of the other half.”

“I hope it does,” Thanolos said.

“I overheard you ordering that woman out of our House,” Kelledron said.

“If she returns, she's dead,” Thanolos said.

“At least we're rid of her,” Kelledron said. “I wouldn't have put it past her to have me murdered so Ailsa's husband could have inherited House Wintersong.”

“We'd never allow it,” Hania said as she joined them. “Eliana's working something unusual I take it?” Kelledron told her. “If that doesn't work, nothing will.” The three of them retreated to the small chapel dedicated to Illior to pray for the souls of the dead and the life of one young Elven woman.

Ailsa opened her eyes onto a darkened room. She knew without calling her mage lights that she was alone. She rose to her feet and drifted out onto her balcony. She looked down, judging the distance to the ground. It was far enough that she would die when she struck the courtyard below. She rested one hand on the smooth marble rail. Not that way, ne salan, a voice whispered into her mind.

“Torgeir?” Ailsa whispered, her disbelief plain.

The pale spirit of her murdered soul mate appeared before her. Not that way, ne salan, he repeated. Your father seeks comfort from Illior, and he finds none. He will find even less in the sight of his beloved daughter's body should you jump.

“I can't live without you,” Ailsa said. She began to sob. “It feels like my own soul has been ripped out of me. I can't breathe and I feel so cold.”

Illior does not require such a thing of either of us, ne salan, Torgeir assured her. Go to the garden. He faded away.

Ailsa crept out of her door, her slippered feet making no more than a faint hiss against the stone. Kelledron was sleeping in a chair beside the door. She held her breath as she moved past him. She ran down the stairs. There were no servants with prying eyes to see her.

No one was in the hall leading to the nursery. Since her departure from there some seasons earlier, it was left empty. She made her way out of the glass doors that led into the garden. She made her way to her Life Tree, where Torgeir's spirit awaited her. “I'm here,” she said.

Ne salan, Torgeir murmured. He smiled at her. Will you place your trust in Illior?

“Yes,” Ailsa said without hesitation.

Then come to me, ne salan, Torgeir said. He held out his arms. Ailsa trembled as she stepped across the short distance into his arms. As their hands met, she returned his smile. He pulled her into a loving embrace. Soon all she could see was light.

“Father, Ailsa's gone. I can't find her.” Kelledron was frantic. He ran into his father's study. Thanolos and the twins were brought to their feet. “She got past me somehow. I swear I cast the wakefulness charm but something put me to sleep.”

“Illior only knows what kind of strength Ailsa has in her madness,” Thanolos said, absolving his son of any wrong-doing in his sister's escape. “We have to find her.”

The whole family split up, looking for any sign of the missing girl. Kelledron searched the garden. In the corner, next to her Life Tree, he found his sister's favorite bracelet. “Father.” His voice rang through the air.

Thanolos, Eliana, and Hania hurried to join him. Ailsa's Life Tree withered, showing that she was dead. Ailsa's sunstone bracelet gleamed in the light of the moon. “She's gone,” Thanolos said. His voice broke.

“Where's her body?” Eliana asked, tears falling down her cheeks.

Something brushed against Kelledron's hand. He looked down to find himself staring at a flower he didn't know. He called up a mage light so he could see them better. They were delicate blossoms of the palest azure with startling golden centers. They smelled of sunlight and his sister's favorite perfume. Just looking at them comforted him. “Father, look.”

“Where did these come from?” Thanolos asked.

“Lycantha,” Eliana said, her voice full of wonder.

“What is that?” Thanolos asked.

“Illior took Ailsa,” Hania said. “He wasn't going to force her to live without Torgeir. He's left us this flower in exchange for her body. It is called a lycantha blossom, a spirit flower. It will wrap around her Life Tree and flower during the warm seasons. Its seeds can be planted elsewhere, the vines growing up in the garden. A lycantha only grows in the ground of the House the spirit came from.”

There was nothing else to say. The twins returned to the manor while Kelledron and his father stood beside each other, staring at the blooms. Kelledron reached down and hooked the vine over one of the branches. “There,” he said. “Her Life Tree will continue to live, if only in these little flowers.” The two men walked back to the house.

Athena and Justin

This is a little bit of a short story I've finished and am currently shopping around. Just a bit of the conversation between two of the characters.

“How's business for you these days?” Athena asked, loading a box with his order.

“I can't complain, although I must commend you on getting Dawn's protections up so fast. How did you find out I was targeting her?” Justin asked.

“It wasn't hard when you let slip who you were working for last week,” Athena said. “If you're going to brag don't do it around someone who knows me.”

“The problem with that, Athena dear, is I don't know of anyone who doesn't at least have a passing acquaintance with you and your shop,” Justin said. “At least that moves in the same Circles as we do.”

“That's true enough,” Athena said. “Trying to get one up on you when we're probably two of the most powerful in the Circle here is always a challenge.” She turned and handed him his box.

Justin smiled. “By the way, Athena. I was just in that coffee shop down the road. The barista in there was having a very bad day. It seems she spilled chocolate syrup all over her expensive shoes and managed to spoil seven drinks in a row,” he said.

Athena raised an eyebrow. “That sounds like a rotten run of luck. I wonder if she managed to upset someone.”

“Yes, I wonder,” Justin said. He winked at her and she grinned. Leave it to Justin to poke his nose into her business, as usual. “Well, this takes care of my needs for a while. I'll see you next week.”

“Are you coming to the meeting Friday?” Athena asked.

Justin made a face. “Of course. But there we can't be nearly as polite to each other as we can here, so I'd rather not have to think about that right now,” he said.

She sighed. “Well if you didn't persist in opposing everything I do we wouldn't have that problem, now would we?”

“Ah, but I enjoy opposing those like you who come to this city, Athena,” Justin said. “I've been doing it for a very long time, after all.”

“As have I, Justin,” Athena said.

 “I know. Which is why you're a challenge,” he said. He'd have said more, but the door chimed and a handful of customers wandered in. “Have a lovely day, Athena.”

Aushka

This is a very rough first draft of a micro fiction I'm trying to polish. I've already had a few comments on it from beta readers. I'd love to hear other comments. 

