The Mountains Blade

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight- To be foolish

Avelina Greywater watched as her sister and feline fell through their window. The sound of commotion and the barking of Hale Kilgore's voice drew her in. The heir dropped from the branch she was perched to the ledge beside her sisters half open window. Her wings barely made a sound as she tucked them carefully behind her.

Avelina sucked in a breath as she felt her mother's energy barreling across the bedroom. She angled her head so she could see what was happening. A small voice in her head whispered that this was not her place. Yet, the other voice contradicted that as next in line to the throne, she should stay and observe.

Dane Venice stood in front of Elwyn Greywater, shielding her from Hale. The captain of the guard gritted his teeth in fear, his hands grasping his throat. Avelina had to hold back a gasp at the scene before her.

"Touch my daughter again, and I will not allow you to ever breathe again, " the queen said lowly.

Avelina glanced at her sister's attire, immediately noticing the human world's fashion. Her black cloak was thrown onto the floor, and her otherworldly clothes were substantially different from the rest of the room.

Hale nodded and coughed loudly as she dropped her hold on him. He gripped onto the edge of the bedpost and wheezed. Avelina watched as he stared at Hope in terror, Elwyn's eyes frantically moving between the two. She had the most puzzled expression, making the cuts and bruises she had earlier stand out even more.

"Now, get out."  Hope snapped. Avelina adjusted her footing and watched the man flee from the queen's presence.

Dane stood by the door, shoulders squared, awaiting instruction. "You may leave as well, Dane," Hope said in a much softer voice.

Dane bowed to both women, and Elwyn stood still awaiting her mother's lecture. Avelina tensed in anticipation. She never understood why her mother treated both sisters so drastically differently. She could have trained anyone else but Elwyn.

Instead, the queen sat on the edge of her daughter's bed. "Elwyn, come sit with me."

Elwyn was reluctant at first, but after shuffling over to the bed, she sat as far as possible from her mother. Avelina watched as the white cat shuffled around under the bed towards the pairs feet.

Hope chuckled, and Elwyn just stared at her as if she were some strange, otherworldly creature. Avelina blinked, just as perplexed as her sister.

"I know you think I hate you." She said gently.
Elwyn gulped, feeling very put on the spot.

"Sometimes." She admitted.

Avelina began to debate her spying as the cat shuffled closer, and she witnessed her sister with an unfamiliar expression. Was that fear or shame? Avelina wasn't sure.

Hope sighed and snapped her fingers gently under the bed. The white cat emerged, and the queen was holding her before Elwyn could defend herself.

"I vaguely recall Dane telling me her name was Mellow, yes?"

Elwyn nodded, studying her mother, trying to understand the reasoning behind her strange behavior.

Avelina stepped backwards, deciding it was time to depart when her mother spoke again.

"This war is not a coincidence," Hope said from behind her. The sound of her words was so quiet that Avelina almost missed them. The heir whipped around, placing herself back where she had been seconds ago, somehow knowing that what was to be spoken was answers to many of her childhood questions.

Elwyn blinked at her mother, stiffening at her statement. The queen continued to brush the feline's fur, looking up at her daughter and holding her gaze.