Splintered Fate Page 3

  She used the anger to fuel her and drew strength into the palm of her hand where, with a glow, she formed a simple silver butterfly. She gripped its form with an invisible hand, holding on to it, keeping it from falling back into silver dust. The butterfly floated into the air with a flap of its dainty wings and flew into the side of Kirill’s face, where Lana released her hold on it and it vanished to dust. The strength it took for Lana to hold the butterfly’s form as it drifted through the air caused her head to lightly spin. Luckily it was not enough for Kirill to notice.

  Kirill’s jaw clenched, his body tensing before she spoke again. “Kindness is power of its own, a power you could never have due to your blind hatred. You stupidly follow in your father’s footsteps because of that hate. I refuse to use my strengths to hurt those who have done nothing to harm me, for no reason but your disgusting pleasure. If the council believes that war is the only option, then I am more than capable of power. But for you Kirill, it is truly sad that you hide behind your hideous cape of blood in an attempt to hide your incompetence at wielding true Madonian power.”

  Kirill stood up with such force that he shook the table, knocking over his nearly empty mug of ale. Jett, Kirill’s Aorra, who had been overlooked while he was lying between Kirill and the wall, suddenly sprang to Kirill’s side. Jett was a black Aorra in the form of a wolf with cold silver eyes that perfectly matched Kirill’s.

  “I have true power! You idiotic woman. I alone have slayed more Rami than anyone, while you what? Can create a silly butterfly?”

  “I hear you cannot even communicate with your Aorra, or is that just another wolf that daddy made? Are you pretending to have an Aorra?” Lana said coolly. She had brought him to the edge and seeing him so angry brought her a dark satisfaction. There were rumors that Kirill did not actually have an Aorra of his own. Lana didn’t care much for rumors, but she could not resist using this information now. The fury in his eyes was worth it.

  “I seem to be communicating just fine!” Kirill said as Jett snarled by his side.

  “Yes you seem to be doing just fine…” Lana didn’t budge while they stood face to face. Kirill’s chest was rising and falling along with his quick angry breaths.

  “They say that I am fated for greatness! While you are nothing, you come from nothing, you are capable of nothing. What of you, Lana Casteel, what of your miniscule fate?”

  “We make our own choices. Fate has nothing to do with what happens.”

  “HAH. Says a simple woman.” The words snarled out from him. His neck was taunt with cords, pulled tight by her words.

  “Says a simple woman.” Lana nods. “To a man with a fate to not wield any real Madonian strength.” And with that Lana turned and walked out before more could come of the conversation. She could hear Kirill flip the table and curse behind her. A sliver of pleasure warmed her from within at the sound.

  You handled yourself well in the end, considering the circumstances Ardin entered Lana’s thoughts. Though to avoid the whole thing would have been best, your father will be quite angered.

  Her father, indeed he was going to be fumingly angry. Lana was supposed to be on good behavior, she was supposed to play nice. This day had hardly begun and had already taken a bad turn.

  I need a break from this walk. Lana mumbled in her mind. She tried to calm her emotions while making her way through the town. Her hands were shaking from the encounter. She hated Kirill for using her mother against her, speaking of her as a weak woman. Lana could not believe she and Kirill had ever been as close as they once were, that there had been a time she confided in him, a time she had considered him a friend.

  Lana walked through the winding streets of Abder with Ardin at her side. The buildings near the Sterling’s castle were all nice and clean, made of stone which matched the cobblestone of the streets. In the large square there was a fountain and all around people were going about their daily business. Sounds of merchants selling goods, children playing, people talking, created a steady buzz that drifted through the air, around every nook and cranny of the square.

  We are being followed.

  By who? Lana glanced to Ardin beside her. They continued at the same pace so as not to alert their followers.

  It seems to be two children.

  Children? Very well then. Lana and Ardin slowed their pace and came to a stop. After a moment she turned to face a small girl with a pixy cut and an even younger boy standing a step behind. Both of the blond headed children looked up at Lana with matching massive brown eyes.

