The Entalia Bloodline

Chapter 4 - Tiberin

Our home in the southern suburbs of Vyaerin is something quite exquisite. It's built in the traditional style of the South – three stories of white marble, with rows of arch-shaped windows above a balcony on every floor. It stands alone, due to how far from the centre of Vyaerin we live. The neighbouring houses are similar, although many of the less opulent aren't in marble and are painted in various dusky reds and blues. In the summer time when it gets unbearably hot the houses are baked relentlessly, so by the start of Autumn the colour peels off like shriveled ruby leaves off the trees and has to be repainted. 

I hurry through the largest archway at the bottom, turning right to my Papa's study. The curtain is open a little to reveal him pacing back and forth across the floor. Probably he's worried about my Reading.

I knock on the wall and hand over the parchment wordlessly as he appears from behind the curtain, not bothering to try and conceal my apprehension. I'm half expecting Aaku to have played some kind of joke on me, but my Papa's face spreads into a slow smile as he reads, and by the end his eyes are sparkling with gold. I've been told I look an awful lot like my Papa, with his golden skin, dark curls and pale grey eyes.

"Cecily, my little princess," he beams. "This is wonderful. And you had your Mama and I so worried!"

He sweeps me up into my arms and I giggle, feeling like a small child. It's been a while since my Papa has had a reason to be proud of me.

And this one's a lie.

I try to ignore the voice, but I can't stop a small amount of guilt bleeding into the pit of my stomach. Whatever Aaku wrote on that parchment, it must proclaim that all three suns shine out of my ass.

"Oh, Cecily, I'm so happy this has come through. We're attending a party in less than a month full of suitors, and with this report every man in the building will be dying to gain your hand. Your Mama will be so proud of you."

I grimace a little when I try to smile, but thankfully Papa doesn't notice the dark shadow of guilt spreading across my skin.

"I'll go and show her," I say hurriedly, and exit with a childish kiss on Papa's cheek.

I glance at the parchment on the way across the house, almost laughing at Aaku's glorious praise. He really has gone to town about my beauty and elegance, and my extraordinary list of gifts. There is, tactfully, no mention of fire or discipline.

Thae, Mama's handmaiden, points me towards the greenhouse when I ask after her mistress. Mama spends an unusual amount of time in there, tending herbs and flowers she likes to use to make all sorts of concoctions; a large number of them healing.

I pause outside the archway, listening to the hushed voices inside.

"I promise you, Maeve, this baby is more powerful than any other person I've seen. She might be the one to save all of us. She might be the key to saving Ciaselle."

"Mama, please, this is madness," Maeve half-wails, sounding distraught. "She's just a baby. She's my baby. All I want for her is love and safety."

"I'm sorry, but Leilana may not have that option. The lifeline has been glowing more and more on me and you over the past few months. It isn't long now before the anniversary –"

"Mama, please. Please just stop." Maeve sounds close to tears now.

I back away from the archway, not wanting to hear any more. I'll find Mama and Maeve with my report later. This is private. 

I slip outside and saddle up my horse, Fiendfire, to get out of the house for a while. It's easier to clear my head up on the tracks in the red cliffs. But I can't help being curious, despite myself. What's the lifeline? What anniversary is coming up? And why does Mama think Ciaselle needs saving?