Interlude XI: The Chosen of Ramiel
Lilaru opened her eyes and stared at the white sails that rippled above her through the grate of a ship's deck. She rolled over in her hammock and took in the narrow walls of a ships hold. Saul rested beside her on a makeshift bed of crates and bags of grain, his face haggard and eyes closed in exhausted sleep.
Saul? Lilaru croaked out, her throat tight and parched. Griselda? She turned to search the narrow space of the ships lower deck for her older twin sister. Sedric her voice caught as mory stirred like a bolt of lightning behind her eyes. Lilaru coughed and clutched her chest as her lungs seed to sputter and seize in panic.
Saul jerked suddenly awake and blinked up at her with a mixed expression of surprise, relief, and trepidation. Lilaru? He rubbed his neck gingerly as he sat up slowly. Youyou must be thirsty. Lilaru watched as the water witch found his feet and headed towards a barrel of water set against the opposite wall. Here, its the freshest water we have until we dock.
T-thank you, Lilaru mumbled wearily as she accepted the wood cup he brought over and quenched her throat. Where is Griselda? And where are we going?
Saul hesitated as he watched her drink, his right hand nervously rubbing the stubble along his chin and neck as he studied her. Were roughly a few hours away from Zarus and the Holy City.
The Holy C The cup trembled in Lilarus hand as she stared at her chaotic reflection caught upon its surface.
Griselda stared back with a sad but loving smile as she whispered, I will protect you.
The cup toppled from Lilarus numb fingers as she gripped the side of the hammock, which rocked unsteadily beneath her. Where is Griselda? she whispered, hysteria creeping up the back of her throat. Why are we going to Jericho?
Saul caught her shoulders as the hammock almost capsized. Dont you rember? Lafearian witches attacked us not far up the Serpentine River, he explained slowly. You and Griselda called down Ramiels thunder. I found you in the waves after the ship was destroyed, the witches along with it. He shook his head slowly. But Icouldnt find Griselda, Sedric, or Harold. Im afraid they were all killed by either the witches or Ramiels wrath.
Liar! Lilaru snarled as she slapped his hand away. My sister wouldnt leave !
I saw her push you from the ship just before Ramiels thunder hit the deck, Saul replied firmly. If she hadnt pushed you into the wateryou would have died with her.
Another painful flash of mory stirred behind Lilarus blinking eyes. The waves washed over her once more, blurring the image of Griselda as night beca day.
No, no. To invoke such a spell requires sacrificewe both Lilaru sucked in her lower lip and pushed aside the hammock blanket as she swung her legs over the edge. Griselda cant leave behind. Wewe have to go to Ventrayna to kill the Witch Kings. We her legs buckled before she could even put her full weight on them.
Saul caught her quickly and held onto her arms. Im sorry, Lilaru. But your sister is dead. She took those bastards with her and protected you, he hesitated as Lilarus face contorted in grief and anger, Griselda wanted you to live, Lilaru.
Lilaru swallowed down a scream of rage as she shook her head furiously. His words rang with unyielding truth matched by the mories she wished more than anything to tear from her mind. That was not her choice to make. Her voice cracked with pain and weakness. Lilaru pushed Saul away and leaned against the hammock beam for support. Nor was it your choice to take back to Jericho!
Im afraid that I was the one who made that decision, a womans voice replied as Saul turned and quickly bowed his head to their Mistress. Madam Maylea was of average height, with braided white hair tucked behind a veil that hid all but her strange white eyes. They were not the clouded eyes of a blind person but possessed a dim gray hue like the morning light through a windowpane.
Ghost eyes, Lilaru thought as she always did when peering into the womans all-knowing gaze.
Madam Maylea, Saul murmured respectfully.
You should rest, Lilaru, Maylea said neutrally in a tone that suggested this was not a request. I will have a al sent down now that you are awake.
Why are we going to Zarus? Lilaru demanded as Saul obediently lifted and carried her back to the hammock.
Because I have business with your brother, the Pope, and you need taking care of now that Griselda has gone, Maylea replied dismissively as she leaned down to pick up the wooden cup that had fallen from Lilarus hand and rolled across the floor.
I dont need looking afterI still have to return to Ventrayna!
If you want to die on a suicidal mission, so be it, Maylea replied. But not before youve t with your brother.
Why? Lilaru snapped as she sat up in the hammock and shoved Sauls restraining arm away. What do you want from my brother?
Maylea dipped the cup into the barrel of water and carried it over to Lilaru, What makes you think I want sothing from the Pope?
Wellif not the Popethen who? Lilaru grumbled as she accepted the wood cup but didnt drink. You always want sothing.
Mayleas ghost eyes squinted as her gaze remained focused on Lilaru. Perhaps I am interfering in hopes of reuniting what little remains of the Popes bloodline.
The cup in Lilarus hand trembled once more as the face of her father, mother, older brothers, Griselda, and Nesta all flashed before her eyes. Theyre all dead. The only family I have left nowis Jericho.
Maylea wrapped her hands around Lilarus and steadied the cup. I know you and your brother have been estranged sincewell, theres no need to get into thatbut you must realize that you cannot achieve revenge all on your own, Lilaru. Your brother can help you. He is the Pope and your family.
Jericho should have never beco Pope, Lilaru hissed angrily. Any of us would have been a better choice than that spineless coward!
Maylea released Lilarus hand and grabbed the younger womans chin firmly. Your brother is exactly where he is ant to be. The womans pale white eyes glowed ominously, even as the weight of her words settled into Lilarus mind with a sense of inescapable doom. And now you will return to deliver news of Griselda's death because that is exactly what you are ant to do.
Lilaru took in a ragged breath as her body fell numb beneath Mayleas gaze. Why? Jericho never cared about us beforewhy should he be bothered at all that Griselda isthat shes One broken sob after another shook through her as tears poured free. Maylea released her chin and passed the cup of water over to Saul.
So fates are unavoidable, my dear, Maylea murmured soothingly as she embraced Lilaru lightly. Griseldas fate was inescapable, but she spent her last monts ensuring your survival. Would you now throw away her courage and self-less love? The spymaster smoothed the tears from Lilarus face and sighed. I should not have assigned this task to you. Griseldas deathis my fault.
N-no, Lilaru protested between tears. Griseldawe both wanted to kill himfor what he did to Nesta.
But if I had waitedif I had chosen one of my other girls, Maylea murmured sorrowfully. You and Griselda would both be here to hear my good news.
Lilaru blinked in confusion. What good news?
Maylea smiled as she folded Lilarus hand around the damp handkerchief. I found Nesta, your little sister. She is still alive, Lilaru.
Lilaru stared in dumbfound confusion at the spymasters face. Alive?
And hiding inside Lafearas palace, Maylea confird. You may have even seen her during your mission.
W-what? Lilarus voice rose incredulously.
That is why I am taking you to Jericho. Maylea smiled as she straightened and adjusted her robes. The Pope will be traveling to Lafeara soon enough for the crown princes coronation. It would be for the best if you traveled with him. Rescue Nesta from the den of wolvesbefore they realize just who they are harboring.
Little Nestais alive. After all this ti. Lilarus voice faded as her eyes stared off into the distance, lost in a mory from another life before cruelty, madness, and anger had twisted her mind into a weapon of malice and grief. Of course, I will save her. That is what Griselda would do if she were here.
You must bring Nesta back to Zarus, no matter who stands in your way, Maylea murmured as her pale white eyes glowed once more.
Lilaru smiled as her turquoise-blue eyes remained focused on a vision only she could see. Yes, she murmured calmly. No matter who stands in our way.
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