Chapter One: Sanctuary

 Aseday, Amyirus 36th, 3658 The Second Age; Millenium of The Promise
Fourth Moon Cycle of Spring
Outskirts of Rua Faer, Valania Pasture

In all accounts it was a normal day. Mother was in the cottage making Kaitra a beautiful shawl. Uncle was in the field, shepherding the flock and like everyday, leading up to now, Father was across country to quench the rebellion in the valley of Elenshir. Kaitra ran in the field picking mother her valania flowers for her sleep potion to silence the bad dreams she has. She hummed a little ditty under her breath and she picked the flower, with a cloth mask over her face to prevent the bloom's scent and power from knocking her out cold.

"Valanias are a powerful bloom. If not picked and prepared correctly it can give you amnesia," mother once told Kaitra when she finally agreed to let her pick the blooms, "Never enter a valania field without a mask! Make sure it is secured."

Kaitra picked the last bloom and rushed out of the field, to the grass field, where she saw her Uncle last sitting, guarding the bargnot flock. As she went, she unfastened the pouch on her side to stow the blossoms in before she arrived by his side. But before she could finish she suddenly halted upon the familiar scent of flame. Smoke, blacker than coal rose in the distance from the direction of the house. Kaitra gasped, running out of the field faster to her Uncle's side. Her heart beat erratically in fear, her stomach ready to hurl. The rumors were true....

"Uncle! Uncle! Mama's in danger! Unc--" Kaitra suddenly froze.

There were a group of men, standing in the way and peeking beneath them, by their feet was the head of Uncle, unmoving. But she hadn't enough time to respond or grieve, for a rough hand grabbed her hair, dragging her closer. Yelping in agony, Kaitra struggled to break free from the grasp of the man who seized her.

"Is that the halfling?" asked one of the men. She looked up and saw it was a pemma warrior dressed in crimson finery. The Grand Master of the Dark Serpents, a special force in King Sorion's court that kept the country in line or so Father said the night he was forced to leave.

A rough hand yanked her hair up to look under it; Kaitra let out a teary-eyed cry, "Ears of a pemma."

Another hand roughly grasped her chin and neck, forcing her to look at another man, directly in his dark soulless eyes, "Eyes of a juvenile afaena."

"It is a halfling" Then the hand moved to her cheeks, squeezing tightly to force her mouth open then roughly examined her arms, "and it's healthy and strong."

"Bring it with us, we must travel to Mythiah, to the Market."

Caherday, Phoenipher 10, 3670 The Second Age; Millenium of the Deliverence
First Moon Cycle of Autumn
Capitol Citadel of Mythiah Westside of the Ado Mountains

Kaitra bolted awake, wild eyed and crying. She lay in the bed of her master Skordrim. Chains were locked around her neck and his arm was wrapped around her chest. He slept on top of her as the Mistress slept on top of him. Kaitra couldn't remember how she got there. All she remembered was being taken into the renewal room and looking into his eyes again. He must have commanded her again. But it wasn't supposed to wear off until tonight. His hold must be weakening. Because it was morning and Kaitra was aware. Not much left for her to do but wait...

Not too long afterward, Skordrim stirred and awoke, the mistress following suit. Kaitra cringed as they sat up. her chain was tugged as the mistress toyed with it, drawing close the master to whisper, "Might I have it while you prepare for the ceremony, baby?"

"Of course, but remember, I must send it on an errand this afternoon to fetch the sacrifice," they kissed deeply, "First, I have noticed it has been fighting the trance a lot. Let me check to see if it is still in my grasp."

Suddenly, Kaitra was yanked by the chain to look deep in the black pearl-like eyes of Skordrim. Kaitra forced herself into disassociation. Skordrim turned her head from side to side before forcing her to gaze into his eyes which began to glow purple. Meanwhile Kaitra focused on his brows and the irridescient periwinkle glow of his hair falling in front of his eyes.

"It's still mine, go on and take it," Skordrim's lips curled upward with a cruel sneer.

Mistress pulled the chain and hummed a sensual moan and knocked Kaitra to the floor. Kaitra shut everything out and stared at the bottom of the bed as it moved and bounced. And having not been given a command, knew that she must lie still to keep the illusion that she was still under a trance.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

An hour later...
Great Hall of the Capital Citadel

Kaitra stood in the corner watching as many children ran around her and the mistress in the solar. Mistress read in the corner, giving out commands to other slaves as Kaitra fed the baby in her arms with a bottle and rocked it back and forth. She sat and considered the position she was in. Skordrim would be coming back for luncheon and while the family fed, would send Kaitra on an errand to the prison for a halfling prisoner for tonight's ceremony. There would be a triple lunar eclipse as all three moons aligned tonight, which would give Skordrim the power to drain magic from the chosen prisoner. Kaitra could run away then, and nobody would know until it came time to bring the prisoner. There's two ways this could go.... Firstly, she could flee and not go to the prison at all... the likelihood of this succeeding was high, she could make it out with ease, however the likelihood of survival longer than a week was considerably less. The prisoners are rumored to be adventurers however, which meant that they would be essential for prolonged survival. They may have some knowledge about the outside that would be a great help. She had the knowledge of the castle to find a way out. But the likelihood of escape was 50/50 cuz it meant trusting others for this escape. But what she could do is trust to a certain degree and the degree she did not know, she'd rely on the blade. Freedom or death. Sounds like a plan. That just means caring for the children of Master until luncheon. I can do that, Kaitra thought to herself.

