Please note that all characters, places and information in this story from the Black Jewels Trilogy completely belong to Anne Bishop. Even those created by me belong to the author for they involve her races and world. No profit is being made from the creation of this tale and it is purely for entertainment.

The purge.

4 / Terreille

Evarian absently touched a small budge under her tunic; the ring Gathnar had given her.

She stared out the window, not caring what was being discussed. She noted words of interest like war, death and justice. It didn't matter. The wind gained in strength and the leaves were picked up and thrown in the waves.

"Promise?" she asked quietly.

"Have I ever lied before?" Jolandar replied, ignoring his father's mild snarl. He'd deal with that later.

She stood, and walked towards the door. Her eldest brother Colthvar followed her, forever the escort. They walked together in silence until finding a small room that was a discreet distance from the reception chamber.

"You need to be more careful with what you demand," he said quietly. "This concerns the survival of the family."

"Really?" she said absently, not really caring. It was odd. Nothing ever seemed to matter.

"If they find out-"

"The only way anyone will find out is if you tell them. I'm sick and tired of being coddled. I told you only because I needed someone to collect the money after the fight was over," she said, and then shifted uncomfortably. "And well, because I trust you."

"Lucky me."

********

Connar stared at the door where Evarian had left with curiosity. He then turned his attention back to his son and the expression changed to one of dislike. "Perhaps you need to lighten up on the amount of lithen. She seems to be more lethargic than normal."

Jolandar shrugged and said. "Before we meet with Prythian this afternoon, she needed to be under control."

"She's been on it for centuries Jolandar," Connar said roughly. "It can't be-"

"Why should you care?" he snarled. "She isn't of your blood."

"And so she remains set aside from the family, and yet we depend on her for bringing our family Valin to head of the Eyrien race."

"It would do you well to remember where she originated. Her mother's blood is tainted, and she needs a firm hand to keep her in place."

"You've never informed the family of her origins."

Jolandar's smile was feral. "I honestly don't know."

"I see. Perhaps-" Connar stopped in mid-sentence and frowned. Rushed footsteps sounded from the hallway. "It appears Prythian does not wish to wait."

The high priestess of Askavi burst into the room, but stopped abruptly when she noticed Connar. Three servants followed, holding platters of food and a bottle of wine.

Jolandar bowed slightly and said, "Do you think it is wise to bring her here now?"

"Yaslana died nine years ago and Dorothea has been terribly busy planning a war with Kaeleer." Prythian looked around the room, finally noting the absence of Evarian. "How does the girl fare since I saw her last?"

Jolandar ignored the glass of wine placed next to him. He didn't trust her. "Well, but it would do you well to remember that it is I, who have been in control of her since her childhood."

Prythian took a sip of wine and asked, "Has the lithen been working?"

"It has kept her obedient to a point," he replied, after some thought. "But she also owes me more that she likes to admit. It was my sway that allowed her entrance to the hunting camps."

"I never agreed to that," Prythian snarled. "What might happen if someone recognized her?"

"If you think that I was going to leave with her alone, without the protection of my three sons then you are truly mad. My boys have always been there to help keep her in line. Something you never mastered with the father, I might add."

"Remember who supplies you the drug, Jolandar. It might keep her emotions in check, but if she ever gets separated from you remember that the medication is highly addictive. No one would want to be in any range of that when she goes off."

"And what of Dorothea?" he asked, mildly curious.

"I will remain loyal until the time comes for Evarian to make the offering," she said. "I simply wanted this opportunity to remind her who she truly serves."

"Yes, Lady," he said respectively, trying to hide his distaste. How he despised Prythian. Her blood was as tainted as Dorotheas.

The winds picked up in speed and the branches of the nearest tree tapped against the window.

"This storm keeps on getting worse," Jolandar mumbled.

His eyes widened when he felt a stirring from the abyss below.

Frightened screams sounded from inside and outside the house. The window shattered as the room filled with dark power.

********

A wave of unimaginable power flooded the lands. It lasted for only a moment but felt like a lifetime.

Evarian pushed her exhausted body to her feet and hesitantly opened the door to look out into the hallway. She swallowed roughly and tried not to vomit seeing the carnage of what was left of Prythian's court. Most were laying twisted and dead, jewels completely drained and shattered. She probed the fallen bodies and realized that all had returned to the darkness.

Panic filled her mind and she screamed, "Connar!"

********

Jolandar heard Evarian's shout and her racing footsteps. He eyed his father, shakily climbing to his feet. Prythian lay twisted, dead.

Connar examined the room with apprehension, and then whispered, "Evarian."

Without second a second thought, Jolandar called in his war blade and stabbed his father in the stomach. It was an opportune time to put an end to his father's meddling.

Connar's golden eyes widened in denial and gripped his son's arms tightly. Hate filled them while he whispered, "Despite your lies, she has a pure heart. I have already claimed her as my own, despite our differing bloodlines. The time will come when you will realize what to the true call of what Askavi represents and pay for your crimes."

His father slumped to the floor. Before Jolandar could finish the kill, Evarian burst through the door and cried out, "Grandpa!"

Colthvar stepped into the room, following Evarian and paled once he saw his grandfather dead at his father's feet.

Jolandar rushed over to grasp her before she saw the small pool of blood forming. "I'm sorry Evarian but he was caught in the black wave."

"Oh no," she whispered, knees collapsing.

He picked her up and carried her from the room. He held her trembling body, but felt uneasy when he felt a flicker of power from far beneath him surge. The windows around them glazed with ice.

Her head rose slowly and she whispered, "Whomever did this will pay."