First 3 Chapters
Are you Fair or Strange? Be careful which one you choose.
A prophecy was given to the Realm of Valeera, but only one kingdom took heed of it and set forth a law that would divide the people into two groups. The Fair and the Strange...
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YEAR 1018 - SINCE CREATION
KINGDOM OF ARDANIA
RIMLY TEMPLE
Those standing on the Rimly Dais were the next to die. Stripped of their clothing and humanity, the four men and women were condemned for their defects. Seen or unseen, Mageia couldn't tell from where she stood, but their whimpering sent sharp pains through her heart.
The announcer unrolled his parchment. "Hail Fairs of Ardania! Today we shall please the Diviine Six, who spoke so many years ago to cure our hearts and land of the defected and the weak using sacrifice."
Mageia Unknown clenched the hilt of her sword as the crowd cheered, hungry for the sight of blood. Her purple eyes glared from her cloak's hood, scolding the Ferry Priest in his black robe with green stitches of boats, reciting a prayer for the souls. The families of the lost wept as they moved closer to the dais, shouting their goodbyes and pleas for mercy, which fell on deaf ears.
"These people are guilty of blasphemy and associating with the dangerous rebels, the Blesseds," the announcer continued. "They are enemies to our sacred kingdom and have been chosen by our anointed Priesthood and the Diviine Six to be sacrificed for the beginning of our holy ceremony. May the gods accept their sacrifice and bless the Kingdom of Ardania."
"Holy Hamino have mercy," Mageia muttered, hoping the ancient god whom the Blesseds worshiped was alive and angry at the evil unfolding today.
The guards on the emerald-green platform forced the first man to the beam and strapped him down so he couldn't move. The executioner stepped forward, prepared his sword, and with one swift motion, severed the man's head from his body. Blood squirted everywhere. Its metallic odor clung to the spring breeze whipping across the cobblestone courtyard of the Rimly Temple.
Mageia's stomach curdled. She hated working during executions, but it was the best time to collect from the pockets of those who found these proceedings pleasing and holy.
"Blessed be!" some shouted, eyes flickering to the sky, lips moving in silent prayers.
A hand tugged her sleeve. She caught eyes with Gavin, a teen member of her family who had a noticeable defect of dry bumpy patches from his neck down to his chest causing his brown skin to appear purplish. The burn in the 16-year-old's eyes reminded her of what they came to the Rimly Dais to do. When she nodded, he slipped away into the crowd.
Swift and with years of great skill, Mageia pick-pocketed coins, purses, timepieces, fancy pipes, and anything her sticky fingers touched. Within her cloak, the sack attached to her waist grew heavy but not heavy enough to weigh down her silent feet. She was of a woman's average, law-enforced height, about five feet by six inches, no reason to make her stand out. Many, like her, wore cloaks or robes with their hoods flopped onto their heads to block the spring's angry sun.