The footsteps were getting closer. Aushka clutched the blaster tight in one hand. The other was pressed to the hole in her leg. Drops of blood spattered over the walkway showed where she'd been. Her breath came in short bursts.

“Aushka, where are you?” The sing-song voice froze the blood in her veins. “I know you're here.”

“Trill, she's been hit. Don't you think that's enough?” Beck wasn't as bloodthirsty as his sister.

“She stole from me,” Trill said, her dulcet tones taking on a note of ice.

“You got the board back, you shot her, and you've ruined her reputation on the station,” Beck said. “She's going to have to go planetside. That's a death sentence right there. Why do you need to be the one to do it?”

“No one steals from me and comes out of it alive,” Trill said.

“Trill, let it go,” Beck said.

“If you don't like it, go back to the habitat sector,” Trill said. “I'll take care of her.”

Aushka heard Beck sigh but there was no sound of him leaving. Aushka peered out through the grate covering the access to the life support units. Trill and Beck stood to one side with Trill's current toy standing to one side. He looked a little sick. He wasn't going to last long. Not with Trill's pastimes.

“She's probably down the life support shaft,” Trill said. “Beck, you go look.”

“Go look yourself,” Beck said.

“Kal?” Trill looked over at him. “Never mind. You're useless at times like this.” She stalked over to the grate. Aushka pushed herself back farther. She aimed her blaster at the opening.

“Trill Hiver, stop right there.” Trill froze. Aushka let out a slow, deep breath.

“Come to rescue your precious little girl?” Trill asked. She turned away from the grate and went back towards her brother, hips swaying with each step.

A blaster bolt stopped her before she got very far. “I said stop.” Aushka trembled at her father's voice. Garrett Leo was not a man to cross. Aushka couldn't see him but from the expressions on Beck and Kal's faces it was obvious he wasn't alone.

“What do you want?” Trill asked. There was no sweetness to her tone now. There was more of a growl to her voice.

“Two things,” Garrett said. “My daughter – alive, of course – and that board you stole from my son.”

“I didn't steal anything from your son. Your daughter stole from me,” Trill said.

“That board still has our family mark on it. You never cut it off. Now, either I get what I want or I start shooting. Either way I win.” There was the sound of blasters powering up.

“Trill, give him what he wants,” Beck said. “I can't afford you dying.”

“I don't have his daughter,” Trill said. “The board is back with Neal.”

“Don't make me laugh,” Garrett said. “I already spoke with Neal. He said you had it with you, and that you were tracking Aushka.”

“Well your daughter is in hiding,” Trill said. Aushka saw her pull something out of a pouch at her side. “Your board is here.”

“Set it down,” Garrett said. “Then go over there with that genetic waste heap you've attached to you. Beck, join them.”

Trill set the tiny thing on the ground. She sauntered over to where the two men were standing. “There. It's on the ground. Good luck getting it without killing me.”

“Aushka, it's safe now,” Garrett said, raising his voice a little. “We've got them covered. Come out.”

Aushka pushed the grate off and crawled out. Blood seeped out from behind her fingers but she managed to stay on her feet. “Sorry dad,” she said.

“I should have sent your brothers, not you. You weren't ready for this,” Garrett said. “Get the board and come over here.”

“Okay.” Aushka limped over and picked up the tiny board. It was half the size of her hand. As she walked towards her father, she heard something behind her. She turned her head in time to see Trill pull her blaster. The impact of the energy bolt spun Aushka around. She collapsed. Her eyes dimmed. She was given the chance to see Trill's body twitch and jerk as it fell not far from her. The last bit of light faded and she released her final breath.

Her eyes opened. She was cold. “Aushka, I'm sorry.” Garrett helped her sit up. “I knew she couldn't be trusted.”

“How many does this make, Garrett?” Her mother looked angry. “How many more are we going to have before you stop?”

“This is only her fourth life,” Garrett said. “The implants are good for six. I'll be sending her brothers out for a while, until I'm sure she's back on her feet.”

Aushka turned her head to the side. On the reflective metal panel just to her right, she caught glimpse of her image. Her face was distorted but she could make out a shock of red hair and a metal band running around her head and down to her jaw. “I'm okay, mom. I'm always okay.”

Short Story - Yesabet, Part Two

A new chapter in Yesabet's life has opened. Will it end in death or the possibility of a new life?

___

Someone kicked her in the ribs. Yesabet opened her eyes. A hand seized her hair and yanked her to a sitting position. Yesabet yelped. “Get up,” a harsh voice said. “It's time for the morning meal. You're not allowed to miss it.”

Tears pricked at her eyes. He slapped her hard before letting her go. Behind her, Annukka sat up before he could touch her. As soon as he was gone, Annukka wrapped her arm around Yesabet's shoulders. Another guard pulled her away and this time it was Annukka who was struck. The morning meal was served and once again the women were reminded not to speak.

The next few days passed in this same fashion. Yesabet watched as women were hit, kicked, suffered from having their hair pulled, and a few were even dragged around the room and moved to the other side. They were forced to eat and punished if they didn't. The little caps were used to keep them clean, and they were threatened if they flinched away from it.

One morning everyone was roused early. The caps were used and the women were required to fix their hair. Most of them didn't have brushes or combs. Those who did shared them out until everyone was neat and clean. “I want everyone to stay silent,” Commander Nicotera said. “Lord Fenwyn is coming. If you speak, you will be beaten within an inch of your life.”

A few minutes later, a middle aged man with two younger than him who looked like they could be mage copies of him in his prime walked in. “Commander Nicotera, is this everyone?” Lord Fenwyn asked.

“Yes my lord,” Commander Nicotera said. “You said everyone within easy distance. We went out two sennits and found everyone we could.”

“Good,” Lord Fenwyn said. He turned to the gathered women. “Welcome to my keep. I know you must be frightened and confused. I hope to alleviate some of that.” He watched them for a moment. “You all know my sons are twins. That means to many that they'll go against each other when I've died and that this land will fall into ruin and chaos. This limits their marriage possibilities. So I've brought you here so they can find wives. They will stay together even after my death, and they need women who will prove to be able ladies.”

Silence met his pronouncement. One of the young men frowned. “Commander, are all of them mute?” he asked.

