Labyrinth of Secrets

Issues

Imperial shoved Javan away as soon as they reached the outskirts of the ward, pushing him so violently that he fell on the ground with a grunt.

"What is wrong with you?" He hissed, trying to stand back up but Imperial's body crushed with his again.

"Peri, that's enough," Caitlyn demanded, putting an arm on her shoulder but she yanked it away. "You have no reason to tackle Javan like that!"

She was right. She was only doing this for sport. But she won't admit that. "I don't why the Ayron wants you to be with us—with me— and not Phenras."

"Phenras is dead," the both of them said at once, Javan saying it with a tone that might be considered pity and Caitlyn with a slightly louder voice.

Imperial widened her eyes and stood up, her fists clenching. "B-bu—"

"Phenras died and now Yvonne and Vivianne are next," Caitlyn continued, watching Javan stand up.

"Why?" She managed, jaw locking.

"Ayron." Caitlyn sat down, fingers brushing her hair. "Ayron killed him. Because of helping a target escape."

"Who?" She demanded, getting off Javan. 

There was a slight break of voice when Caitlyn said, "It doesn't matter who." She looked away, eyes closed. "What matters is that she's alive and Phenras isn't."

Imperial couldn't think straight. "Was it him? Was it Ayron?"

Caitlyn didn't answer. Imperial did't need one. She grabbed Caitlyn by the collar, lifting her slightly and said, "Answer every question once we reach the ship." Caitlyn breathed a bit as if not believing what she just said. "You were planning on leaving, isn't that right?"

"Yes." Hollow. Void. Nothingness. "We have nothing to lose but our privileges. We leave with nothing but weapons and armor and food and your books." She yanked herself away from her friend's grip. "We go to where the waves take us. Even if it means going under it."

She glared daggers at Javan. "And him?"

"I could report you to Ayron and be heir. But I won't because I can serve a better cause." His features tightened, the scar on his face tightening with it. The scar that she gave him a long time ago. "Phenras deserved to live. But he died and he wouldn't want you two to be next."

She doesn't trust him. Never wanted to trust him. "Remember your boundaries, Javan Eoghan. One step over that and you'll see yourself under the sea."

"I'll give you my word." His features relaxed. "We leave at dusk."

"Ayron," Imperial breathed to herself more than to Caitlyn. "Of all people... I wouldn't expect Ayron Jhasq to start killing his... people. He worked hard for this, he had put his heart and blood. We did it together. We saw him and the group grow. It's hard."

"He asked Phenras to kill Naomh," Caitlyn finally said after moments of silence since departure. Her eyes looked so distant. So... hollow.

Naomh. Phenras's daughter. "And?"

"He did what a father would do. He helped her escape." Caitlyn closed her eyes. "He was killed for it. Stabbed exactly where Ayron would want Phenras's sword to be at Naomh." 

"Do you have any idea where the child might be?" Caitlyn's eyes instantly gazed at the sea.

"Where the wind might take her. She's a smart child." Caitlyn's hand drifted to her stomach. Right where a scar she saw twelve years ago. "She got it from her mother."

She did the math instantly. Twelve years ago, Naomh was born. She doesn't remember seeing Caitlyn nine months before that. 

"Who." The question was blank, no emotion. Demanding.

Caitlyn didn't answer.

"I told you to answer all the questions." She looked at Caitlyn in the eye. She didn't look back. "Answer me. Who is the mother?"

"Do you not recognize her hazel eyes?" Caitlyn smiled dryly. "Or her smile?"

"Answer me."

She finally turned, those hazel eyes, glossy. That dry smile, quivering. "I am her mother. And I don't know where my daughter is. My husband is dead. I have nothing left."

Husband. Oh gods.

"In a life I try my hardest to forget," Imperial said, looking into the horizon. "I always remember one thing that somebody told me." The sun had finally set as she said, "And that was the people we love will always be weapons that will one day be used against us." She then turned to Caitlyn. "And you should never let your heart drown. Never let yourself drown."

"Stones intend to drown sometimes," was all she replied.

Pronunciation Guide

Naomh - NEEV

Jhasq - HASK

Eoghan - OWEN (sometimes with a 'y' at the first in different accents)