The Dragons Egg : XI : Room Of Doors: Eveline: Draft

XI

Room of Doors

21^st April 1941

Eveline

“Place your hands over the bowl like so,” Edward ordered Eveline, both of them sitting within one of the many rooms of Peel Castle. The room in which they both currently sat was filled with books, writing tables, ink pots, quills and an old cauldron which lay in the right hand corner, covered in a thick layer of dust. Wrapped warmly in a white gown and a green clock that was beautifully decorated with golden stars, leaves and moons; Eveline placed her hands over the small bowl of cold water, her golden eyes on Edward, whose face was straight and steeped in concentration. “I want you to search deep within your mind for a memory of hot steaming water, can you do that?”

“Yes,” Eveline whispered as she closed her eyes and brought forth a memory of hot, steaming water. It had been during the Christmas period, two years previous when she and her war evacuee, Belle had been out playing in the thick snow. When they had returned to the little cottage, their feet, despite being well booted and layered with thick socks, had been seeped in freezing water and so upon their arrival home, Estelle had for them both, two large bowls of steaming hot water and the pair of them; their cheeks red and hearts filled with festive joy, sat for a god half hour, soaking their feet whilst the minty scent of the lotion, filled their stuffed noses. Eveline could feel the corners of her mouth turn upwards as she smiled deeply, but where love and joy had rose, soon acute pain and sadness followed

“Repeat after me,” Edward interrupted gently. “Fire to ice and ice to fire.”

“That is all?” Eveline quipped with a raised brow. “I thought spells where steeped in ancient verses and such?”

“And they were, but it isn’t practical in our everyday existence to have to spend a good three to five minutes chanting out old verses,” Edward said kindly. “So now the druids have dutifully, taking many years- shortened spells and made them more accessible to all who bear white magic.”

“I see….”

“On special days, like the end of winter, the druids will perform magic in the old way and it is something to behold.”

“I have already spent time this week simply observing some of the elders in the evenings, chanting as the sun sets and the moon rises- it is most certainly captivating, they seem so dedicated to the ancient ways of their people and seem almost as old as time itself.”

“They are the highest in the order and have been upon this earth for many a long years that much is true, but the power you wield is much greater than their own.”

“And yet I sitting here with your learning how to turn cold water into hot water,” Eveline smiled nervously. “Yes my power is unequal to those around me, but in not in the way that you may think.”

“You have learnt a lot in the last three weeks, much that normal white bearers would spend years in mastering, I wouldn’t be so critical of your powers. Now say the words and concentrate.”

“Must I say them aloud?”

“Yes, when you have mastered the art then you do not have to speak the words aloud.”

Eveline shuffled her body about, her legs numbing and her back tense. She felt the muscles in her hands strain as she stretched her long fingers over the bowl, almost feeling the water below. Taking in a deep breathe, she summoned the memory of hot water.

“Ice to fire and fire to ice,” she said with feeling. It happened always, that a stream of hot liquid would suddenly run itself down through the veins of her arms, rushing so fast that she could hear what sounded like a rushing river in her ears. The hot liquid ran forth from the tips of her fingers and she suddenly felt hot steam against the skin of her palms. A smile swept across her cold face and across from her she could feel Edwards smile. “Can I open my eyes now?”

“Yes.”

Eveline opened her golden eyes and looked down at the piping hot bowl of water and let her hands fall to her sides once more.

“How it that I can perform spells so effortlessly?” she asked Edward, with wide eyes. “I have been attending classes with older students than myself, and they become infuriated with themselves.”

“You must remember that you are a direct heir of Heiden,” Edward responded as he brought himself up onto his feet, stretching his long limbs and arms. “Your magic is pure, unlike our own. It is not surprising that you have little difficulty in performing magic, when you are weaved in its form. We normal guardians and white bearers have only been given a bud of magic from the river of your grandfather and his ancestors, and so we must try harder to possess it.”

“May I ask you something Edward?” Eveline enquired as she took got up onto her feet and smoothed down her gown. With a weary face, she turned away from her close friend and walked over to a nearby shelf of books.

“What worries you?”

“I have been learning the art of basic magic, and I am glad that I have,” Eveline said as she picked out a rather heavy volume of The Pools of Avalon and blew at its dust, opening the contents and letting her index finger sweep over the old runes that bordered the pages. “Why has Merlin been avoiding me? And why have I not been learning the harder types of magic? I have not the ability still to defeat my brother.”

