The Last Light of Ellium

Chapter 1

Kataia was a beautiful little girl, and as she grew it became evident that she had empathy and compassion beyond that of most mortals. With these gifts, she balanced her brother well. Where Enir was strict and heavy-handed, she was carefree and compassionate. Enir was wise beyond his years, which made him a strong and experienced leader, but it also made him cynical and cold. 

From the moment Kataia was born, Enir loved her. He would do anything to protect her, and this made him harsher still with those who would seek to harm his family. Of everyone in the world, Kat could melt Enir's cold exterior with just a smile, and in this way, they were the perfect team. Though he loved his sister and believed her to be the very best of the world, Enir was no fool. He knew what Kataia's existence could mean for him, and he was painfully aware of what the citizens of Ellium thought about him and his sister. 

They said that one of the royal children was a bastard, that their mother must have taken a man to bed out of wedlock like a common whore. It was these very rumors that drove Enir to sequester himself within the safety of the palace where he could not unleash his fury on those who spoke ill of his mother and his sister. 

However, one fateful birthday, that changed. It was Kataia's birthday, her seventh to be precise, and the preparations for a celebratory dinner were in full swing as the sun broke the horizon. Faint bits of gold and red could be seen splashed across the sky as the light slowly graced the walls of the castle. Enir was comfortably sleeping in his bed, warm, covered with furs and fire glowing dimly throughout his bedchamber. This, however, did not last. 

He felt a series of blunt jabs at first, which quickly turned into sharp points bruising his ribcage. He begrudgingly opened his eyes to see a tuft of unkempt white hair and vibrant grey eyes staring back at him. "Enir, come on! Get up. There isn't much time. We have to hurry! Come on!" Had it not been dawn he might have smiled at his sister's failed attempts at whispering in her excitement. "And what, pray tell, are you doing waking me up at dawn?" 

Kataia looked at him quizzically and almost hurt, "You promised to take me into the market this morning before the celebrations, remember?" "Gods," Enir thought to himself, "I did promise her that, didn't I." He had made this promise months ago with the hope that Kat would forget by the time her birthday actually came to pass. However, she clearly had not forgotten and just the thought of her crying this early on her birthday made him nauseous. So, instead of rolling over and going back to sleep, Enir groaned loudly and sat up, ruffling his sister's already wild hair. "You know I love you, Kat," he muttered, tired but affectionate. "I know. I love you too!" 

He looked down at his sister who, by this point, was practically bouncing in place with excitement, and he couldn't help but wonder if there was anything he wouldn't do to make this little dove of a child happy. 

Enir shooed Kataia out of his chambers and dressed quickly. He'd decided that if he was going to do this, he should at least avoid getting caught which was sure to happen if they did not hurry. As he rushed to put on a coat and lace up his boots, Enir couldn't help but allow his mind to wander. 

Kat's name day was always a big spectacle, she was, after all, still a child with so much excitement and wonder. People loved doting on her and lavishing her with gifts and praise because she still believed in the magic of celebration. Enir was not so lucky. He tried, truly tried, every year not to notice the accusatory glances he would receive both on his and Katiaia's name days. Each person wondering the same question, "Which child was the bastard?" 

This question inevitably brought with it a comparison of the two siblings, which very rarely went favorably for Enir. Kat was magnetic and vibrant. Everyone who saw her wanted to talk to her, wanted to make her smile. Meanwhile, Enir was a looming and imposing presence, but not one anyone would seek out for reassurance or joy. Having dressed in what he hoped was inconspicuous enough clothes, Enir strode out of his chambers to find Kat waiting obediently, if not patiently next to his door. 

Wordlessly, the siblings walked hand in hand down the corridor before turning out of sight of the guards. They made a few more quick turns, bringing them to the servants' staircase which would lead them down into the sleeping quarters for all of the castle staff. Instead of going down, however, Enir quickly surveyed the hallway. FInding it sufficiently empty, he jammed his elbow into a spot on the stone wall and pushed as hard as he could. 

At first, nothing happened, but eventually, with more pushing and a lot more groaning from Enir, the wall cracked open slightly. Kataia's eyes grew brighter with anticipation, but she stayed silent as her brother continued pushing on the door. It creaked and moaned for every inch that it moved, but finally, Enir managed to get it far enough open that both he and Kat could slip through. 

Quickly, the pair clambered inside the passageway, Enir managed to shut the door with less effort than he had opened it. He grinned towards his sister, pleased with himself. He knew his shoulder would likely be bruised tomorrow, but the smile on his sister's cherub face was worth it millions of times over. 

They walked briskly down the winding corridor for what seemed like at least half an hour before they finally reached another door. Kataia's grin now engulfed her entire face, and, not for the first time, Enir wondered when he had lost the ability to smile like that. She had no care in the world, no sense of danger or cruelty. 

From what little he already knew of the world, Enir recognized that this was a rare quality, and he promised himself that he would never allow the world to change her from the bright and bubbly girl she was in that moment. Unfortunately, not all promises, even made with the best intentions, can be kept.