The Empty Ones (Fantasy Romance)

15. Sibling love

It was a steaming hot afternoon on the tenth day of the tenth moon in my third star circle at the priory when the quor caravan arrived at The White Gate bringing again two new inhabitants.

This time, neither of the girls was older than ten and they seemed, as expected, extremely frightened.

After what had happened last time when we had new arrivals, I was reluctant about interacting with them.

"Where do they find them?" I whispered more to myself.

"It depends. I told you how they found me," said Mairi.

"How about you?" I asked Chioma.

"My parents were midrib mercenaries. They were hired by the house of Orlaith, which Yara's parents are also part of, to attempt to kill his Royal Highness the Emperor and The First Sorcerer of the realm."

I stopped breathing for a few seconds.

Fera had mentioned briefly that they were executed as traitors but she didn't know the exact details.

"Why did they do that?" I asked, trying to keep my voice from trembling.

"The house of Orlaith used to be one of the most powerful houses in the realm, but the current emperor didn't like the power and coin they got to have. He was right about not liking that because they were indeed thinking about overthrowing him together with conspirators from Tajir and... some others. My parents were just sellswords that got a really unlucky contract. They were meant to help the Shadows get into the palace. It failed spectacularly, they got caught and beheaded and my brother and I were awoken in the middle of the night and separated. Next thing I knew, I was here."

"Oh! And what happened to your brother?"

"I don't know. I suppose he is a foot soldier now, or dead... But I was only nine, there wasn't much I could have done. If we would have stayed together I would only have been a burden. He was already sixteen and strong, so a part of me still hopes he survived and I will see him once again. I wonder if I would recognize him without seeing the scars on his arms."

"I am sure you would. You cannot just forget family."

"You sure can; five star-circles is a long time. How about you, Zara?"

"The imperial soldiers found me in an attic after my parents were murdered. They knew my parents so they also knew here is the only place for me." I told the story as uneventfully as possible and as truthfully as I could.

"No siblings?" asked Chioma.

"No. I ought to have one but when they murdered my stepmother they also killed her unborn child." I tried to keep my tone neutral.

"That's pretty cruel to kill a pregnant woman. Who did that? Normal burglars would have only stolen and left."

"I don't know. I saw only one but his face was covered."

"Many cover their faces nowadays, from common bandits to elite imperial soldiers but they all want to emulate the Shadows and the legendary Nightfell Soldiers of Harq'Alsu by doing that."

"What are those? It's the second time you mention them."

"The Shadows are assassins. They are a brotherhood, pretty liberal, and based on accomplishments, it's told. Race, status, or blood does not matter if you want to join them, just how good of a killer you are. They reside in the mountains, close to The Pass of Bloodshed. Everyone can employ them with enough coin. They are the very best when it comes to silent deaths that seem... accidental."

"How do you know all this?"

"Her parents were sellswords. She knows her way around killing. And the Shadows are famous. I would ask if you live under a rock but I already know the answer," said Mairi blowing me a kiss.