“It would be idle of us to rush you forward so quickly, without allowing you to learn the basic rules of magic,” Edward returned as he sat down upon a chair and crossed his left leg over his right; his eyes upon Eveline, whose face was now hiding behind the large book in her hands. “I understand that we have not much time in which to give you a thorough understanding of all levels of magic, but I will not allow you to leave here without some knowledge. As to Merlin, he has not been himself lately from what I have heard; he is distant even with his own council and William, who has been greatly disappointed since his arrival. I think that something must be on his mind, something that is bothering him to such an extent that he cannot be seen and so he hides away.”

“Why is he sheltering that boy?”

“I do not know why he shelters Whylen,” Edward said with a shrug of his shoulders. “He must have his reasons.”

“Do you trust him?” Eveline enquired, lowering the book before her and settling her strong and determined gaze upon Edward, whose arms where folded.

“I trust a very few people Eveline, least of all a great wizard who has been alive longer than I and who has wielded great power and influence over the naive and lost for thousands of years. Never trust those who play the game.”

“The game?” Eveline returned with raised brows. With a thud, she closed the book and walked away from the shelves, coming to stand close to Edward.

“It is a game all great wizards, guardians and angels play, be them good or bad,” Edward said cautiously. “It is a game that even the humans of this world play, in fact our great countries and their leaders are currently playing it right now. It is the game of supreme power and authority; a game that has ripped apart our people, our universe and has driven good and once faithful servants to plunder their once virtuous self to the mercy of their selfish quests.” Edward leaned forward, his eyes sparkling against the light of the torches. “Within each of us lies the seed of yearning, a seed that bares many faces. In the world of magic, it represents great power and with great power one can arise from the ashes and tear down those who have sat upon the thrones of our ancestors. And yet, few who have wielded such greatness have seldom remained true to the cause of magic or to themselves. Such power and such authority can only ever be wielded by Heiden or those of his bloodline, they and only they have the strength in which to overcome the temptations that magic brings.”

“Why can our people not be satisfied? Why must they kill and loose themselves in the process of seeking more and surrendering to their temptations?”

“To have ultimate power and influence over all living things, is in many eyes a rare and precious treasure; it is a game that gives; a game that only the great can succeed in and all those who play it wish to prove their greatness, not just to those who are above them, but to the themselves.”

“You scare me Edward,” Eveline smiled nervously, turning her body away from her teacher, her shoulders heavy and her head sore. “Do you think that I too shall be like these power hungry men and women?”

“I would be lying if I did not believe that it were possible,” Edward returned calmly. “That is a path of which you are still to find yourself before.”

“So you think that I may become engrossed in my own power and therefore become crippled and merciless to greatness and forgo all that is true and good?”

“It may come to pass that you worship yourself more than those with whom you are supposed to serve,” Edward said as he studied Eveline’s body keenly, seeing the distress in her contorted back. “I hope that the power of your ancestors will keep you from such a fate.”

“May I speak freely?”

“You may always speak freely in my presence,” Edward said kindly. Eveline turned her head slightly, seeing Edward from the corners of her eyes.

“Sometimes I feel that force, the force that you speak of,” Eveline admitted. “Now more so than ever. I am afraid that my anger and grief fuels it at times when I feel myself vulnerable and alone; or when I am suffering from guilt and confusion. I fight at it and always come out stronger and more determined, but it is there, under the surface, waiting for me to call it forth. I thought that bearing magic and being who I am would be easy, that nothing could ever call me away from the fate that I am bound too. But now that I am here and learning, that seed is growing and I am afraid that there will be a crossroads up ahead and I shall make the wrong choice and disappoint you, my grandfather and all those who are dependent on me.”

“I am glad that you fear it Eveline,” Edward said with confidence as he came to his feet and walked over to the young princess and placed a soothing hand upon her shoulder. “I pray that you always fear the seed of power, for it will act as your sword and shield. Now you can understand why it is that we have not subjected you to the dark and ancient powers yet, you are not ready.”

“But I must be ready, I cannot return to Unas without knowing all that Merlin knows,” Eveline said quickly as she turned abruptly to Edward. “I will be of no use and I will fail everyone.”

“My eldest daughter, primrose is always lecturing me on how she wishes she were a grown up like myself,” Edward said with a beam of a smile, his eyes glazed. “Do you want to know what I tell her?”

“What is it that you tell her?” Eveline asked with pleading eyes.