  “It seems you two have been following us.” Before the children could reply Lana continued, “Is there anything I could help you with?” Her tone was kind but laced with the air of formal authority.

  The pixy haired girl eyed Ardin a moment before she took a small step towards Lana. “My name is Nadina and this is my brother Alex.” The girl gestured back to the boy who did not take his giant brown eyes off of Ardin.

  “It’s very nice to meet you two.” Lana greeted them with a kind smile.

  Lay down I think you are frightening the boy. She directed at Ardin and he thumped down on to the ground, trying his hardest to make himself appear smaller.

  “Now what can I do for you two?”

  “Oh, nothing really… I just wanted to let you know that we very much support you and your father.” The girl kept a steady voice that Lana appreciated. A lot of people seemed uneasy around council members, they feared the possibility of showing disrespect in any way. Naturally people tended to keep at a distance and none openly shared favoritism of certain members over others, especially when all of the council was gathered in the same place.

  Lana bent down to the girl’s eye level. “I appreciate your support, but I do not recommend you speaking so freely. Others may feel jealous that such a strong confident girl not support them as well.” Lana replied, somewhat jokingly, but with a wary word of advice attached.

  “But, grandfather always taught us that it is only appropriate to speak the truth especially to those who you support and respect.” The pixy girl replied confidently.

  “I suppose that is true, but one never knows who may be listening.” Lana said in an overly cautious tone. She had to suppress a smile while the boy standing behind the girl urgently proceeded to look around, making sure no one was eavesdropping. The girl however stood still, looking at Lana and Ardin, that is when Lana noticed the small fox like creature peaking out from just behind the girl. Golden eyes gazed up at her from behind the girl.

  Lana peered down at it. The small creature leaned out from behind Nadina, making its self more visible. It had pointed ears and red fur with a bushy tale. Its eyes were large, childlike, and yet clever.

  “Is this your Aorra?” Lana asked the girl.

  Nadina nodded “Her name is Nila.”

  Lana held out a hand while Nila cautiously examined it.

  “It is nice to meet you, Nila.” Lana spoke to the little fox.

  Nila looked up at Nadina and the girl released a small giggled. “Nila said she likes you.”

  Lana smiled. She, in all her moons of life, had only seen a fox Aorra a handful of times. The last time she was within such proximity to one was when she was only a child. They were Aorra’s known to be very clever and quite rare. Suddenly she had a yearning urge to spend more time with this little Aorra.

  “Would you like to walk with me?” Lana asked the children, knowing they would likely not refuse. She should have left them and parted ways, but being in the presence of Nila and the children managed to take her mind off of everything that had been bothering her.

  The girl enthusiastically nodded, “Yes we would love to!”

  The boy remained silent, not portraying any eagerness or opposition at Lana’s offer for them to accompany her. However, his eyes grew larger as Ardin rose from the ground. Lana wasn’t sure if he was breathing.

  “Alex is it?” The boy’s enormous eyes darted to Lana’s face. She knelt down beside Ardin, placing a hand on t
he white wolf. “He will not harm you, there is no need to fear him.” She said gesturing to her Aorra.

  “I am not afraid.” The boy simply stated.

  “Would you like to meet him? Ardin is a very gentle and noble creature.” The boy took a few timid steps towards them, stopping just out of reach of Ardin. Lana’s Aorra was about the size of the boy. “You could touch him if you want to, he won’t harm you.”

  “Its okay, I don’t need to.” Alex shoved his hands into his pockets.

  Enough, we must get going or you will face the wrath of your father for returning so late in the day. If the boy does not wish to be close to me I will walk up ahead of you. But be mindful of the time.

  Very well

  “Okay shall we? Unless you must get home?” Lana said as she stood up and fixed the fold in her dress.

