Airini

2: AIRINI

I was eager to get started on my first task as a Healer, and couldn't wait to get my first assignment. Mother hadn't approved of my application to the council; but my human father had been elated. It wasn't entirely his fault he had fallen for an enchantress; but he was simply fascinated with all that took place within the walls of The Ruse.

Let me explain.

My mother is a direct descendant from the Goddess of peace, who she named me after. Like her mother before her, she used her skills to heal and advise those that were in need- which brought my father to her door many years ago. His sister, my aunt, had been killed at a young age, and he had asked my mother to end his life for him. He hadn't been aware that she was a healer, who unlike some witches, didn't barter for souls.

The rest is history, and here I am. A product of their love.

Which made me a curiosity of sorts. Obviously it was unknown which skills I would inherit, but I have always been drawn to the roles of the Healers. My mother would have rather I'd have become a witch, but I had to follow my heart. The Healers had the most interesting role of the entire council in my opinion- they weren't in direct contact with the Gods of old- but they had important tasks like keeping the peace, maintaining relationships and healing rifts between clans. This of course led to meeting a variety of people from all walks of life- but most importantly it gave you guaranteed immortality and lifetime protection.

The Ruse was the name of the building that houses all of the councillors. The Gods liased with the highest ranking ones- such as The Liators, who were known as the most exceptionally skilled creatures in the whole world. They were chosen by the Gods- some would argue they were even created by them- and then merely did their bidding. No one would dare argue with a Liator, for the powers they possessed rivalled that of any assassin I'd ever seen.

Fifi was the youngest of them all, and I'd grown up constantly mystified by her incredible strength and abilities. One day during an argument with Hiros, she managed to shoot fire bolts from her fingertips. Needless to say she was recruited swiftly after.

As I approached The Ruse, my breath was immediately snatched away, as it was every time. It was made of the finest stone, that didn't seem to have weathered at all in the thousands of years it had stood there. It had many floors, and was surrounded by what could only be described as gravel. The gravel was not just stone, however; it had been blessed by the Gods. No species that existed beneath the sky above us could cause any quarrel here without being struck down. It was truly a place of tranquility and justice.

The building itself could only be seen by non human folk, and that covered a lot of ground. The paranormal world exists alongside the human one, the realms blurring constantly to the point of where jobs were being created at The Ruse constantly to monitor the situations that could get out of hand; but more on that later.

Demons, shapeshifters, witches, vampires, werewolves, sirens, fairies, ghosts and goblins to name but a few, all lived amongst the humans. Most of them did so without creating any problems, but sometimes we would have to intervene before the Gods did. There was legend that the Gods had made a deal with the Devil; his minions could walk the earth providing they behaved according to the laws set out by the Gods, and if they didn't, he took them back.

It had worked so far.

I entered the building via the stone steps that were reserved for the staff, placing my heavy key into the slender hole that seemed far too small for such a key. The door slid open, and I stepped into the dark hallway. As the stone door slid shut behind me, I smoothed down my velvet cloak, pulling my hood up to fully hide my identity. This was another rule- unless instructed otherwise, you kept your identity secret. This just added to the allure of the place, and I quite like the anonymity.

As I walked, I gazed at the shadows on the wall that danced beneath the thick flames from the candles that rested on iron pillars. My fingers reached out, and I touched the cool stone, my nose inhaling the scent of time gone by, making me shiver with delight. If walls could talk, they would capture my attention for centuries.

I continue along the maze that is the underground chambers of The Ruse, marvelling that I'd somehow remembered my way. I could hear my father proudly teasing my mother that I got my sense of direction from him, neither us caring to correct him.

When I reached my chambers, I pulled back my hood when a harsh voice instructed me to do so.

Madame Balis, my mentor.

Despite asking me to remove my hood, she did not remove hers. Instead she hunched over her desk, writing painstakingly slowly with a feather and an ink pot, onto thick parchment paper. She could have been aged anything from twenty to two thousand years old beneath her cloak, and as for a description, all I saw was darkness where there should be features.

"My first assignment, Madame Balis?"

She didn't respond at first, the only sound in the room was of her feather against the paper. She finally spoke, and my blood was rushing so fast in my ears I could barely breathe. This was it, the moment I'd been waiting for all my life.

"I am told you are a strong influencer, Airini. Persuasive, and beautiful. Good traits for a Healer to have. Especially when dealing with volatile creatures."

I swallow, wondering where she had heard that from. I wasn't at all persuasive, but I knew how to heal with my hands from my mother showing me. Maybe she meant-

"I meant what I said. The tricks your mother taught you won't help you here, child. You are going to be responsible for healing the rift between the two species that cause us the most grief with their outrageous debauchery, shenanigans and hideous fights. They have caused more trouble for us than the demons and the goblins put together this past two years, and the Gods want to draw a line. So draw the line, Airini. Make them make peace with one another, because if they do not, their species will be obliterated."

I try to breathe, wondering if she had heard me say 'first'.

"What erm, two species?"

"The Werewolves and the Vampires of course. The leaders are absurd, and it is causing much woe. The Henrys and The Bensons."

Surely not. This wasn't just any random quarrel- these two families had been at war for thousands of years. I was just an amateur- surely they needed someone with more experience?

"It's gone on long enough, Airini. The elders have given the order. If calm is not reinstated across our lands, both species will cease to exist any longer. You have two months. Good luck."

Two months to convince two ancient families to sign a treaty of peace.

Two months after two thousand years of hatred, war and bloodshed.

"Oh and Airini, don't alert the humans. You know how they get."