“No, my lord,” Commander Nicotera said. “They've been told that if they speak they will be punished, so they remain silent.”

“Commander, were you not given the order to bring them back unharmed?” the other of the twins asked.

“We were told to bring them back alive, my lord,” Commander Nicotera said.

“Unharmed should have been implied in that as well,” Lord Fenwyn said. “Please, don't be frightened. I won't let them hurt you. Tell me what you think, what you want to do. Is there anyone who has a complaint to make against my soldiers?”

A few were pushed forward. “I am a widow, my lord,” one woman said. “They threatened to kill my children but my parents agreed to take them in.”

“I see,” Lord Fenwyn said. “Anyone else?” More women spoke of the harsh treatments and violent actions of the soldiers.

Annukka shoved Yesabet forward. “Tell him,” she hissed as Lord Fenwyn looked at Yesabet.

Yesabet swallowed hard. “They murdered my mother,” she said, her voice trembling.

“What do you mean?” Lord Fenwyn asked.

“My mother was crippled and ill,” Yesabet said. “I was the one who took care of her. When I brought it up to Commander Nicotera, he sent two soldiers with me. When they saw my mother one of them killed her while the other dragged me out to join the group. Commander Nicotera said now my mother wasn't a burden on anyone.”

“I see,” Lord Fenwyn said. “Commander Nicotera, I do not appreciate having my orders so grossly misstated. I said to bring all marriageable age women if they did not have prior commitments. Killing their families to remove those is not what I wanted.”

“You told me to bring them all, so I did,” Commander Nicotera said.

Lord Fenwyn sighed. “There are days where I regret listening to my late wife,” he said. “My sons will speak to each of you, get to know you a little. They'll single out some of you and the rest will be sent home.”

“My lord, how are we to get back? We have no food, no money, and no protection,” Annukka said. “We were taken with nothing but our clothes.”

“I'll send you back with an escort,” Lord Fenwyn said. He glared at Commander Nicotera. “Those women not chosen are to be returned to their homes alive and unharmed, Commander. That is an order.”

“Yes my lord,” Commander Nicotera said.

“Stanimir, Stian, take some time and speak to each one,” Lord Fenwyn said. “If it takes you a day or two that's fine.” Lord Fenwyn looked out over the group. “None of you will be punished for speaking out today. In fact, there is to be no more harsh treatment of any of these women.”

“Yes my lord,” Commander Nicotera said.

“You two will have to make a decision soon, so don't dawdle,” Lord Fenwyn said.

“Yes father,” Stanimir said.

Lord Fenwyn left the room. The twins started circulating. Everyone sat down. “You shouldn't have said anything,” one of Yesabet's neighbors whispered. “They're going to kill you for it.”

“Lord Fenwyn protected her,” Annukka said.

“They'll do it when they're taking you home,” the woman said. “Commander Nicotera doesn't like being crossed. They beat my sister to the point where she couldn't walk, and then forced her to do it anyway.”

“I was beaten every day,” Yesabet said. “I didn't want to move after my mother was murdered. They made me. If they kill me at least I'll be with the rest of my family.”

“What happened to the rest of them?” the woman asked.

“My brother died of the flux, my sister didn't live a sennit past her birth, and my father was killed when a tree he was chopping fell the wrong way and landed on him and three other men,” Yesabet said. “It was just me and my mother. She was too sick after my sister was born and she never healed right. Then she got winter fever.”

“Morana must hate your family,” the woman said.

“I look on it as Morana wanted them more than she thought I needed them,” Yesabet said. “All except my mother. She was taken without the Guardians' permission.”

“Jaana was a kind and generous woman,” Annukka said. “I know she's with your father now.”

“Thank you, Annukka,” Yesabet said.

Two days passed. Stanimir and Stian made their way through the women until they came over to the back corner where Yesabet was sitting. They spoke with the others first before coming to her. “I'm sorry about your mother,” Stanimir said. “Why didn't your father take care of her?” Yesabet explained her family situation. “That has to be hard.”

“So what is your name?” Stian asked.

“Yesabet.”

“Can you tell us what you did for your mother? We understand you did everything, but what was it?” Stanimir asked.

“There wasn't anything I didn't do to tend to my mother and our household,” Yesabet said. “After father died I was the only one left who could.”

“With your mother bedridden, how did you bring in any income?” Stian asked.

“I spun wool and wove fabric,” Yesabet said. “I even made clothes for some people, though I did that more for us than anyone else.”

“So you do know how to manage a household and finances,” Stanimir said. Yesabet nodded. “How do you deal with people?”

“I try to treat everyone with respect but I will tell people off if they upset me,” Yesabet said. “Those who thought I should have let the healer kill my mother when she came down with winter fever and spoke about it in front of her I would get very angry with.”

“So do you have anyone waiting for you at home?” Stian asked.

“No,” Yesabet said. “I'm alone now.”

They asked her a few more questions and Yesabet answered them to the best of her ability. They left her after a few more minutes. “That was more than they asked me,” Annukka said.

“Your mother wasn't murdered by their father's forces,” the other woman, who they now knew was named Karenza, said. “They were just being kind to her.”

“Maybe,” Annukka said. “Then again, she has a lot more experience than some of us with running a household.”

“We'll have to see what they're looking for,” Yesabet said.

“It's time for bed,” one of the soldiers said. “Shut up and lay down.”

Yesabet was dragged out of a sound sleep by someone seizing her hair. A rag was jammed in her mouth so she couldn't scream. Hands took hold of her arms and dragged her from the room. She was thrown to the ground outside in a sheltered garden. There was a large pit dug. Several other women were lying near her.

“You should have kept your mouths shut,” Commander Nicotera said. “Now we'll have to tell Lord Fenwyn that you all ran away.”

Someone spat out the rag. “Don't you think he'll notice that it's only those of us who spoke up?” she asked.

The woman was backhanded. “He won't remember which ones of you said anything,” the commander said.

“Stanimir and Stian will,” another woman said as she managed to get her mouth clear. “They spoke to all of us.”

“There are almost two hundred of you,” Commander Nicotera said. “How are they going to recall every one they spoke with?”

Yesabet pulled the rag out of her mouth. “How many of us can you kill before we scream?” she asked.