A crash interrupted her thinking when she looked up the mistress was screaming at one of her sons who accidentally knocked over a statue of King Sorion.

"You clumsy oaf!" Mistress raged at the boy, grabbing him, roughly by the collar, "I told you to slow down!"

She raised her hand to slap the boy, who cringed as the hand landed on his face. Kaitra shut her eyes tight, and looked away, Luncheon couldn't come soon enough...

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

2 hours later....
Capital Courtyard of Mythiah

Kaitra was right. During luncheon, Skordrim did send her out, after checking her eyes again. She had become a pro at disassociating on queue it seems, because even though he had been onto the fact she was resisting, he couldn't tell if she was not under at this moment. Which was truly good for her, she was on her way to speak with the prisoners, below. But as she walked through the fortress of Mythiah, where slaves worked day and night in the stone below to build monuments to the King of Shadows. Mountains towered above all, shrouded the sun and casting shadows which drowned out all colours, save for the shade of misery. Few visitors came in and few inhabitants came out of here. Hope seemed to have been dashed into the blackened stones, leaving what little life within to be bleak and monotone. As Kaitra drew near to the gateway of the prison. There were nobody standing watch but the shadows. It didn't fool Kaitra however, the dark ones were always watching. So, it was still essential to pretend to be doing her master's bidding. Entering the open gate, Kaitra noted that he prison was even more miserable and dark than outside, if even possible. Save for the scattered torches spaced too far apart. Kaitra continued down the incredibly long path which stretched on to eternity. Her footsteps echoed off of the walls as she carried on to where she went. Each step drawing closer to oblivion. As Kaitra continued down, something seemed very very strange, the stench of the prison was replaced with sweet smelling perfume, the dark slowly ebbed away, casting a cozy, comforting glow, down the tunnel, the misery was replaced with a peace on her soul.

"Kaitra..." a voice called to her in the distance.

Now rumors are a funny thing. You might have recalled that I had said few of the inhabitants of Mythiah ever left... Well that may still be true, but there have indeed been a handful of halflings that left. It was top secret so as to keep the thought of escaping to a minimum. Anyone who attempted escape had spoken of an encounter before having to silence themselves. But each story she heard had a few things in common; a Voice, a light, and stories of a Name that broke the chains of the master.

Tentatively, Kaitra spoke into the dimly lit hall; "Here I am."

Suddenly a door appeared to her right, and opened, an unfamiliar man stepped out from the light, with a genuinely kind smile upon his face. His fur was like gold and bronze. His eyes were the colour of topaz. His brown curly locks fell over his shoulders. But the part that was the most queer was every one of his features was cast a warm glow. Kaitra blinked and was suddenly was sitting in a comfortable arm chair. The man walked over to her side and offered a cup of tea to her. Kaitra remained still and hesitant. The man placed the cup on the side table. Her surroundings transformed from the abysmal prison into a workrooom, lit up by a fireplace. A table sat in the middle of the room. Kaitra, where she sat was warmed by the fire, a stark contrast to the cold environment of her surroundings. Kaitra looked around in confusion, supposing she must be under some enchantment, but surprised that that did not seem to phase her. If anything, this enchantment only caused a calm over her, that is until she gazed down at her feet. Shadows formed the shape of chains around her ankle; the chain stretched along the floor, and at the end of it was iron that was shaped as a heart. Kaitra stood up suddenly, when a flash revealed shards of iron inside a slow bleeding heart. She felt a sharp pain within her chest, as if a sword pierced her heart. Another flash and she saw herself in a field, being chased by two men, but there was no danger felt within the chase. Joy permeated her heart, like a feeling of homesickness. A woman scooping her up a kissing her on the cheek. Stormy nights when fear was comforted and tears were wiped. Kaitra was back in the arm chair, tears spilling from her eyes, as the man before her gazed deeply into her eyes. Give me your burden. His voice spoke, with unmoving lips. Upon the realization that the man was there to help, and not hinder; she nodded her premission. He stooped down, breaking the cuff around her ankle and held her heart up. Whispering to it, he grasped a bottle and poured a pearl-esque liquid on the heart. As it washed the heart over, shedding the flak and iron from the bleeding organ, cleansing the wound and turning it into living gold. The man stood up and placed the heart into her chest and embraced her. Suddenly she was in front of prison bars that were broken open, the two prisoners gazed up at Kaitra in shock. A voice whispered within her; Head the way of the setting sun until you reach the forked rivers, Yahi and Elviren. Follow the Yahi river until you see the watchtower. Ask for the one they call Willai, He shall guide you to sanctuary. I will remain with you to guide you.