Origins of the Fates

6: Gormlaith Laurent

Leilani, Astoria, and Romi and I all sit around late at night playing cards. Leilani hums as she shuffles cards, keeping her gaze on them. Astoria is leaning back against the wall, studying the card deck in her hands. Romi is leaning against the small table, moving a bit in place to get comfy on the floor pillow she's on. Our table has short legs, and so we sit on pillows around it.

In the middle of the table is a cluster of candles, and as I glance over at Romi, she picks up a cigarette and lights it, popping it in the side of her mouth.  She exhales a plume of smoke and sniffs, beginning to shuffle her cards.

"Did you give up yet, Gorms?" Romi asks, not even glancing my way as she asks that.

"You wish," I say, laughing.

Romi grins at me. "Oh, I'll make you regret not quitting while you're ahead."

"You will, will you?" I tease, grinning her way.

Just as she lays her cards down, there's a loud knock on the front door. We all flinch and look up, but it is my job to get up and check it.

I check the peephole, my hand gripping the knife in my sleeve. No one comes this late with good news. A shadowy person is on the other side of the door, their head down. I signal to the others to remain silent, then inch closer, making sure all the locks on the door remain in place. Then, I release just one of them and open it.

The shadows curled around the person fade, and when they do, I see there are three of them, not just one. My grip on my knife is tighter as I watch them.

"Who are you?" I demand, my voice strong despite my fear. There are three fae girls, and they look as scared as most people in this place.

Rye Belanore is not a kind place for people who are scared, but none of them backs down. I glance around, making sure that they're alone.  They are alone, but my banshee abilities can sense their pain and the death that hovers over them.

"My name is Emmeranne Morn," says the girl in the front, pink eyes sparkling purple at the edges as she looks up at me. "These are my sisters, Eisley and Elidi. We need help."

I shake my head. "I don't do charity."

"Please!" cries the girl to Emmeranne's left, who seems wounded and also seems to be the smallest. "W- we need help, miss. Our sister .... she's trapped. She sacrificed herself to save us. But ... please.... please help her. Help us!"

The girl to the right speaks next. "I'm sorry, miss. But this ... this is all we have got."

She digs into her pockets, before holding out a shaking hand that is full of coins. I stare at it, but then, Emmeranne steps between me and her sisters. She shakes her head, and I sense her anger.

"Don't bother, Elidi," snaps Emmeranne.  "We're going."

"No," I say, shaking my head. "You're not going. Not unless you want our help."

Emmeranne looks at me, her gaze fierce. "Why now? Why the sudden about-face?"

"We have all lost much," I say. "And if you're truly seeking help, I am one to think it's help from the government that owns us all. The monsters who enslave us all. So, if that is true, and if we may find a way to help you and destroy the Glass City, then we shall do so."

I hear Romi, Leilani, and Astoria join me in the doorway. I sense their anger and fear as they step up, getting ready to fight. Getting ready to help.

"We'll help you," says Romi.

Emmeranne looks at her. "Is everyone here .... trapped? By the grace of the Master Mercury?"

"Yes," says Leilani.

"Well, let's get ready," says Astoria. She then looks at the three fae girls. "You're needing help saving a family member, right?"

"Our big sister," says Elidi.

"You're injured," says Astoria, nodding to the other girl.

"I'm Eisley. I was ... there ... when he was ... gonna kill me. Eris saved me," she murmurs.

"We shall take you to the healer's hut," says Romi. "Come. All of us will go, because afterwards, we will see how badass you all can be."