How The Soothsaying Started

As she plays the harlot

“Oh! Lily! Did you see the time? Our father must be worried sick, we were supposed to be home hours ago.” Snow said, finally done with her charade. She grabbed Lily’s hand and pulled her away, gushing nonsense about all the ‘pretty lights’.

As they were about to leave, Lily looked back, checking for tails. What she saw almost made her fall over laughing. Maurus and Hesse were wrapped in each others arms, kissing passionately.

“I knew those two were creeps, but twincest? And gay twincest at that! I had no idea!”

I looked at Dimitre as he talked, hardly comprehending what he was telling me. He told stories of my father Eleazar’s fantastic triumphs, and his most horrific defeats. He had been a talented killer and spy, not the blacksmith I had always believed him to be.

“He was the bravest man I ever knew, and I would have followed him to the grave.” Dimitre said, an uncomfortable look on his face. “But, I must confess. He was not always the hero. Near the end of his days, Eleazar made bad choices, choices he thought were good.” My heart sunk as Dimitre continued, “He joined a covert group of assassins working against the king after your brother’s birth.  I refuse to believe that he did it of his own will. He was tricked, I am sure of it. The man I knew wouldn’t have risked his life fighting the king with a loving wife, a beautiful daughter, and a newborn boy at home.” I sat in silence, thinking. I looked up after a while, stunned.

“The group of assassins, you don’t mean...he was a member of the Weght” My mouth felt as if it was filled with lead as I spoke, hoping against hope that it wasn’t true.

“You are smart, Kaherdin, and you know in your heart that that is the truth. I did not wish to alarm you, but your mother told me, that when the time was right, that I tell you everything, including how he died.” Dimitre said, looking at me with sorrow.

“You killed him, didn’t you.” I said bluntly. Dimitre hung his head, ashamed.  “I do not blame you. If I had been where I am now, I would have killed him too. Anyone who betrayed their own family deserves to die. I would have gladly swung the sword myself.” I tried to show no emotion, but I couldn’t help but think, how can I stay loyal to those who need me, when my own father betrayed his family, friends, and kingdom? I am born of a traitor.

“I tried to tell him I would have to, Kaherdin,” Dimitre said, grabbing my hand. “I tried to warn him. He wanted me to join them. He told me that he was helping people. He said he was trying to make a better world for you and Zariah, so you would be safe. I had no choice, Kaherdin.”

“I understand, Dimitre. I do not blame you for my fathers actions. Thank you for telling me. Did you ever learn anything from him that could help us? We need answers.” I said, squeezing his hand.

“I only know one thing, the name of the leader. They call him Xemnas. he is from the land of Lienid, far outside these borders. That is all I know, or can say at this time. I have my orders.”

“Dimitr-”

“Go, Kaherdin. Your friends need you to be strong. Do not tell them of Eleazar’s wrong doings. They may distrust you. I must go. Take care, and remember the willow.” Dimitre bowed deeply, and kissed my hand. Then, he walked through the door without a second glance, leaving me alone. My father betrayed me. My mother. My brother. I will not do the same. I will remember the willow.

I awoke to find myself chained yet again to the blood painted wall. Every memory from when I was awake came back to me, like a wave crushing my body. I felt sick and angry! And yet the man’s ways seemed even more sick when I took notice of my clothes. He had dressed me up, some sick fantasy. A long white gown with stains of my own blood and soil smearing its purity. It was a replica of the dress of Lia, the goddess of virgins. I was his mortal goddess. How disgusting could he be? To have me be his harlot of a twisted fantasy. I was dressed as one of my own goddesses! And he felt as if I should be happy of it?! Who would I be tomorrow? Would I be my another goddess, Neva perhaps? Or would I be forced to play the role of some other ‘holy’ being? That sheer fact I wasn’t becoming sick frightened me, I felt nothing anymore. Hell I shouldn’t feel anything anymore… Before I faded into my darkness once more, I heard the large wooden door open. I expected my so called ‘lover’ to appear with his wooden club, but what I saw was far worse. The face of a noble shone at me; porcelain and pale. The girl who was supposed to have been lost to the flame of death, Fendrel. She carried a bowl and a piece of bread. “Good morn, Rose. I hope you don’t mind my coming to your ‘home’ on such short notice?” she spoke so casually, as if I wasn’t chained to a blood covered wall. Fendrel sat in the dirt in front of me, and offered me food. I had barely eaten since he took me here, and I didn’t care that she could have easily poisoned me. I was simply grateful for the bland greul and stale bread.

   

The group met at the caravan in the morning. Nicklaus was sitting in the front, holding his head and cursing to himself for drinking a strange ale.