Aurelia the Rebellious

Epilogue

I stood in front of the painting, sweating buckets. In front of me was a painting of a silver dragon, more commonly known as a Celestine. The painting only showcased a portrait of the neck and head. I stood still for a moment, trying to calm myself down by admiring the painting. The Celestine's scales were a beautiful periwinkle. I analyzed each scale in the painting, hoping it would distract me for a second.

"Enter." Father called for me. I took a deep breath, before grabbing the painting's golden frame and swinging the painting outward. I took another breath, and stepped over and through the heightened doorway in the wall. Father really needed to add stairs.

I entered a dark room with a straight back and a head held high. A thirteen pointed star was painted on the floor using red paint. Different hooded figures stood in a circle. On the far side of the circle, across from me, Father was sitting on a throne made out of silver. The throne had silver scales glued on as a border around the leather of his throne. Father had his hood off to reveal his disappointed face. The cloak he wore was black on the outside and red on the inside. His cloak was the only cloak that was different from the rest. "Ambrose, my eldest child,"

"Yes, Father?" I asked hesitantly, I was nervous. I had failed him, I had failed the Silver Dragons. I wasn't able to persuade my sister into joining. Heck, I hadn't even gotten to that part before Aurelia flatout rejected me. Well, that was part of the plan anyway. Just act pitiful and in need of a family favor, then spring the invitation into getting her to join Father's evil cult. It was a 'foolproof plan', as Father called it. I disagreed, but still carried out his orders blindly. You needed this kind of loyalty if you wanted to survive Haroth's terror. "How may I assist you?" I asked, but got no answer. Only a tense silence.

"The boy failed his mission" one of the hooded figures hissed at me. She took off her hood to reveal her light green hair and gray eyes. She had known Father for about a month and Father was gaining more and more allegiances. "Does he even deserve to be with the Silver Dragons?!" The woman hissed once more.

"I'm sorry" I put my left hand on my chest, and stretched my right arm out to the right to emphasize my words. "I didn't know that she would say no. I thought that-"

"You thought?!" Father interrupted my plea with anger. "I trust you to go on a mission by yourself and this is what you do?!" Father made a huge gesture with his arms and I felt his shadow start to tower over me. I tried to stop myself from whimpering by clenching my fists. "WE NEED HER. Not to mention, we have to get to her before Cassandra does."

"I'll do better," For some reason, my voice did not shake. For once, I was talking back to my father. Father was stunned for a moment, so was I, he was still stuck in a position with both of his arms up. Father cleared his throat.

"Prove it then." He crossed his arms and leaned back on his throne. Father wasn't yelling at me. That's good, I thought. But this feeling of relief doesn't usually last long. So, I had to be skeptical.

"HOW do you want me to prove it, Father?" I asked cautiously. Who knows what he might make me do? I thought. The woman with light green hair shook her head, she was smiling at the ground.

"I have a couple of ideas," Father inspected his nails with a mischievous grin. I was scared of what he would make me do.

"What ideas do you have in mind?" I always had to do this. My father was often cryptic at times, and he was also quick to anger, so I had to be cautious whenever I had to probe him. The other two hooded figures shared a grin that matched my father's.

"Oh nothing," Father looked at the lady with light green hair and at the woman with eyes that were a glowing pink. "Lady Mantala and Ms. Daveya. Will accompany you on your next mission. It seems that there is another chance for you to prove yourself worthy of our family name." I looked up at Father with uncertainty. I didn't know what I was doing, and I already didn't like this.

"What does this said opportunity involve?" I was hesitant to ask.

"You'll know, in time." Father yawned, but then he moved his head down to glare at me. "Just don't disappoint me," his words sounded like venom, "or I'll bring your sister back by pulling her by  the hair myself."