Carthispire

14

I started to get ready for the full moon festival. I heard a knock at my door. The feet were too big to be Zeckiel's so I assumed it was Fernarthen. I opened the door and I found Jarrie smiling against the door frame. He said quietly and full of nitrous, "Hi. Don't scream. I have a present from the king. And another message for the Prince."

I pushed him and got a spell up. I screamed as loud as possible, "Guys!"

He kicked me and grabbed my throat. He said putting something in my pocket, "You shouldn't have done that. I'm trying to be nice. King's orders."

Fernarthen said behind us in a calm and collected tone, "Let her go and put your hands over your head."

He started to squeeze harder around my neck and I started to struggle. I stopped and closed my eyes. If he thinks I'm dead, then what will he do? I slowly started to act lifeless. I felt him drop me and I hit the ground with a thud. I heard Zeckiel charge at him and swords clinging together. A spark hit my arm and I just had to lay there.

This was for the better. Maybe if he can fly back to the Dark Lord and say I'm dead, he has less leverage on Zeckiel. I then heard Jarrie scream an animalistic, wild call of pain. Someone touched my neck to check my pulse. Izzy said above me, "Holy shit Brima! Guys she faked it! Brima get up!"

I asked, "He's gone?"

Izzy hugged me, "Yes."

I opened my eyes to see Zeckiel's face stained with blood. Some his and some Jarrie's. He had a gash on his forehead and he started to give me an horrible look. I stood up, "He wasn't letting me go."

He seethed his sword hastily and got into my face, "You mean to tell me I was going to kill my brother for nothing!"

I blinked at him, "What?"

He started laughing and pushed his way past me to his room. I said, "Zeckiel. Your father will think I'm dead. He has no more leverage on you."

He stormed toward me, "I thought you were dead first of all! Secondly, I still care about my fucked up family! I would have killed Jarrie. I would have followed him to the dark side to kill him. Don't you ever play dead like that I don't care care what the situation is! That was cowardly and idiotic! Now if you will excuse me before I back hand you!"

I pushed him and yelled, "Do it! Do it you spoiled little flick! Who's side are you on? Maybe my brother was right and you are evil. All you want is revenge!"

"So what if I do!" He fumed, "You can't possibly understand what I'm feeling! How could you? Honestly, you're the spoiled one here!"

"Is that so?" I huffed.

"Yes! I may have nice things, but you grew up normal! Without your brother and your father telling you to do your part! That magic, even magic that can kill people for the sake of killing, is good and pure. I may have money but it never made me happy. It put a target on my head if I didn't fall in line with what my father wanted! He killed my first real relationship to stop me from diverting from the plan he has for me. All of you are fucking normal! I'm just a freak!" He stormed off into his room and slammed the door, startling me.

..........................................................................................

At the festival in the village square, everyone arrived as some guards were holding torches in front of a unlit bomb fire. People in a tribal dress stood with home made drums, flutes, and an elvish string instrument simulator to a guitar. It sounds like a mix between a harp and guitar. The people sat down near the fire and started to chat. I saw Fern and Gir'tith locking arms and hands very affectionately. They had the spirit of the people around them in their eyes. It's beautiful to see love reawakened in lovers who at one time were trapped.