Obscure

Prologue

Taherah was getting ready for a meeting. Her presence at the right time was specifically asked for, by Naz – Time and she didn't go well together. As she was always late for meetings, this one was no different as well, until Mane started banging on the door for around ten minutes.

Naz was aware of her habits, and she understood why Naz would unleash this beast on her, but it was rude to send him but anyone else. Sleep was Taherah's addiction; she thought why would one even want to leave the warm sheets in a day, year or life? She was not a morning person, neither was she a night person- not that it would make a difference. Day and night were the same where she lived, as the concept of time was only for the outsiders; well, this was her home- The Vaults.

The struggle to get into her armour was making her late for the meeting as it always does, or she could have just woken up early and not blamed it. She was about to get into this thing which looked like it had been passed down from the last five generations with how the leather was creased and torn in places but to put it right, it had hardly survived two summers.

She was thinking about the possible ways she was about to get punished for doing the habitual but her thoughts were halted abruptly by a sudden bang and she yelped from the effects of the force used by Mane with which whole quarter shook a little, and it felt as if the nutjob was slamming the door with an axe than knocking it with his bare hands.

"Coming!" She shouted while securing the belt of her bottoms. Panting, she ran towards the door, picking up a pace that would avoid another insulting evening if she actually ran late.

In a minute, she came face to face with Mane; who was apparently taller than her doorframe. He was wearing his usual scowl of disappointment, and it seemed as if Taherah was a tiny cause of the accentuated lines on his forehead, or, actually the main cause. He huffed through his nose, pointing a digit straight in front of her face, and groaned. "You. Run." He declared with a hint of threat, and she spared no time to give it a thought, preferring to speed her way to the discussion room than to answer a pillar of dissatisfaction.

She could hear the heavy sound of steps thudding their way behind her. With every step of his, she felt the place around her vibrate lightly with the impact. Picking up the pace quickly, she at last reached the only door that didn't reek of rust.

An uneasy feeling ran through her veins, making her whole-body shudder with a kind of unknown anticipation as she made her way into the room upon getting called in. She stood there, in front of a circle – the main area where the meetings took place. The room was crammed in the corners with different kinds of peculiar-looking objects and within the circle, rugs were scattered around a short-legged wooden table crowded with scrolls of different kinds, inkpots, and quills on the sides.

Around the table were sitting three people – Naz, the head of her kind- short black hair, deep brown skin, prominent features and a very quirky fashion style. Farayel, the brain of these vaults – Even with a broad man and a well-built woman sitting alongside her, she looked the most intimidating. Long red hair flanking on both sides of her chest and sprawling on the floor, light blue eyes, thin lips and porcelain skin. She was wearing her signature gown – simple, straightforward and with no useless appliques. And lastly, Vlarian, the guild leader - Broad and basic with short brown hair, tawny skin and leather clinging to every part of his flesh.

Even after Taherah's arrival, the three paid little to no attention to her, which Taherah believed they should, considering how early she had joined the meeting today.

"Sit." Naz ordered, raising her eyebrow as if to mock her for not knowing what to do next, and Taherah obliged. She picked the rug next to Farayel, for she had her eyes on it from the last meeting because it didn't itch like the others and was softer than the sheets on her bed. She made herself comfortable, feeling the softness of the fabric, deliberately running her hands on it and thinking about how her nights could turn heavenly if she had an opportunity to have such fabric on her bed.

A soft cough brought her attention back to the meeting, and she glanced up to see all three staring at her. "Enjoying yourself?" asked Vlarian as his lips curled in a smirk that was teasing or mocking; one cannot comprehend. "Yes." she retorted, clearing her throat and trying to avoid any further embarrassment.

"Now that we are here and comfortable in our places, shall we begin?" It looked like Naz was studying the scroll in her hand – which Taherah believed she was not, by any means. It was just to avoid the stare Taherah would have given her if she had the manners to even slightly acknowledge the emphasis she put in a word to taunt her. Naz was clever... and ignorant as well.

"Naz, Behave! And Taherah, focus on what's at hand." Farayel spoke, her voice ringing different than others. She straightened her posture, intertwining her fingers together, clasping something between her hands.

"We cannot survive winter if we hide like cowards in these vaults." Farayel declared sternly as she glared at a spot on the wall opposite of Taherah, refusing to make eye contact or even sparing a look at anyone. She continued, "The remnants are not enough for all of us to survive: clothes, food, or even an adequate supply of water. Something must be done about it, or some of us will not live to see the summer."

Taherah wondered if it's just the news or Farayel's melancholic tone, which made her shiver a little. She was so caught up with her own problems she hadn't even thought of the coming doom. She glanced hesitantly at the people present and it seemed to her as if no one was there. Their faces were blank, and their body language was tense. They probably were thinking of the last winter as their memories began flooding with the disastrous images of the past.

The biting cold, the swallowing darkness, and the deadly hunger of that treacherous season were devastating. They lost many of their kind then, and were still dealing with their loss; working harder and putting all forces to protect and provide the ones that remain.

"We cannot afford to lose anyone now." Vlarian voice comes strained as he broke the silence. "Yes." Naz agreed, nodding, but she looked absentminded as she stared at the inkpot with a newfound interest.

"So, what do we do?" Taherah asked, trying to get them all out of this trance. "We go treasure hunting." Naz shook her head and smirked with a new sparkle, and everyone seemed to perk up a little.

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Disclaimer:

This is my first try at writing and all kinds of criticism is welcomed.

English isn't my first language so please point out any grammar or punctuation mistakes.

Please do not copy any part of my work and enjoy reading.

Thank you.