Untitled

TWO

CHAPTER TWO

The Universe birthed Light. And Dark grew envious.

*Xru'lar*

✽✽✽

The queue is long. Too long.

The Suns-Hall sees its largest crowd since the Hi'er-Kvi'mrn wedding.

Xru'lar sits next to his brother, Zyr'h, in front of the xau'we, the funeral-stone, upon which Ruh'vi lies awaiting her xau'kyvn, the traditional funeral of the Ytai. Notable dignitaries from all over Ytean arrive to pay their respects. Iro'va, Xru'lar and Zyr'h's father, stands at the other end of the xau'we hands tied at the back. It isn't for Ruh'vi the Ytai Royals descend in droves to offer condolences. It's for Iro'va; the man who commanded Ytéan's war against the Soe. It always pays well to be on the right side of the greatest warrior Ytean currently knows.

Zyr'h sighs. Xru'lar glances at him sideways. Zyr'h's cheeks are red, shoulders slumped, and eyes strained close. His lips tremble, crushing the tears that are surely halfway on their journey to his cheeks. Xru'lar trains his eyes back to the line of dignitaries, biting the insides of his cheeks. Xru'lar and Zyr'h's relationship is weary as the last fibre of wood holding the branch to its tree in vain. Xru'lar keeps his eyes, burning as they are, open for the moment he gives them rest, the shadows take over and visions from that night haunt him. Instead, he studies the crowd and names the races he spots - his people the Ytai, the Scr, the Ut'zrn, and even the Soe with whom Iro'va established peace-treaties. Xru'lar eventually stops observing people on noticing furtive glances his way and whispers very much about how he caused this.

Lh'ean and Iro'h are setting, soaking the glass-walled Suns-Hall golden. Every corner-room of the Main-Palace is built to capture the rise or set of the suns. The Suns-Hall and the Throne-Room spreading East-South-West are the most magnificent. Paint-stained glass-panels line the rooms, glass-domes cover the high arched ceilings. Um'rei-Hi'er has no Ruling Holy-Entity. They revere the suns.

The crowd erupts into rustling chatter and fragments, letting an entourage proceed ahead. Only family of the passed gets through to the front. Xru'lar catches Ruri, her partner, and his grandparents marching forward, tailed by their Guards. Roé Kvi'mrn bows to Iro'va. Ruri cares not for formality when her sister lies dead on the xau'we, and goes straight to her. She traces the xau'kyvn-avn drawn on Ruh'vi's hands and neck and kisses her cheek before placing a bunch of im'zur flowers in her clasped hands. The heady fragrance of the im'zur permeates the air, overpowering the peppery-smoke of incense characteristic of the Suns-Hall, serving to remind all Ruh'vi came from Um'rei-Kvi'mrn. Ruri drapes herself over her sister, hugging her, weeping. Xru'lar is comforted that Ruh'vi is patched up as much as the Xlo'quan - the Healers - could manage. Ruh'vi's parents kneel before the xau'we their tears silent. Zyr'h watches Ruri too, angry she arrived late. But Xroui'lm is half the world away from Izarn. The remaining guests resume offering their respects.

The suns have long left by the time Ruri lets Ruh'vi go. 'Come, boys,' she tells Xru'lar and Zyr'h.

'D'vo,' No.

Ruri glares at Iro'va.

'Only children are exempt,'

'They need a break, Ru'n Hi'er.'

'They're not children,' Iro'va's voice goes low with warning.

Ruri doesn't heed it. 'I'm their O'ht now,' she stands in front of Iro'va; a challenge.