Chapter 1

Chapter 1

 

It was quite a spectacle. Not that seven travelers was uncommon in that day and age. Always good to travel in groups. Especially in this part of town. But it was the way in which they were walking that caused some to gaze in that direction. Two men walked in front, brown cloaks trailing and hoods drawn up. Though they tried to keep themselves secret, any passerby, who was accustomed to living there, could easily pick out that they were armed, as silver gleamed out from underneath the cloaks.

Behind them was an older looking man, not old from the passage of time so much as by the experience and knowledge he had gained in his life. He wore a simple grey cloak though his hood was not raised. The cloak was a meager disguise over the white-gold flecked waistcoat and tunic, and stainless white silk breeches he also wore. A growing bald spot crowned his head with thin brown curtains falling to his neck. The creases and lines of his face were rigid as the procession walked. His green eyes were frightened as they walked deeper into the cities darkness but still they conveyed some hope. Perhaps this would not be so hard.

 On either side of this man were two girls. One better described as a woman perhaps as she had more clearly blossomed than her counterpart. Still however this “woman” was sheepish in her step and her timid green eyes were doing their best to be transfixed only on the cobblestoned road. A thin golden circlet encircled her head and her light brown hair was let down and flowed to below her shoulders. Underneath the cloak was hidden a beautiful cream and teal baroque dress. Her pearly slipper shoes clopped softly against the road. She had not made or uttered a sound since their departure.

The “girl” was light and dainty in the way she moved. Her electric jade eyes were full of energy as they attempted to take in the surroundings so as to have a perfect recollection. She had been told to try and not draw attention to her or the party, but her insatiable need to explore contradicted this childlike rule. Behind these three was a mirror of the two men walking in front. Two more men brought up the rear, both in brown cloaks with hoods dawned.

“Are we almost there papa?” Piped the small girl as the party turned off onto a side road.

The atmosphere changed instantly. Though before the surrounding buildings and people seemed less than cheery or welcoming this present passage was all the more frightening. The only light came from the setting sun and all windows were closed. The houses themselves seemed to leer down angrily at the party. This only enhanced the older men’s fears.

“Not much farther dear.” he choked out. His mouth was parched.

 “How much longer?” the girl asked her eyes beaming.

“You mustn’t ask such things Eliza!” the woman exclaimed sounding tense.

The man’s eyes grew large as he turned to the woman. She seemed to see a reflection of herself in the man’s eyes and quickly softened.

“I’m sorry Lizzy.” she whispered.

“Time is something that we must cherish at this moment Rebecca,” the man said lowering his gaze and taking a quick glance at the small girl “We do not know how much more will be spared our way.”

“I still don’t understand why we had to come” Eliza said emphasizing the we.

“We must show- I must show my sincerity in what I plan to ask.” The man answered. A troubled look again came upon his face.

 “Someone approaches sire!” the front right man whispered back to them.

Though it was difficult to see now, since stars were beginning to make their presence, a figure was advancing towards them. He was clad in full black from his thick boots to the monstrous cloak and hood he wore. A shiny medal above his left breast was all that reflected to signal his approach. The figure walked deliberately and with purpose as the party came to a halt, the four men preparing themselves for an attack. The stranger finally came to a stop seven or so feet in front of them, his arms crossing over his chest. He was a tall man at least six and a half feet tall as he towered over the group.

 “What would a group such as yourselves be doing down in a place like this?” his voice sounded deep and menacing. In fact it surprised the man since it came off almost as a tone of anger. The older man fearfully stepped past his protectors, squeezing his daughters hand before letting it go.

“We come to see the Justicar.” He had rehearsed and prepared for this confrontation and had decided that it would be best to go with what was whispered in dark back alleys such as the one he found himself in at present.

The stranger moved his hand towards the inside of his cloak. The guards tensed further. The stranger gave a soft laugh as he withdrew from his pocket a small silver coin and began to flick it into the air.

“Not sure what you mean by Justicar. Perhaps you’ve lost your way and need guidance back to which you came.”

 The older man panicked slightly as the task ahead seemed to be growing more difficult than he previously thought.

 “We come to see the Justicar” he repeated speaking the words slower.

“I already told you man. I don’t know what you mean by that.” The stranger said his voice growing slightly impatient.

 The coin began to pick up speed appearing to rise and fall faster than before.

“I come to see the Justicar.” The man exclaimed, full panic setting in.

