CHAPTER ONE – DEADLY NEWS
Electra,
Please be advised that your mother is seriously ill, and you have been summoned to her bed side. Please return immediately from your training. Your sister has also been notified, and you are also required to escort her to Fadhgridh.
Trinity
It isn't everyday you received tragic news – coldly, but today I did. I hated Trinity for this, even though we never really got along, this was beyond belief – to tell me my mother was on her death bed this way, was infuriating. But as much as I hated Trinity, I followed his orders – we travelled to Freyja's Temple to escort my sister.
Dawdling was unacceptable, I pushed myself and our horses through the night to get to Fadhgridh – I had to be at my mother's side, and so did Akea. Growing up, our mother was distant and we never received her love and adoration – we didn't blame her though, she was the leader of the guild; our survival rested in her hands.
Instead, we had trained to impress her, trained to be able to stand by her side in battle when she needed her. We trained so she would love us.
I never knew my father, but Akea once had – and she was complete, while I lingered on the fact that my mother had a secret lover; Akea's fathered had died in battle three years before I was born.
Akea didn't need my escort, she was completely capable of protecting herself – at least she once was. But that was a taboo – to speak of it was unthinkable. Even as her sister, I didn't dare bring it up; we all let it go.
I arrived at the Temple, she was waiting with her followers – I ignored them, I didn't like the idea that my sister, my sister was now a priestess – she had changed; the times had changed.
We didn't linger – we accepted supplies, she said her adieus and we departed for Fadhgridh – our home.
The journey was not long, we rode at full pelt – we arrived within two days. We still had time – that was all I could hope for.
Finally, the walls of Fadhgridh were visible; and we pushed our horses further. The gates didn't open upon our arrival; hadn't Trinity given the order?
"Name?" the voice was hoarse and unfamiliar; it felt like something was wrong. Eyes appeared through the slot. I promptly dismounted, and glared at the eyes.
"Electra, Daughter of Letis, , Member of Scelectus, and Granddaughter of –" I saw the eyes widen with shock, this was infuriating; "Now let me in, if you cherish your life" I ordered; I heard a voice from behind the gate, which momentarily screeched opened; I didn't care if the sun hadn't risen – I would see my mother.
I remounted and rode into though the gates, not without glancing towards the gatehouse; there stood Shix, who bowed his head towards me – next to him stood the stout man who how questioned me, on any other day, he would be punished – today was his lucky day: I had more important things to deal with.
Akea was beside me, and we rode through the courtyard towards the castle – dismounting at the castle doors. This time they automatically opened, Shinda was waiting for us, he undoubtedly heard our approach.
"Shinda –" I bowed my head towards him, he returned the gesture; "my mother?"
"Her condition is deteriorating, go see her before it is too late –", Akea was already at the staircase – she was always closer to our mother then I was; I was undoubtedly the unwanted child, but also her prodigy. She glanced towards me, her eyes already glistening, I gestured for her to go ahead of me.
Once she was out of sight, "Who's performing the deed, Shinda?" but I already knew that answer. It was unquestionable: Rules – they were set, concrete, they were unquestionable.
"She has requested – Xiaken" I shuttered, of all people – he could do it; he was loyal to my mother, to Shinda – and most importantly loyal to the guild.
"Akea –" I grimaced at her name,
"There's nothing we can do, your mother has asked for him – he will do it."
"But, but, rules can be –" he didn't let me finish,
"Rules, cannot be changed Electra; they are ancient, and will be followed" he was stern, but I knew he was right. I didn't object him.
"I will see my mother now"
"Yes, of course. I will escort you" he gestured towards the stairs;
Whilst I walked towards her room, I couldn't help but think about the rules – they were placed at the beginning – those rules defined our guild, and defined our honour:
My mother would die by the hands of her selected member. It was unquestionable; it was a rule of our guild, passed from generation to generation. You would not die by the hands of nature – not if you wanted your honour. You would die in battle or at the hands of a loyal member.
I would die in battle.
I wouldn't contest my mother's decision, but I would spare my sisters sanity - "Akea must be occupied when it happens"
"Of course" Shinda understood, he always did.
Although she knew it was inevitable, she didn't need to witness the deed – especially not at the hands of her former lover. He was the reason for her reform – she had once been a lethal killer, now she was a priestess.
We had walked in silence, apart from a brief agreement; we finally reached the chamber that led to my mother's quarters; the doorman opened the door on our arrival – she was the first thing I saw. She looked frail, and on the edge of death – it would happen soon. Much sooner than I thought, I approached her bed, and kissed her cheek. The room felt eerie, everyone here knew what was forthcoming – even my mother, especially my mother.
"Electra, my child –" she took my hand, "– it's been awhile" that face was true. I hadn't seen my mother of months, even a year maybe. But that was normal, I would see her occasionally – I wasn't her favourite, but I was her prodgie; and we all knew it. Akea was once, when my mother heard of the news, she was heartbroken, and disgraced. The daughter of Letis would become a Priestess. But she still loved her daughter – it was all Akea needed; she never wanted to follow our mother's footsteps, she didn't want to lead the guild, but like all of us – she had wanted honour.
She leant towards me, and whispered "My child, it is time" I grimaced, and glanced towards Shinda – he nodded. Akea wasn't oblivious of our exchanges. She seemed to be praying, but her pray's would not be answered.
An attendant assisted my sister out of the room; she kissed our mother goodbye, and without a word she was gone.
My mother didn't say a word, but we all knew Akea wasn't strong enough for this. We were brought up surrounded by death; and we were prepared for it – I would let my mother go, I would abide by the laws she cherished and upheld.
At the same moment Akea had left, Xiaken entered through a side chamber. We exchanged nods, and he stood by Shinda. I was still at my mother's side.
I knew what was coming, but I wasn't prepared this – "Child, you will lead this guild; a war is brewing, you will lead us to victory, and you will gain this guild even greater honour" I stared into her eyes. "Follow your heart-" she placed a hand on my cheek – "and you will do the right thing".
This I was certainly not ready for; I may be her prodigy but I couldn't lead this guild – I was barely of age, and they weren't loyal to me – they were loyal to her: the Daughter of Akura, a Granddaughter of Thor. I had no father, and my mother was deteriorating; I didn't have their respect or loyalty – yet.
Shinda placed a hand on my shoulder, I looked up to him – he nodded and spoke "Letis–" but she was shaking her head
"Mother, I can't –"
"But you will, child. You are destined to lead this guild – you are my daughter, it's in your blood" she was stroking my face. I knew this gesture took all her strength. I placed my hand over hers – cherishing this moment.
Xiaken was already on the opposite side of the bed – it was time; I kissed my mother's forehead – and we said our goodbyes.
As an ancient law repeated itself – Xiaken lent down towards my mother; kissed her forehead and said the words –
But before he could start, my mother interjected him "You will help Electra, Xiaken. You will watch her, you will protect her", she was looking into his eyes – he nodded, he respected my mother – he was her most loyal member.
"I swear to you, Letis, Daughter of Akura, Granddaughter of Thor, and Leader of Scelectus" and with one swift moment, the deed was done.