  “No, we can walk with you some. Grandfather will be excited to hear that we met you.” Nadina replied with a happy smile. Her bright brown eyes almost looked gold as the morning sun hit them. The four of them began walking and making small talk while Ardin took the lead. Nadina walked beside Lana with Nila by her side. The boy cautiously walked to the other side of Nila, keeping mostly to himself.

  Lana learned that Nadina and Alex’s parents were murdered a little over a moon ago in a Rami attack on their home. They have been living with their maternal grandfather, who they said was a very funny yet wise old man.

  They all supported Lana and her father’s stance on the relations with the Rami and wanted peace. This surprised her, for more often than not, people who came from families that had suffered due to a Rami attack tended to seek revenge. However, their grandfather believed war was only a cause of more pain and anguish. He thought that each side was bitter, each side had suffered loss and the only way to put a stop to the pain would be for peace. Lana was impressed that young children could have such insight and understanding.

  The children walked Lana all the way to the guards outside the Sterling’s castle, where they were not permitted to go past. Lana thanked them for their company. Alex waved goodbye, Nadina surprised Lana with a hug goodbye and as swiftly as they had appeared, they were gone.

  Sweet girl, Lana thought to herself as she watched Alex, Nadina, and her little Aorra disappear down the cobble stone road.

  You felt something when you saw the young girl’s Aorra?

  I did. Lana replied to Ardin. He remained silent, waiting for her to continue, his blue gray eyes quietly watching her.

  Lana placed her hand on the door to the castle but paused. Before my mother had been taken from me and before I had been blessed with you, I was a child younger than that boy we saw today. My mother had an Aorra, it was a fox. Her Aorra was killed before you came along; so you never met her and the loss hurt my mother deeply, so we never talked about it. The girl’s Aorra reminded me of my mother. Ardin nuzzled Lana’s free hand. While they stood there, she let him into her thoughts, sharing with him her feelings whilst he sent her comfort.

  Chapter

  Two

  When Lana and Ardin entered the left wing of the castle, Earmon greeted them, sitting in the center of the hallway. He was an Aorra in the form of a black wolf, large enough for Lana to ride when she was a child. His eyes were unnaturally light blue and intense, they gave the impression of being able to see into the soul.

  Earmon stood in the entrance hall and grumbled to himself when he saw the two of them approaching. He turned, escorting them to Valdor’s room. Lana glanced down at Ardin, who followed in silence. We get an escort? Father must be furious.

  Ardin peered at Lana. Biting her bottom lip in nervousness, she stared at the floor moving beneath her feet. Her mind raced along with her rising pulse. He could feel that she was anxious and it amused the wolf.

  You show no fear or hesitation with the blood soaked power hungry Kirill Dukran, who you will be locked in a room with later today, but your own father makes you tremble, he observed.

  Lana continued walking, pretending not to have noticed Ardin’s remark. They walked down the halls, which felt infinitely shorter then they had earlier that morning. Lana hated upsetting Valdor, and it didn't help that he had a way about him that caused her to feel truly small. She was dreading this. His thoughts on the mornings events were bound to be unpleasant.

  A guard outside her father’s room took note of the three of them approaching and silently opened the door. Earmon entered immediately, while Lana paused outside, taking in a deep breath before entering her father’s room. Ardin followed closely behind.

  The curtains in the room were pulled back, allowing for sunlight to brighten the otherwise dark space. Valdor sat at a large desk which was littered with papers, maps, and various important things. The room had stone walls and tall bookshelves stood to the side of the desk, filled with books which belonged to the Sterlings. The bed was off to the side and that entire area remained dark despite the large window behind the desk. It looked almost like two separate rooms, yet there was nothing concretely separating the two.

  As they entered, Valdor’s brown eyes shot up and he stood from his seat. With a painfully slow stride he walked a few steps around his wooden desk, proceeding to casually lean on the edge with one hand casually clasping his other wrist in front of him. The sun glistened off of his dark hair, further highlighting the grey in his temples. His brown eyes were focused solely on Lana. For a breath the room was entirely still.

  “Lana, my darling, my wise daughter. What have you been getting into this morning?” The kindness laced in his voice was particularly misleading.

