One Dark Destiny

Queen Ariadne Chapter 3

Sunpool

Queen Ariadne stumbles out of the Lermont house, Astra at her side and Indira behind them. The three girls are greeted by Cyrene, who smiles at Ariadne.
"Ah, I see you are feeling better," she says.
"Much better," Ariadne nods, trying to stand up a little straighter.
"There are some guests here to see you," Cyrene says.
Two women step forward, long cloaks swishing at their heels. From the Black Council. Arabella Milone steps forwards first, holding out her hand for Ariadne to take. She does, surveying Arabella's face. As before, her expression gives nothing away. She is tall and slim, and looks to Ariadne very important in jade-coloured gloves to match her dark skirt and silver-streaked bodice. Then the second woman steps forwards, Thalia Korrellis, Ariadne thinks. She shakes her hand, and the woman smiles lightly. She must be around Cyrene's age, dark brown hair spilling over her shoulders, a bright white streak weaving its way down the side. Her pale yellow robes reach the floor.
"That was quite a show, Queen Ariadne," Arabella Milone says.
"Oh, ah... thank you," Ariadne replies, restraining herself from saying more. She was worried what they would ask about the visions, but now it seems unlikely that they would bring it up. They are simply here to exchange pleasantries. Besides, Arabella Milone probably doesn't know much about the workings of prophecies. Ariadne sees a little furry tail from inside Arabella's robes. Her familiar! Her eyes light up and something inside of her squeaks with excitement. She wants so badly to see it.
"Yes, that was quite extraordinary. I've never seen anything quite like it," Thalia Korellis adds.
Ariadne smiles, and says curiously:
"What do other Oracle Queens do then? How can they show off their gift?"
Thalia Korellis looks to Arabella, who's gaze is set on Ariadne. She can feel Astra and Cyrene exchange a glance. They would rather she did not ask so many questions. Well, that is just too bad.
"Ariadne-" Cyrene starts, but Arabella holds up her hand, slipping off her hood to reveal short, perfectly kept black hair.
"I believe that most Oracle Queens read the future from... a pool of water? And generally, there is no proof of their gift," She says coldly, clearly disdainful.
"Is that correct, Thalia?"
Ariadne sees Thalia tense, noticing Arabella's tone, and seeing it as disrespectful.
"Usually, Oracle Queens see visions in fire or water, yes," she says carefully.
Arabella nods politely.
"It is much more gratifying to see for ourselves your capabilities, Queen Ariadne," she says. For some reason, Ariadne feels as if she should be proud at Arabella's remarks. The girl can't be much older than Ariadne herself, but she commands so much respect. As the eldest daughter of Sofara Milone, she is one of the most powerful people on Fennbirn and will one day be the matriarch of the Milones. Not to mention that she has had a seat on the Black Council from a young age. She must know far more about ruling than Ariadne, although that does not mean much.
The two Black Council women turn to leave, and Ariadne turns back to Astra. She sees Cyrene's face, frustration written clearly all over. They return to the Lermont house where they can discuss the interaction in private.
Cyrene sighs.
"Leave it to a naturalist to have no respect for the sight gift. They are far too simple," she says.
"At least they liked it," Ariadne points out, but Cyrene is not listening.
"Thinking she can just walk into Sunpool and talk like that about our Oracle Queens?" she continues.
"And she is only a child! She has no right."
"She is sixteen," Astra says.
"Am I a child then?" Ariadne asks.
"Could you be any less helpful?" Indira asks her.
"Do not worry, it does not matter what they think about our past Queens. What matters is the report that they give to the Black Council of Ariadne," Astra says to her mother. Cyrene sighs.
"Did you see her familiar?" Ariadne whispers to Indira, eyes wide.
"I saw its tail!"
Indira groans and tries to ignore Ariadne.
"I am only glad that I raised my children better than those Milones," Cyrene says.
"Or at least one of your children," Indira adds, but Cyrene ignores her. Ariadne makes a face at her.

Two hours later, Ariadne is in the grounds of the Lermont House, picking flowers with Viviana.
"One more pink one," she says, and Viviana carefully pulls a big pink begonia from the bush and hands it to Ariadne. Ariadne places all of the flowers on the ground gently, and starts to tie the white ribbon around their stems. Before she can tie a bow, a scream tears through the air. Shrill and ear splitting, coming from the direction of the house. Viviana looks up and starts to ask
"Wha-"
"Oh no, Viv." Ariadne picks her up and hurries through the gardens towards the house.
"What's going on Ari?" Viviana asks her.
"It's Indira," Ariadne replies. She darts through the doors, the guards murmuring as she passes.
Inside the Lermont house, Ariadne can hear the screaming more vividly, echoing through the hallways. Viviana looks at her in fear.
She stumbles up the stairway, almost tripping over her dress. She makes a mental note to complain to Cyrene. Ariadne rushes into Indira's room, out of breath.
Indira is sitting on the side of her bed, just sitting there screaming. Ariadne places Viviana on the floor, crossing the room to where Indira sits. Viviana stares at her, curious.
"Ari, is she-"
"No don't touch her!" Ariadne shouts, but too late. Indira gasps and falls to the floor, shaking. Viviana stares harder. Ariadne kneels next to Indira, placing her hands on her shoulders.
"Indira, listen to me. Can you hear me?"
"Soon. They're coming soon."
"Indira, it's just a vision."
"And it's all our fault!" Indira shakes more violently, arms thrashing out of Ariadne's grip.
"I'M SO SORRY!" She screams.
Astra bursts in, hurrying to join Ariadne at her sister's side. Ariadne is starting to panic.
"What do we do!" She says.
Astra places her hands on her sister's chest, taking deep breaths.
With a sharp jolt, she flinches away, and sighs.
Indira collapses, still. Viviana goes to hug her, and Ariadne looks worriedly at Astra.
"It's getting worse," Astra says.
Ariadne nods. Since she can remember, Indira has had... visions. Cyrene says that her sight gift is very rare. Instead of seeing clear visions like Ariadne, or most of the Lermonts, Indira sees emotions. Sometimes, when people feel strong emotions, Indira feels them too. Ariadne has never really understood it, but she is curious. Cyrene says that it is a powerful gift, but it seems to bring Indira so much pain.
"I need to learn how you do that. How you heal her," she says.
"It's not healing, Ariadne, we are not Poisoners," says Astra.
"All I did was take away her vision. Did she say anything?"
Ariadne glances at Indira, unconscious on the floor.
"She said... that she was sorry. And something about... they're coming?"
Astra sighs.
"I don't like all of this... what I've heard and seen in the city," she says grimly.
"What do you mean, all this?" Ariadne asks.
"You remember your visions yesterday? There is talk in the city of something bad coming to Sunpool," Astra replies.
"People are saying they have seen... things. And Indira..." she trails off. She doesn't need to say any more. Ariadne knows what she means. This all means something. It may be vague, but In a city full of Oracles, there is always talk, but when so many people are saying the same thing... the message is hard to misinterpret.