Lightless Path

Chapter 1: Nieranna

Author's Note
     Hello everyone! I hope you enjoy this piece, I haven't published it anywhere else and I'm hoping to turn this story into a book! Thank you so much for taking the time to read it. I'd love to hear what you all think; any feedback or suggestions are welcome! As well as anything you like or dislike. As others say, please don't copy, take and post it anywhere without my permission first. Other than that, I hope you enjoy these characters as much as I had fun writing them!

I'm adding a little pronunciation guide for those who would like it. It will be updated for later chapters. If it doesn't work, please let me know! Enjoy!

Maelyrra: Mae-leer-uh
Nystaryl: Neh-Star-el
Alathan: Al-uh-th-an
Tiryelle: Tier-yell
Iysere: E-ceer
Naethyn: Nay-thin

Mae woke to the sound of a loud squeal accompanied by the ripple of heavy fabric as the curtains around her bed were thrown open. She braced herself for impact. Her best friend, Nystaryl, came crashing into her bed with a happy squeal. Mae pulled the soft blanket over her head, hiding her eyes from the sunlight streaming into her room. Nystaryl jumped on the bed, jostling Mae around on her mattress

"Mae, Mae, Maaaaaae," Nystaryl sang, and spun around giddily. Mae could imagine Nystaryl's round face through the blanket: wide grin, white dress, hair braided, and without dark circles under her green eyes. "Up! Up, up, up! The sun's got some kisses for you."

Mae groaned. Anxiety had plagued her all night. Today, she would go through Alathan's trials; she had tossed and turned worrying how her life was about to change beyond recognition.

"Nya, I'm feeling sick. Off. Bed. Or I'll puke on you." The jumping stopped, followed by the sound of feet hitting softwood floors. Mae's stomach stopped churning, allowing her a moment to breathe.

"Girls! Time for morning prayers!" Mae heard her mother's melodic voice carry into her room. She pulled the blanket down enough to peek out, her mother was leaning against the open door. Her heart-shaped face was accented by lavender lips set in a perpetual pout, and violet jewels for eyes. Dangling from a white gold circlet, a starry diamond sat just below her mother's widow peak. Her luscious white hair curled down her shoulders and fell to her waist, her hair had always reminded Mae of the waterfall she had played in—the source of life in the Nieranna.

"Alathan give me strength," Mae mumbled and closed her eyes, nearly falling back asleep.

"Mae, of all the days to miss a prayer, this isn't one," her mother warned.

Mae was half tempted to refuse. She groaned and pulled the blanket back over her head. Nystaryl shook her shoulders hard, and Mae curbed her visceral reaction to say something she'd regret. Instead, she placated her emotions by imagining Nystaryl falling down a muddy embankment and ruining her favorite dress.

"Fine. Just stop shaking me!" Mae snapped. She pushed Nystaryl's hands away roughly, throwing the blanket off in the process.

"Nervous much," Nystaryl gave her a miffed look and walked over to Mae's mother. "Excuse me." She slipped through the door. Mae knew she was headed straight to her family's courtyard altar.

Her mother's eyes softened. "Didn't sleep well, huh?" she asked, walking into Mae's room to sit next to her on the plush bed. She draped an arm around Mae, pulling her daughter close into a comforting hug. "I too was scared when I was your age, but I promise you have nothing to worry about. Alathan is good." She leaned her head against Mae's. "Think of all the things you'll be able to do when you pass. Pick your own home...although you don't have to, you can always stay with your father and me. You'll be able to travel with Kris."