  Lana’s throat went dry, we are in trouble, she thought.

  No, you are in trouble. Ardin corrected.

  She wanted to kick him, but instead began trying to explain with a soft voice, “Father I decided to go on a short walk to clear my head befo…”

  “And is it?” Valdor interrupted.

  Lana stood before him with a confused expression, loosing her train of thought. Her father continued, “Your head, has it been cleared?”

  Heat rose to her cheeks and her face flushed as she looked at the ground “yes” she gave a small reply.

  Ardin simply sat off to the side watching the exchange. He was amazed how Lana, one so willful and strong could be weakened and frightful of the one person she could be sure would never harm her. She had transformed from a strong woman to a small child in one short morning.

  “Oh really? You think having a public outburst with Kirill Dukran is something a person with a clear head might do?” He asked with a calm questioning voice, as if this were truly a question that he hadn’t known the answer to.

  Lana kept her eyes down, avoiding Valdor’s powerful gaze. “I didn’t mean to…”

  “You very much did mean to. For the love of our lands Lana, today of all days, you do realize the Dukrans are a very powerful family? They are powerful, gifted as Madonians. Many greatly admire and respect that family an--”

  “They are monsters!” Lana blurted out, unable to stop herself. Hearing her father tell her how loved the Dukrans are was unbearable. She felt sick with hate for that family.

  “Enough!” Valdor slammed his large hand on the wooden desk “You will never say that out loud again!” his voice boomed throughout the room.

  Both Ardin and Lana flinched. Valdor’s hand reached to his temples, rubbing them for a moment with closed eyes before turning back to Lana. With an even tone he continued, “You are not a child Lana, nor are you a stupid girl. At the very least I didn’t raise you to behave in this manner with a member of the Madonian council. So, why would you act like you did this morning? It baffles me. There is no point in telling you what you did was wrong, nor is there much time for nonsense.” His brown eyes pinned her while he spoke. There was such power behind his gaze, it was unbelievable. “You and Kirill were friends a long time ago. If anyone had some form of persuasion with him, it may have been you. You don’t have to like him Lana, but you shouldn’t be building enemies. Nor should you
belittle him in front of an audience! The Dukran are a proud family, you know this.” Valdor paused. His thick brows pulled together as if in thought.

  Lana didn’t know what to say so she simply stared at a small wooden wolf figurine on his desk, avoiding eye contact. She felt guilt, for disappointing her father, anger because of the Dukrans, and incredible frustration for everyone referring to her childhood friendship with Kirill. As if the distant friendship some how made everything better or more important. As if she and Kirill could ever be friends again. Lana felt that their entire once upon a time friendship was completely irrelevant to the events of today.

  Only when Valdor sighed did she allow herself to again meet his gaze. “You have ten minutes to go gather what senses you have lost this morning. You will keep to yourself in today’s council meeting unless you are directly spoken to, and even then you are to speak as little as possible. I do not need to worry about you today.”

  Lana was looking at the ground again. Tears had begun to pool in her eyes. She glanced up at her father. “He said mother was incompetent and a coward.”

  Valdor exhaled a long breath, looking at his daughter a moment before replying, “Your mother was a great woman. What anyone else says about her should not affect you. She wouldn’t want her memory to be the reason you are made a fool.”

  Lana simply nodded in response. For a moment her eyes held Valdor’s gaze. Neither one moved or said a word. The space between them was filled with dust that glimmered in the light seeping in from the window. The dust danced in the silence between them. Moving in every direction the current of air carried it. It was not weighed down by gravity, by the world. What freedom, to be able to float through the world, to glimmer in the sunlight.

  “You look more like her every day,” Valdor said in a soft tone, looking at his daughter for a moment with an unusual gentleness in his eyes. The soft pause lasted only a moment before Valdor turned away, returning to the work at his desk. “Now go, I’ll meet you in the Grand hall in ten minutes, and make sure your head’s on straight.”