Renagade

Part 11

It was important for the Architects to continue legacy. Legacy. That word resounded in Evelyn's mind. What would her legacy be? She didn't know, but she knew that wherever she was to go now, it may make it on the walls beneath the country she was going to save. Her legacy would be like that of the great kings and queens of old, their images forgotten, but their kingdoms lasting centuries. She drank her tea, as the old man continued. The warmth of the fire and the softness of the plush rug called sleep to her, desperately.

There hadn't been an invasion into the tunnels ever, she learned. They were protected by a great power that kept the most desperate and the most evil from entering. Though there were cities that marveled any one great city on earth, these were empty. The Architects were waiting, for what they did not know, but Victor and Genevive were of the mind that this was to be a divine place, for the last days of the beings. Ev thought it sweet, that the couple believed in such nonsense, but something stirred within her, in disgust, and nearly unawares. Her hand began to shake as revulsion and hatred washed over her. She could feel the words of this old man sinking into her body like a dark ooze and the light within her brightened. Briefly she wondered what would happen if she just killed him, the image of his red blood soaking into the carpet, the screams of his wife ricocheting across the tunnels ...the fire flickered sharply and pulled her attention away from within herself. Chauncy jerked away and accidently kicked her, sending a sharp pain raising up her back. He mumbled a sleepy apology and fell back into the chair. Perhaps she was just more tired that she had anticipated. They bid their goodnights, as the old couple sat near the fire, softly talking about their legacy together.

Eveyln had always enjoyed sleeping, it was after all, in her opinion, one of the best things one could do for themselves, but the bed that she slept in was the most comfortable thing she could have ever laid on, however sleep did not come quickly for her. In the dark and stillness, she was alone with her mind. There were so many thoughts racing through her head, that she couldn't pick just one to focus on. It was as if she was trying to capture a rabbit in the woods with only her left hand. Each time she grasped a thought about Chauncy or his friends, her future or her people, it disappeared like smoke. She was ready for sleep to claim her, and still it would not come.

You are strong. A voice whispered to her. Evelyn sat straight up in bed and looked about. The room was pitch black and silent. She laid back down, the down pillow sinking under her weight. Her hand placed against her cheek.

I could give you anything, you wanted. The voice crooned. Again, Evelyn sat up, looking around. It was as if a woman was sitting right next to her, whispering words close to her ear. She shook her head and pushed back the handmaid quilt. The floor was warm from the fires beneath, as she padded in the darkness to the pitcher and glass, Genevive had left for her. The porcelain was cool to the touch.

All you have to do is listen to me. Eveyln stopped pouring the water.

"Who are you?" she whispered in the dark, her body shaking and cold. The warmth at her feet seemed a mockery.

I am you. I am The Mother. It whispered. Again, Evelyn's mind began to race. She had heard the name, but where? Was this a spirit or a hallucination due to lack of rest? She drank her water, but tasted nothing and swallowed mechanically. You know power...I AM power...The voice...it was so familiar. Wait...The Mother, didn't Chauncy worship and pray to her?

I offer you my Power, Eveyln of House Swaver, the Serpent, The Wolf...Images flashed in her head of battles she had been in and battles she would yet see. Above her a green banner with a striking snake fluttered in the wind, and to her left a great white wolf stood next to her, his body massive and powerful under slick fur. Before her stood a decimated battleground, corpses of hundreds of thousands of bodies littered the reddening blood, the trees far away billowed black smoke into the setting suns rays. It was both wicked and beautiful, twinning together. Roses with thick twisting thorns grew on either side of the battle ground, their scent thick. She had won this battle, and she would win many more. Power and bloodlust coursed through her body, and she wanted more.