“All of you, since we won't let you,” Commander Nicotera said.

Several of the women took deep breaths. Hands clamped down on their mouths. Yesabet didn't bother drawing a breath. She screamed at the top of her lungs.

Others followed her example. Commander Nicotera ordered them all silenced, but he didn't have enough men. “Shut them up,” Lieutenant Ahearne said.

“How are we supposed to do that?” one of the soldiers asked. “There's too many and there aren't enough of us.”

“Then slit their throats and be done with it,” Commander Nicotera said.

Yesabet's scream grew more frantic. Three women fell. Yesabet closed her eyes, seeing the knife raised towards her. “What is going on here?” The clear young voice echoed through the garden. The hand holding her let go. “Commander Nicotera, what is the meaning of this?”

“We caught them trying to run away, Lord Stanimir,” Commander Nicotera said.

“Then why is there a grave dug in my mother's garden, three dead women on the ground, and several still screaming?” Stanimir said. “Why weren't these women taken back with the others if they were caught trying to escape? Also, why is it that each one here is among those who raised their voices against your treatment of them?”

“What are you saying, Lord Stanimir?” Commander Nicotera asked.

“The same thing I am,” Stian said. Behind him stood their personal guards. “Commander Nicotera, you will release these women. Now.” The soldiers with the commander let them go. Yesabet and the others scrambled behind the twins. “Take these men into custody.”

The commander and his men were relieved of their swords and taken away.

Stanimir turned to the women. “Return to your places,” he said. “We'll make our decision known in the morning.”

“Yes my lord.” The women made her way back into the great hall.

The next morning everyone woke up and used the little caps to clean themselves up. Yesabet didn't bother fixing her hair, but stood with the others. It wasn't long before Lord Fenwyn and his sons entered the room. “Ladies, you should be relieved to learn that Commander Nicotera and Lieutenant Ahearne have been stripped of their places and are up on charges of murder, along with a handful of the soldiers who supported them,” Lord Fenwyn said. “I will be assigning someone to take their places so we can get you home safely.”

“We've made our decisions,” Stanimir said. The women fell silent. Stanimir and Stian recited names. Yesabet was surprised when hers was called.

“All of you step forward,” Stian said. Yesabet joined the other women moving to the front of the room. “You will be treated as honored guests as we continue to work towards choosing our wives.”

“The rest of you will be returned to your families in safety,” Lord Fenwyn said. “You'll be released in the next few candlemarks.” He turned to Yesabet and the rest with her. “Ladies, I thank you for your courage and your compassion. I hope to get to know all of you better soon.” He turned and walked out, followed by his sons.

Short Story - Yesabet, Part One

Yesabet believed that her life would be spent in service to her mother. She would eventually marry, and then she would have children of her own. Then violence changed those plans.

______

Yesabet sat at her spinning, daydreaming and singing to herself. She glanced out the window. Frowning, she abandoned her place. “Mother, something is going on,” she said.

“What is it?” Jaana asked. Yesabet's mother tried to sit up but fell back onto her pillows. “What's going on, Yesabet?”

“I'm not sure,” Yesabet said. “It looks like soldiers.”

“What colors are they wearing?” Jaana asked.

“Blue and gold,” Yesabet said.

“That's Lord Fenwyn's men,” Jaana said. “What could he think we've done wrong?”

“I don't know but there are three of them coming in. One has armor that looks better than the rest,” Yesabet said. A few minutes later the calling bells rang.

“Go and see what's happening, Yesabet,” Jaana said.

“Yes mother,” Yesabet said. She gathered her skirts and hurried out the door towards the center of town.

As soon as everyone gathered, Mayor Akers stepped forward. “We are honored today to welcome Commander Nicotera and his men to the village,” he said. “The commander requires our obedience in a certain matter.”

Commander Nicotera stepped forward. “Lord Fenwyn demands that every young woman of marriageable age that is not crippled or sickly come to the keep,” he said. “We are to provide suitable escort but no one is to be spared.”

There were some murmurs and a few unhappy wails. “Commander, I can't go,” Yesabet said, stepping forward. “My mother is ill and I'm the only one left to tend to her.”

“Mattan, Kiefer, assess and deal with the situation,” Commander Nicotera said.

“Yes commander,” Mattan said. “Show us your house, girl.”

Yesabet led them to her home. They entered the house. “Yesabet, what's going on?” Jaana asked, raising herself up on her elbows.

“Lord Fenwyn is calling for all of the marriageable age women to present themselves at his keep,” Yesabet said. “I told them I couldn't go because I needed to take care of you.”

“You don't defy the lord, Yesabet,” Jaana said. “You will go as you're told.”

“We'll take care of everything,” Kiefer said. He drew his sword. Before either woman could respond, he plunged it into Jaana's chest.

Yesabet screamed as her mother fell back onto the bed. She slid off Kiefer's sword. He wiped it on Jaana's body. Yesabet collapsed, sobbing. Mattan seized her arm. He pulled her to his feet and dragged her out of the house.

They got back to the center of town. “Is it taken care of?” Commander Nicotera asked.

“He killed her,” Yesabet said, hysterical with grief and rage. “He killed her.”

“Now she won't be a burden to anyone else,” Commander Nicotera said. “You won't have to worry about her while you're gone.” He gestured to one of the other young women. “Go and fetch what she needs for this trip. I assume you know where she lives?”

“Yes sir,” the woman said. She hunched in on herself and ran down the street. The only sound was Yesabet's crying.

A few minutes later, the other girl came back with a sack. The soldiers forced Yesabet to take it. One of them cuffed her. “That's enough of that, girl. Stand up or be carried. You won't like it if we have to do that.” Yesabet took the things. Her shoulders shook and she continued to cry, though her sobs were muted.

“Is this everyone?” Commander Nicotera asked, looking over the two dozen girls standing in front of him.

“Yes Commander,” Mayor Akers said.

“Then why is that girl standing over there and not with the rest of them?” Commander Nicotera said, pointing at a girl.

“She's not of marriageable age, Commander,” Mayor Akers said. “She's barely passed ten cycles.”

“And her?” Commander Nicotera asked, moving his gaze to another.

“She's nine,” Mayor Akers said.