“I tell her that I wish I were a boy once more,” Edward said with a pained expression. “When I was a young boy, I saw the world and all its possibilities through unprinted eyes. I did not care for power or worry about the everyday pressures of adult life. I was happy and content and I loved the world and all those who surrounded me. The older I became the harder I fought to hold onto my rose tinted ideologies and vision, but the more I learnt of magic and the more I became acquainted with its perverseness, I found that I had let go of my childhood ambitions and found myself awakening to a very perplexing life. Where I was once content, I am now nervous and doubtful; where I was once hopeful, I am now sceptical and suspicious and where I was once filled with love, joy and endless warmth, I am now cautious, fearful and luke warm.  Do not forsake your youth or lack of knowledge in magic. You know that great power already resides within you, and so take comfort that you are not fully aware of the darkness of that power and take hope that being marginally ignorant of it may be of great use to you and that that may in itself be a great power, a power that your brother does not have.”

“There must be advantages to being an adult surely?” Eveline quizzed, her arms folded and securing the large book. “I am not a child any longer and have been an adult for a few years now, and despite all of the loss and grief; I have felt all those things that you believe you have lost with time.”

“You were sheltered before and since you have been brought forth from that shelter you have struggled, have you not?”

“Well yes, yes I have,” Eveline said, her head tilted slightly in thought. “But I would not have known my own strength were it not for the pains I have endured and I would not have fully known compassion or love without the sufferings of this past year.”

Edward smiled and waved a hand.

“Then disregard my words of doom,” he said with warmth.

“I would never disregard your words Edward, I have too much respect for you and your knowledge,” Eveline said firmly. “I will think on what you have said carefully.”

“It is getting late now, shall we go to the hall and find the others?” Edward said as he walked away, sweeping his hand across his eyes. Eveline watched her tutor with sadness, what had happened to cause him to see such distress in the world around him?

“I should probably change into a new gown,” Eveline lied as she put away the book she had found and walked over to the door which was being held open by Edward. “William seems to take it to heart that I do not change into the evening gown of the druids.”

“For all his evolutionary ideas, he is a man steeped in tradition and I am afraid he always will be,” Edward said with a hearty laugh as Eveline passed under the doorway and stood out in the corridor.

“Thank you for the lessons today,” Eveline said kindly. “You have taught me so much and have been so patient with me.”

“I am glad for it, you are a studious student,” Edward said as closed the door. “I will see you shortly?”

“I shall be down in thirty minutes and no longer,” Eveline said as she turned on her feet and walked up the corridor, waving her hand at the retreating Edward. He had given her much food for thought, and despite her calm demeanour, she was worried and anxious. A couple of druids passed her by and bowed their heads regally, but she took no notice and when she found her room and entered, she immediately felt her body fall to the floor. A squawk from her raven, now simply called Bran, the Irish mythological name for ravens shook her from her thoughts. Lifting her eyes she spotted the large bird, perched upon the window sill. With wide wings he flew across the small room and came to stand before her, pecking at her feet gently. “It’s been a long day little bird,” she said softly, lifting out her hand and waiting until Bran bounced over to her and sat comfortable upon her arm. With a groan she stood up and made for the bed, sitting upon its edge. “On the upside, I have learnt to meditate without falling asleep, I have also learnt how to do a casting spell and I turned cold water into hot water. I should probably add that I have also learned that I could possibly turn out to like my half-brother if I so choose to.” Bran squawked and shook his head as Eveline let her back fall onto the bed, her golden eyes upon the bare ceiling. “I feel heavy Bran,” she whispered. “And I am not at all sure that I can do this. I cannot disappoint my friends or my teachers, for they have spent so much of their time trying to prepare me for Unas, but I am tired and when I am not working on my abilities I am drowning in my anxieties, for even here I cannot escape my past. My husband must be swirling with anger and as for Galean, I have no notion if he is still alive.” A small bud of water fell from the corner of her eye and with a coo, Bran pecked away at it, bringing a smile to Eveline’s face. “What if I fail? What if I let everyone down? My grandfather will not want to know me if I fail him. And then there is everything else to think about; travelling to Unas, seeking out guides and friends who can help me to find Galean and then there is the war. I am no warlord, I have never consciously hurt another person and I am not sure that I have it within me to do so.” She squinted her eyes as her words fell from her mouth. “Well that isn’t entirely true, I did knock my husband unconscious in order to save Galean, so I suppose there is an element of violence within.” Bran squawked and shook his head. “Alright, intelligence and logic lead in arguments. We all have the ability to hurt, it is just that I do not wish to bring harm to anyone and when I think about the possibility of having to kill my own flesh and blood….well I cannot.” Eveline turned to Bran. “I am overwhelmed and beneath all of my worries, my mind is consumed with fear that when I return, I will be too late. There is nothing worth fighting for, if he does not survive. I know that sounds dramatic and a little illogical, because surely the fate of the universe is enough of an initiative, yes?” Bran nodded. “Well yes it is, but to do so without the one person that knows me and drives me, seems impossible. Truth of the matter is that I am not entirely sure who I am fighting on behalf off. It is even as Edward said, hard to dissect the good from the bad; everyone had an agenda in this war, even those on my side. My enemies are before me and yet, I feel deeply that the true enemy has not yet shown his or her face, and that worries me, for my brother and his father should be my main concern and they are. But still, I cannot help but feel that even they are covering the face of the true enemy.”

