Shadows of Voryn

Chapter Six

Hey everyone...I came up with an idea of using AI to create images per chapter as a way to give visual to the characters you read the sometimes even scenes of them that represent the chapter! Please let me know if you see the image...it might only be ideas through desktop version.

The first image...Lady Saerena! I hope you enjoy it more this way!

Saerena

Impatiently, Saerena paced at the front entrance of the gladiatorial villa. She'd learned from one of her maidens where her father had casted T'ara off and wanted to see for herself that she was alive and well.

A thin man opened the double wooden doors, addressing her with polite courtesy. "My lady. As my guards have said. The hybrid is not here."

"And you are?" She asked.

He bowed his head, pressing the palm of his hand against his chest. "My apologies. I'm the master of this villa. T'lardon Cadius."

"Master Cadius. They are returning." One of his men shouted from the tower. He looked up at one of his guards, surreptitiously wanting to keep that knowledge hidden and looked back to Lady Saerena and offered her a smile. "If you would excuse me." Master Cadius continued to give her the respect that her title held, waiting for her approval to turn away.

Saerena stood outside the gate and watched as hyenas came into view of the courtyard, from an entrance she was not aware of and frowned. She stayed put, looking desperately to find T'ara's face amongst them. They were monstrous and violent beings and she'd never taken the interest of coming to the villa before now. Saerena watched as they shifted one by one. Through crowd of hyena's Saerena caught sight of T'ara but dared not to enter.

Saerena exhaled when T'ara looked up to see her standing at the entrance. Saerena was grateful to see T'ara unharmed and healthy.

T'ara stood unmoving for a breath before rushing forward only to be shoved back by a man Saerena did not know.
The tall masculine man sneered his disapproval. "You have not been granted permission to see anyone."

"She is right there. I will not try to leave," T'ara argued.

Saerena lifted her hand out to warn T'ara not to resist. The last thing she wanted was for her to get in trouble and limit chances of seeing each other.

Master Cadius spoke to the werehyena who'd stopped T'ara and they both waited.

The tall man turned, after a moment and spoke loudly. "Get yourselves cleaned. You are free to rest for the day."

Saerena watched outside as the hyena's dispersed toward the stairwell and looked toward T'ara as she was called by Master Cadius.

From the corner of her eye, Saerena noticed a woman watching T'ara as they were approached Saerena. She'd remembered the hyena who'd been brought into the great hall and forced to fight T'ara in front of their guests.

Saerena was waved to walk through, and sighed relieved to be able to speak with T'ara after the few days she'd been without. Her skin tingled, heart impacted by the sight of the woman she loved. She tried not to sound too eager. "Thank you, Master Cadius. I will not for such kindness."

He smiled coyly and bowed his head, sure not to forget the meaning of her words. He never did anything without the expectation of something given in return. "You are the Lady of this manor. To say no to you is to say no to Lord Thad."

Saerena did not by his politeness but she smiled and thanked his generosity again. "Is there a place...that we can speak privately?"

Master Cadius pursed his lips, pinching both ends of his cheek. His eyes turned to T'ara growing curious of why Lady Saerena would want to speak to the hybrid. Annoyance shined at the rims of his eyes but he smiled regardless of his feeling. "My villa has a dining hall that offers much space and discretion." His tone grated, Saerena caught the suspicion held.