Silence of the Shadows

-2-



"Kyre," my mother called, breaking my attention from where I practised my sword.

I sheathed my sword and walked to her, seemingly oblivious to the heat of the room. I did not sweat, but I thought the heat would kill me.

"Mother," I said with a slight nod of my head.

"I must speak with you about you departure." I sensed that something had went wrong, so I followed my mother as she led my to her study. Upon entering, my instinct was proven correct, for there sat my father, peering over a map.

"Kyre, your departure must be sooner than we thought. Our sources say that the Prince will be officially announced as heir within the year. The Prince will have to be your first priority." My father's voice held no emotion.

"Am I to kill him?" I thought killing would be easier than convincing him to my side, but I voiced nothing of my concerns.

"No. Just make sure he isn't named heir. You'll need him to get to his parents." My mother's nasal voice was sharp.

I nodded. "When?," I said, wondering how I could get into court. Perhaps if I bribe-

"Today. Your route has been planned. You need to pack one or two sets of clothes. I will give you enough money to last for bribes and such." My father was walking toward me, in his hand was a necklace.

"This," he said, "is hollowed out and it holds enough poison to kill fifteen people. This is a last resort." The innocent looking necklace was secured, the small silver pendant shaped like a star cool against the skin of my neck.

I nodded.

"Get your things, I will get you a letter that will see you over the border- then I will leave it to you. You will get the throne back to the us, then you will be heir, and then we will be rich and powerful. We will be completely happy." Mother's face twisted into a smile, and I was slightly revolted.

I walked calmly out of the door and went to my room to pack. I grabbed one nice looking dress and one plain. The main advantage I had over my mother was my looks. I knew so, and I can you them to my advantage.

I was soon ready to go, dressed in a peasant's dress. I braided my hair and wrapped it into a knot. After a few minutes of subtle changes, I looked very much the typical peasent, though nothing could hide my bright eyes. I made a complete search of my room for things I would need. Not much really, I would buy things when I got there. I was ready.

I walked calmly back to the study, feeling odd in the clothes. I opened the door and was handed a very large bag of something. Something other than coins.

"Those are gold nuggets, silver pieces, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, opals... you know. You are going to have to find a jewellry seller so you can get money, but I know you can handle it." My father examined me, and I heard him sigh. "You are ready, but I hesitate to send you out there. I know there probably is something I forgot to teach you. But I can't remember anything, so, you had better go before that stupid king finds out what we are doing."

I bowed to both my mother and my father and left the room. I went quickly to the armory to get a few daggers and throwing knives for protection. I left the house, knowing I wouldn't see it again for a long time, but unaware I wouldn't ever see it again at all. Things were going to change, but no matter how hard my parents prepared me, they didn't prepare my for what I found.







I used the letter my father gave me to cross the border. I had taken my horse from our stable. It was nearing nightfall, and I knew I had to find a place to sleep.

I rode aimlessly down a road through a village, watching as a boy chased another boy, oblivious to the world around them: happy. I have never had a cause to laugh. Seeing the antics of the pair of children made something unexplainably sad well up in my heart.

I obstinately shook my head to clear it of those thoughts. I had to find someplace to sleep.

"Girl, you on the horse!" a voice yelled from behind me.

I turned.

"Are you okay? You look lost." The voice belonged to an elderly looking woman with a friendly looking face.

"I am looking for a jeweler," I said quickly.

The lady pointed across the street to a small shop. "My nephew works there. Tell him Anya sent ya, and he'll help."

"Thank you," I said politely, wondering about the lady's motives.

I walked into the shop and was greeted by a young looking man who looked a me curiously through his piercing green eyes.

I took out a couple gold nuggets and explained a little by saying they were part of my inheritence from my late father. It was a lie, and I doubted slightly that he believed me. He accepted the story grudgingly and paid me for the gold, after making sure it was truly gold. I thanked him and turned to go, but his voice from behind me made me stop.

"You might want to take care, there is always a man who'll take advantage of you, especially out on the rode. Where are you staying?" he had come up behind me, and suddenly I knew without a doubt that he saw through my lies.

"No where," I said cautiously. He couldn't know who I was, but he knew the gold pieces weren't inheritence.

"You have to stay somewhere!" he snapped.

"Why should you care?" I accused.

He sighed and said, "Who sent you over here?"

"A woman named Anya."

He nodded, as if he expected it the whole time. "I guess she knows better than I do."

"What do you mean?"

"Anya is my aunt, and as much as I want to disbelieve her, she knows better than me about people."

"I wish for you to explain: what do you mean by she knows better, she and I barely spoke five sentences." I looked at him and held his eyes for a few seconds. Abruptly I looked elsewhere intimidatated by him. I had never known true fear, but that would be the feeling that sent shivers up my spine.

"She has magic, child, she tell if you are a bad person or if you are a good person, she can see you past and take a guess at your future," he said softly, but I heard every word clearly as if they were yelled aloud.

"Magic? Like... the queen?" I said softly, feeling I had been completely found out.

"Similar." he looked as if he was going to say something, but he changed his mind and whispered, "Very similar."

I shivered and turned to go.