After several minutes of staring at the ceiling above her, Eveline finally readied herself for dinner, choosing to leave fiery hair loose. With a quick glance at her reflection in the window, druids not believing in mirrors, she smoothed her brown gown and gently took out Galean’s necklace and whispered his name softly as was her custom each morning and evening. As usual there was no reply and with a thud of her heart, she put it away and picked up Bran.

“Come we shall be late,” she said under her breathe as she walked over to the door and opened it lightly. Stepping out onto the corridor she closed the door of her room behind her and made her way down the corridor in silence, passing a few elder druids. After five minutes she realised that she was lost as was often in the evenings. With a sigh of impatience she took a left turn down a narrow corridor, which was poorly lit with beacons. Soon she came to stand before a large door which was much larger than the normal doors of Peel Castle. Turning her gold eyes, she looked down at Bran. “What a strange door, and look, what strange runes border its arch.” Eveline studied the golden runes that ran along the border of the large arch. “I am no professional in the art of ancient runes, but I believe that these may be old English.” With her light index finger, she ran it over the golden runes which read:

Á HWA INFÆR INFÆR ÆT ÚRE BÉOT

All Who Enter, Enter At Your Peril

As she ran her fingers over the golden runes, the large door suddenly opened and a great cloud of dust dispersed all around her, causing herself and Bran to cough loudly as it opened inwardly. After a moment, the dust began to fall upon the cold ground beneath and Eveline’s vision suddenly cleared. All at once a beacon came to life, prompting Eveline to take it from its casket and hold it in her hand. With an anxious curiosity she stepped forward slightly, stopping to turn her head and look aback.

“I hope this door doesn’t close,” she whispered to Bran, who perched close to her head. Turning her head back once more she ventured into the room and found herself facing three doors, all of which had similar runes around their arches. The first, which lay to her left read:

ÆRENDAEG (Yesterday)

The door which stood before her read:

DÆG (Today)

The door which lay to her right read:

 MORGAN (Tomorrow) 

“I wonder what they mean?” Eveline asked quietly as she observed the carved doors, the one to her left beautifully engraved with the sun and moon. The door before her had four large eight – pointed stars that encircled a large sun, which engulfed a crescent moon within.  The door to her right had only one symbol, which was a hand. “Strange,” Eveline said with quipped brows. “What could a hand possibly mean?” As though entranced by the simple hand, Eveline felt her own right hand rise and place itself over the symbol. A large crack rippled from the door and suddenly to Eveline’s surprise it opened inwardly, another smaller cloud of dust formulating in the dark air about her. Wiping her brow with the back of her hand, Eveline coughed inwardly and felt her body being thrust into the open doorway. Again she found herself within a corridor, this time with two smaller doors on either side of her. With Bran still upon her shoulder, Eveline, her hands trembling turned to the door on the left and gently ran her fingers over the runes, causing the door to open. Instead of stepping in through the doorway, she was thrown into it and felt herself fall through a bright light. It was an experience she had become accustomed to earlier in the year, through her dreams. And yet this time, it felt more real and the sickness that formed within the pit of her stomach was destined to be merciless. With a sudden thump, she felt her body hit a hard surface, the impact causing a loud noise to erupt around her.

After a few moments, Eveline opened her eyes.

