by Luna Lais
At the end of the ceremony the bell would ring, letting all know that the moon's favor had been given. Then the mother's would celebrate with port in their chambers after the ceremony, toasting each other for another month of controlling Calandoria with the dictates of the God. That would be the time for Lissandra to make her presence known.
The rest of the Order would go below to their chambers after the ceremony, except for those on inner watch guarding the dormitory. The timing of their assault could not have been more perfect if the Gods themselves would have planned it. She laughed to herself at the thought. If there was a Moon's Soul watching over Calandoria she would soon know. Surely the God would not allow its power to be drained from the world.
Eranen was more than impressed with the Temple. In all his life he had never seen anything like it. It was indeed very beautiful, but at the same time cold. He had turned to Lissandra to share his thoughts, but his words stuck in his throat when he saw her. She was watching the Temple. The reflection of the moonlight coming from the structure made her skin glow like a spirit or undead, at least how Eranen had imagined the beings would glow. Her eyes where almost white, but what gave him pause was the look of on her face. He had never seen a look so full of hate, not even on the field of battle where men killed one another. "Lissandra," he said calmly.
She jumped at the sound of his voice and relaxing her features immediately she turned to him. "Is something wrong?" she asked seeing the look on his face.
Eranen contemplated the question before answering, "I am not sure. It depends on if you can accomplish this task and leave your hate behind when we go," he said softly.
"Rest easy," she smiled. "This task brings me no pleasure, but I could not live with myself if I let Rachel's killers go unpunished."
Eranen understood. He had never told her, but when his mother had been killed when he was sixteen it had been his need for vengeance that led him to Pearoandorn and into the middle of a civil war. At the time Eranen could not imagine taking a life, but he would have sacrificed his own to obtain justice for his mother.
Drawing his attention way from his mother's death, a bell rang out in the silence of the night to signal the end of the ceremony and they begin of their assault.
"Give them just a moment to move below and then we will go," Lissandra said. The look of vengeance returned to her face once more. Eranen's hand went to the hilt of his sword. If everything went according to plan he would not need to use it.
The minutes tick by slowly and Eranen was becoming edgy to leave the hiding spot. It no longer felt safe. Something was out of place, yet nothing had changed. He glanced at Lissandra she stood still like a statue. She had pulled the hood of her black cloak over her head. Eranen heard a soft noise behind him, he swore. It was a footstep and who ever it belong to had been taught to walk in the woods without making a sound. Eranen had only heard the footstep due to his own skills and the inexperience of the individual behind them. He tightened his grip on his sword and spoke softly to Lissandra.
"We have guest," she had to strain to hear his words and it had taken a moment for them to register. She did not move, but waited for him to say more. "I want you to run," he breathed, "I will join you when I am finished." Lissandra shook her head slightly. "I will not argue with you," his voice rose slightly. "If they sound the alarm more than need be will perish." He saw her take a deep breath before nodding. She was shaking as she moved her hand to touch his for a moment. "Now," he yelled as he pulled his sword free and turned to face their foe.
Lissandra began sprinting across the lawn heading for the steps that would take her to the Temple. The hood of her cloak flew back revealing her face in the moonlight. She did not look back. Eranen was right; she had to get to the mother's chamber before an alarm was sounded. She stopped once she reached the bottom of the steps long enough to catch her breath. Panting she turned towards the trees, but she could not see Eranen or hear the sounds of fighting.
Wanting to run back and help, but knowing she could not she looked at the steps before her. Taking a deep breath she gathered the hem of her cloak and the dress she wore beneath and quickly began climbing the stairs. Even if she had not just sprinting across the lawn it would have been difficult to the climb the steps quickly. There were so many and they were steep.
Once she reached the end of the steps she crouched behind the nearest statue, panting for air. Her lungs were on fire and her throat raw from trying to take in more air. From the height of the platform she could see the spot where she had been standing with Eranen. He was not there, nor was he running across the lawn towards the Temple. Whoever had been behind them had drawn him into the woods to fight.
She willed strength into her tired legs and pulled her cloak back over her head. She gave a slight moan as she used the arm of the stone figure next to her to stand. It appeared her sprint across the lawn had gone unnoticed by those within. She squared her shoulders before moving around the statue and heading for the entrance to the Temple.
It sat between to tall white columns adorned with silver vines. She took long strides and calmly walked the distant. She knew if anyone spotted her standing on the platform they would be unable to tell her robe was black and not the blue of the order. When she had closed the distance from the statue where she hid to the golden door, she paused to listen. She could not hear any noise from the other side and she hoped that meant all but the Mothers had gone to bed. The Moon ceremony was an exhausting ordeal and very seldom did the women linger afterwards. "Please let it be empty," Lissandra breathed.
