Painful Existence: chapter 4

When I returned to the eyrie three days later, I immediately could sense that something was wrong. Everything around me was silent and forcibly hushed. Daemonar sensed it too, for he did not try to do anything arrogant. His lean body was tense and alert. We cautiously approached the eyrie, and could sense both of our parents inside. I slowly opened the door and peered inside. The first thing that I saw was Marian, wrapped in Father's arms, sobbing. Her whole body convulsed with each breath.

"What's wrong?" I asked quietly. The same question could be seen in my brother's eyes.

Mother's eyes flickered and settled on my. A great sob came from her as she wrapped me in her arms. I still had no idea what was going on. Neither did Daemonar, if looks are anything to go by. "Bless the Darkness! You're alive!" My eyes turned to my father, but he looked away.

"What is going on?" Daemonar's deep voice cut through Mother's weeping.

"Anduvian, sit down." Father motioned for me to sit beside him. "This is something that I wish had never happened, but it did."

"Wha--"
"Let me finish. Six Eyrien women were found brutally raped, broken, and murdered." He stopped and looked at me.

"Who?"

He gave me the names. Each was more painful than the last. All of them, all six, were close friends. I had seen all of them the day before I left to the Hall. I felt a cold chill break out on my skin, and a lump form in my stomach. I felt nauseous. My gut lunged viciously and I dashed outside to vomit. I felt Daemonar's hand on my shoulder. Salty tears pricked my eyes. After a trembling moment of shock, a sudden wave of cool washed over me. I straightened and walked back inside.

"Who is responsible?"

Father shook his head. "I do not know, but the bastards will pay. Dearly."

"Yes, they will." My own voice seemed foreign to my ears. "Is there a way to find them?"

He nodded. "Yes . . . ."

"Teach me."

His golden eyes widened. "I can't."

"Anduvian!" My mother screamed.

It hurt to do so, but I ignored my sobbing mother. "Yes, you can."

Lucivar snarled. "I can't! I don't know how!"

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. After a second, I spoke, "But you said. . . . "

"There is a way!" He stood and began pacing the room. "But I do not know it."

"Then tell me who does! I will not let this threat to Ebon Rih go unanswered for!"

Lucivar was sudden quiet. "You are too young, Anduvian."

"I will rule here someday."

He shook his head violently. "What you would see. . . . . Anduvian, I am a warrior and . . . . . what I saw chilled me deeply."

"I don't care! Tell me who!"

"There is only one." He hung his head. For the first time in my life, I saw my father completely defeated.

"Who?"

His eyes flashed as he looked at me. "Who do you think?"

"Sadi."

"Yes."

Daemonar stepped up, he looked worried. "You can't do this, Andie."

"I can and I will." I snarled. Yes, I was afraid. Yes, I knew it might break me to see what I would see. But, truthfully, I didn't care. Only anger and fury had a place in my heart now.

My brother put a restraining hand on my shoulder. "Be careful."

"I'm going back to the Hall." Lucivar looked at me and shook his head slowly. ::Be careful.:: His thought filled my mind. He stepped forward and wrapped me in a tight embrace. ::May the Darkness be with you, daughter.::