“Bran?” she called out as she rolled her aching body onto its side. With her eyes sore from the light, she pulled herself up onto her feet and shielded her gaze with her hand. Bran was nowhere to be seen and a sharp feeling of terror caused her body to freeze. As the light began to fade, and her eyes grew accustomed, she found herself standing outside, with large flakes of snow falling about her. She did not feel the cold of the flakes as they melted into her hair and skin and when she looked down at her body, she found it beautifully gowned in a fine golden fabric that flowed about her finely. The sleeves of her arms flowed like the rest of the dress, touching the snow covered ground below. Eveline suddenly recognised where she stood and with wide eyes she turned about on the spot and spotted the great city of Caci, now bountifully laden with great flags, all of which were covered in a large stag, which had upon its head a crown of gold, silver and copper. “The flag of Caci,” she said quickly, a smile formulating upon her lips. To the south, she could see in the far distance the great sea and the sun, which lay low in the sky, its rays warming her skin. Slowly, she turned from the sun and found herself gazing up at the great palace of Caci, its steps cleared of the terrifying bodies of dead citizens and instead, the steps now appeared to be filling with the bodies of merry citizens, all of whom were dressed finely and waving flags, some even singing. Eveline wondered why all had changed so abruptly, had her brother been defeated and all set to right once again?

“My lady, it is time,” a female voice said from behind her. Eveline jumped out of fear and turned to a woman, not much taller than she. She was dressed in silver armour and had about her a golden cloak, embellished with silver and copper stars.

“Who are you?” Eveline enquired with an air of bewildered confusion.

“It is I, lady Arae,” the woman replied with raised brows. “Your first lady?”

“First lady?”

“You knighted me but three days past my lady,” Lady Arae said with a smile. “It isn’t unusual to forget such things when you are about to be anointed Queen. Come we must go or the trumpeters will have my life!”

“Anointed?” Eveline whispered as lady Arae turned her about.

“Lady Evalean shall be awaiting us at the doors,” Lady Arae said as she attended to Eveline’s gown.

“Right,” Eveline said under her breathe, completely confused and stumped. Suddenly a tall man, who looked uncannily like Merlin came striding up to her, smiling.

“My lady, can you imagine such a day has come? My son would have been proud,” the elderly man said, his long silver hair flowing down his back. Eveline squinted her eyes and took him in. He was tall and had striking blue eyes and was dressed in a fine red gown, simple yet effective.

“My lord Anvin of Meer,” Lady Arae whispered into her ear. “Just in case you have forgotten him as well. He is your godfather and will walk you up the aisle.”

“My godfather? I have a godfather?”

“Yes my lady, I have been your godfather since your birth,” Lord Anvin winked kindly.

“You have?” Eveline said with a smile.

“Indeed my lady and now to think of you being crowned Queen,” Lord Anvin said as he placed his hands over Eveline’s. “Such a day have we been dreaming of, to think that it has come after such trials and tribulations…”

“The war is over?”

“Indeed, and we would not be standing here today if it were not for you my Queen,” Lord Anvin said seriously. “History will remember this day for eternity as the day justice was done, and all who fell from darkness now cease to exist and those trampled upon and oppressed have arisen and robed themselves in the cloak of peace and prosperity.”

“My brother…where is he?”

“Why you killed him my lady…” Lord Anvin said with a concerned gaze.

“I did?”

“Yes upon the battle field my lady.”

Eveline dropped her gaze away from the man and felt the churning of her stomach as his words hit her. She had killed him and now was to be crowned.

“Come we must proceed before the sun falls away,” Lord Anvin said as he came to stand upon Eveline’s right hand side and drew her arm within his own, forcing her to walk forward. Behind her she felt Lady Arae’s eyes on her and knew that she had seen her face from a different time.  Feeling the eyes of the large crowd upon her, she followed Lord Anvin up the steep steps, until she finally came to stand before the palace, its large arched doors now open, with a dozen or so trumpeters standing on either side. Closing her eyes tightly she looked up into the sky and felt a flake fall upon her face. He wasn’t here she realised with a guttural pain. He must have died. As the trumpeters blew loudly, a young woman with dark brown hair, who wore a fine dress of green and silver came to her.

“Forgive me Celestine, Aabe was being unruly, so I gave him to my husband to nurse,” Lady Evalean said with flushed cheeks. “I cannot believe it is snowing here in the south, how strange.”

“Quickly Evalean, there is no time for small talk,” Lady Arae said quickly.

“Quite right,” Lady Evalean said as she curtseyed before Eveline. Feeling nauseous, Eveline turned her eyes up to Lord Anvin, who was looking down at her with keen interest.

“Come, keep your eyes on the throne and you will be fine,” he said with gentleness.

