Blood And Stone

Chapter 47: War and Peace

As if the shock of her rather loud and energetic arrival hadn't been shocking enough, the sound of the two Winged sisters' sobs had Xenya and Eryn at a loss for words. Standing in the presence of their Goddess was unbelievable to them but to see her sister arrive at their hall was unthinkable. Both Sithaurians took a knee, bowing their heads to the goddesses, and remained there silently.

Peace and War paid no attention to the mortals as they embraced and peppered each other's cheeks in soft kisses. War cupped her beloved sister's face, her thumbs gently caressing her tears away. Her usual tight, youthful skin hung grey and loose about her frame. Peace looked as though she had aged to fifty years as opposed to her twenty-year life. Her usually silky hair lay about her shoulders, fry and frazzled, untamed. The dark circles around her eyes made the dull blue look brighter but the illusion did not fool War. Her sister was weakening by the second.

War's heart ached as her sister spoke. Her voice was still bright and her smile remained wide despite the weakness that ate away at her body. "Why have you come? Nothing good would have brought you to Hyboné."

"You know that Torvir is coming, sister. He has weakened you." War's voice shook with agitation. The fact that such a disgusting excuse for a magician wanted to harm her sister was enough to make her angry. Coupling that with the fact that the shit stain intended to take her life away, made War's blood boil so intensely that she could have fried a steak on her skin. Something she intended to do with Torvir's filthy meat sack of a body.

"Yes." The answer was simple and quiet, floating up from the wooden floor beside their ankles.

War looked down and widened her eyes in shock. She had forgotten that she had entered someone's home to find her sister. Embarrassment crept into her cheeks as she took in the sight of the two individuals kneeling before them. The female had a thin face, though quite beautiful. Her long white hair fell down her back decorated with gorgeous natural items. Twigs, berries, leaves. The male was equally as pleasing to the eye, though his hair was yellow and clung to his scalp tightly.  Both had pointed ears, something reminiscent of the elves in fairy tales but not quite as long. Both rose to their feet to face the goddesses.

"I've come to tell you that the threat has grown. Torvir has convinced the Celik'r to join him with the promise to feast on your divine flesh." War's finger ran underneath the chin of the woman. Something about the soft touch registered as a threat and she pulled her head away. A crimson spark of anger ran through her eyes, her hand reaching out with the intent to force the woman to look at her.

Peace caught her hand. She interlocked their fingers together and pulled War back slightly. The anger lingered for several moments before it was replaced with fondness as her eyes met her sister's.  "No need to be sharp, sister. Xenya and her people are kind. They are peaceful. They are my people." These words served to calm War but only slightly.

"I see. My sisters instructed me to prepare you for the coming war. It will not be something as sweet and simple as one sorcerer and his wee army. Torvir has three armies at his beck and call. The Bäckahäst, those from The Waves Beyond, and the Celik'r." War watched as the three took in her words. Peace shuddered with fear. The woman, Xenya, clenched her jaw, and the male, straightened his back.

Xenya walked away from the small meeting and approached her desk, her eyes falling on the map that lay open there. Her eyes worked over the paths and trees. Her face grew more pale by the second, so much so that Eryn approached her and settled a hand on her shoulder. The two studied the map before Xenya finally spoke. "The Bäckahäst will be a problem. They travel fastest by water but they are still quite fast on land."

"That's true. If they were wise, they would travel up the creek to the edge of the Blue River. Those waters would be their end if they mistakenly entered them." Eryn suggested.