The coin had become a blur of silver hovering above the stranger’s fist it was moving so fast.

Achoo!

The blur vanished and the stranger and man froze. The man turned his head slowly to see Eliza rubbing her nose.

 “And who do we have here?” The strangers voice asked, anger still the tone ringing in his speech. The man turned his head quickly but found the stranger gone. Aware of a warmer presence near him the man looked down and saw the stranger on one knee before the girl at eye level. The guards also not as fast to react drew out their weapons towards the kneeling man.

“What is your name child?” his voice was nearing rage.

 “Leave her alone” the older man shouted. Two sword points emerged over Eliza’s shoulders and two more against the back of the stranger.

“Elizabeth or Eliza which ever you prefer, though my friends call me Lizzy.” The girl’s voice was not fearful but rather cheerful as though she were meeting a new potential friend. She didn’t seem at all intimidated by the strangers tone or hostile nature.

 “And who do you consider a friend?” the stranger yelled. The sword points pushed harder and the two guards in front advanced closer to the man’s face.

 There was a soft gust of wind followed by a soft “ixxxx” sound trailing off.  The stranger then rose up quickly; the swords retreated slightly but still were leveled towards him.

 “It would appear I am wasting time,” he spoke now in a bored monotone voice “I cannot say I am sorry since I feel no aversion to what I have done. I ask you again what would a group such as yourselves be doing in a place like this.”

The man retreated back to stand between the stranger and Eliza, grasping the girls hand.

“I come to beg an old friend.” The old man breathed heavily. The stranger smiled.

“Of course he said to expect you. He’s in the gallery if you wish me to take you to him.” The stranger’s voice lightened dramatically and was suddenly very cheerful almost like a child telling visitors where his parents were.

This sudden change in events caused the man to flounder about thinking of how to proceed.

“Ye-yes” he managed to stutter.

 

They were falling. It had happened so quickly that no one was ready, except of course the stranger. One instant the man was answering yes the next they were falling. Falling through nothing but impenetrable blackness. The landing was the most interesting. There were four yelps of pain and two soft oofs. The blackness thinned and the stranger appeared in front of the older man who appeared to be buried waist deep in sand.

 “Once again not sorry but I would have thought an old friend would be more accustomed to maneuvering around these parts.”

The older man glared.

“Where’s my-”

“Oh your guards seem to have all missed their landings.” The room was instantly brightened. They were in a grey stoned room, it looked like an enormous prison cell though the ceiling seemed to taper off into blackness, and the man could now see the origins of the groaning. The other four men were rolling on the hard stone grasping their legs. Not far from the man he could see Rebecca laid out on a mound of what appeared to be snow.

“Where is-”

“Lizzy?” the stranger grinned. He was met with a stone glare. “Oh come now, since it was not made clear as to which category I fall under I took the liberty of classifying myself as a friend.” The stranger reached out a hand.

“Where is my daughter!” the man shouted. The stranger sighed and pointed upwards. The man quickly looked above him and gasped suddenly as he saw his youngest daughter circling above at least fifty feet in the air, the many ruffles of her light salmon dress rippling in the air. She was gliding spread eagle in small circles completely oblivious to what was below her.

“Eliza come down!” the man shouted fear gripping his throat straining the words.

“I wouldn’t” the stranger said in a light whisper.

“Eliza come down!!!” the man shrieked breaking free of the choking grasp. Almost instantly the girl turned her head down and her eyes locked with her fathers. Then she began to fall like a stone towards them.

“No…” the man whispered in horror. Eliza tumbled forward like a doll towards the hard rock floor no soft landing appearing beneath where she was sure to make her impact.

“No!” the man yelled.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion, Eliza began to land on her right foot, the expression of pain slowly radiating throughout her face shattering her fathers. Then instantly she was in the strangers grasp her back and knees held up by his arms. The man found himself running towards them though he was not sure how he had been freed.

“How’s Rebecca doing?”  The stranger asked to the man in a light voice. The man instantly froze and retreated a few steps to where his other daughter laid spread out on what was surely snow. He knelt next to her, clutching her hand in his and lifting her head with his other.  She stirred slightly.

“Are you all right Becky?” he asked hopefully.

She blinked a few times trying to focus on her father.

“I think so,” she stammered steadily driving the fog back from her sight. Her eyes grew large immediately as her head was fully cleared. “Where is Liz-?”

