A/N: Welcome to the Sequel of Darkness at Dawn. This is meant to be quite a short story, exploring the things that happen to the main character, Kerrayrlia Lestatras, around three years after the events of Darkness at Dawn. I intend to develop Kerrayrlia's relationship with her family in this story.

This is my second fanfiction, and I hope that my writing has improved since the first.

Chapter 1 A Sundered Family

The cold morning sunlight streamed into the room through the large windows, casting a soft light on the furniture in the room. This was the room of a young girl through and through, as can be seen by the overall furnishings. The walls of the room had been painted a soft, pale pink, which matched the slightly darker pink coloured curtains and greatly showed off the wooden furniture, all of which was made of the lighter coloured beech wood.

The furnishings could be considered sparse; most of the pieces of furniture and objects in the room were practical, with the exception of the three cherry-coloured vases, which held, at this time of the year, nothing but artistically arranged twigs. But they reflected the character of the girl living in this room, who had a tendency towards the romantic.

The girl in question was currently sleeping on a bed with pink cotton sheets, breathing gently. A cool winter draft soon blew into the room, and with a small shiver, the girl was startled awake. As she blinked her eyes sleepily, she unwillingly let mind drag itself awake. What woke me up… She questioned the world at large drowsily, but soon caught sight of the reason.

"Hellfires! I fell asleep without closing the windows again!" She jumped onto her feet and hurriedly remedied the situation. Now I'll have to get Pamida to clean up the floor. Thank gods I never took up Sofi on her offer of carpets. As can be seen, she could be careless at times, but she was overall, a fetching child, possessing pale cream brown hair that fell just past her shoulders which framed her round face. Bright, emerald green eyes that reminded one of a cat's drew all attention away from the rest of her cherubic features. She was currently wearing a nightshift in her favourite colour of pink and seemed like a sweet little girl in it.

Fellyna Lestatras, third daughter of Baron Senvous Lestatras, then decided that there was no point getting back into bed again. She was too cold for that. Instead, with a mischievous grin, she decided that she would wake her sister up. Making up her mind, Fellyna dressed hurriedly in a cotton dark pink dress before gleefully bounding out of the room.

Dashing past the servants hurrying about their various tasks, Fellyna did not bother to return the nods of greeting that the servants spared for the young daughter of their lord. Small and lithe, Fellyna could run quite fast when she put her mind to it. Soon, she reached the maple door of her elder sister's room. Without bothering even to knock, Fellyna bounced into the room, only to halt in surprise.

Sofina Lestatras was wide awake and already dressed. A picture of simple loveliness in her lacy aqua blue dress, at fifteen, Sofina had already caused much vying for her favour among the younger men and boys. At the tender age of twelve, Fellyna did not cared much for boys or her looks and did not begrudge her sister for the delicate, soft features that she possessed. Sis has similar features too, come to think of it. But hers are more elegant and regal, certainly slightly sharper than Sofi's gentle beauty. Though Sis is the more beautiful one, I suppose. Sofi's more pretty than anything else.

"Good morning, Felly. Come to wake me up again?"Sofina's blue eyes, the colour of the summer sky, twinkled as she spoke. Fellyna couldn't deny it, so she just shrugged and grinned. She glanced at the letter her sister was holding, and her eyes went round with mischief. "Is that another poem from another of your admirers, Sofi? The last love poem had no rhythm at all." With mingled exasperation and amusement, Sofina shook her head. "No, Felly. It's not a love poem. A messenger brought the letter along last night, after you went to bed. It's from Sis." There was only one person whom Sofina addressed that way, though she had other sisters. Therefore, Fellyna broke into an excited grin.

"What did Sis say? Did she mention her lifebonded? What was his name, let me see, Zarien, wasn't it? Did she ask after me?" Her incessant questioning stopped when she realized Sofina was smiling at her quietly, not answering her questions. "You're so full of questions, Felly. Here, take a look at the letter yourself." Handing the letter over, Sofina watched as her sister took a seat and began reading. Their sister, Kerrayrlia Lestatras, an eighteen year old Herald Trainee, had sent quite a long letter this time.

