Innocence Questioned.
Part 2
A pebble skipped across the water of the ornate garden pond leaving a trail of expanding ripples in its wake.
"Hah, that makes it twelve!" Called Incra'te, "can't see you beating that anytime soon sis".
"Stop being such a smart ass" replied Taless'naverine grinning as she readied her next stone.
"Come on Lessa, even as children you never could beat me at skimming and I was going easy on you then too" he teased, ducking just in time to avoid the stone aimed at his head.
Taless'naverine couldn't have asked for a more perfect summer's day she thought as she chased her brother around the family garden. She had just celebrated her seventeenth birthday and was overjoyed when Incra'te had arrived, managing to take time from his priestly duties to attend her coming of age ceremony, it had been nearly four years and taless'naverine had missed him deeply.
Earlier that day before her father, friends, various family acquaintances and members of the social elite, she had recited her oaths before the Pillars of the immortals in the cities Daedric temple; she had sworn to uphold and protect her house and empire, its morals and laws with her life.
The words were ashes in her mouth even as she had spoken them for she was held by another promise, one she had made many years before, to see nothing less than the destruction of the cornerstones of their way of life. The oppression, and genocide and the most base and degrading practices of slavery imaginable and something that her people had become completely blind to.
It was the true face of the glorious Ayleid Empire.
"Something wrong sis?" called Incra'te. "You look miles away
The silver haired woman smiled, forcing her dark thoughts aside "no I was just thinking".
"About anything in particular, you went all serious on me there".
She wanted so desperately to explain everything, the Silver way and the slaves, how their father had become a heartless and calculating butcher, but with his position as a priest of the high temple city, she found herself unable to open her heart to him as she always had.
Taless'naverine realised, to her shame, she couldn't trust him.
Movement caught her eye as guests made their way across the garden, waving as they saw the pair.
"Perhaps another time brother, it's not really important". Taless'naverine assured him
"Your sure?" he asked, concern playing across his face, his sister merely nodded before greeting her guests.
A breeze blew warmly through an open window as Taless'naverine walked down the long hallway, the silk curtains rippling against her body as she passed by.
She had retired early that evening, the day's events having taken quite a toll on her but since their time together in the garden Incra'te had not spoken to her so unable to sleep, Taless'naverine decided to prepare herself a small meal in the kitchens and spend some time reading and maybe, for a while at least enjoy a little leisurely diversion.
The Ayleid was passing by the dining hallway she heard the sound of movement from within.
More curious than alarmed she pushed the open the double doors into the grand dining hall expecting to find her father. The room was empty.
"Hello, Father is that you?" Getting no response she shrugged, putting it down to nothing more than an over active imagination turned to leave.
Finding the door before her was firmly closed.
Dread welled within her. She spun about, hearing something skittering about on the floor and cried out in horror.
Mudcrabs!
They were everywhere, crawling over the table, the furniture, down the walls. There were hundreds of them. a tide of chitin and claws crossing the floor towards her.
Screaming, Taless'naverine desperately tried to pull open the door, to no avail. The sound was overwhelming and squeezing shut her eyes Taless'naverine awaited the inevitable.
The sound ceased. Taless'naverine, the sound of her heart pounding in her ears, cautiously opened her eyes to see the hoard had stopped in its tracks about six feet from her, using the opportunity the Ayleid tried the door again, but was firmly sealed.
The sound of skittering movement renewed behind her and Taless'naverine turned to see a larger black mudcrab forcing its way through the others before stopping before her, just standing there, bobbing occasionally.
"By Sanguines balls" she muttered, "I'm going bloody crazy".
The mudcrab laughed. It was a rich, musical sound. "No lessa, not crazy".
Her jaw dropped, she knew that voice.
"Nandi?"
"You were always so very kind to me Lessa" the mudcrab replied. "Always taking care of me. I must go, but you must visit me, soon".
"What?" Taless'naverine asked, dumbfounded. "Visit where?"
"By the sea Lessa, I have so much to show you, so much you have to know".
Before she could respond, the mudcrab had turned had vanished amongst the others.
Taless'naverine leaned against the doors, silently watching the mudcrabs, when her heart skipped a beat. Out of the corner of her eye she could see someone standing next to her, looking straight at her.
With her heart pounding in her throat Taless'naverine tentatively looked upon the new arrival, and recoiled in horror, falling backwards she sent the mudcrabs scattering in all directions.
Standing before her like a vengeful god, Taless'naverine saw herself.
Standing there, her pale body was completely naked but covered from head to toe in arcane symbols, which appeared to be drawn in blood.
There were other differences to, her hair was longer and dishevelled and about her neck, held by a golden chain was a small black amulet, from which emanated an eerie blue glow.
The most terrifying thing about this twin, were her eyes, they were so full of fury and cold hatred that bored straight into Taless'neverine's soul.
The twin howled.
She arched back her head and howled, as if such a sound could sum up all the rage and pain and loss in all of the heavens, the twin howled for them all.
Taless'naverine cried out, sitting bolt upright in bed. Gasping for breath she held a hand to her hammering heart.
"Gods. A dream, just a dream" she muttered.
Her nightdress was soaked in sweat, much to her annoyance. Taless'naverine summoned a glow globe she pulled herself out of bed.
"Bad dreams?" a woman's voice asked from the shadows. Taless'naverine spun around to see a shadowy figure standing in the corner of her room.
"Don't worry, I aint here to rob you".
Her eyes fixed on the figure, Taless'naverine inched her way towards her chamber door. "If not, then who are you and how did you get past the house wards"? She demanded.
"The answer to your second dear is none of your damn business" the intruder retorted. "The first question however, I suppose you could call me, Silver way".