Quest to the Shadows

My Enemy or Friend?

Now Willow, Hadeon and her two detainers were the only ones left in the once crowded room that held the ashes of Silver. Hadeon turned and walked away towards the fire that crackled and popped with an unpleasant aura around it. "Bring her to me."  His dominative voice echoed through the bare room. Willow took a hesitant step towards where the guards were leading her and then lifted her head as was expected from a princess and walked confidently over to her brother. "I am ready."  Was all she said. Willow wasn't sure but for a moment it looked as if he was regretting what he was about to do. 'Probably the fire'  she thought, but a glimmer of hope flickered in her soul. Out of yet another pouch in his robe, Hadeon pulled out a brand with his new crest on it. With a horrible jolt of insight, Willow understood what he was going to do. He was going to burn his imprint on her life to crush her spirit and prove that he is master. He would brand her with his insignia so he would lord over her.

The brand glowed orange red as Hadeon pulled it out of the fire. "What do you think would happen if I held this to your eyes?"  Her brother asked, as if from simple curiosity. Removing the fear from her face, Willow replied steadily. "I would never be able to see again."  With mock thoughtfulness, her brother replied, "Then I suppose it's a good thing I'm not going to do that." Hadeon smirked and in one quick, swift movement, propelled the searing brand onto her left shoulder. Burning through her robe, woolen dress onto her skin. Willow did not scream but her whole body trembled and she moaned as the brand's heat on her shoulder throbbed in pain. Agony razed golden eyes turned to stare at the brother she had looked up to for so many years. Then she saw it. He didn't want to do this. He had realized that he had hurt his sister. But now he had to complete what he had started. As he pulled the brand away from Willow the guards let go of her and she collapsed to the floor. All the strength drained out of her and spots danced before her eyes. Just before she lost consciousness, Willow heard Hadeon speaking to the guards, "No. Put her in one of the comfortable cells and send someone to dress the burn."  Then the world, with all its guilt, sorrow and pain, faded into darkness.

When Willow awoke she was in a warm, and comfortable suit. Wincing as she got up from the bed she had been laying on, Willow studied her wound, unwrapping her bandage and dressing to look at it. "Not too much damage."  She mumbled to herself. "Though I'll be scarred for life. Must have bumped my head when I fell as well."  A knock at the door startled Willow from her thoughts. Hastily rewrapping the bandage she called out, "Enter". The door opened and a young maid about 15-16 years of age entered timidly. "It's alright." Willow said gently, noticing her fears. "I am not my brother."  A wave of sadness and rage engulfed her as she remembered the things her brother had done. 'He has been appropriately named.'  Willow thought to herself thinking of her shoulder before bringing her mind back to the present. "What is your name?"  Willow asked her as the maid began undoing the dressing on her wound. The maid just shook her head and moved down in front of Willow and then opened her mouth and pointed inside. Willow gasped and turned away unable to look. This maid could not speak. Her tongue had been cruelly cut out rendering her a mute.

"I'm so sorry."  Willow said, placing a hand on her maids. "But since you can't tell me your name I will call you Adina what do you think? Just nod or shake your head."  The maid nodded her head. "Then Adina it is. Bear your name well."  Adina had finished dressing Willow's wound and now she pulled up her sleeve and pointed to her shoulder. A hideous burn marked her flesh. It was the same as the one her brother had given her. Adina's eyes seemed to speak, "See we are the same."  Tears began to fill Willow's eyes. "Indeed we are Adina, indeed we are."  At that moment a messenger knocked on the door before addressing her. "Princess Willow."  She stood up. "Yes?" "Your Brother, the King, has requested your presence at his throne room immediately." "Immediately?"  She asked, struggling to contain the fear in her voice. The messenger raised his eyebrows. It was clear he didn't approve of this question. "I will be there." Willow said. "But you will need to tell my brother that he will have to wait for a bit because I am not dressed for the occasion. Five minutes should be enough." "I will tell him at once."  The messenger bowed and then left the room, closing the door behind him. Turning to Adina, Willow smiled. "Help me dress, we shall have to hurry."