“Lizzy is in relatively fit condition the poor girl appears to have fainted,” the stranger announced, somehow appearing behind the man. “Seems to have sprained her foot. Lucky I was there to save her” He said the last few words like there was a hidden meaning to them.

“Why is it so cold” Rebecca asked shivering slightly.

“It would appear you fell in some snow,” The stranger said as if it were a common occurrence like the sun rising and setting. “May I offer you my cloak since you all seem to have misplaced yours?”

 The man turned hastily towards the stranger and saw that he held his thick black cloak out in one hand and clutched Eliza close with the other, the shiny medal replaced on his long black linen shirt.

“Let me see Elizabeth” the man said in a low voice.

“She is perfectly fine in my care, perhaps you should tend to your other daughter.”

 “I can tend to both.” The man said his voice rising.

“I insist” the stranger said his voice growing hard but still keeping its cheerful tone.

There was stillness in the room as the man stared intently at the stranger. He could see, now that they were in better light and the cloak removed, the identity of the stranger. The man had a clean boyish face, pointed chin and a sharp nose. He had thick wavy jet black hair that looked as though he had just returned from swimming as a few strands were sticking to his cheek and the bulk swept haphazardly out of his face, his wavy bangs hid part of his forehead and his broad eyebrows. His eyes were darkly hollowed and a striking light purple and they glared down at the man half amused yet unfaltering. Reluctantly the man took the cloak and helped Rebecca up and into it. It wrapped around her body perfectly.

“And what of my guards” the man asked now realizing that the room had grown quite of moans.

“Oh I’m afraid that they all shattered their legs and won’t be joining us any further. They are being tended to I can assure you,” the stranger said smiling. Another gust of wind and the trailing “ixxxx” sound passed.

“I am keeping you from our journey. Still not sorry though.”

The stranger turned on his heel and began to trot towards the far wall. The man quickly chased after him and arrived at his side.

“Let me have her” he said slightly pleading. He was now able to properly see his daughter. Eliza’s cherubic face was still, though the man could hear her soft breaths escaping her pink lips. Her eyes were closed and she seemed to be relaxed.

“She is perfectly at peace, no need to disturb that” the stranger said still walking.

“She is my daughter.”

Rebecca appeared at the strangers other side.

“We are her family give her to us” she said slightly annoyed.

“I insist on carrying her” the stranger replied.

 “She is not yours to look after!” the man exclaimed.

A small yawn issued from Eliza and her limp hand outstretched. As her other hand came in contact with the strangers chest she opened her eyes.

“Now see you’ve awaken her,” The stranger said sounding perturbed. Before the man or Rebecca had time to answer the stranger quickly asked. “Are you fine where you are at Lizzy?”

 Eliza looked at him with questioning eyes.

“Yes” she answered.

“You see she’s fine” the stranger picked up his pace of walking, still carrying Eliza who seemed at ease in his arms.

They walked silently through the bleak stone hallway. Whenever Rebecca or her father attempted to make a sound of protest they were met with the strangers purple stare. On either side of them were large stone archways, set about seven feet away from one another, bricked up to deter entrance.

 “Who are you?” Eliza asked finally. The stranger darted his eyes down to meet hers.

“Who am I?” he said lightheartedly.

 “Yes, what’s your name?”

 “Ah my name! I haven’t introduced myself. Surely however your father must have told you who I am since he is an old friend.” He paused to look towards the man who only replied with a disgusted sneer.

“No he didn’t, I’m not quite sure who it is we are even going meet.”

“Liz-” the man began.

“Is that right!” the stranger interrupted. “Well then you can call me Felix.”

 “Felix?”

“Yes, Felix”

“Is that what your friends call you?”

 “What?”

 “Your friends do they call you Felix?”

The stranger let out a laugh that echoed throughout the hallway.

“Yes that is what my friends call me.”

“So I am your friend then?” Eliza asked sounding hopeful.

“Of course you are my friend, as I am yours Lizzy.” Felix exclaimed. “Would a friend let you fall to your demise?”

Eliza looked at him curiously, not comprehending.

“Demise is another word for doom.” Felix clarified

 Eliza shook her head.

“And that is what I didn’t let happen. See how I am carrying you.”

Eliza nodded. “Why are you carrying me?”

“Well you were falling and I caught you.”

“Then why does my leg hurt?”

