The Fire Within

Army

Cirice awoke to a chilled room bathed in gray light. She was still sore from her time spent on the floor of the dungeons, but was grateful for the soft bed beneath her. She pushed herself up and wiped her forehead before standing.

The stone of the castle floor sent chilling cold up her legs as she moved closer to the dying fire. She stood there for awhile, staring at the embers and reaching out for their fading warmth.  There was a knock at the door and she jumped.

"Come in," she called sheepishly from her place in the worn rug. The door opened to reveal Delphine, her arms full of firewood. She gave Cirice a look before approaching her.

"You're Cosette's sister, aren't you?" Cirice asked carefully, stepping out of her way and taking a seat on the old couch. Delphine didn't respond at first, instead tending to the fire. 

"I am. Pray tell how is my older sister fairing these days?" Delphine shot. Cirice pursed her lips. 

"Fine I suppose. I imagine soon she will learn that her son betrayed her." Cirice said absently, her mind wandering. Delphine scoffed, standing. 

"Her son?" she shot back, her hands going to her hips as she glared at Cirice whose brows were furrowed. 

"You're Mason's mother, but how?" Cirice asked, trying to recall everything she thought she knew about her friend--she couldn't say she was suprised after the last twenty four hours. Delphine took a seat in a nearby armchair, her back straight at Cirice watched her.

"I was young and in love with someone who didn't love me back. Cosette could provide for him in a way I couldn't. So I gave him to her and left the Sisters." Delphine said, more to herself than to Cirice. Cirice watched her, eyes thoughtful.

"It was then that I found the Cardinal. He was everything I wanted and more and--though I did not know it at the time--he had a plan that I would be instrumental in. So I went back, his agent in our group." 

"You betrayed your Sisters for him?" Cirice shot, suddenly feeling quite protective over the women she had only briefly met yet had granted her mother asylum. Delphine shrugged. 

"When you love someone, you will do anything for them," she said softly, standing. 

"That isn't love. Love is what you had with your Sisters. He is using you for his own agenda." Cirice pushed, standing as well. Delphine eyed her, her hands clenching. 

"You know nothing of me and I suggest you hold your tongue for the remainder of our brief time together." Delphine shot as Cirice laughed. 

"Or what? You'll kill me. Please, it bothers you that his attention is entirely on me." Cirice spat, unsure of where this belt of anger had come from. Delphine watched her for a moment before shaking her head. 

"Nevermind this pesky bickering, he awaits your company. There is much to prepare for." Delphine sounded as if she was swallowing nails as Cirice scoffed and followed her over to the vanity.

She wondered what lay in store for her that day. What could he possibly want with her when her death was so imminent? 

****

"This is where the ceremony will be held. Mind you there will be many more faces once the time comes." Cardinal said, strolling into a cavernous, empty room to the left of the foyer. Cirice followed, hands folded in front of her. 

In the center of the room was a large oval table. The stone was ancient, crumbling in some places. It was on a raised platform, Cirice noted as Cardinal stepped up and watched her.

"This is the original table from when the Vale was merely a fantasy of a wild imagination." Cardinal C*opia said, as if he were a tour guide. Cirice stepped up, noting the deep, dark surface and four worn leather straps. 

"Will you use those?" she inquired, pointing at them. The Cardinal considered her for a moment before shaking his head. 

"I don't think that will be necessary. Lambs in the past have not been as….willing as you are." Cardinal Copia noted as he rounded the table. 

"You said others would be here. Who?" Cirice questioned curiously as he gestured her forward. She kept her eyes on him as they crossed the room again. 

"Mainly my followers, army, and some esteemed guests." Cardinal Copia said, leaving out the fact that her very own father would be in attendance. He was further solidifying his decision not to harm her as they walked--he surprisingly liked her company and basked in the thought that soon Papa wouldn't monopolize it. 

"You have an army?" Cirice shot back, eyebrow raised. Cardinal Copia nodded. 

"Why yes. They are similar to the creature you encountered in the woods." Cirice thought back to the ghul and it's terrifying shrieks. She imagine thousands of them, all attacking at once. 

"Can I see them?" The question escaped her lips before she could stop it. Cardinal Copia, who had been walking a few paces ahead of her turned back to see her. 

"Why ever would you want to do that?" he retorted. Cirice gave him a playful look. 

"I have limited time on the Earth. Can't you indulge me?" she shot back as he let out a light laugh. 

"Fine, but heed my warning, they are not fir the faint of heart." She followed Cardinal down a long corridor and down countless steps until they were back in the dungeons she had awoken in. He then went to the end of the long hall and revealed a key with the same symbol on the necklace around Cirice's neck. 

He turned the key and grabbed a torch from the wall beside the door, gesturing her inside. Cirice stepped in, the torchlight casting an eerie, short glow only about five feet in front of them. 

After her eyes adjusted, Cirice could see countless bodies. All were standing motionless, slumped over. 

"Are they dead?" Cirice asked softly as Cardinal Copia shook his head. 

"Resting. They move on my command." he countered. The slight fluttering of wings sounded and Cirice looked up to see large, winged animals hanging from the ceilings, asleep. She recalled them vaguely and gulped.

"Why do you have so many?" Cirice asked, reaching out to touch one of the creatures just a foot from her. It was cool and hard, and didn't react. 

"If the Rite does not go as planned, I will be forced to march on the New Vale." Caridnal Copia said, grabbing her arm and gently ushering her out of the room. 

"But if it does go right, the Vale will remain safe and unaltered, and my father as well?" Circie shot back as he locked the door. 

"Yes, my Lamb. Without your sacrifice, war will be eminent, people will die and your father could lose everything. With it, the Dark Lord will favor us and help your father and I work together to ensure the Vale will survive for many years to come." Cardinal Copia explained as they climbed the stairs. Cirice pondered the words, her mind cloudy and muddled. 

She needed to go lay down, to think through all the information she had just been presented. She wondered about Alex too, if he was adjusting well to married life and if he still thought about her even now.