“I see,” Commander Nicotera said. He looked at his men. “Let's move out.” The twenty four women were herded into a more or less cohesive unit and driven out before the shoulders like sheep.

Yesabet's friend Annukka moved to put her arm around Yesabet's shoulders. Another of the soldiers caught her wrist. “Do not touch her,” he said. “She'll have to get used to this anyway.”

“Her mother was murdered in front of her,” Annukka said.

The soldier backhanded her. “You don't talk back to us. We're only supposed to get you there alive,” he said. “There's nothing saying we have to get you there unharmed.” Annukka fell back, one hand on her cheek.

It took almost a lunar for the young women to reach their destination. There were several stops along the way where more were added to their number. Yesabet wasn't paying attention. All she could think of was the death of her mother. It took the soldiers beating her to get her to bathe, eat, and wash her laundry. Annukka and the others tried to help her but were often driven back by force.

Lord Fenwyn's castle towered over the town that was built up around it. When Commander Nicotera brought them through, everyone stayed in their homes. The young women, who now numbered eighty, were led in through the gate. Yesabet came out of her stupor to look around at the courtyard.

“What are they going to do with us?” someone asked.

“You'll find out when Lord Fenwyn is ready for you to,” Commander Nicotera said. “For now, keep silent.”

The women were led through the massive double doors into the keep. They were taken into the grand ballroom. There were over a hundred women in the room already. It was over crowded and the scent of unwashed bodies overwhelmed Yesabet.

“Why aren't they bathing?” Commander Nicotera asked as he led his group in.

“It takes all day just to bathe half of them,” a man in armor almost as fine as his said. “We alternate days but it's getting critical. I didn't know there were this many women in the holding.”

“We'll have to come up with something,” Commander Nicotera said. “Lord Fenwyn won't want to see them if they present themselves in filthy clothes and unclean bodies.”

“We may have to talk to the mages,” the other man said. “They might be able to come up with something.”

A liveried servant came into the room. His lip curled at the smell. “Commander Nicotera, Lord Fenwyn will see these women in three days.”

“I'll have them ready for him,” the commander said. The servant turned and walked out. “Lieutenant Ahearne, fetch the house mages.”

“Yes Commander,” Lieutenant Ahearne said. He went out of the room.

“Find some place to sit down and wait for further instructions,” Commander Nicotera told the ones who he'd brought in. “No talking.”

Annukka managed to sit next to Yesabet. She didn't speak but she put her arm around her friend's shoulder. The two young women huddled together, trembling and afraid. The soldiers wandered among the women, but none of them paid any attention to the two of them.

It took a few minutes but the lieutenant returned with the mages. “How can we be of service Commander?” one of the mages asked.

“There's too many women and not enough time to bathe them all and wash their clothes,” Commander Nicotera said. “Do you have anything that we could use to speed that along?”

“Not yet but we can make something,” the mage said.

“I'd appreciate your assistance in this, Master Carracci,” Commander Nicotera said.

“Give us a candlemark or two and we'll be back,” Master Carracci said. The mages bowed and left.

The room was almost silent. There was no laughter, no speaking, no crying. There was the rustle of fabric as almost two hundred women tried to get and stay comfortable. Yesabet found herself getting used to the smell. It didn't bother her anymore and she found herself gazing around the room.

The mages returned. They were carrying several things that almost looked like little caps. “What are those?” Commander Nicotera asked.

“These things will work sort of like a bath. You stand them up and put it on their heads. A wall of water and soap runs down them, washing everything,” Master Carracci said. “They'll still be able to breathe. After five minutes, this pulls the water back up into it. They'll be dry and clean when you're done. We have ten caps and they'll work for a sennit. If we need to recharge them we will.”

“Thank you, Master Carracci,” Commander Nicotera said. “Your help is, as always, very appreciated.” The mage smiled as he handed the caps over to the commander and his lieutenant. The soldiers turned to the women while the other two left the room. “Start with these women here. I want everyone washed before the day is over.”

“Yes Commander,” Lieutenant Ahearne said. “Get them to their feet.”

Ten at a time, women were dragged to their feet. The little bits of fabric went on over their hair. There were gasps as the water poured down over them. When it ran back up, they were pushed to the side. It took several candlemarks but all the women were clean. There was a faint floral scent left behind after the last of them were sent back to sit down.

“Bring in their meal,” Commander Nicotera said. “Make sure there's enough for all of them.”

The evening meal was served and after it was over small groups of women were taken to the privy until everyone was done. Blankets were passed out and the women settled down for bed. They used their sacks of clothing as pillows.

Yesabet didn't fall asleep at first. She stared at the wall, her mind tumbling with everything going on. Her mother's death, the forced march from Aldwater, the arrival at Lord Fenwyn's home. She didn't know what was going on. She curled up into an even tighter ball on the cold stone floor. Tears trickled down her cheeks. She felt someone move closer. She turned a little. Annukka's back was pressed up against hers. Annukka glanced over her shoulder and winked at her friend. Yesabet felt a little better. She closed her eyes. It didn't come fast but sleep did overwhelm her.

Short Story - Kayin's Wrath, Part One

This takes place a century after the events in Marked, so you can see a glimpse of the world that was. The Majin, or so they call themselves now, are only beginning to venture out of their valley. They're curious how the world has changed. But it's not as different as they hoped.

___

Kayin Monette stood on the edge of the crowd gathered around the fresh grave. The cleric finished his eulogy and people began tossing flowers and dirt onto the casket. Kayin unraveled the threads that kept her from being seen. No one seemed to notice her odd entrance. Thank the Goddess for that, she thought. The last thing she needed was a panic to cause more deaths.

Kayin tossed a wreath made of star eye blossoms and golden drops onto the wooden lid before turning and limping away. It was harder to get around and soon she would have to give some thought to returning to the valley. She was like so many of the Majin, curious about the world but uncomfortable in it. It was only one hundred cycles since their flight to the valley. It was now easier for them to move freely about Lytharia, but things weren't settled yet. There were those in the valley, among the oldest of them all, who still remembered the dark days.

Most of the mourners barely glanced at her. All they saw was a half-crippled woman. They passed her by without taking note of her eye color. Only one person stopped to take a very good look at her face. He looked like just another villager, slightly wealthier than most, but still very common.