Felix frowned. “I had thought that your father was going to help you but he only stood idly by as you fell.”

The man awoke from hearing this.

“That’s a lie! I couldn’t move to help her!”

 “You couldn’t move?” Eliza gasped looking at her father.

“No I couldn’t Lizzy.”

 “And no one tried to help you?” Felix asked mimicking Eliza.

 “What?” the man looked up breaking his attention to his daughter.

“No one offered you a hand?” Felix asked a crocked smile appearing on his face. The man froze thinking of an answer.

“When she was falling I couldn’t move but somehow after you caught her I could.”

 Felix had a full grin on now though Eliza could not see it as she was still staring at her father.

 “So you “thought” you were unable to move until after it was all over?” Felix asked

“What?”

 “Did you try to move before you saw Lizzy falling?”

 “No I was looking for her” the man stuttered.

“And after you found her, was she in danger?”

“I-”

 “Was she in danger?”

 “Not that I could see but maybe.”

“And when she began to fall did you try to move to save her?”

 “I was too far away to-”

“Did you try to move to save her?”

 “No! I was too far away to make it to her!”

“But I made it to her” Felix said a slight laugh escaping his lips.

“I don’t know how you did it” The man said through gritted teeth his eyes cold and glaring at Felix.

 “So the two unknowns are how I managed to save her and if you indeed had the power to make a move to save her why didn’t you.” Felix was now glaring equally as cold.

They walked in silence then. Eliza who was not looking at either, instead letting her eyes wander around the dark hallway, finally said.

“I’m sure daddy would have saved me.”

 Felix switched his tone to be more cheerful and childlike. “How do you know that Lizzy?”

 “Because he loves me.”

“Does he now?!” Felix exclaimed in mock surprise.

“Yes he does”

 “And your daddy saves the things he loves does he?”

 “Yes he does” Eliza said proudly.

“Well I am glad to know that” Felix said coldly starring at the man. They walked in further silence.

“How much longer?” Eliza asked having grown bored of the repeated pattern of blocked archways.

“Let’s say five minutes. Any other questions I can answer for you Lizzy?” Felix asked.

“I can ask whatever I want?”

“No!” Felix said quickly coming to a stop. Eliza frowned. “All but that question” Felix laughed grinning widely, continuing to walk.

Eliza looked to her father who gave a reluctant nod. He to wanted some answers and hoped Eliza would ask the right questions.

“What is that?” Eliza pointed to the medal on Felix’s chest.

 “Oh do you want to see it?” Felix asked

 “Yes please.”

Felix in a quick movement moved Eliza so that she was sitting on his shoulders and knees in front of his face. Then he unhooked the medal and flicked it up to her. Eliza only barely managed to get her balance in time and catch the medal. Felix turned his head to the man, daring him to object. The man resisted the urge and decided to let it play out. The medal was surprisingly warm in Eliza’s hands. In this mysterious light, the source was unknown, she could see that engraved in the metal hexagon was a big red ornate X. Looking harder she thought it resembled two L’s placed back to back and one of them rotated. In the gaps between the L’s were tiny words embossed in silver and gold.

“What does it say?” Eliza asked running her finger over the words.

“Intemporaliter Fidelis. Intemporaliter Iunctus. Eternally loyal, eternally connected.” Felix said.

 “Why do you have it?”

 “Think of it as a friendship badge. It lets people know that I am friends with your father’s old friend.” Felix shot a glance at the man.

“Who is that anyway?” Eliza exclaimed as though finally remembering something important.

“Who’s who?”

 “Daddy’s old friend?”

“What did your daddy tell you?” Felix asked looking truly curious.

 “He said that we all had to go and talk to his old friend. That hopefully his friend would be able to help us and have some answers.”

“Answers to what?”

“To help our problems”

 “What are your problems?”

“Elizabeth” the man spoke up, a sign of warning in his speech.

“Who is daddy’s old friend?” Eliza asked getting back on track.

 “His name is Livius Essia.” Felix said grinning to himself. “Any other questions?”

 Now the man was anxious to have his daughter follow up with a very important question. He grew hopeless however as he realized that he should have shown her the object he kept clutched to his chest.

 “Why are your eyes purple?” Eliza asked handing back down the medal. Felix chuckled as he replaced it quickly to his chest.

“Why are your eyes green?”