She slowly opened the door and slipped through as quickly as possible. The torches of the main halls off each side of the sanctuary were still burning. The large sanctuary looked the same as the last time she had seen it. It had probably looked the same for a millennium. No furniture was placed in the room and the high ceilings made even the smallest footstep echo. On the ceiling a battle between the Moon and the Sun was depicted. Unlike other scenes she had seen of the battle between the two in this painting they were in human form. The Moon, a woman with long dark hair was wearing silver armor and stood with her sword drawn. Facing her with sword also drawn was the Sun, a blond man with golden armor. There armies clashing around them, but neither the Moon nor the Sun seemed able to strike the other. Lissandra had always found peace looking at the painting, tonight was not any different.
During the day the room would be filled with pilgrims, knelling on the hard cold marble floor in prayer facing the fountain. The fountain sat opposite of the main entrance doors on the wall at the back of the sanctuary. It was a three tiered fountain made entirely of silver. The tiers where shaped like large bowls to hold the water. The water fell from its height of fifty feet from a small opening half way up the wall and slowly spilled down each of the three tiers before emptying into a large pool at the base of the fountain. At night torches lit the back of the fountain and added to its beauty. The sound of falling water echoed through the room and brought peace to Lissandra. On the wall behind the fountain, artisans had painted large sky with gold stars and the opening where the water fell to the fountain from was surrounded by a large moon made of ivory. It appeared the moon was giving the water, perfect for the purposes of the Temple.
This room is a lie, she thought to herself. It should have been a symbol of peace; instead it has housed conspiracy, murder and greed. She turned to her right and stared at the hallway leading from the sanctuary. She steeled herself to her task and began walking towards the corridor. She had only made it a few steps when a large figure wearing a blue robe emerged from the passage carrying a lit candle. The woman paused when she saw Lissandra and began shaking the moment she recognized her.
"How dare you come here," Abby hissed at her, "You who have shamed us all." Lissandra stared at the old woman. Lissandra had once looked at the woman before her with great reverence. She had never noticed the wrinkles that hung from her face or the bulges of fat that could not be concealed by the large robe. "What are
you doing here?" Abby screamed.
"Did you think the House of Raven would do nothing," Lissandra spoke softly walking towards the fountain. She dismissed Mother Abby and looked at her reflection in the pool of water. Abby watched carefully. Norah and Claudette would be coming down the hall in a matter of moments. Despite the girl's gift of the Sun Arts the three of them would easily be able to handle her.
"What are you doing here?" Abby screamed again. She was growing annoyed with the lack of respect Lissandra was showing her.
Lissandra lightly touched her fingers to the surface of the water. Little ripples moved across her reflection. "At the moment I am waiting for Claudette and Norah to join us." She spoke softly, but her words had been echoed across the room. She slightly turned to look at Abby.
Abby had been taken back by her words, but only for a moment. A slow smile crept upon the old woman's face. She extinguished the candle and sat it on the floor beside her. She moved away from the entrance of the hallway and purposely moved to the center of the sanctuary directly behind Lissandra, but still a good distance separated them. Lissandra had heard her move, but did not turn to watch. "You are a fool child. If you sought revenge you would have done better to bring an army to assist you."
Lissandra did turn, but not at Abby or her words. She turned to the hallway where two figures in blue robes where entering the room. "What is she doing here?" Norah asked as the two moved to stand by Abby.
"I seek vengeance for my sister's death, of course." Lissandra turned slowly and followed them with her eyes as they came to a stop next to Abby.
"Alone," Norah questioned looking around the sanctuary to see if anyone else was present in the room.
"We knew she was reckless and now it appears she is stupid as well." Abby took a step forward, but Claudette stopped her.
"Where are your brother's men?" Claudette asked, her voice trembling. Lissandra wondered if it was out of fear or due to her age.
"My brother's men are with my brother I suppose. I have no need of them." She met Abby's eyes. "I am quite capable of handling myself."
"You are not foolish enough to come alone." Claudette stated.
"No," Lissandra shook her head, "I did not come alone." She moved her eyes to Claudette's, wanting to see her reaction. "I came with my husband," she said smiling at the astonished face.
"You dare bring a man here," Norah howled. "The Arts will be lost forever."
Lissandra only laughed, "I had no choice in the matter. Since he discovered I am with child he has not let me out of his sight."
"No," Abby screamed falling to her knees. "You will destroy the Moon."
"The Arts are still with us," Claudette said coolly. "I think it is safe to believe the blood sacrifice worked to strip her of her powers." Claudette pulled Abby up by the neck of her hood and pushed the woman to stand behind her. She turned to Lissandra's expressionless face. "Why are you here?" Claudette asked.
"I am here to kill you." Lissandra stated calmly watching the three women's look of surprise. "Then I will destroy the Temple." Norah laughed at her words and Abby joined in. Claudette and Lissandra glared at each other.
"You would destroy the Art of the Moon for petty vengeance?" Claudette asked harshly. "Would you?" Both Norah and Abby had stopped laughing and looked at Claudette's strained face.
"I do not need the Moon Arts," Lissandra answered softly. "I can control all elements," as she spoke a great wind began howling through the sanctuary. The robes of the three mothers began flapping wildly as the wind grew more powerful. Lissandra stood there watching, untouched by the forceful gusts.
