The Silent oath

Chapter 20: The Strength of Memory

A year had passed since Alicent's death, but the pain in Zai's heart was as fresh as the day she had buried her under the old willow. Every day felt like a fight to keep moving forward, to keep breathing in a world that seemed to have lost its colour. The only thing that kept her going was her commitment to The Family, a commitment that had only grown stronger in the wake of her loss.

Zai stood in the quiet hall of the Family's ancestral chamber, staring at the newly completed portrait of Alicent hanging in the family tree. The portrait captured Alicent's ethereal beauty, her extremely pale, almost translucent skin appearing ghostly in the dim light. Her features, once so full of life, now seemed devoid of the distinctive details that had made Alicent, Alicent. Her eyes, completely white, seemed to stare through Zai, and her silver-white hair, tied in a braid, reminded Zai of the countless nights they had spent together, whispering secrets and dreams.

Zai's hand trembled as she reached out to touch the edge of the portrait, her heart aching with the memory of the woman she had loved more than anything in the world. "I miss you," she whispered, her voice catching in her throat.

Before she could drown in her grief, a voice called from behind her, pulling her back to the present. "Zai," Matron Rheaneres said softly, her tone carrying both authority and gentle concern.

Zai turned to face the matron, her expression hardening as she forced herself to push the memories aside. "Matron Rheaneres," she acknowledged, inclining her head slightly.

"Come with me," Rheaneres instructed, gesturing for Zai to follow. "There's something I need to discuss with you."

Zai followed Rheaneres through the winding corridors of the stronghold, her mind already trying to guess what the matron might want. She had been called to Rheaneres's office countless times over the years, but this time felt different. There was a tension in the air, a sense of something important about to unfold.

When they reached the familiar office of Zai's youth, Rheaneres motioned for her to sit. Zai obeyed, her hands resting on her knees as she waited for the matron to speak.

"Zai," Rheaneres began, her tone measured. "You've been through much this past year. More than anyone should have to endure."

Zai's jaw clenched, but she remained silent, her eyes fixed on the matron.

Rheaneres sighed, her expression softening. "Perhaps a visit to the temple would help clear your mind, and give you the peace you need to continue. You haven't been there since... well, since before everything changed."

Zai's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the temple, a place she had avoided ever since Alicent's death. The idea of confronting her emotions there, in the sacred space where she had once felt connected to something greater, was both terrifying and oddly comforting.

"But," Rheaneres continued, her voice firming, "after your visit, I have a task for you. You're to begin teaching the new children of The Family. They need guidance, someone strong to show them the way."

Zai nodded the weight of her responsibilities settling onto her shoulders. "I understand, Matron Rheaneres. I'll do as you ask."

"Good," Rheaneres said, a hint of relief in her voice. "You've always been strong, Zai. Use that strength now. For The Family."

With a final nod, Zai rose from her seat and left the office, her mind already turning to the task ahead. But first, she would visit the temple, as Rheaneres had suggested. She needed clarity, a way to reconcile the loss that still gnawed at her soul.

The temple stood on the outskirts of the stronghold, an ancient structure dedicated to The Faceless One. As Zai approached, the air seemed to grow heavier, filled with the weight of countless prayers and offerings made over the centuries. The temple's stone walls were adorned with intricate carvings of faceless figures, their identities lost to time, and the large central altar was draped in dark fabric, its surface worn smooth by the hands of countless devotees.