Darkling

Stories

When Rhiannon's mother had calmed a bit, she introduced herself as Zora and happily sat us down to a meal. She apologized for the simple fare, but I assured her it was fine and she relaxed.

"So, I suppose you want to hear about Sylvanus and Isla?"

I nodded eagerly. Zora hummed, thoughtful as she picked a place to start.

"Sylvanus was...amazing. So kind and brave. The strongest male any of us had seen in a while. Isla was his favorite but he took time with all of us. Many didn't understand why he had picked me, but it was enough for me that he even wanted me. I had hoped to bear him strong sons, but he was stolen from us before that could happen."

I glanced at Rhiannon, and caught the shame she felt. Disappointment that she was neither male nor particularly big or strong.

"Isla was always ever so kind to me and Rhiannon. She thought our stature shouldn't dictate our place in the family but her view was an uncommon one. Yvaine certainly never approved, so once Sylvanus was killed and the family fell to her..." She sighed, looking around the little house ruefully. "It was inevitable I would fall back down here. At least Rhiannon is well taken care of in the higher levels. Yvaine cares for her grandchildren well."

Rhiannon frowned, scraping up the last bite off her plate. "She could have taken care of you too, mother."

Zora just shrugged. "There was precious little when we went into hiding and even less when Yvaine brought us all underground. Our survival depends on the fittest of us, so the weakest of us shouldn't be greedy."

My horror at that notion must have shown, because Zora's eyes went wide as she stiffened.

"Oh, I'm not complaining, really Su'en. I'm quite happy with-"

"Why?!" She flinched at my outburst and I struggled to calm. "That's not- She can't-" I shook my head with frustration. "It shouldn't have to be like that! It doesn't need to be like this. You can come back up to the surface. The Nyxians aren't feuding anymore so why sit down here in the dark suffering?!"

Zora and Rhiannon stared at me, concern and confusion on them both. Rhiannon softly tried to explain. "We're safe down here. If no one even remembers we exist, then we survive. You say the Nyxians have stopped feuding, and I believe you, but what's to stop them from beginning again?"

I stopped myself from promising Ashtoreth would never let that happen. She was one person. A determined, persuasive, talented leader, who could probably force things with her sword if she couldn't coax with words or a show, but only one. My loyalty and that of Mithra and Deimos could only carry her so far if one clan decided to go to war with another.

"There has to be a way to keep you all safe without forcing half of you to live on the fringes with barely enough to survive."

Rhiannon looked like she wanted to believe me. Zora openly scoffed. "That's just the way it is. You don't understand because you weren't born when Sylvanus ordered us into hiding, but so many Chiropterans were killed just because we look similar to Nyxians at a quick glance. We couldn't fight them, so the only option left was to hide."

"But," I argued, "the Nyxians value strength just as much as the Chiropterans but they don't neglect the weakest. Everyone has to work and help provide for the clan, but a seamstress is no lesser than a warrior. One who hasn't found their place in the clan yet isn't cast out, they're just...given a chance to keep looking until they've fit in."

Shaking my head, I got to my feet. "Thank you for the meal, Zora. And for telling me about my parents. As for the rest of it, I think I should have a talk with Yvaine."