“My Lord Galean, where is he?” Eveline asked frightfully as she began to move to the music that resounded within the great palace. Lord Anvin raised a brow but did not speak as they walked under the great arch. The palace was not how it had been in Eveline’s dreams and visions, it was now filled with thousands of guests and decorated with great garlands of flowers and the royal flag. She knew no one with whom now stood on either side of aisle, and merely kept her eyes upon the great throne of Caci, which stood alone. The music was beautiful and haunting and as she moved forward, she felt her back straighten and her eyes water. Had she fallen through time and found herself in the near future? Was this what was to come? Would she kill her brother and win the war? She did not know, but as she kept walking a sudden figure stepped out from the first row and turned to her. He stood tall and dressed in a gown of silver, with a crown of copper upon his golden curls. His eyes were as vivid as she remembered them to be and his face as handsome only now with a deep and elongated scar. He smiled at her and held out his left hand. Her heart suddenly exploded with feeling and she found herself urging the Lord Anvin on quickly, rushing to be by Galean’s side. When before him, she felt a tear fall upon her cheek.

“My love, why are you crying?” Galean whispered attentively as he gently took her hand within his own and smiled at Lord Anvin, who released her from his grasp, standing back and allowing the couple to stand alone for a moment.

“You’re alive,” Eveline whispered stupidly.

“Of course I am alive, why, does that surprise you?” Galean asked with a note of concern.

“I thought you had died,” Eveline said under her breathe as Galean wiped away the tears that flowed from her golden eyes.

“No my love, where you walk I walk, remember?” Galean returned as he leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss upon her forehead. “Come it is time you were crowned.” Eveline let the words roll over her as she simply gazed up into his comforting face and allowed him to bring her to the great throne which was built out of gold, silver and copper. As she turned to stand before the congregation, she noticed a small baby close by and turned her gaze. He was in the arms of a man, who looked similar to Galean, only with darker eyes and a reserved face. Galean let go of Eveline’s hand and walked away, taking the child out of the man’s arms and bringing the little boy across to where Eveline stood. With a smile Galean held the small child out to Eveline, who looked at him with a confused expression. “He will only settle in your arms,” Galean said as he placed the small babe into Eveline’s arms.

“Who is he?” Eveline asked softly as she looked down into the face of the boy, suddenly struck by his appearance. He had one golden eye and another black.

“He is our son, prince Elieor,” Galean said as he came to stand beside the throne, his eyes settling down upon both Eveline and the babe.

“My son?” Eveline said as she nursed the babe, who seemed to be only a few months old. Forgetting the congregation and forgetting her coronation, she found the child’s left hand and took it within her own. He had dark black hair, a sharp nose, rounded cheeks and a full mouth. His wide eyes were upon her and he quietened in her arms. Without a thought, Eveline felt an instant bond to the babe and yet beneath the bond she felt pain, a pain that not only bruised her heart but also pulsated in her legs and stomach. The child looked nothing a like Galean and she wondered if he maybe took after Galean’s father or brothers. Still, as she sat down upon the throne, she looked into her child’s face and was struck with how alike the child was to her own half-brother. Maybe the prince had been born in Heidan’s likeness. It made no sense. Eveline sat still and was stunned when a great beam of light hit her and flung her body forward from the throne. She was once more, plummeted through a void of white light, this time she cried out for Galean, who was now gone.

With a thud she hit the ground and felt as though her body had been broken from the fall. Turning, she rolled over and brought her body into the foetal position.

“Get up!” a deep and resounding voice boomed from above her. As the man spoke, a hard foot hit her shin and she cried out in agony. With her eyes open, she looked up and found herself facing what seemed to be a guard, who was dressed in silver armour, his cloak black, not gold. Confused and alarmed, Eveline shuffled about, suddenly realising that both her hands and feet were bound by heavy iron chains. Snow fell from the sky as it had done several minutes before, but this time she felt the flakes upon her head and with another cry she realised that her auburn locks were no more; she was without hair. “I said get up!” the guard hurled again, taking Eveline’s arms and forcing her to her feet. Eveline shivered as she stood before a crowd of laughing citizens, some of whom she realised where crying. To her right a man pounded on a drum and to her left a dozen or so guards stood watching her, with dark eyes and smiles teasing. Forcing her onwards, Eveline walked onwards, passing a great scaffold, where a dozen or so men and women hung silently. As she passed them by, she recognised two of the women; Lady Arae and Lady Evalean. Her eyes wide with shock, Eveline felt herself hurl, her body contorting itself inwards as she tried to rid her senses of the images and smell of death which surrounded her. She looked down at her body and found it barely clothed and thin. With each step that she took, a terrible pain soared through her and the clinking of the chains only added the anxiety of what awaited her. The sound of the beating drum vibrated in her head and when she had finally climbed the last step she lifted her gaze and found it settling upon her half-brother who stood before the great doors of the palace, a crown of gold upon his head, a snake slithering close to his feet and a babe within his arms. Before Heidan upon bent knee was Galean, also chained and barely dressed.