Fellyna worked through the letter with a patience she rarely showed. In a strong, flowing script, Kerrayrlia had wrote:

To Sofi,

How is everyone? I hope that all is well there, and nothing too serious have occurred. I know it is a trial for such a large family to live together.

You may wonder that I have the same problems, since I'm living at the Collegium in the Palace, which holds a large number of people. But I generally only have close contact with my teachers, whom I have no quarrels with, and my friends, who never ever provoke a quarrel, because they know that I will win in any argument they care to make. Of course, there are some highborns who don't like me much, but I have always ignored them to the best of my abilities.

So it's not the same, and I know that living with Father, Leestara and Cera can be a trial. But I know that you, kind and gentle that you are, will not have too many problems getting along. Take care of Felly though, she can be a little hot-headed at times. As for Jer, if he is still as shy as ever, quarrels won't be a problem, though he may get bullied. Watch out for him for me.

There's not much news from the Palace or the Collegium. Vanyelis, Heir presumptive, is thriving. She and Jos have become playmates and the best of friends. I've mentioned Jos to you before; Joserlyn Ashkevron, my lifebonded's nephew. His mother, Zarielle, is quite busy taking care of her second child, Calantis nowadays, so Joserlyn either spends his days at the Palace or with me, when I'm free. I'm not that good at baby-sitting, but Zarielle is my friend, and I couldn't refuse when she asked for help. She doesn't want to hire a babysitter, because she doesn't trust one to bring up Jos properly.

Besides, Liritia just returned from her travels a week ago. She has been made a full Healer, and helps me take care of Jos when she is free. Thankfully, she has put down the burden she was carrying before she left. I can't tell you about it, because it is not my secret to tell, but I am relieved that she is once again happy. She remains my best friend and Healer, her skills coming in handy in treating some minor injuries I get in Weapons practice.

Speaking of Weapons practice, I am keeping up with my work. I proceeding faster than I expected in the curriculum, because I've already had some training as a Bardic Trainee. Of course, the weapon I remain most adept in is the sword. With my long-time sparring partner, Zarien, not in Havens now, I practice with Herald Neal when our schedules allow for it. He is a fine swordsman, and although his preferred style is the hack-and-bash, he is proficient in most other styles.

That makes up most of the news I have. I'll also be spending my Midwinter break at home if all goes well; I've sent a letter to Father asking for permission already. As this will be the first time I've visited you in three years, I am looking forward to the visit.

Your sister,

Kerri

Fellyna's eyes widened as she read the last paragraph. Not quite trusting her eyes, she re-read it again. At last, convinced that her eyes had not failed her, Fellyna threw the letter into the air as she let out a cry of joy. Sofina hurriedly moved to retrieve the letter as Fellyna celebrated the news. "At last, at last, Sis is coming back for a visit! It's been so long…Oh, Sofi, I'm so happy!"

The bonds between the three sisters were quite close, for it had been Kerrayrlia who had protected and cared for them both when they were younger, after their mother had passed away. When Kerrayrlia had been sent away to foster at the age of twelve, they had lost contact for a little while, as Kerrayrlia turned inwards and hid all her emotions under a cold mask. The letters had started three years ago, when Kerrayrlia had become a Herald Trainee; Sofina and Fellyna had been ecstatic when Kerrayrlia had finally taken off her mask.

Although smiling, Sofina cautioned Fellyna with an uplifted finger. "Don't get overexcited, Felly. Father may not agree. He has been very cold to Sis all these years." Sofina watched as Fellyna's features turned stubborn and stiff. In that, at least, Fellyna was much like her eldest sister. "I'll see to it that Father lets Sis come home, even if I have to badger him to death. See you at breakfast, Sofi."

With that, Fellyna strode from the room, presumably to begin the campaign. Sofina watched her go with a sad smile on her face, hoping that Felly would succeed. Oh, why must we have such a sundered family? If only... Sofina did not continue the sentence, for she herself was unsure of what she would have thought.

Well, here it is. Please review!