Dare I see?

Daniel breathed slowly, his back pressed hard against the wall as he peered carefully around the corner. In the dim lighting of the hall, he could barely make out the shape of a tall slender man, clutching something wrapped in a blanket to his chest.

A soft pink blanket, lovingly woven with red patterns.

Rebecca.

Daniel had barely arrived back at the servants' quarters that night when Florie had thrown herself upon him, nearly choking on her own desperate sobs. She was a woman of her mid-thirties, and had given birth to her daughter only two months past. She had also looked after Daniel since he was a small boy, always being sure he didn't cause too much trouble in the watchful eyes of the Shrike.

Daniel held the hysterical woman against him and tried to support her trembling body the best he could. Florie was not overweight by any means, but the heavy cries that shook her body were more than enough to throw the young man off balance. He looked at the many other servants who had surrounded them helplessly, finally finding his voice and asking the fateful question.

"What has happened?"

He was rewarded with only vacant stares and silence, until a very young boy finally stepped forward.

"Becca. They took Becca away, an' she aint comin' back."

Florie sobbed loudly.

Daniel stared at the boy.

The boy stared back.

"Who has her now?"

"She aint comin' back."

"Who?"

"Larkin, of course."

---

And so now, he snuck through the corridors, unsure of just how he would get the infant back. He'd been in this part of the castle before, many times as a small boy although he was not allowed. This was where the priests lived, and where the temples were.

Catlike, Daniel continued to follow the newly appointed king. Larkin walked steadily, purpose clearly on his mind as he strode into the temple. Daniel stopped just ouside the entry and peered into the room cautiously.

He has seen this particular place before. It was a large space, with many pools of water spread throughout it. Torches lined the walls and copper pits of fire lit the room, casting eerie reflections of orange and yellow across the water, stone floors and walls.

"Sashin. I am here."

A robe clad priest hurried forward.

"Your majesty. So good of you to come."

It was true that Larkin was only there for himself, but still the priest knew better than to forgo manners.
The king waved his hand impatiently, and Daniel fixed his eyes on the men.

"Enough formalities. Let us get on with it, Sashin."

The priest nodded.

"Of course. You have the sacrifice, I imagine?"

Larkin sneered and dropped the baby into the priest's arms. Sashin's jaw promptly dropped.

"You do not mean you wish me to perform the ritual using an innocent child?

Larkin was annoyed.

"Are you questioning me?," he demanded, his orange eyes flashing dangerously.

"N--no, my Lord, of course not..."

Sashin closed his eyes solemnly and lay the child down gently before situating Larkin on the soft pillows he had arranged.

"You...you are sure you wish me to us--"

Larkin's eyes turned cold.

"You dare to question me again, and your life may very well be over, Sashin."

The priest's eyes widened and he nodded.

"As you wish, Majesty."

Hands trembling, the man carefully and slowly unwrapped the beautiful silver dagger he had cared for his whole life as a man of the gods, and drew the blade lightly down Rebecca's chest, drawing a thin line of blood.

The baby screamed.

Daniel fell to his knees and vomited.

I've run so long, I've run so far.

Daniel nodded slowly and obediently at the threat hidden In Larkin’s words and masked his fear. He had merely been concerned. Worried about the girl who Larkin was rumored to have acquired for company among other things.

As the Shrike escorted the “Lady Stelon” away, he sighed deeply.

Could he do nothing right?

True, he probably should not have touched her. Aside from Larkin being angry with him, he was unsure as to whether or not he might have offended Stelon. But when it came to Larkin, there was no doubt in his mind that he would have been chastised for not making sure she was alright.

Daniel shook his head as he walked to his quarters. Although he knew he would be wise not to risk it, he promised himself he would manage to apologize to the girl later.


Stelon breathed evenly as she sat beside the powerful man, his touch on her hand sending warm feelings of comfort throughout her being. The vision had caught her unexpectedly, and it had startled her even more than it had those around her.

Slowly, she looked up and met his shining orange eyes, taking a deep breath.

“It…it is not important. It was just something I saw.”

Larkin applied a very slight pressure to her hand, looking her in the eye still. He was not stupid; had she not figured that out yet?

“I know you saw something, Stelon. And clearly, it is either bothering you, confusing you, or both. Enlighten me.”

Stelon bit her bottom lip, and Larkin paused a moment, reminding himself to at least appear to patient. Slowly, his expression softened.

“Please. Go on and voice your troubles.”

The pair sat still for a moment, one evaluating the other.

Finally, Stelon spoke once more.

“I just…I had a family. A mother, a father…I had a brother!”

She stopped and turned the thought over in her mind.