"Cease," Claudette yelled. Abby was holding on to Norah to help maintain her balance. Lissandra amused herself a few moments more watching the women brace themselves against the air, the wind ceased in an instant.
Lissandra closed her eyes a moment and when she opened them again the sisters were looking in horror as the stone walls stretched to cover the exits surrounding the sanctuary. "So we are not disturbed," Lissandra said without emotion.
"If face with the same situation you would have done the same," Norah said pleading.
"Perhaps," Lissandra agreed, "but I did not. I did not strike out at you when I was confined to my quarters while you plotted my death. I left my faith and my life here behind." Norah charged for Lissandra, but never made it. Without blinking Lissandra encased the mother in a block of ice. A look of rage was frozen on her face. "She should have waited," Lissandra said eyeing the other two eagerly. "You might have been at least a challenge if you could have combined your powers."
Abby and Claudette stared in disbelief at the block of ice encasing Norah. Slowly Abby moved back towards the stone wall. Claudette made no attempt to move. "So the prophecy had come to pass," Claudette whispered. "The destroyer rises to power."
"No," Lissandra shouted. "The King of Calandoria rises to power. That pathetic man in the North will fall before him."
Claudette stared at Lissandra a moment, "What man in the North?" she asked confused.
Lissandra frowned at the question. Surely Claudette had read the book of prophecy in the Moon's Soul. "The Realm of the Sun seeks to conquer the world," Lissandra whispered. "Surely you know of this." Lissandra had been distracted by Claudette's question and Abby continued sliding around the room along the wall. She took advantage of Lissandra's confusion to launch her attack. Gathering all her strength she hurled a giant ball of ice towards Lissandra's head. The ball of ice melted and turned to steam before reaching its mark. The wave of heat Lissandra had sent towards the ball continued towards Abby and slammed her against the wall. With only a brief look at the woman, Lissandra engulfed her in flames. Abby let out a horrible whining screech as her flesh began to melt from the bone. She tried to take a few steps towards Lissandra, but the floor turned to liquid beneath her feet. Once she had sunk to her ankles the floor became solid again, holding the burning woman in place. The heat and the stench grew unbearable as Abby burned.
Lissandra stared into Claudette's eyes while the gruesome scene took place beside her. Claudette was not looking at Abby, but continued to meet Lissandra's eyes with her own. Once Lissandra was sure no life remained she extinguished the flames, leaving behind nothing but a charred skeleton standing where Abby had once been.
"I know nothing of the Realm of the Sun," Claudette said. "Why would I?"
"The book in the Moon's Soul," Lissandra answered. "The one that prophesized my abilities, my destiny."
Claudette continued staring at Lissandra, "I have not read any book regarding you, nor have I ever seen a book of prophecy in the Moon's Soul."
Lissandra was growing uncomfortable and began pacing trying to think how this was possible. "Then how did you know about me?" Lissandra asked Claudette quickening her steps.
"An Acumen came to us on the day of your birth and instructed us on the actions to take to prevent the rise of the destroyer." Claudette sighed and sat on the hard floor still watching Lissandra. Apparently Lissandra was in no hurry to kill her. "He told me to destroy the House of Raven or the Temple would be lost." Claudette's eyes moved to the ceiling and then the walls around her. "Apparently he was correct."
"And Rachel," Lissandra asked.
"She was a Raven," Claudette answered. "It had been easy to kill Queen Maureen and the babe. Nothing at all to place one of the girls in the birthing room to fill their lungs with water."
"Where is this girl?" Lissandra stopped her pacing and started moving towards Claudette.
"Dead, King Jimreth had all the attendance executed," Claudette reminded Lissandra as she rose to meet her as an equal in stature, if not in power. "It was equally easy to hire a soldier to kill Jimreth in exchange for providing shelter to his sister, who was also slated for execution."
"Is she dead as well," Lissandra asked halting her march towards Claudette.
"No," Claudette smiled. "The last reports my spies brought me from the castle assured me she was quite well."
"And the
brother," Lissandra pressed.
"Executed for Rachel's death. It was he who performed the act." Lissandra smiled satisfied with the news. "And who is the sister?"
"A member of your brother's council and from what I have been told," Claudette smirked, "A favorite of your little brother's." Claudette rose and turned her back on Lissandra. There was no escape from her power and Claudette did not even have half of Lissandra's strength. "You and Darien were the elusive ones," she said softly. It has been more than impossible to do as the Acumen instructed us. "We hired men to take Darien on a small farm in Hokaren, but they never returned. When we had finally decided how best to get rid of you, you had vanished. Then Makren returned and only complicated matters. Still I thought the people would turn against him with Darien and Rachel out of the way. Unfortunately Darien returned and emptied the castle of everyone except for those necessary to him."
Lissandra began pacing again at Claudette's words. She listened intently to all that was said. Everything had begun with the Order, but how was it to end. "What of the dragon and the blue cow?" she asked halting once more and turning to Claudette.