Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

MEMOIRS OF HAVAS [01]

(TWENTY YEARS BEFORE HAVAS IS BREACHED)

'In the thirteen, there is power, and in power, there is trust. Let us be both your blade and your shield, and we will see no fall.'

-An extract from traditional Havasian scriptures.

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MEMOIRS OF HAVAS

01

Wall Maria, North Region, Havas, Western O'Haen

Harsh Havasian sunlight was pouring in through the window. Lorelai groaned, burying her face in her pillow. The sunlight was bouncing off the snow outside; just like every morning, it was an unwelcome awakening.

She'd have to go to school today— what a bother.

Lorelai had thought she'd be able to sneak in an extra few minutes of sleep. However, only a moment had passed when "Loretskaia!" came a voice from downstairs.

She only buried herself under her quilts further, very nearly drifting off again.

"You'll be late for school!" called the voice again.

That's right, Lorelai recalled distantly. It was the first day of school after the summer. Soon, she would be dragged from her warm bed and sent to trek through the snow until she reached the schoolhouse.

Realising that Lorelai had absolutely no intention of stirring, the voice stormed up the stairs and appeared in the doorway. Lorelai opened one eye sleepily to catch a glimpse of her godmother's irritated face.

This was Tamsin Hyde, wife of Romero Hyde and currently the bane of Lorelai's eight-year-old existence. Tamsin was stern, doting, and had barely left her alone since she'd first entered this house.

She was the religious sort and always seemed insistent on using their traditional Havasian names, even though no one else had done so for decades.

Tamsin's frown crinkled her dark skin as she shook Lorelai awake. "No use pretending to be asleep, Loretskaia. You'll be late."

Lorelai gave in. She sat up in bed as Tamsin walked across the room to wake up three-year-old Gabriel with a whispered "Gabetskan" and a gentle shake.

After they both were dressed and Gabriel momentarily distracted with toys, Tamsin pulled Lorelai in front of the vanity. She expertly swept her blonde hair into a single plait and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Lorelai, defiant as ever, only continued to mumble her grievances.

"Loretskaia, be good at school today, will you?" Tamsin cooed. "Your brother is so well-behaved; you should follow his example."

"Gabe's a wimp; I'd rather die."

"Loretskaia!"

"School's pointless anyway. All they teach is dumb baby stuff," Lorelai grumbled.

"You may be smart, dear," Tamsin scolded. "But you are far from grown."

The rest of the morning passed similarly: Lorelai complains, Tamsin scolds, Lorelai complains some more. It was a wonder Tamsin managed to get her kids dressed and ready to go before 0700 hours.

It was an odd little life Lorelai was living. It wasn't so long ago that she'd been orphaned and shipped off away from her previous life of luxury to live with her godparents.