“I had a name. I mean no offense, m’lord. But I do not think you can understand. People cared about me! I saw it! My life actually mattered. I belonged somewhere…That’s all I have ever wanted…to belong.”

The girl quieted and wiped a tear from her cheek with her free hand. Once more, she was crying. And in front of the Shrike.

She sighed softly as a feeling of being utterly helpless and pathetic washed over her, and she closed her eyes.

Cat and Mouse.

Oh, Gods. Daniel's heart was racing. Serving Larkin wine was not a difficult task, but if this was how it would be for him everyday...

The powerful man had tried to trip him. He wanted to hurt him. Daniel took a breath and let his facial expression go blank. He knew just as well as anyone that to show Larkin you were afraid would only make things worse.

Daniel carefully reached over and picked the goblet up in his hand and poured the burgundy liquid slowly, so as not to spill. He proceeded to hand it to Larkin carefully, and then retreated to put the bottle down. Larkin's orange eyes glistened and Daniel knew he was not pleased.

There was a knock on the door, and one of the maids began to head for the door.

"No. Let the boy get it."

Daniel nodded slowly and walked over to the door, opening it. The maid walked in slowly and curtsied.

"M'lord."

"What is it."

"The girl has been washed and dressed, as you ordered."

"Thank you, Lysette. You may leave."

Larkin watched the woman as she left and waited for the door to close, his eyes finally settling on Daniel once again.

Anger of the Moons

Reassigned to Larkin's quarters? Permanently?

Oh no. This was NOT good.

Daniel took a deep breath in weary attempt to calm his ridiculously tense nerves. He felt the dark cords of panic begin to tighten up around him, and shook his head in protest.

People were only assigned to Larkin for two reasons. People who were only assigned to Larkin to be rewarded. But that was not the case for him, and he knew it. He would fall under the other category.

People who were only assigned to Larkin for causing his displeasure.

These people were rarely heard from again.

Daniel's heart was racing with his thoughts at an unrecordable speed.

"Why...what have I done wrong...?"

The boy took a breath and tried to focus---

Click.

"Oh, Hisheme! That damn girl! Why did she INSIST on speaking with me? This will surely be my end..."

An hour later, his hair brushed neat for a change and his clothes surprisingly clean and straight, Daniel rapped his knuckles on Larkin's door.

Anger of the Moons

Reassigned to Larkin's quarters? Permanently?

Oh no. This was NOT good.

Daniel took a deep breath in weary attempt to calm his ridiculously tense nerves. He felt the dark cords of panic begin to tighten up around him, and shook his head in protest.

People were only assigned to Larkin for two reasons. People who were only assigned to Larkin to be rewarded. But that was not the case for him, and he knew it. He would fall under the other category.

People who were only assigned to Larkin for causing his displeasure.

These people were rarely heard from again.

Daniel's heart was racing with his thoughts at an unrecordable speed.

"Why...what have I done wrong...?"

The boy took a breath and tried to focus---

Click.

"Oh, Hisheme! That damn girl! Why did she INSIST on speaking with me? This will surely be my end..."

An hour later, his hair brushed neat for a change and his clothes surprisingly clean and straight, Daniel rapped his knuckles on Larkin's door.

Narrow escape.

Daniel ran from the room as fast as his legs could possible carry him, not daring to stop until he reached the servants' quarters. He sat upon his poor excuse for a bed, which was identical to everyone elses'. The servants' quarters were not grand by any means, but all the same, it was home. There were many raised wooden frames throughout the room with extremely thin "mattresses", but even then there were those who slept on the floor. Though they had blankets, they were not of the best quality, but it was enough to keep the servants warm, and that was all they needed. There were three barrels of water in these particular quarters with plain cups stacked next to them that were shared by all. Meals were given in a separate room to all who worked in the castle.

Life for the servants under Larkin was very routine, and few things ever changed. What always was to be remembered, was that one must not upset the Shrike of Galesing.

But he sure had done it this time.

Why didn't I just lie? Tell him the girl loved her room? Anything!

The boy sighed and closed his eyes. The girl was very intriguing. Where had she come from? And why in the name of the moons was she so keen on speaking with him?

He shook his head and tried to clear his thoughts.

I must not speak with her. It will only bring about more trouble for me, and for her as well. Larkin was so angry...

The Shrike's orange eyes flashed in Daniel's mind and he shuddered. It would be a long time before he could be sure he would go unpunished. Larkin was known to keep grudges, and he did not forget when any individual crossed him. Daniel breathed slowly and crossed the room for water, returning to his space right after. He was fortunate enough to have one of the platforms in the room, and even more fortunate it was a corner. People rarely ventured into the corners of the room, because they had no need or reason to. Grateful for this, Daniel slid under his blanket and did his best to nap.