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Shadows of Souls only $2.99
Extract from Shadows of Souls:
"Darkness. Darkness. Darkness." She kept mumbling that word over and over again. Lady Betlinde Byrr did not understand how her cousin, Reyner, could stand being constantly in the woman's presence, even if she was his sister.
Her cousin Elphina had been dressed in a stunning yet simple spun gown of pale green that her hunched posture ruined the effect. Her faded white lace gloves clutched tightly the arm of her brother, Reyner. Elphina wore her hair loose with no jeweled ornaments, only a string of fresh blue crocuses had been woven into a line across the top of her head. Around her neck she wear only a single strand of gold.
Unlike her cousin, Lady Betlinde Byrr, wore an ornate red gown that flowed elegantly off her shoulders, and spread slightly out underneath her from the back with a golden collar and cuffs. Lady Betlinde had pinned her golden locks to the top of her head with many bejeweled hair pins, old family heirlooms from the Fall of the Raihoparran Empire.
Her white gloved hands spread wide as she welcomed them, standing upon the path that lead into her estate. She smiled at her two cousins, "Welcome, my dear cousins. I cannot remember the last time I have had the pleasure to entertain yourselves."
She could hear Lady Elphina's constant muttering of 'darkness' even as she had spoken earlier. She did not wait for a response from them as she quickly began to lead them across the mostly smooth gray flagstones that ran along the Estate's Eastern Path.
Lord Reyner remarked as he made to follow her down the path, "It has been many years, indeed, Betlin. I am glad that you could meet with me today, let alone to be invited to your fine home. I assure you I am greatly honored to be received at the Main House here."
She smiled slightly having almost forgotten her cousin's nickname for her in their youth. She remembered how he had been so uncouth and climbed the trees in the gardens in the rare visits his branch family had made in the past. Now dressed in dark reds and even a few sapphire rings and golden pendant bearing House Byrr's sigil, a winged ram made of platinum with golden horns and ruby eyes, he cut a very different and handsome picture with his dark blond locks and handsomely chiseled face.
She could still faintly hear those murmurings from Elphina, but she brushed them to the back of her mind as she lead them off the path and out into the garden proper of the Eastern side of the Estate. A large stone gazebo rested at the center of the garden, and was large enough accommodate a group of twenty people.
Betlinde seated herself at the head of the table as her servants began bustling about with tea and trays. Her guests seated themselves to her left, Elphina's hand still clutching onto the arm of her brother, her head bent downward as though she was staring at the table. Her female cousin's eyes staring beyond the intricate flowers and rams designed into it to some daydream that Betlinde could not begin to fathom.
A servant began to pour the sweet smelling tea into their cups. Amongst these bustling servants were Mordrek slaves. Naturally House Byrr had these Mordrek slaves all properly educated and spirits broken from long centuries of service to their illustrious House. Though to a commoner their clothing appeared elegant and tasteful as far as the nobility, such as Betlinde herself, were concerned they were dressed in rags; old clothing that had not been fashionable in Ainar's Court in centuries. The Byrr Family had given these slaves the chance to raise up above their savagery to be part of something far more noble and improve their lives by joining civilization, even if it was only as slaves. They were better off for they were part of a cultured and true civilization, or so Lady Betlinde and like minded nobles thought of their Mordrek slaves.
Reyner took a sip of the sweet smelling tea and smiled, "Mm. The balance of flavors is quite good. I have not seen Uncle at Court for several years now. I trust that Uncle Arnuad is well?"
Betlinde returned the smile, "My father is quite well, and it touches me that you are so concerned for his welfare. He spends much of his time locked away with his books, reliving the past glories through tomes rather then at Court."
The truth of the matter was that her father had become a hindrance to her goals and those of the Empire that truly desired to achieve greatness once more, at least in Betlinde's mind. She had him locked away in his library with his 'precious' books. Books that he had put more value in then his only child, who should have been born male. Locked away she now had complete control and in his name acted as the Head of House Byrr. She continued to smile despite her loathing at her father being the topic of conversation at the moment.
She tried to change the subject away from her father, "Though as I said it touched me to hear your concern, I trust that is not the sole reason you arranged this meeting, dear cousin?"
Betlinde took a shallow sip from her cup enjoying the subtle flavors of the tea. One of the servants helped her cousin, Elphina, to pick up a cup in both her hands. The servants urged the daydreaming noblewoman to drink before the tea grew cold.
While the servants tried to help and urge Elphina to drink the tea Reyner himself placed his tea cup down and leaned forward only a little, "Indeed I have come with serious intent in mind, Betlin. Your passionate words at Court have moved the hearts of many. Mine included. Your position and concern for the Future of Ainar is a Truth many recognize, but fear to voice. Your words will not doubt bring our House to be the rising star at Court, and I merely wish to offer all my support and that of the branch families to you."
Betlinde smiled pleased with how things with her handsome cousin were unfolding. She only wished that the annoying hissing drone of her dotard of a female cousin in the background would cease.
She heard the tea cup shaking between her cousin's hands as her voice grew ever louder until it was almost shouting, "Darkness. SERPENTS!! BROTHER! Serpents in the Shadows! DON'T GO!"
Reyner hissed at her as he took her hand and squeezed it to try to calm her, "Silence yourself! I am right here, and trying to make important arrangements with our cousin."
She quieted her voice from a shout down to a mutter. Her eyes glazed and looking at some daydream that had her body still shaking so that some of the tea sloshed out onto the table as the servant who had been trying to get her to drink quickly set about cleaning up the spilled tea.
Lady Betlinde took another sip from her cup, her thoughts of wonder at why he did not simply keep the wretched woman locked up somewhere. Her cousin, Elphina, was not fit for these social occasions. Elphina had claimed since childhood that she had the ability to see into the future, but when the girl had turned thirteen her powers began to frighten herself. Yet despite her claims, Lady Betlinde and the others had never once seen a single of Elphina's visions come to pass. They dismissed them as nothing more then fanciful daydreams.
"I am glad of your support. I see that you are indeed a man of wisdom to ally yourself to the main house." She said smiling. "Perhaps we can now discuss the particulars what form this support shall take."
The sound of the tea cup shattering upon the ground interrupted further talk. A long, thick line of tea spread out heading towards Betlinde. Elphina had returned for the moment from the daydream and now stood with terror piercing her eyes as she stood with her hands tightly gripped onto her brother, pulling on his sleeve.
She frantically begged as tears streamed down her face, "Brother no. Do not enter the Serpent's Maw. Please brother no. Do not let the Darkness eat you. I don't want to be left alone. Please don't leave me. Please...we have to get out of here."
He brushed her off of his arm, clearly annoyed with her behavior, "Enough of this nonsense! I am sorry to burden you, but do you think you could arrange for my sister to be taken home. Then you and I can discuss our plans for House Byrr at greater length."
Betlinde smiled glad to be rid of her annoying and insipid female cousin, "Of course, cousin dear. I would be only to glad to be of use to you. As I no doubt you plan to be glad to help my plans for our Empire."
"Please..no don't leave me. The Darkness comes! The Fires come! Please...don't leave me." Elphina ripped his sleeve as the servants forcefully separated her from her brother. Betlinde knew that her cousin was lost once again in some imagined and foolish fear from her daydreams. Elphina struggled as she was lead away from them, fighting the servants as Lady Betlinde lead her cousin, Reyner away from the Gardens and into the House proper.
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