 “Because daddy and mommy’s eyes were green”

 “Interesting”

 “So your daddy and mommy’s eyes were purple?” Felix’s eyes froze stiff in their sockets. He continued as though he were a sleepwalker, not answering back.

 “Felix?”

“What do you associate the color green with?”

 “What?” Eliza asked puzzled.

“What do you think about when someone says the word green?”

“Oh” Eliza screwed her face up thinking. “Well trees, flowers, grass, grasshoppers”

“So earthy stuff then?” Felix interrupted.

“I guess so”

 “What about purple?”

Eliza sat pondering.

“Royalty I guess.”

Felix let out a short laugh. “Royalty?”

 “Yes, what do you think of?”

 “Purple to me, is the forbearer of black and darkness. Twilight really. The time before night, the time of shadows. Purple is in between blue and black you know.”

“Yes” Eliza responded.

“But so much more often it is seen as the bringer of black. Blue is cool like the water of a stream. Water is a life giver, yet black is seen as a life taker. So purple is mashed in between the taker of light and bringer of dark. Taker of life, giver of death.” Felix sounded as though he were rehearsing lines that he had heard repeated over and over to him.

 They walked in silence further.

“I still think of royalty.”

“Here we are!” Felix announced.

He came to a standstill and turned to his right. A brick lined archway stood before him identical to the rest.

 “It’s just a wall” Eliza said.

 “Or it’s a door” Felix answered.

“A secret passage?” Rebecca asked.

“Yes you could say that” Felix brought Eliza off his shoulders and back into his arms.

“Close your eyes”

She instantly did so.

“Keep close” Felix instructed the man and Rebecca.

 Eliza drew herself closer to Felix burying her face in his chest. Quickly Felix lowered his head and charged into the archway, the man and Rebecca following close behind. Like magic they passed through it and found themselves standing in a great hall.

Candelabras stood lit around the great white marble pillars holding up the room. Red and gold seemed to be the common theme running through the hall. Multiple golden chandeliers hung like stalactites illuminating the room with bright light. Paintings of art were everywhere framed in golden vines that seemed to grow from the walls, crimson curtains draped on either side, with gleaming silver suits of armor standing guard like ancient protectors. Sculptures of marble, iron, stone, and what looked like glass where also part of the arrangements. The rich mahogany floor was even a piece of art with miniature paintings decorating it. The room was also rather crowded. People, all dressed in black cloaks, were looking and studying all the art on display. None seemed to even give an upwards glance to the new arrivers. All but the woman standing before them.

“That took long enough Felix” she had a soft-spoken wispy voice.

 “Who is that?” Eliza asked opening one eye to look at the woman.

The woman was dressed slightly different from the others in the room. The woman also wore a cloak, lighter in weight than the others but just as black in color, but it was offset to her right side more heavily causing her to resemble wearing half of a cape. As she was not wearing the cloak as a source of concealment it was easier to see her full body. She wore a long black chiffon jumpsuit that rose up to encircle her neck. The shoulder area appeared to have been cut away leaving her arms wrapped in the remaining sleeves but exposing her shoulders. Her face was white, bone white. Like a ghost trapped in flesh. Eliza guessed that she had simply covered her face with some kind of makeup as the woman’s shoulder revealed light beige skin. Silky black hair devoid of any strays cut to caress the edges of her face partially covered one of her… Eliza couldn’t help but gasp lightly as she looked into the woman’s striking warm icy blue eyes. Her eyes were made even more striking as the woman wore thick black eyeliner and shadow which enhanced the little color she had on her face. Her light red lips were not set in a smile as Felix was sure to have.

“That is Cyra.”Felix whispered

“Can I call her Cyra?” Eliza whispered back.

“I don’t see why not”

“You’ve kept him waiting too long Felix.” Cyra said in an annoyed tone.

“He told you this himself?”

Cyra didn’t answer. She only glared at Felix. Cyras glare wasn’t so much hateful but rather impatient and irritated. Her lips thinned.

“I gathered it on my own”

“Now now you mustn’t make such impressions on these ones. Livius shouldn’t be cast as impatient to those who do not know him.” Felix grinned.

 “Follow me” Cyra hissed turning around. Her black hair swished as she turned to walk.

