The seventh child

Chapter 2


Rayne walked to her grand elders’ door and stood there for a moment, she hated coming here. He never once said a kind word to her, never once did he ever treat her like the other five. He had treated her like an outcast, a woman and a complete stranger these past eighteen years. She heard voice and cloaked herself so that she could hear without being detected.

“We do not know what the other prophecy foretells!” She heard one yell.

“Maybe so but it is not our decision anymore, sight has shone us that it is now her choice.” The elder’s voice was calm and cold as always.

“It will break the line.” Her father said harshly.

She unveiled herself and knocked loudly, the voices stopped and she felt their shields go up. In protection for themselves or to hide what they knew from her she did not know; they did not know that she could easily by pass anything they put between her but for the moment she would go in unaware.

“Enter.” Was her only response.

Opening the door she looked and saw that all six of the seven sons were in the elders study, it seemed small and cramped with all of them there. She looked at each face and knew something was up when no one would meet her gaze. She closed the door and leaned against it, not only for support but because there was little room with all seven in there.

“I thought that you wanted to speak to me alone granddad.” She said watching the others.

“I never said such a thing; I said to be here at this hour.” He responded with the same coldness he always had for her but his voice now held a twinge of fear in it.

Sighing she waited, each one refused to meet her eyes; even her father.

“Why am I here?” She asked getting the question out.

“We think it is time that you leave the castle.” Kane said bluntly.

“Am I that much of a threat to you?” She challenged.

He stood and placed both his hands on the desk; his face showed his anger now.
“No a vision came to your father and in it he saw you leaving the castle.”

She turned to stare at her father. “Is this true father or is the elder bullying you into this?”

“No daughter, I was not the only one who had it. Your mother had it a few days before I did but did not tell me until I spoke to her about it; only then did she tell me of it.” His voice was filled with pain.

She detected no lie in his voice but the hurt that filled her heart made he throat tighten and tears threaten to form in her eyes but she pushed them back.

“When am I to leave?” She said in a steady voice.

“That we do not know.” Elder Kane said.

“Then I will pack what I have and leave immediately.” She said turning.

“You’re taking this the wrong way child.” Her friend and blacksmith said pain in his deep voice.

“Am I?” She said opening the door and leaving.

She was numb as she walked the halls of her home, her room seemed so far away but it was only a few doors down. She stopped as her brothers stepped from behind a tapestry; the looks on their faces were smug.

“So is it true, the outcast is truly leaving?” One asked his voice filled with hate.

“It is.” She said plainly.

“That is such as shame.” The eldest said coming towards her.

“I am sure you will miss me like a bad sore brother.” She snipped.

“None of us here will miss you.” He said harshly.

She reacted with a swipe of her hand; all six were blown back and pinned to the wall. She could now see the fear on their faces; she walked slowly to them and stood watching them.

“Know this brothers, we may be related in blood but that is all we have in common. I can and might end the last generation right now if I wish it.” Her voice dripped with venom and each began to struggle in fear.

“RAYNE!” She heard and looked to see her father watching her.

“It is good to see you father, I was just telling my brothers goodbye.” She said releasing them.

The fell to the floor and scrambled away, she smiled faintly and shook her head.

“Would you really have ended their lives?” Her father asked.

She looked at their fleeing forms and then back at her father.

“No father I would not have but they had to know that not all can be bullied, you tease a bull for so long soon the bull will lash out. I hope that they have learned that lesson today.”

“You do not have to leave today.” He said coming over to stand by her.

“Yes I do; I am caged here. My destiny does not lie here trapped behind these walls.” She opened her door.

“At least say good bye to your mother.” He said to the door.

“I already have.” She said closing it fully.
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In the darker part of the world where no rays of light touched the ground, where trees were black as night and the soil as deadly and dark as a poison a castle stood. It was made of black stone but it was dull in color instead of bright, its edges were jagged and sharp; the towers rose to harsh tops. Lighting would strike one every now and then but no crack of thunder came afterwards, the air was dense and thick with toxic fumes from the earth. One could make out a small shape at the edge of the wall, a cloak whipping in wind that was not there and the aura that oozed from it that anyone would say was pure evil. It held in its clawed hands an orb as black as the night, the figure of Rayne could be seen and it grinned, sharp teeth gleamed. It held up its hand and a black dragon emerged from the shadows.

