It was dark and Morgan had no idea where she was. She tried to move or at least open her eyes but was unable to do so, her body feeling uncharacteristically heavy and clumsy as if she somehow had been hexed. Yet she could hear, she heard multiple voices. They were blurred and disjointed, she could not make anything out of them, however one voice soon became more distinct than the others: It was the distressed cries of a woman.
''Please..I beg of you, don't take her. Please! I'll do anything! Just don't take her away from me!''
There was no response, but Morgan could hear the woman trying to struggle with someone before being hit with something heavy. A loud sound of crashed furniture could be heard as the woman undoubtably fell.
Morgan could hear the woman stared to sob.
Armoured footsteps were heard moving away and the sound from the woman grew weaker. Before they disappeared, Morgan heard one last word:
''Morgan…''
Suddenly the young mage felt an urge to resist her current paralysis. She wanted to try to move towards the voice that now grew weaker. She was so close, so clo-
''FOOLISH MORTALS! YOU THINK THIS CONTAINER CAN HOLD ME!?''
''NOIRE, WOULD YOU STOP ACTING LIKE A BULL IN HEAT AND CALM DOWN! YOU'RE GOING TO TURN OVER THE CARRIAGE IF YOU KEEP TACKLING THE WALLS!''
With a jolt, Morgan was awake. The dream being interrupted by her companions' shenanigans. Noire was in the progress of forcing the carriage door open with her fist and feet, while Severa was desperately holding her back. Despite being the career soldier of their group, Severa had much trouble restraining her half-sister, who could become surprisingly strong whenever she shifted to her other more aggressive personality.
Not that Noire did it intentionally; the girl had been unusually unstable lately since they began moving into Ylisse. Severa was also visibly growing more restless as their journey to the Ylisse capitol progressed. And Morgan could barely remember the last time she had a proper rest, as she has been constantly plagued by more dreams that seemed to grow more varied and lifelike as time progressed. Morgan has always prided herself for being able to keep her emotions in check and keep a neutral view of things, but these dreams left her emotional and unbalanced. At times they made her feel joyous, sad or on the verge of tears. It was annoying, it gave Morgan a headache.
''DAMMIT MORGAN! STICK THAT HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS AND HELP ME WITH NOIRE!''
''BLOOD AND THUNDER!''
Another blow was felt through the carriage as Noire tackled the door. With a grunt Morgan rose up and tried to help the redhead restrain their violent sister. Her contribution didn't help much. Before long the carriage stopped and their Ylissean guards opened the door to see what the commotion was about. It took four guards to restrain Noire, as well as bind and gag her. The archer was then moved to a cage, as it was clear that she won't calm down for a considerable time.
With an exhausted sigh, Severa sat down at the opposite side of Morgan. The redhead looked at her sister with an annoyed scowl.
''Thank you, princess! Real nice of ya to just leave me to deal with that unstable pot head. Did you sleep well? Are you sure that you don't need another hour or so while we're being transported away to prison?''
Morgan returned Severa's annoyed expression. She knew Noire was not the real issue. She retorted sarcastically.
''Why I did have a pleasant nap until you idiots tried to turn over the wagon.''
''Well, I'm sorry for disturbing your beauty sleep your highness, but you could take more responsibility for this mess! It's your fault that we're practically prisoners and moved into the damn capitol of our enemies!''
And there was the real issue, Severa had in the last few days found any excuse to confront Morgan of their current predicament. Noire had her misgivings too, but she usually coped by turning to her more violent personality. When it came down to it Morgan preferred to deal with Noire and her explosive temper. It was less tiring then arguing with Severa.
Morgan sighed and rubbed her nose. Arguing with Severa would get her nowhere, she had already done that the last few days.
''What do you want from me Severa? You know I didn't ask for this.''
Severa expression seemed to soften a bit by Morgan's morose response. She leaned back with crossed arms.
''I want you to tell me what's going on. You're hiding something. I saw how the Exalt looked at you. I also noticed how similar you look to that Ylissean princess.''
Despite not being as well educated as Morgan, Severa always had a sharp ability to read her surroundings.
''Seems you have already figured it out.''
''I want to hear it from you.''
Again, Morgan sighted, she should have known that it would come out sooner or later.
''She is my mother. I didn't know before a few weeks ago when father told me.''
''I see, so that would make you the granddaughter of the Exalt. No wonder he accepted that offer from Validar.''
Severa paused before continuing.
''Or do you think he knows? How did this even come to pass? Did the princess elope with our father or did something else happen?''
Morgan grew weary, she would rather avoid talking about this, but she had little choice. Severa would otherwise plague her for the rest of the journey if her curiosity wasn't satisfied.
''I don't think so, I think he only suspects it. And no, my mother did not elope, she was captured, and father forced himself on her.''
The young mage left it at that. She preferred to avoid talking about her conception as little as possible. Severa seemed to take the hint and did not ask for further details.
''It's strange that father would send you to this meeting, instead of keeping you close and maybe use you later to claim legitimacy if there was dispute for succession in Ylisse.''
The bluenette was not sure if the redhead was talking to her or herself. However, Morgan did not like being referred as an object to be used at the most opportune moment. Still, she ignored this and decided to come with her own input.
''I think father did it to merely mock the Exalt.''
Severa remained expressionless and seemed to go into deeper thought.
''So, you think that you were just some kind of trophy? Strange, I always thought he was above such childishness. He never does anything without a higher purpose.''
Her sister might be on to something. Yet if there were a motive, Morgan could not figure it out. Her father's orders were simple: Go to the gathering, prance around the Exalt and go home. Validar handing her over to Ylisse was something that would only benefit her idiot brother. Oh, how she wished to just kick that smug bastard's teeth in.
''Did father ever mention my mother?''
Again, the young mage's thoughts were interrupted. She suddenly felt an unpleasant feeling in her stomach. It never occurred to her to ask about Severa's mother during her audience with their father.
''Yes, he did mention that your mother was a Guard Captain for the Exalt. He captured shortly after he had taken my mother captive. I don't know anything else other than that.''
Morgan did not elaborate further. It was by now clear that their father did not bother with seducing or in any way consider gaining consent from the mothers of his children.
Severa fell silent and turned towards the windows. An awkward silence engulfed the carriage. Morgan felt pity for the redhead and tried to come up with something to cheer her up.
''They did mention that father would release all prisoners during the talks. Maybe your mother will be one of them?''
At this her sister turned her head back to her and smiled.
''Oh, I highly doubt that. I know where my mother is: Dead. Dead and buried in an unmarked grave. My wetnurse once showed me it.''
''I'm sorry to hear that.''
''Don't be, I never knew her, and she properly did not want to know me either, since she died shortly after I was born. Still, it's nice to hear that we were both guards for royalty.''
At this the redhead turned her attention back to the window. Her expression had grown unreadable. Both girls did not talk again for the rest of the day.
Another chapter done! Sorry for the wait but got corona and had to lay down for a few days. Next chapter will hopefully come out sooner.
As always, I'm grateful for any feedback or comments. I have also been asked why Morgan seems to be somewhat loyal to her father despite his mistreatment of her and her sisters. It's quite simple really. She doesn't know anything better, but this will hopefully change in the future as she travels around and gain another perspective of the world.