The man followed immediately behind her ahead of Felix. How long had it been? Fifteen? Twenty years? Yes at least twenty years since they had last seen each other. Cyra led them past the marble sculptures, mounted animals, murals intricately detailed, to a corner of the room where weapons of all sorts hung from unseen wires above them or placed on ornate gold racks. Peering up at a particular long silver sword mounted on the wall was a man with a mane of thick, messy black hair, gray streaks snaking throughout. His hands were clasped behind his back and he did not look in their direction as they approached from behind him.

“Master” Cyra whispered, approaching the man.

He did not stir.

“Teacher they have arrived.” She said again moving closer to his ear. He still did not move.

“Master, Felix has brought them to you.” Cyra said her lips inches from his ear now.

 The man now moved. He brought his hand up to his chin and began to play with his beard though still looking intently at the sword.

“Livius, I got them!” Felix exclaimed cheerfully.

There was silence. Not just among those six but throughout the hall. Like water to fire all sound was extinguished within a heartbeat. Eliza glanced quickly around and saw that all the gatherers had stopped, as though caught in a sudden cold snap.

“Have you no respect for me Felix?” came a deep drawn out voice.

“You know I do” Felix said quickly “Sir.”

The man let out a sigh.

“Everyone. OUT!” He yelled. There was the sudden sound of shuffling as the room began to thin out. “Stay won’t you Cyra” the man whispered his voice returning to a drone.

 After a moment when all had cleared the room except those six the man slowly turned. He was dressed exactly the same as Felix though his clothes had a slightly disheveled appearance. His face had a haggard, aged look. A shaggy goatee of black and grey matched perfectly with his eyebrows which looked like two large bushes perched above his eyes, which were also unusual. They were almost identical to Felix though they were a deeper richer purple. Though his eyes gave off a lazy tired look they were instantly alive and ablaze when he gazed at the man before him.

“Livius?” the man asked startled.

The other man only starred his eyes twitching slightly.

“Livius I-“

“What,” Livius interrupted, his face relaxed and composed itself. “Are you still doing here Felix?”

Felix stepped forwards still holding Eliza who was looking intently at Livius.

“I just assumed that all the people in the room were named everyone.”

 Livius walked steadily towards Felix his footsteps echoing.

“Always the cute one.” Livius said a small grin appearing on his lined face. He arrived to stand in front of Felix, who overshadowed him faintly. Instantly his hand was entangled in Felix’s hair grasping tightly.

“Don’t push me boy!” He hissed into Felixs face. His calm demeanor was instantly livid with rage and anger and his face contorted as he spoke. He let go of Felix and stepped back a step composing himself.

“I am surprised to see you here Artemis” Livius said dragging his violet eyes to the man.

“Livius I-“

“So it would appear that you do have courage.” Livius interrupted.

“Forgive me Livius!” Artemis cried out, throwing himself to his knees, tears running down his face.  Livius cocked his head to the side.

“Forgive you? Forgiveness is exchanged between friends. Last that I can recall we two were strangers if not enemies.”

“Livius please” Artemis sobbed.

“Are the roles now reversed?” Livius whispered, Artemis was silent except an escaping sob. “You should not have come.” Livius spat out, marching himself back to one of the golden weapon racks.

“Why have you come Artemis?” Livius asked bowing his head to look more intently at the rack.

“I thought- I knew that you could help me.” Artemis exclaimed.

 “I had thought we were friends.” Livius whispered.

 “You are all that I can turn to. The white angels-“

 Livius threw the golden rack to the floor, metal clanging loudly as it hit the wooden floor.

 “It was you who empowered those zealots! You who let them off their chains. You created this chaos Artemis not I!” Livius yelled.

 “How was I to know Livius!?” Artemis interjected.

Livius wheeled around and looked into the man’s tear ridden red eyes. “I told you. Tried to warn you Art-“

 Artemis was on his feet marching towards Livius.

“There was nothing I could have done Livius!” He yelled still advancing. Cyra who had been leaning up against the wall sprung to life and positioned herself in between the two men. Livius brushed her aside.

“What you are doing at this very moment. You could have fought. WE could have fought together!” Livius exclaimed.

“What do you want of me then!?” Artemis yelled hysterically. “What is it you want of me Livius!?”

 Livius turned then and began to pick up the fallen rack and fallen weapons. Cyra removed herself back against the wall

“I am all that you can go to then Artemis?”

“Yes.” Artemis said also in a calmer voice.

“Perhaps we could rekindle our old friendship.”

 “Yes” Artemis said hesitantly.