She made her way towards the village, ignoring him though she kept an eye on his threads. When they began to shift, she dove to the side. A globe of burning light passed over where she'd been.

“You do not know who you've challenged,” Kayin said. Her hands moved and the man screamed as his body bent and contorted. “Tell me, are you the one who killed Fenrod?”

The mage managed to get one hand free. He gestured and Kayin heard a low growl. She looked over her shoulder. A construct that looked to be a remorth crossed with a bronmar lunged towards her. The antlers sprouting out of the beast's head were spiked at the end.

Kayin threw the mage back as she dodged his monstrous creation. She reached out and started unraveling its threads. She dodged it a few more times before with a groan the creature collapsed, falling into its separate parts.

Only the rush of air warned her of the mage's spell. She whirled around and caught him once more in her threads. “Demon,” he yelled.

“Look who's talking,” Kayin said. “You're the one who attacked me. Did you kill Fenrod?”

“All of you silver eyed devils must die,” he said. “My grandfather taught us that. The Emperor was tricked by you. You used your unnatural power on him and seized your freedom by trickery and force.”

Kayin twisted his threads. His scream was cut off as she wrapped one around his throat. “Fanatics like you are the reason we're still being murdered,” Kayin said. “That is something we do not tolerate.” She tightened the line around his throat. He scrabbled at it with his hands, turning purple as she cut off his air. She held him until he went limp. She released him. He dropped to the ground in a heap.

“Murderer,” a woman cried.

“He attacked me first,” Kayin said. “Of course I'm going to defend myself. Not to mention he killed one of my dearest friends.”

“You're a murderer,” the woman repeated. She looked around. “She should die.”

“You stand accused of a grave crime,” a man in the flowing robes of a cleric of the Guardians “You will have to face judgment.”

“I'll pass that now,” an aging man in fine clothes said. “Siward was the aggressor. She didn't do anything more than protect herself. Also, Siward created an abomination when he was told to stop his experimentation. I'd have put him to death anyway. This woman just saved me the time.”

“My husband did nothing wrong,” the woman said.

“He deserved his fate and that's my final word on it. If you don't like what I've done, take yourself out of this town because I have the final word,” the man said. He approached Kayin. “I'm Algar Kolar, mayor of Clearhaven.”

“Kayin Monette of the Majin,” Kayin said.

“Mistress Monette, I would very much enjoy it if you joined me for the midday meal in a candlemark,” Algar said.

“It's very obvious I'm not welcome here,” Kayin said.

“If anything happens to you I'll either exile them or have them killed,” Algar said. “Please, don't let the actions of one man sway you from enjoying my hospitality.”

“I would be honored, Mayor Kolar, to accept your offer,” Kayin said.

“Then I'll see you in a candlemark,” Algar said. “You may ask anyone here to show you to my house.” He strode off.

A woman in black came forward, a young boy clinging to her skirt. “You're Kayin Monette?” she asked.

“I am,” Kayin said. “You must be Agata.” The woman nodded. “Fenrod often talked about you.”

“I'm glad he was so fond of me,” Agata said. “There were some days where I know he wanted to be back in the valley, but I didn't think it would be safe for Yrian to travel so far until he was older.”

“The road can be dangerous,” Kayin said. “Fenrod could do many things, but we're not all powerful. We can be killed, as you saw.”

Agata nodded. “Do you – do you know if Yrian will have the silver eyes?”

“There isn't any way to know until someone starts playing with the threads,” Kayin said. “That's what turns our eyes silver.”

“Why would anyone want to kill my da?” Yrian asked. “Da never hurt people. He just farmed and went to market. He took care of us.”

“Agata, did Fenrod ever tell you or Yrian the history of our people?” Kayin asked.

“He told me,” Agata said. “He said he'd tell Yrian one day.”

“Then I think he should know why someone hunted his father down,” Kayin said. “I could tell him but it might be easier for him if you did.”

“I'll do that,” Agata said. “When we get home. He deserves to know how cruel people can be.” “Mistress Monette, it's not going to be safe for you on the streets or at the inn. Why don't you come to our house for a little while? When it's time I'll show you where the mayor lives.”

Kayin saw several of the townsfolk watching her again. The wary look on some of their faces warned her. “I think I'd better,” she said. The three of them walked off together.

Short Story - Lycantha Blossoms, Part Two

Ailsa is still grieving the loss of her soul bond. The others struggle to save her from her impending death.
___

“I overheard you ordering that woman out of our House,” Kelledron said.

“If she returns, she's dead,” Thanolos said.

“At least we're rid of her,” Kelledron said. “I wouldn't have put it past her to have me murdered so Ailsa's husband could have inherited House Wintersong.”

“We'd never allow it,” Hania said as she joined them. “Eliana's working something unusual I take it?” Kelledron told her. “If that doesn't work, nothing will.” The three of them retreated to the small chapel dedicated to Illior to pray for the souls of the dead and the life of one young Elven woman.

Ailsa opened her eyes onto a darkened room. She knew without calling her mage lights that she was alone. She rose to her feet and drifted out onto her balcony. She looked down, judging the distance to the ground. It was far enough that she would die when she struck the courtyard below. She rested one hand on the smooth marble rail. Not that way, ne salan, a voice whispered into her mind.

“Torgeir?” Ailsa whispered, her disbelief plain.

The pale spirit of her murdered soul mate appeared before her. Not that way, ne salan, he repeated. Your father seeks comfort from Illior, and he finds none. He will find even less in the sight of his beloved daughter's body should you jump.

“I can't live without you,” Ailsa said. She began to sob. “It feels like my own soul has been ripped out of me. I can't breathe and I feel so cold.”

Illior does not require such a thing of either of us, ne salan, Torgeir assured her. Go to the garden. He faded away.

Ailsa crept out of her door, her slippered feet making no more than a faint hiss against the stone. Kelledron was sleeping in a chair beside the door. She held her breath as she moved past him. She ran down the stairs. There were no servants with prying eyes to see her.

No one was in the hall leading to the nursery. Since her departure from there some seasons earlier, it was left empty. She made her way out of the glass doors that led into the garden. She made her way to her Life Tree, where Torgeir's spirit awaited her. “I'm here,” she said.

