Interface

Mara

The sun is almost directly overhead when we are summoned to the High Tower again.
The guard that kicked me in the morning looks gray, and I wonder what has happened.
We walk in, and I fight the urge to run away.
The 'good sir' is a big man, with ruddy cheeks, a bulbous nose, and a mean glint in his little eyes.
Behind him, two girls stand up, and Gwyn looks ready to pass out.
The girls are both beautiful, with flowing auburn hair and eyes the color of mint. Each holds a small child, and both look almost exactly like Aife.
I think back to when Aife told me that her daughters were forced to marry lords once they were captured, and I get the sickening feeling that we are looking at said daughters.
Lord Ferox stands and smiles.
" may I present the good sir Whentpyyre, and his lovely wives."
The shorter redheaded girl looks furious, and the taller one just looks sad, grey eyes clouded over by internal storms.
The good sir smiles.
" and of course, my children! The newborn is my heir, I named him Achilles. The girl is Ceto."
Ferox leans forward.
" and your wives? What are their names?"
The Good sir shrugs.
" I believe they are Cahira and Andraste. Though I can't be bothered to remember who is who."
Lord Ferox smiles cooly, and I inch a bit closer to him.
" ah Ferox, have you taken a wife yet?" the good sir crows.
Lord Ferox shakes his head.
" not in a thousand eons good sir. For me it'll be travelling throughout the land, leaving hearts broken in my wake... there was only one woman who ever truly caught my eye."
The good sir leans forward.
" tell us about her! I'm ever so curious as to who stole the heart of the wraith-slayer."
Ferox reaches for a glass on the sideboard of his chair.
" her name was Samantha... I ran into her in the domed cities thirteen years ago. She was a gorgeous woman.. Slender, clever.. She looked a lot like Leona with long hair as a matter of fact, or the little one hiding behind our Silent."
I hold completely still, and try to sink further behind Gwyn.
Lord Ferox continues.
" she was heavy with child when I left her... I don't know what happened to the kid, but they'd be about the little one's age..." his face drains of color, and he whirls around to face me.
He hits me with a barrage of questions, such as my age, my home town, and how old I am.
I answer the questions the best I can, but I hesitate about my age.
Mother always told me that I was ' eleven at home, but fifteen on the street.' though I never knew what she meant by that.
I don't know what this meant, but I'm not sure how old I actually am.
Lord Albus speaks.
" Ferox, surely you can't be serious. The child looks no older than nine."
My voice is quivering.
" my mom says- sorry- said that I was eleven at home, but fifteen on the street."
Lord Ferox puts one hand under my chin and makes me look him in the eyes.
" I can see a resemblance." the good sir quips.
" you have the same nose."
Lord Ferox looks ashen, but he doesn't say anything.
We are dismissed quickly, and I wonder why Lord Ferox looked so scared.
When we get down to the servant's quarters, I am pulled aside by the cook's son, and I can tell that he isn't pleased with me. I think back to breakfast, when I accidentally grabbed his portion rather than my own.
I can only hope that he doesn't hurt me.