“Sister!” the king spoke aloud, a reeling smile of terror upon his pale face. “At last you have come to see justice done!”

Eveline coughed heavily, as her body shook. Without compassion or care she was thrust beside the quiet Galean, whose head was bent in submission.

“I am not quite sure if he will be able to remember you after…well,” Heidan smirked. “Let’s just say that he has been awfully busy these last few weeks.”

“Ga…Galean,” Evalean cried out, her teeth chattering heavily against her bleeding lips. She tried to lift her hand so that she could reach out to him, but was hit with the handle of a sword, which crushed her fingers and forced her to fall forward upon the snow covered ground. The tears streaming from her eyes, she cried until she felt the long body of the snake slither around her, hissing loudly.

“Do it!” it hissed to Heidan, its black eyes on Eveline.

“Patience father, patience,” Heidan returned with a wave of his free hand. “I have been awaiting this day for such a long time, why the hurry?”

“Please!” Eveline begged as she turned her bruised eyes to the silent Galean, his face unrecognisable and his body covered in cuts and bruises- a far cry from the Galean she had just witnessed. She urged him to look at her, but was distraught to find that the slightest of movements caused him terrible pain.

“Eganatra!” Heidan cried out with a sweep of his hand. Suddenly Galean’s body was forced up into the air, face downwards. A terrifying pain heralded from his lips as he tried to cease the movement.

“No please! Don’t kill him!” Eveline cried desperately as she tried to crawl over the snow covered ground to where he levitated. The snake suddenly bound itself about her body, causing her to frantically try to draw breathe.

“Your time is over,” it hissed into her ears. “The time of Heidan has come and the fall of your grandfather will soon be upon us.”

“Never! He will never concede to you!” Eveline cried out as she tried to move her body, which was now encased in the long body of the snake.

“But he already has,” the snake hissed with pleasure.

“How?”

“You took the throne from him and handed it to Heidan, don’t you remember?”

“No! No I would never do that!” Eveline cried out as Galean’s body now rotated about mid-air.

“But you did, when you gave yourself to my son,” Lagar laughed as his beady eyes, delved into her own.

“Impossible!”

“I have the proof….should you like to see it….”

“What proof?” Eveline asked helplessly.

“Bring him to me!” Lagar asked aloud. Eveline looked to Galean, whose bloodied eyes were upon her, his face masked in pain and betrayal. She shook her head.

“Don’t believe it Galean! I would never betray you!”

“Meet our child,” a thin voice interceded, drawing Eveline’s attention away from Galean. Her head forced upwards, Eveline spotted the child in Heidan’s arms and groaned.

“Elieor…” she whispered as Heidan bowed down before her, bringing the babes face closer to her own. “Our son,” she cried with longing.

“His name is Lagnar and he is my son,” Heidan hissed under his breathe.

“No, no he is Galean’s!”

“Don’t you remember giving yourself to me?” Heidan teased as Eveline looked down into the distressed babies face.

“It’s alright Elieor…it’s going to fine, I promise….” She said gently as the babes eyes gazed into her own.

“Who knew that it would be you that would betray our grandfather?” Heidan said with a hideous laugh, so repellent that Eveline shut her eyes tightly. “You betrayed the light and seduced the night. And now all those who once stood in the light will perish and die and the universe and your thrones will be mine.”

“I don’t understand, I would never do such a thing,” Eveline said aloud, more to herself than her half-brother.

“The enemy always hides behind the mask of goodwill,” Heidan said before rising and turning away from Eveline.

“Daeith!” he said aloud. To Eveline, time had suddenly slowed as she watched her lover’s body suddenly snap in half, his eyes engorged with piercing pain so strong that his dying body shook violently. The snake unleashed himself from her body and slithered away, leaving her alone, her tears falling like a rushing river.