Ne salan, Torgeir murmured. He smiled at her. Will you place your trust in Illior?

“Yes,” Ailsa said without hesitation.

Then come to me, ne salan, Torgeir said. He held out his arms. Ailsa trembled as she stepped across the short distance into his arms. As their hands met, she returned his smile. He pulled her into a loving embrace. Soon all she could see was light.

“Father, Ailsa's gone. I can't find her.” Kelledron was frantic. He ran into his father's study. Thanolos and the twins were brought to their feet. “She got past me somehow. I swear I cast the wakefulness charm but something put me to sleep.”

“Illior only knows what kind of strength Ailsa has in her madness,” Thanolos said, absolving his son of any wrong-doing in his sister's escape. “We have to find her.”

The whole family split up, looking for any sign of the missing girl. Kelledron searched the garden. In the corner, next to her Life Tree, he found his sister's favorite bracelet. “Father.” His voice rang through the air.

Thanolos, Eliana, and Hania hurried to join him. Ailsa's Life Tree withered, showing that she was dead. Ailsa's sunstone bracelet gleamed in the light of the moon. “She's gone,” Thanolos said. His voice broke.

“Where's her body?” Eliana asked, tears falling down her cheeks.

Something brushed against Kelledron's hand. He looked down to find himself staring at a flower he didn't know. He called up a mage light so he could see them better. They were delicate blossoms of the palest azure with startling golden centers. They smelled of sunlight and his sister's favorite perfume. Just looking at them comforted him. “Father, look.”

“Where did these come from?” Thanolos asked.

“Lycantha,” Eliana said, her voice full of wonder.

“What is that?” Thanolos asked.

“Illior took Ailsa,” Hania said. “He wasn't going to force her to live without Torgeir. He's left us this flower in exchange for her body. It is called a lycantha blossom, a spirit flower. It will wrap around her Life Tree and flower during the warm seasons. Its seeds can be planted elsewhere, the vines growing up in the garden. A lycantha only grows in the ground of the House the spirit came from.”

 There was nothing else to say. The twins returned to the manor while Kelledron and his father stood beside each other, staring at the blooms. Kelledron reached down and hooked the vine over one of the branches. “There,” he said. “Her Life Tree will continue to live, if only in these little flowers.” The two men walked back to the house.

Short Story - Lycantha Blossoms, Part One

Not all my stories take place on the continent of Vassa. The world is larger than that, with several different lands. This story takes place in one of those other places.
___

Ailsa Wintersong stared out over the dark forest, her eyes full of tears. She wrung her hands together, her nails cutting fine lines into her delicate fingers. The woman beside her took hold of them and pressed them against the window sill. “Ailsa, he's not returning,” she said, her voice carrying her irritation. “Why don't you accept that Illior has other plans for you?”

Ailsa pulled her hands free. “You're wrong.” Her voice choked in her throat. “The High Priestess confirmed that Torgeir and I are soul bonded. He's coming back. He has to.” She turned and fled back into the house.

“That was incredibly stupid, Rada,” Kelledron said. Ailsa's elder half brother, and heir to the Wintersong line, was leaning against the gleaming wall of the House's hereditary manor.

Lady Rada Wintersong glowered at her stepson. He took every chance he could get to remind her that, while Ailsa was a highly honored member of the Wintersong household, Rada herself was considered little more than an outsider by the rest of the House. The Law of Blood granted familial rights to the children of a second mating, but not to the mate in question.

“Well, oh wise one, what do you suggest?” she asked, biting off her words.

“I was going to suggest asking Aunt Eliana and Aunt Hania what to do,” Kelledron said. “They've been out in the world more than the rest of us. Perhaps they have some ideas.”

“Then go pester them,” Rada said. She turned on her heal and flounced off. Kelledron ventured deeper into the house until he came to the parlor where his twin aunts were sitting.

“Aunt Eliana, Aunt Hania, are you busy?” Kelledron asked, keeping his tone respectful. Of all his family members, his twin aunts were his favorite. His own mother died when he was very young and the two of them took over raising him, teaching him all there was to know about being a Day Elf. Once he was old enough to pass into the care of a proper tutor, the two Bards once again left Sunhaven for the farlands. They returned every few seasons to let their loved ones know they were alive.

“What is it Kell?” Hania asked.

“It's Ailsa,” Kelledron said, sitting down between the sisters. “She's soul bonded to Torgeir Darksun, but Rada keeps trying to force her into another marriage.”

“Was it confirmed by the High Priestess?” Eliana asked. Kelledron nodded. She shook her head. “We have noticed Ailsa looking more and more distraught. What's happened?”

“No one really knows,” Kelledron said. “There was a small group sent to establish the new waypoint at the other end of the forest. Father told me that Torgeir and Ailsa were going to be asked to be in charge of it. Two survivors made it back to let us know that the Crimson Elves attacked the caravan. They swear that Torgeir and one other were taken prisoner.” He shook his head. “That goes against everything we've ever been told about them.”

“The Crimson Elves are insane,” Eliana said. “You never know what those – those beasts – are capable of.”

“Eliana's right,” Hania said. “The question remains though, what do they want with living prisoners?”

Before Kelledron could answer, a terrible cry filled the house. The voice, familiar only to Kelledron, was full of such grief, rage, and pain that the three elves broke into tears. “Ailsa.” Kelledron was on his feet in an instant, knocking servants aside as he charged down the corridor, his aunts right behind him.

Ailsa was lying at the foot of the stairs, blood trickling from her nose and head. “He's dead,” she wailed. Her whole body shook. “He's dead.”

“What's this nonsense about?” Rada asked as she came to her daughter's side. She reached down and slapped Ailsa. “What are you talking about?”

Hania's sword hissed as it left its sheathe. Rada gulped hard and backed away from Ailsa's prone form. “The Law of Blood doesn't apply to you, Rada,” Hania said. With a flick of her wrist, she slashed Rada's face.

“What's going on here?” Thanolos Wintersong asked. He was Kelledron and Ailsa's father and the head of the House. “Hania, why is my wife bleeding?”