“She is coming to us my pet.” His voice low and hissing.

The dragon laid its muzzle in his clawed hand and growled low.

“Soon, very soon she will be here. A little more patience and we will rewarded with everything.” His hand stroked the dragon’s muzzle slowly.

Rayne’s image faded and so did both master and dragon, lighting struck another tower and the earth shook as more toxic gas spewed forth.
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Rayne did not know what had her more surprised; the fact that all six seven sons were standing at the gate entrance or the fact that Grand Elder Kane was there. She had packed light, clothes, a blanket, money she had pocketed away and some bread and cheese. She walked slowly towards them and watched as each found something else to keep their eyes on except for her. It was the blacksmith who finally came forward and grabbed her in a great big bear hug that had some bones popping but she returned the hug.

“I will miss you lass.” He said setting her down.

“It was meant to be.” She said plainly hiding the pain in her voice.

“Be as it may I have a departing gift for you.” He said pulling a sword from his belt.

“I can’t take this from you.” She said taking the weapon from him.

“I was making it the day Kane told us of your father’s vision and I knew that I would not let you go out unprotected.” He smiled.

“I am anything but defenseless and thank you.” She said slinging it around her back.

“I know lass but I needed to know that you had a weapon.” He grinned.

“I have my dagger that I made.” She said flipping her cloak back to show him.

Nodding he stepped to the side to allow her to pass, his face was full of pain and she put a gentle hand on his arm before continuing on. It was her father who stepped up next, his face held the greatest sadness of them all.

“Will you send letters?” He asked.

“I am not sure they would be welcomed.” She said flatly looking at Kane.

“They will be.” He said pulling her into a hug.

She laid her head on his shoulder and felt tears spring to her eyes but she pushed them back and pulled away.

“I am not needed here anymore, nor am I wanted.” Her eyes went to Kane again.

She saw him stiffen and frown harder.

“I have never said you weren’t wanted here!” He bellowed.

She watched in silence as the truth sunk in, he knew as much as the rest of them that they had all wanted her to be male but fate had stepped in the way. None knew why nor did they ask anymore, they only knew now that it was and will be always.

“Farewell.” She said stepping onto the wooden planks of the bridge and looking at the road ahead of her.

Though she had known this day would come she still felt fear rise up, she was on her own now. Her family casting her out to fulfill a destiny written ages ago, she walked slowly away. She watched trees sway in the wind, the water ripple as it passed under the bridge; she wanted these memories with her as she went forth. Stopping at the edge of the bridge she looked up and smiled; her mother stood on the wall and waved at her. Rayne lifted her hand and smiled, her mother had come to see her off and that was enough for her. She loved her mother with all she had; never once did fear ever enter her eyes when she looked at her. Rayne was her child and that was all she was; she had protected her against Kane many times. With one last look at the six men she gave a slight nod and cloaked herself so that they would not see the tears that streamed down her face; the pain in her heart had finally burst free.

The loneliness eating at her soul deepened and she felt herself slide further towards a darker path; she shook it off and kept her feet moving. That was all she could do at the moment; keep moving. She did not know where she was going she only knew she had to go and she would; it was the only thing she knew to do. She wanted to turn around and run back to her father and beg him to let her stay but her pride and stubbornness kept her feet moving; in time she knew the tears would stop and she would find her place but all she felt was the pain ripping her apart and that was worse then hearing a cold lecture from Kane.

Smiling a little she sniffed and wiped at the tears, she knew she could do this but she did not know if she could hide the darkness in her soul for much longer. It was eating at her, it whispered to her and she so wanted to let go and sink into its promise of relief but she felt it was wrong. Rayne pulled the cowl of the cloak over her head and continued on, her invisible cloak gone she walked the path ahead of her and prayed that she could stay sane through it all.