0 - Dawn Of Silver

3 - The Wicked Witch

32nd day of the moon season 2440

On this day, Azena celebrated her seventh birthday. From the moment she woke up, she was pampered by her mother, her big sister Argent, her little brother Gendrel and even her father, who had been distant since Serus had told her she was adopted. A no-name the eldest boy had called her. She had not forgotten it. How could she, especially when the avalanche of insults had never ceased since? And his rotten attitude... In short, Azena had a wicked desire to hit him, but she had not given in to impulse. She had stood tall like a shield and although she knew that his words were meaningless, her patience was growing thin. Three seasons of this constant torture; it was enough. Her mother kept telling her that when she would be older, it would all work out. Azena had difficulty believing it. The more time passed, the more she lost her good will. Fortunately, Serus did not show up that day.

Our bright blue-eyed girl was staring at a large mirror left in one of the many corridors of her home. The latter would soon be moved and she took the opportunity to evaluate her growth.

"Still so short," she growled, disappointed. "When will I grow up a little?"

She never managed to intimidate anyone and it annoyed her, especially when Serus was only getting bigger and bigger.

"Honestly, if father would be –"

She stopped abruptly as the realization that Bayrne was not really her father sent her a knot in her throat. He had been so good to her and now he was only concerned about Serus. He needed his education and his training, he claimed. What about his other children? Were they not important? And the favorite did not miss an opportunity to boast of his privilege.

Irritated by the development of her relationship with her adoptive father and her older brother, Azena clenched her teeth and frowned. She closed her eyes, thought for a long moment, and finally her muscles tightened. She wanted to become strong and independent, but she did not know how to get there and no concrete solution was forthcoming. Her mother's advice seemed inadequate and Gendrel's plans did not lead them anywhere. She needed new connections, new resources.

It was decided. She was going to escape downtown in the evening when Kardun was going home. At that time, there was a short delay during which there was no guard at the entrance. This time no one was going to stop her, and Serus would not know, because she was not going to tell anyone.

"I'm entitled to a birthday cake," she thought with a proud smile.

She went to the dining room where her family was waiting for her. The table was crowded with food; a supper that could have fed twenty men. Each time there was too much and whatever was left behind went to the servants.

When she sat next to Gendrel and her mother, she noticed that she gestured towards her husband. The lord grumbled and then he forced himself to look happy.

"For tonight only Azena, you have permission to choose the food that you want."

"Cake!" She exclaimed.

"Provided that you eat your supper before your dessert," Bayrne continued, his eyes narrowing, clearly displeased with his daughter's reaction.

Normally, he was so strict and forced everyone to devour an army of vegetables at every meal which Azena hated. She was already lucky that she could do without it and she knew she could not abuse the clemency of the lord.

"Meat is much harder to produce," he grumbled every time she complained. "We must take care to not eat too much if we do not want to run out of it. You are entitled to a little with each meal and that is enough to keep you healthy."