“She assaulted Ailsa,” Hania said. “Who is clearly suffering from a rather violently severed soul bond.”

“What?” Thanolos asked, turning his attention to his two children.

“Torgeir was captured by Crimson Elves,” Kelledron said, reminding his father of the recent tragedy. “I think they just killed him.”

“They slaughtered him, like an animal,” Ailsa said, whimpering. Her eyes were wide. “I saw it. I felt it.”

“Eliana, can you - ?” Thanolos asked.

“Kell, carry your sister up to her room,” Eliana said. “I'll be up in a moment.”

Kelledron lifted Ailsa into his arms. He looked at the stairs for a moment before summoning a floating disk in the sapphire and silver hues of his House colors. He stepped onto it. It lifted him up the stairs without jarring his sister. Eliana took the more conventional way up.

“Now, Hania, why is Rada bleeding?” Thanolos asked.

“Rada, or so I've been told by the servants, didn't approve of the match that Illior decreed for Ailsa,” Hania said. “Kell told us that Rada wanted Ailsa to choose another husband. Torgeir's disappearance was tearing Ailsa apart.”

“Do you know what happened to her?” Thanolos asked.

“She must have fallen down the stairs when the Crimson Elves killed Torgeir,” Hania said. She lowered her sword and looked over at her brother. “Thano, it's very rare that the surviving member of a shattered soul bond lives long past the other one.

“I know.” Thanolos looked down at his hands for a moment. “How long do you think Ailsa has?”

“It depends on her spirit,” Hania said. “If she wants to live, a moon or two. If not, I'd give her no more than a sennight.”

“What are you talking about?” Rada asked. “There was no soul bond. That was just the Darksun's way of trying to take control of this House. Ailsa's not going to die just because he's dead.”

Thanolos turned to Rada. She could see the barely controlled rage on his face. “Leave my House,” he said. “I took you as my second mate only because it was required of me by the Council. Your father got his male heir, and I was given my daughter. The contract was satisfied. You are no longer necessary.” He turned to his sister. “Hania, if she's not out of here in one mark, kill her.”

“As you wish, Thano,” Hania said. There was no disguising the satisfaction she felt at that command. She put her hand on the hilt of her sword. A bloodthirsty smile twisted the corners of her mouth up. Rada realized that there was a chance Hania wouldn't wait for the mark to be up. She paled and, not stopping to collect any of her things, ran from the manor.

Thanolos made his way to his daughter's room. Kelledron was standing outside, his pale blue clothing stained with blood. “Aunt Eliana said no one's supposed to go in right now,” he whispered. “She's trying some complicated magic on Ailsa. She says that soul bonding isn't unheard of among the Plains Elves, and that they have ways of preventing the death of the other half.”

“I hope it does,” Thanolos said.

Short Story - Mama's Angels

Small feet pattered across the cracked tile floor. Two figures in flowing white nightgowns crept along, stifling giggles as they slipped along towards the spiraling staircase leading to the rest of the house. A tiny bell chimed discordantly from the hall. They paused just at the top of the stairs.

The only light below came from the moon shining through the broken windows. She sat on a worn settee and stared out at the encroaching rose bushes. Thorns as long as her hand gleamed in the silver light, looking like strange and twisted daggers.

She knew the children were there. The giggling was unmistakable. She didn't look up, though. She closed her eyes and prayed for sleep to come. It didn't. It never did. Not since that day. She fingered the pendant around her neck and cursed her husband. Her imprecations didn't matter. He was dead, buried and turned to dust.

The children giggled again. She sighed. “Back to bed with you,” she called.

“Why mama?” The voice was of her beautiful Light. “We want to stay up and watch the moon too.”

“Don't you love us, mama?” That was Gale. His piping voice was as easy to recognize as that of his sister.

“You know I love you,” she said, rising from the settee. Agony ripped through her heart as she turned to stare into the faces of her children. She walked towards the stairs with slow, heavy steps. Her tangled hair brushed against her back and the tattered remnants of her nightgown stirred up dust on the broken tile.

“Mama, tell us a story,” Light begged. Her smile was bright. “Tell us the story.”

The woman stopped, swaying a little on her feet. That wasn't a request she'd heard for a long time. She halfway hoped to never hear it again. “The story?” she asked.

“Yes! Yes!” Gale shouted, jumping up and down. He looked like a little boy pleading for his favorite treat.

She bowed her head. “Come down here and join me then,” she whispered. She returned to her seat. The children scampered down and climbed into her lap. Their little bodies were cold and hard as they squirmed around in her lap. They settled into comfortable positions and waited.

“Tell us, mama,” Light demanded.

“Once upon a time, there was a little family that lived together in a grand mansion,” the woman began. “To everyone else, they appeared happy and loving. The parents seemed to dote on the two little angels they'd been given to raise. But the mother wasn't pleased with them. To her, they damaged her beauty and limited the amount of pleasure she could take in life because of her vanity.” A tear slid down one cheek. “Her husband was a kind man who couldn't understand why his wife didn't love the angels as much as he did.”

“What happened next, mama?” Gale asked when she paused.

“One night the woman was sitting by the window dreaming and singing to herself. She was admiring a new necklace in her small hand mirror. The angels came downstairs, frightened by bad dreams. The woman, angry with the interruption, scolded them instead of offering them comfort. The children ran back up to their room.” Her hands trembled and the words choked her.

“Go on, mama,” Light said. Her eyes flickered a restless crimson.

“One of the angels knocked over the candle used to guard against the night,” the woman said. “Their mother ignored their screams until it was too late. All of the upper part of the house was aflame and the angers were dead. She was blamed at first but her grief made most people believe her when she said it was an accident. Her husband never forgave her and she was cursed.”

“How was she cursed, mama?” Gale asked.

“She was forced to live in the house that was where she'd been happiest, and was the place of her greatest sorrow,” she said. “There she lives to this day. She is unable to die and unable to forget. She watches as the world she knew leaves her behind.”

“What else?” Light demanded.

“She is haunted by her angels, who have become demons to punish her for her crime,” she said in a barely audible voice.

Light laughed. “We're going to be together forever and ever, aren't we?” She wrapped her bony arms around the woman's neck and hugged her.

“Yes, Light. We'll be together forever and ever.”