Abhorrent Fallacy

Chapter Two; Weave of Life

     “Andi, did you ever wonder why we never seem to see our parents?” I opened my mouth to argue that we always see them when I stopped and looked back at the house. “As I thought.”

    “Don’t feeeeel baddddd, you are only a half-” A sharp bark of command interrupted the hissing whip-like creature.

     “SILENCE. You will not disrespect my mistress; I can remove your vocal chords now if they are going to become a problem.” Aurora looked at Daemon with disapproval.

     “Now Daemon, is that necessary.” He huffed and laid back down as the little boy giggled.

     “Daemon just spoke. My dog just spoke. That’s it; I must have slipped in the kitchen and knocked my head.” Daemon let out another annoyed huff.

     “Why do they always question the speaking? I’ve spoke for years and now she hears me? Humans are more close-minded than I thought. I expected more of her, o well, I guess there’s still time.”

     “At least she can hear all of us now. Come to think of it I believe the official escort is due about- ah, here they are.” Rori peered into the woods with a pleasant but empty smile.

     “And now there's an army marching through my woods, what’s next? Talking dogs?” daemon stood and let out an annoyed groan. “Oh, right.” I walked over cautiously and stood next to my sister, still prepared to defend, even if there was no just cause. I doubt I could do much damage as I stood in awe of the silver and gold armor the tall knights wore, seemingly to be made of sun and moon light as they sparkled in the dimness of the forest. I must have looked the spectacle, jaw agape; eyes wide, for Daemon sighed again and shook his head. “Can you do anything constructive other than sigh? I swear, before I knew you could speak…” Daemon shot me a look before taking post in front of Aurora and I.

     Whom I assume to be the captains of the squad stepped from the depths of the group, paused a respectful distance from our group. The captains saluted Daemon who nodded in return. “Thane and Gerard, in person, oh, must have been more attacks recently to send the monarchs themselves.” I felt my eyes widen as the newly introduced royalty removed their helmets. “May I introduce, Kings Thane and Gerard, of the Winter and Summer court respectfully.” I continued to gawk at the men, who were of course gorgeous in all forms and uses of the word. “Princess Aurorandial of the Summer court and Queen-to-be Andistallia of the Solstice court.”

     “WHAT?!” I all but screamed. Daemon sighed and coughed.

     “You’ll have to excuse her, shes new.” The little boy supplied. I scowled at him. Aurora rolled her eyes.

     “Khale, please.” Rori sighed; Khale gave her a sheepish look. “I am glad to see you both again your majesties, this is my sister Andi.” Thane gave a cold but pleasant smile, Gerard gave a warm grin before stepping forward, extending a hand. I clumsily placed my hand in his to which he placed a gentle kiss, the feel like the sun on your skin on a warm spring day.

     “Um, hi.” Rori let loose a peal of laughter, Gerard a hearty chuckle.

     “Eloquently stated, Mistress,” Daemon dead-panned.

     “I’m sorry! This is a lot to take in!” I blushed and crossed my arms self-consciously.

     “Ah, there is nothing to worry about Princess, I find it quite endearing.” Gerard winked at me and I smiled shyly, averting my gaze. “And I’m sure Frosty over here can even feel the warmth of your personality.” My eyes flickered to Thane momentarily to find him staring at us all with a rather bored expression.

     “I believe we have wasted enough time here with idle chatter.” Daemon nodded his consent and took his leave through the path left between the soldiers. Aurora followed regally, Khale prodded me forward, Vincent slithering along behind.” We were soon enclosed in a comfortable group of bodies.

     Im not sure exactly for how long we marched, or even to where, I felt like I should have protested more, I feel most helpless at this point, listlessly dragging my feet in the… snow? “Welcome to Tandrythlah’s Fall, Winter Territory.” Daemon supplied. I stood on the tips of my toes trying to see above around or possibly through the woven guards, I believe they stacked three thick at least. Iturned to speak with Daemon, and ended up staring a stranger directly in the chest. I glanced up into familiar amber eyes. “May I help you, Mistress?”

     “You’re human.” Daemon scoffed.

     “Hardly, I think Vincent is closer to being human than I. surely, Mistress, you had a more appropriate statement in mind.” He stood and crossed his arms as we came to a sudden halt. “I’m a hell hound. Not one of those silly Faerie Dogs or of that mindless Hunt, I am a demon bound to a service until released by death of my charge.” I squinted at him, trying to see any of that goofy puppy playing with little Rori in the back yard just a few days ago.

    “Um, why aren’t you a dog?” He rolled his eyes.

     “Though poorly phrased, I understand your question. All the iron in the mortal realm makes it difficult to hold the shape I’m currently in Glamour recoils from iron naturally. I took my beast form to conserve my Glamour over my years of servitude in the mortal realm with you and her majesty Aurorandial.” I looked at him.

     “Uh, huh…” I sat down on a small boulder within the group’s vicinity. “This is too much.” I put my head in my hands.

     “Ssssssome queen shhhhe’ll be.” Vincent hissed. Daemon opened his mouth to defend me, before he could a sharp crack! And a keening noise broke the silence.

     “You will not speak to one of the royal house in such a manner, Halfling, nor will you embarrass your king in blatant disrespect of an allied monarch.” A knight in moonlight armor pressed. Vincent, after seeing the stony expression of Thane, immediately crawled to my feet begging forgiveness.

     “Oh, um, its fine, you didn’t mean any harm.” My face twisted into one of extreme discomfort. He thanked me profusely. Thane eyed him with a stony expression before nodding, accepting the apology. I stared at the poor creature as he curled up in the darkest corner of the clearing, holding a claw to where he was struck.

     “He’s the union of an unseelie sidhe and a basilisk.” I didn’t hear my sister’s approach.

    “How long have you known?” She knew I wasn’t referring to Vincent.

     “Technically since the first human dreamed.” I finally looked at her, “Im an Old Soul. Most of the time souls are recycled, I remember all my past lives, the queens and kings I’ve been, my last life I didn’t remember. It made me better, it improved me. I had a major flaw in the life before that, I was a cruel ruler, I twisted the Winter fae, I  made them what they are, cruel and malicious.” Her eyes were haunted. She finally looked at me with a  sad smile. I looked into myself, wondering if I couldn’t remember life like she couldn’t.

     “You are a New Soul. Who you should have been, well, they sold their soul. For fame, glory, vanity, the reasons differ, yet have a pattern, much like the careful Weave of Life.” My sister seemed to age before my eyes, not just metaphorically, but literally as well. Her skin turned white as the first blanket of snow at the beginning of winter, her hair shone like the white gold of sunlight, her eyes were the same, always too old for the rest of her. She seemed to read my thoughts in my expression. “This body is 248 years old.” She didn’t look a day over 23. Somehow I wasn’t surprised. She smiled again, a bit more sardonic than the last. “Now you look like the one who has seen too much in her life, though you are only 19.” I gave her my own rueful smile.

     “Maybe I have.”

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These are filler chapters, adding background information. Action will begin hopefully in the next few chapters, to which I hope will be longer.

-Catember