Silence of the Shadows


I ran out of the courtroom, past a very confused looking Jadrien, and I was trying to find my way out of the mazelike hallways. I ended up lost and upset as I raged against my parents.

How could they not prepare me for... this. Lust for power I knew intimately. A man's lust for a woman is known as well. I was prepared for physical strain, mental strain, but not emotional strain, except if you count the emotionlessness that I was trained to uphold. Haven't I worked on this all my life? Hasn't this been the whole purpose to exist?

I paced aimlessly for a few minutes, trying the one flaw in my teaching. Just one flaw, but I couldn't see it. What could make me loose my composure when an old lady with magic powers didn't loosen the mask?

I was getting cold, and I didn't have anything but my gown on, so I started walking again, if only to get warmth, because I hadn't the slightest clue where I was.

As I drew closer to an intersecting hallway, I heard voices coming from the other way. I ducked quickly into the shadows.

"Yes, I've heard about the problems with that border, but have you heard of the supposed witch that lives around the Northern border?"

"...can't catch her..."

"We need someone with straight answers..."

" ...someone could tell us..."

The voices faded.

My evil mind started thinking about what I heard. A witch, eh? One who answers to the name Anya? If she does know magic, than she does know what I am here to do. What if she spills? Why would she be kind to me if she were wanting to tell on me? Maybe I should get rid of her somehow. Maybe. I don't like the idea of me going back and killing someone. I'm sure that if she were arrested she would get out sooner or later. After all, I don't want to kill her, but put her temporarily into a place where she won't get in my way. If she tells, who would believe her over me?

I hurriedly walked down the next hallway when I recognised where I was. I stepped quietly onto the street and walked slowly towards Jaden's Family's house, where I was staying. I saw the house, but bfore I could approach it, a hand clutched at my arm and a hand was put over my mouth.

"Who are you, pretty girl? And what are you doing out?" a hoarse voice whispered in my ear as he pulled me into a dark alley. I quickly swung my foot back and kicked him straight into his crotch, ripping the expensive cloth of my dress. He let out his breath in a heave, but still he held on.

"What do you think I want you for missy? Not what your thinking, I can tell you that. I am a messenger, not a desecrator of beauty." He let go of me with a hearty laugh at his own ill-formed joke.

"I've a message for the King and Queen. And you are to give in to them, you hear? I will know if you don't tell them and I'll do some damage next time."

I resolve to keep my sword at my side at all times for now on.

"Tell the Queen and King that tomorrow is the last day. They must agree. Tell them that. Say it is from a Baroness Fialma. Tell them that if they don't agree, something will happen to them. Yes, tell them that."

"The Baroness Who?" I asked incredulously, not believing what I heard.

"Fialma."

"That can't be right," I said softly.

"Now listen here. Go tell their magesties that. Here," He grabbed my dress and tore it. Then he shove me into a particularly dirty part of the street. "Now they'll listen to you." He walked off.

I stared after him stunned. Why is my mother contacting the King and Queen? Sounds like she is trying to establish a peace. What is she doing? And if she is doing that, why am I here?



Myrddin

Please review
------------------------------------------------------------------------