Mirrors Of Hell

Chapter 1

Lorcan awoke with a shudder, the memory from two weeks ago waking him up quickly. But the sudden jump from a nightmare made his ache back from a cut that he had received a few days ago, and it wasn't pretty. Not a spot on his back wasn't bandaged, which meant that his entire torso had been covered in white laces, now stained with the crimson red liquid which had been dripping out quickly once he was first cut. It was a small injury compared to many, but it was painful. He was given a good scar to remember the Raiders, no doubt. But what mortally terrified him and enraged him to the core was the fact that not because the Raiders hurt him with a scar, but a memory. The moment those two shots were fired and Lorcan became an orphan. And that left him the burden of taking over everything the Raiders didn't have control of. It was going to be difficult, especially for a nineteen year old child, but it wasn't like Lorcan had a choice. He was the heir, and that was it. He didn't know why he was the heir, but it clicked to many that he was, so it was to be done. That day, Lorcan would become king. Hopefully, his wounds didn't open up and spill blood all over his new claimed throne...

Lorcan blinked his eyes open, his vision blurry for a split second until it became clear. He noticed a familiar face sitting next to him on his bed, eyes gently peering at him. "Hey there, sleepy head, wake up."

He tilted his head, not attempting to move. "...Ivory... It's been a while, hasn't it-?"

"A few weeks, no?" Ivory stated. She shuffled towards him, running her fingers through his hair. "Sit up.. You have to get ready."

Lorcan nodded, sitting up but arching his back to a certain point that made him snarl in agony from the cut. This one has to be the worst slice he had ever taken from a Raider.

Ivory frowned, tilting her head down and helping him up, Lorcan taking steady breaths to ease the pain. "Who did these bandages? They're not wrapped correctly and they haven't been changed in days... They're filthy." Ivory scowled. She had been right though.

"That was me..." Lorcan said shyly. "We... Don't have a medic here yet, and I'm not very good myself..."

Ivory scowled. "You don't have a medic? Who's been taking care of you this whole-" She stopped her sentence. "Ohhhh, right... My grandmother always helped you when you were injured. I learned medical care from her, she's taught me a few things about I dunno, maybe wrapping bandages correctly, like you should have done, my king-to-be? You know, you really should take the time to do this, I could teach you!!~ Go sit down, I'll get your supplies."

Lorcan looked at her with a slight whine. "Y-You don't have to get it for me-"

"Oh stop this nonsense, you're barely in the condition to even move!" Ivory hissed. "And they think you'll be able to get up and get on that throne with that would you have there? No, you'll be sitting down."

"Now hold on a minute," Lorcan grumbled. "I-I can get up and sit down just fine, it's just... W-When I haven't moved in a long time."

Ivory glanced at him from where she was standing, two rolls of bandages and Lorcan's leather jacket in her hands. She walked over to him quickly. "By the gods, Lorcan-! Pardon my language, I know we shouldn't say that, especially here, but... You aren't in the condition to be walking..!"

"I'll be fine," Lorcan stated reassuringly. "I promise." He stood up shakily but with more ease than before. "I'll rest after I'm declared king of these lands, I swear. Just listen to me." He paused, taking in the moment before speaking up again. "I want you there with me when I become leader. By my side."

Those words caused Ivory to freeze. "W-Wait, what? B-But I don't live here... I wish I could stay with you here, but your kind is very different from mine.. Even if I stayed here, what if the others didn't like me?"