“Galean... Galean please move!” Eveline said with desperation as she forced herself to her feet, her bones cold and her skin covered in goose bumps. Behind her she could hear the sneers of onlookers. When finally she found herself standing upright, she stumbled across the ground until she came to his body. “No, no please don’t leave me, not now, not like this.” With her bound hands she stretched them up until they touched his lifeless face. “My love, please come back to me, please don’t leave me here alone.”

“But you are alone sister,” came a hiss from behind her.

“Please, please kill me!” she said with passion as she turned to face Heidan, who simply smiled down at her.

“Now why would I do that?”

“You don’t need me anymore, please kill me!”

Heidan’s face froze as he stood arrogantly before her, a strand of dark hair eclipsing his eye.

“And rid myself of your worth? I don’t think so sister. No you shall live as long as I.”

“But I don’t want to live, I have nothing to live for!”

“You have purpose still,” Heidan said with furrowed brows. “Until you have nothing left to give, you live out of sight and bound to your chains and the darkness of which you brought into this world.”

“My son…please let me see him…”

Heidan ran a finger thin finger down the side of Eveline’s face, riding her skin of the snow stained moisture.

“No.”

Heidan turned away and left Eveline alone, surrounded by silent guards and the dead body of Galean. What was happening to her? Why had she been thrown from one scenario to another? Eveline sobbed into her chain bound hands, so much so that when the familiar beam of light hit her, she cared not anymore, for all that she had hoped for had been taken away and she was once more to blame.

*

Eveline stumbled out of the room of doors and found Bran awaiting her patiently in the corridor. Her face still reeling and stained with tears, she walked away from the closed door in silence, Bran now perched upon her shoulder. It did not take her long to find the hall and when she did, she found the table in which her companions sat and made for it, bypassing the curious gazes of druids, uncaring and unwillingly to lift her own eyes. When she came to sit at the table, she quietly took a seat beside William and Olivia.

“Eveline are you alright?” Olivia whispered as the chanting began.

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t seem fine, you look as though you have been crying…do you wish to talk alone?” Olivia urged, her green eyes filled with concern as they shifted quickly from Eveline to William.

“Has something happened? Has someone hurt you?” William ushered as he filled a goblet with warm wine and thrust it into her shaking hands.

“I doubt getting her drunk will solve the problem William,” Olivia hissed under her breathe.

“I’m not trying to get her drunk, I’m trying to calm her down Livy!”

“Eveline?” Matthew interceded as he leaned forward. “Eveline what is it?”

“It’s nothing,” Eveline said as she took a gulp of the warm wine and wiped her eyes.

“It’s not nothing Eveline, something is wrong, come on tell us so that we can do something to rectify the matter?” Matthew pushed harder.

“Really I am just feeling miserable about Theodore that is all,” Eveline lied, her forced smile obviously not fooling Edward, who sat back pensively in his seat.

“Would you like to retire then and maybe forgo this evening?” Olivia said gently, her hand upon Eveline. Eveline looked up from her wine and felt the warmth radiate from her friend.

“Can I?”

“Yes of course you can!” Olivia said with a smile. “Come, William will have food sent up. I shall sit with you a while if that is alright?”

“I should like the company,” Eveline said under her breathe as Olivia got up from her seat and helped Eveline up onto her feet once more.

“William will you have some food brought up to us?”

“Of course, you two just take it easy and I will sort everything out.”

Eveline smiled down at her confused and concerned male friends, who looked up at her with bewildered expressions, but for Edward, who somehow understood what had happened to her.

“I shall see you tomorrow?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” Eveline muttered as Olivia wound her arm through hers and dragged her away from the table. Eveline’s senses numbed as she walked through the hall, only to heighten she felt a familiar presence close by. Stopping, Olivia’s concerned eyes upon her, she looked across the hall and found him. He stood silently against a pillar, watching her intently. For the first time since her arrival, she was able to see his face clearly and felt her body freeze when she looked into his face. He looked so familiar- the angular shape of his face, his full lips, sharp nose and his eyes; one black and the other golden.

“Eveline?”

“I know him,” Eveline whispered with shock.

“That’s Whylen, I told you about him, remember?” Olivia said with a strained gaze.

“He is my son,” Eveline said sharply.

“Impossible,” Olivia laughed as she dragged Eveline away heavily, almost forcing her to move.

“He is my son, which is why I feel his presence so strongly.”

“Eveline you are not feeling well, come let us go,” Olivia begged. “Everyone is watching us.”

Eveline turned away from the man and followed Olivia out of the hall, feeling his eyes upon her with every step that she unwillingly took.

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