“If we were to be friends that would require trust would it not?” Livius said placing a sword on the rack.

“It would indeed.”

 Livius paused for a moment.

“Let me see your daughter. Rebecca is it? I seem to recall that being her name when we stood together.”

Artemis and Rebecca both froze.

“Why do you ask?”

 Livius grinned but instantly let it fall. “You trust me, don’t you Artemis?”

 Artemis looked deeply into Livius’s eyes.

“Yes” he answered reluctantly.

“Then let me see Rebecca.” Livius said speaking each word with a slight pause in between syllables, a poetic rhythm.

Slowly Artemis turned his head towards his daughter and nodded. Rebecca timidly went to stand near Livius.

“You are Rebecca?” Livius asked looking her over once before moving to replace another sword to the rack.

“Yes I am” Rebecca said sheepishly.

“You likely do not remember me but I remember holding you in my arms when you were but a baby” Livius smiled, reaching down to replace another sword.

“I’m afraid I don’t” Rebecca said still sounding timid.

“You were a beautiful child. You look now so much like your father when he was young.” Rebecca appeared to soften at these words.

“You knew my father when he was young then?”

 “That I did. We basically grew up together.” Rebecca leaned down then and picked up the last of the fallen swords. She extended it, handle first towards Livius. They exchanged a smile, a real smile on both their parts.

“Thank you” Livius said grasping the handle.

 It happened in an instant. There was a sharp intake of breath followed by another, followed by two gasps. The first gasp came from Artemis, the second from Cyra. The second intake of breath came from Rebecca the first from Eliza. Livius slowly withdrew the sword which had impaled Rebecca through her chest and replace it onto the rack, not bothering to wipe the red liquid that began to drip onto the sparkling gold. Rebecca’s face was frozen in a shocked and terrified expression as her body slumped forwards. A red stain growing rapidly on her dress.

 “What have you done!?” Artemis shrieked lurching for his daughter.

“Oh did I violated our trust,” Livius said plainly. “Just as you did to me those twenty years ago.”

Artemis clutched at his daughter’s body, rocking it steadily, silent tears streaking his face.

“Do you feel my pain Artemis? Do you feel it? Multiply what you feel by tenfold and that begins to scratch the surface of how I feel, how I have felt for the past twenty years!”

Artemis only rocked his daughter steadily his wet emerald eyes locked on her frozen and frosted over ones. Livius then extended a hand to Artemis.

“Do you still trust me?”

 There was a low growl as Artemis turned his eyes to Livius. Though his eyes were filled with a flurry of chaotic emotions; Hate, Sorrow, Rage, Regret, Fear, he was not ready to have the glare matched evenly with Livius.

 “I will consider us even Artemis for the time being. Remember I am all that you can turn to, I am your only” he paused for a moment “friend.”

Artemis tried to glare harder at Livius but found that he was mirrored equally. Perhaps Livius had right to feel angry after what he, Artemis, had done. But that still did not ease the hurt that he was feeling at that moment. One of the links that held him to this world had just been shattered, broken and cast away forever. His oldest daughter was dead and there was nothing that he could do to change that horrifying act.

“What is that in your arms Felix?” Livius asked finally seeming to hear the soft sobs coming from that direction.

“This here is Lizzy.” Felix said, his voice losing the cheerfulness slightly.

“Elizabeth” Eliza quickly corrected through tears.

Felix grinned slightly. “Pardon me, Elizabeth”

Artemis felt the what little warmth that still resided in him sucked away clean by the cold embrace that began to wrap around him.

“Another daughter?” Livius whispered to himself.

There was a long pause.

 “Let me see your daughter Elizabeth.” Livius said it the same way he had spoke it earlier.

Artemis looked up at Livius. This time it was Livius who had not been prepared. He had expected to be greeted with more rage and anger and so he was taken aback at the look now on Artemis’s face. Mercy and sorrow flowed freely from Artemis like water from a broken dam. Livius saw true begging leaking harmlessly from those green eyes.

“Do you trust me? Let me see Elizabeth.” Livius mimicked his previous tone.

Artemis only dropped his head not moving. Livius moved past him towards the girl. Eliza buried herself further into Felix. Felix surprisingly also shrunk slightly away. Livius was not oblivious to the small maneuver.

“Felix!” he hissed.

“She’s sprained her ankle on the way here.”

