The Rainlands: Grand Delusion

Chapter 47: The Temptress of the North

"You ceased to be a doctor the day you decided to hurt someone. Worse, you acted against my family. I'm afraid you've earned death. Men, let's go. There's nothing more to see here." She said, striding calmly inside the castle. It was a terrible moment and Levi couldn't look away. The rain began to fall heavier, thumping off the top of his umbrella, and Rei raised his own to shield himself as he stepped away from the prisoner. That was when the screaming started in earnest. Levi had seen the aftermath of Shatterstorms in the hospital, but that was only the people who had been capable of making it to a doctor. The deluge began and it was horrible.

"Please! PLEEEEEAAAAAAASE!" Kurt begged and begged but there was no escape. He shifted against his manacles, desperately trying to escape his binds, but the post was solid and he had no chance. A drop splashed onto his head and he jerked, arching his back. "NOOOOOOOOO!!"

"You don't have to look, Levi." Eleana said from the doorway. "He's just like that scum from Eastrain, pretending to protect society but in reality willing to do anything to ensure his own prosperity." Her cold dispassionate judgement was true. But even still, Levi had to bear witness.

"Raaaaingods! Please! Someone, anyone, help me!" Kurt prayed in vain for someone to save him. The drops came heavier, smashing onto his ragged clothing and seeping through to the bare skin. His screams turned to agonized pants and then to nothing as his vocal cords began to melt. It was like watching a wax candle burn down...his flesh just seemed to...disappear. Finally, Levi could stand no more. He turned away, though he saw Jasmine did not. She watched until the very end. When even the sound of jerking chains stopped, only then did she finally look away.

"Come. I'm sorry to show you such a sight on your first day in the Northern Rainlands. But it had to be done. No one bullies my lil bro or his friends and gets away with it." Eleana said quietly. Levi was wordless, as was Jasmine. Under the doorway another man stood. Levi recognized him. It was the man from his dream, the one who had saved Eleana that fateful day. "This is Tao, I'm not sure if you remember him, Levi? He fought the River Guardian during the Sacrifice for me. All of this, Castle Hei, it's his birthrite, so you should thank him for his hospitality. Soon, it will be so much more...for all of us." Levi was still too shocked by the memory of the melting man to reply. But he felt Jasmine stiffen next to him. She whispered into his ear frantically.

"You didn't tell me your sister was dating the Lord of the Yi Clan!" Levi felt numb, They strode past the doorway.

"What?" He replied blankly. Jasmine's voice became frustrated.

"Your sister is Eleana, the Temptress of the North!" Before Levi could process what Jasmine was saying, a final dying scream came from behind, distorted, garbled, but all too terrible. Everyone froze.

"S-She...is...the daughter...of Jie...Yujeeeeeon!" With his dying breath, the melting man spilled out Jasmine's secret. Then he was no more and no one dared to speak. Eleana whirled around, her eyes dark and unreadable as she beheld the dead man. Her gaze came to rest on Jasmine's silver hair, and suddenly everything was dead silent. All that could be heard was the sound of raindrops falling into the soft, melting snow.

"Levi...Levi...you didn't tell me your friend had a different name." She whispered softly. Behind her, Tao's hand had drifted down to his sword. "That's a very dangerous name to have in these times. You don't look like Yujeon Jie...but actually, that hair...Tao...watch her!"

"Sis? What are you doing?" Levi asked, confused, as the guards sprang into action, surrounding them with swords drawn. Eleana clicked her tongue. Everyone was staring at Jasmine like they were trying to see through her mask. Finally, his sister turned and waved for them to follow her. Jasmine glowered at the men but had no choice but to obey as they fell in around them. While they walked, Eleana spoke,

"Oh Levi, the Rainlands are a much larger world than you could ever imagine. You've seen only a little bit coming here, but with Emperor Jie's most timely demise...oh sorry, I guess that makes him your father doesn't it Yujeon dear?" Eleana stopped talking to glance back at Jasmine apologetically. Jasmine shrugged.

"Yea. He wasn't a very good one." She said quietly then spoke no more.

"Well he WAS the one holding the Rainlands together. Ever since the last war with the Deathless City. But...now that he's dead and his children are fighting over the throne in the Capital, every leader in the Rainlands has suddenly developed notions of independence. Lord Gi and Lord Simmons have already decided to declare themselves Emperor in the South and West. Last I heard from our spies, the East will be doing the same any day now. And as for the North...I was thinking of what to write on the declaration right before you two showed up on my doorstep. What do you think of Empress? Sound impressive?" Eleana's voice grew excited. Jasmine was completely silent, and Levi felt extremely uncomfortable. Is this really my sister? What the heck is going on?

"Sis? What are you saying? How can you be saying these things? It's like you're...you're..." Levi couldn't find the words to say it. None of this made any sense.

"Like I'm in charge?" Eleana laughed. "I told you Levi, you've already told the person in charge about the Deathless City. While they invade the East and carve a path to the Capital, we'll be right up here, biding our time. I'm not just a little girl from Eastrain. Tao and I are engaged, and he's the Lord of House Yi. Tao dear, what do you think of my little plan?"

"I trust in whatever you say Milady. You've never led us wrong before." The quiet leader of House Yi spoke for the first time. "My men are yours." Levi was stunned. The man didn't even hesitate to pledge everything he had to Eleana.

"But how did you...why are you...?" It was too much for Levi to grasp at once. My sister wants to create a new country?

"It's because she's no ordinary person, Levi." Jasmine spoke for the first time. "She's the Temptress of the North. Aren't you? I've heard of you. My tutors said your men are fanatically loyal, they used you as an example of how to rule." Eleana turned around, a smile on her face as they came back to Jasmine's room. She snapped her fingers.

"Everyone, leave us. I want to speak with these two alone." Before the words had finished ringing the men had turned and stepped off. She spread her arms wide, ushering them into the room. "Please, come in. This is a conversation for family only."

"Shouldn't he come with us then?" Levi asked as he saw Tao walking off with the rest. Eleana shook her head, seeming almost amused.

"What? Oh, you mean Tao? Well he is family, but I speak for him. No Levi, I have to speak to you." She turned to Jasmine. "And you alone."

"Ok..." The two of them walked inside wearily and Levi helped Jasmine get to the bed where she weakly sat on the edge. She needs rest. "So, what is this?"