Wings of Shadow

Beginnings

“Killian, please. Do not do this. The twins must not be separated, especially at such a young age,” Selena pleaded.

“Silence, Mother! The treaty is signed. My first-born is destined to rule in my place. He requires proper training.”

The noise of the crowd rose, and Selena looked across the meadow to see the villagers gathering around a table. Her grandsons were seated in front of a tiered cake, eyeing the sugared violets that dotted the rosy frosting. Their tiny heads leaned forward, brown curls and blond locks blending. As the crowd began to count, both brothers took a deep breath.

“Three!” the villagers yelled, and the boys blew, cheeks puffing with their exertions. The three tiny flames glowing atop hand-dipped candles flickered out. The boys clapped in delight and reached toward the cake.

Selena chuckled to see the twins poke their tiny fingers into the uncut cake to pull away the sugared flowers. Seemingly content with nibbling the sweet violets, the boys rushed away to play. Their hand-carved wooden plates lay abandoned.

Her smile disappeared as her son stepped forward from the edge of the meadow.

Killian’s ebony cape flapped in the wind. “It is time.”

His wife, Alannah, smoothed her long gown and nodded her assent. “I expect you to honor the treaty terms.” She gazed at the two boys frolicking in the meadow.

He laughed. “So little trust!”          

Selena stood to the side, stoically listening to their conversation. She pursed her lips together, holding in her protests. They had all been spoken before, countless times, and to no avail.

The two boys danced in the meadow, spinning until they fell down giggling. Imprinting this last memory of the twins in her mind, Selena ignored the tear sliding down her cheek.

Killian marched over and took her dear Kiernan firmly by the hand. Her feisty grandson resisted, but his father yanked his arm until they walked side-by-side. Selena watched as they turned away from the village and headed toward a path leading into the city. The abandoned twin threw himself down to the grass, crying and calling for his brother.

Before father and son passed the village boundary, Selena rushed over to them, stopping her golden-haired grandson. He leapt into her arms for an enormous hug, his fingers, still sticky with frosting, clutching her neck.

“Kiernan, remember the Light,” she whispered. “Remember the Light.”