“Let me hold her” Livius said through clenched teeth. Slowly Felix lifted Eliza into Livius’s outstretched arms.

“Don’t let him hurt me Felix.”Eliza whispered in a soft plead.

 Felix gasped, his eyes darting between the child and Livius.

“I can’t promise that Lizzy but I would love to, in a different setting, try.” Felix said.

Livius positioned the girl so he was holding her like a parent does a newborn who has just wet themselves.

“Hello Lizzy” Livius said taking his glare off of Felix.

“My name is Elizabeth!” Eliza huffed.

“Why does she say that?” Livius asked to Felix.

 “She only lets her friends call her Lizzy.”

Livius rolled his eyes. “Well I don’t need to be friends with her. Tell me Elizabeth do you hate me?”

 Elizabeth quickly nodded her head; she kept her eyes diverted from meeting Livius.

“Do you hate me for killing your sister?”

 Eliza nodded quickly again.

 “But you don’t know why I killed her do you?” Livius asked.

“Yes I do” Eliza said through another sob reaching her hand up to wipe away her tears.

Livius’s face went blank for a moment.

“You do?”

 “You did it to make my papa feel how you feel. To make him feel more alone.”

Livius raised his eyebrows in astonishment of the girl.

 “Do you think I will kill you?” he asked composing himself again a hint of darkness in his tone.

Eliza then went very still. She stopped her weeping and looked up at Livius.

“No” she answered determinedly as if there was one hundred percent certainty.

 “And why wouldn’t I?” Livius asked surprised at the girls answer.

 “I don’t know” she said slowly. “Because I am like Felix” she said the words as though they were a guess or as though she were reading something that could not be right.

 Livius was momentarily stunned. He then quickly however brought Elizabeth to Artemis. Artemis was still rocking his fallen daughter silently.

“Artemis” he said softly.

 Like a crazed man Artemis continued to rock her, his eyes petrified open.

“Artemis” he said again.

Being closer to her sister now Eliza let out a shallow whimper and then began to softly weep and moan. Livius, looking slightly disgusted, turned his head to Felix and nodded towards Artemis. Felix had a blank look on his face. Livius nodded more intently towards Artemis. Felix still was unable to decipher the silent message and looked confused towards Livius. Livius let out a loud sigh of annoyance.

“If you’re going to pester me with your presence at least be of some use to me Felix” he finally said.

Comprehension dawning on Felix’s face he finally pointed a hand towards Artemis and closed his eyes. Eliza spun her head from Felix to her father. He appeared completely unchanged on the outside. After a few moments Felix opened his eyes.

“Artemis,” Livius said again extending Eliza towards him. Artemis softly laid Rebecca down and cradled Eliza in his arms still kneeling. “A different one you’ve got there.”

“She is part of why I have come to you”

 “But not the entire part.” Livius said leaving no question in his assessment. “We have both violated each other’s trust and now I see us as even, and ready to be friends, or partners at the very least.” Artemis looked down at his other daughter and a small sob escaped.

 “I am sorry for that Artemis. I saw no other way.”

“You have shown me,” Artemis hardened his voice. “That there is always another way Livius.”

“Well stated. Follow me now, tell me of your real reason for coming here.” Livius began to walk back the way that they had arrived. Artemis still was kneeling, holding Elizabeth in his arms and looking longingly at Rebecca.

“Unless you know of some way to raise the dead I advice you follow me Artemis. I will see to it that she is looked after. We aren’t barbarians after all” Livius called out.

Reluctantly Artemis stood to walk. Clutching at Eliza tightly he began to walk after Livius. Cyra flowed in behind him with Felix appearing at her side.

“The girl seems to have a liking towards you” Cyra whispered, her voice like a light mist.

 “I get that from all the young ones” Felix smiled.

“Because I am like Felix. What do you suppose she meant by that?”

Felix blanched. “I haven’t a clue.”

Cyra glared at him a faint playfulness in her eyes.

“Fine, I will find out on my own.”

 She turned to walk faster.

“You usually do.”

Author's Note

please tell me what you think.

Reviews

[LeeLee Ryder]

Good descriptive characterization physically & emotionally. I'm interested in the relationship between Art & Liv and how their past came full circle when Becky died.. And how Liv & Felix are connected... I have one suggestion..Make 2 chapters out of this.. (a tad too long) Maybe start Chapter 2 when they enter the big hall .....