Topic: Loss of a Sister

Issy

Date: 2011-12-02 01:04 EST
The following takes place after "Renna's Promise." Thanks again, to Renna.

"Priestesses," she hated the words she was about to say. And she hated herself for having to say them, for not being able to prevent them. "I have some very ill news about one of our own." She had called for a meeting of the Scathachians in Rhydin shortly after her arrival to the Sanctuary. Isuelt was escorted home by Grem and Race, who stayed for an odd amount of time, according to a few of the girls. She swallowed and glanced down, a burn already beginning in the back of her throat, "It has come to my attention that there was a second survivor in the massacre at the docks." Her dark eyes, which bore shadows beneath them, looked to Athena. "One was taken. Taken by whatever it was that attacked the ship. Lexia." Lexia was the youngest of the group, she was the darling of both Isuelt and Athena while she was in their tutelage. She was the most natural warrior, the most graceful athlete that many on the Island could remember seeing. Everyone, including the High Priestess Lenai, Sheryl's mother, expected great things from Lexia.

There was a mumbling of voices tinged with excitement and foreboding. To let them go on any longer was cruel. Isuelt continued the bitter words, "Renna ended up with Lexia and," she knew she would have to confess her own knowledge of these actions, and possibly condemn herself in the process for not speaking about it until now. "....And it seems that she was holding Lexia captive. Torturing her." Her dark chocolate eyes were on the floor now, studying the pattern in the carpet. She could hear the voices as if they were miles away: "You waited until now to tell us?" "How long have you known?" "When did this happen?" "We left Lexia to toil?"

Isuelt's hand came up and rubbed her forehead, then wiped down her face, "It was several days ago, nearly a week. Renna came to me and presented the choice. She said she would release Lexia if I....if I killed someone. Wolvinator." She shook her head, her espresso locks shifting in their hang. "I couldn't do it, obviously and I couldn't get in touch with him to work something out to trick Renna." The room had gone strangely quiet though it was full of opinionated women. "I let the deadline run out. And I didn't tell you. I didn't let you be a part of this because I thought I could handle it on my own. Obviously....obviously I couldn't. I failed. And I failed Lexia."

Her head hung as her brows knitted tightly together. As she moved her jaw to speak once more, she had to check her voice to keep it steady, "Lexia is dead because of my over confidence and pride. Renna has done what she does best." Isuelt knew she would have to divulge the details of what she knew and this catharsis seemed the only time to do it. "First she nailed a hand to the door of the Inn. It had a tattoo of the Scales of Justice on it. Then a second hand, with the crossed Scathachian Swords was given to me the next day, along with the ultimatum." She sniffed and continued. "When I couldn't deliver, she....Renna delivered..." She couldn't even power her tongue into saying the words. As her Sisters stared at her, some with wide eyes, some with narrowed eyes, she couldn't bring herself to share the horrible death that Lexia must have had. Her dark eyes looked to the back of the room where two out of place individuals stood: men. She drew her strength from those that were with her when Renna had delivered the unimaginable, Grem and Race were standing silently nodding for her to continue. "Renna had her eyes and her heart because I couldn't deliver what she wanted." She swallowed the rising in her throat, utterly disgusted with herself. "I'm sorry. I failed Lexia and I failed all of you."

Her gaze looked over her Sisters gathered, wanting more than anything for this to be nothing but a bad dream.

Fatale

Date: 2011-12-30 11:29 EST
She had spent most of her time since arriving in Rhy'din locked away, figuratively as well as literally. She got out to patrol, on rare occasion...random times, when coverage was thin and many Sisters gathered at the temple.

Which was rare in itself, these days, since the one who called herself Renna, the Betrayer, had made her presence known.

And since the one who now called himself Raven had been found to be allied with her...a traitor, a Judas no one had thought would ever be lurking in their midst. The consort of a rogue Scathachian sister, who had trained with her and with other Sisters.

She looked to Illea from where she stood now, listening to what she said now of Renna having hold of Lexia, the pain returned fresh, stabbing her in the chest like a blunt spear made of equal parts fire and ice. The little, lovely Lexia had been more than another of Athena's students - she saw in the young warrior a daughter she would never have, even moreso than her other students.

It brought the heartbreak of losing them all - her students, her Sisters, her favorites - back afresh, like claws ripping at an already open wound.

She had spent much of her time since coming here in her chambers, mopurning their loss, more so than she had spent out on patrols. There had been nights here and there where she had permitted herself the illusion of comfort and company, of friendship in a world free of these horrifying evils and the wracking guilt of the loss of so many she was close to.

But it all came back to this - she had lost her charges, her students, her Sisters. She had failed in her mission to bring aid to those under fire.

And now, with this news, it struck not only a fresh wound, but a new flame in the bargain. Was she going to sit and wallow in her misery and guilt like some stripling girl after a whipping, or was she going to do what her faith and her training demanded - that she get up and fight, and rain down vengeance upon those who dared to defy and desecrate Scathach's anointed and favored Sisters?

Anger is more useful than despair, Kaitlyn. Harness it, use it, let it direct your blades and whip and arrows and body, and most of all your mind and heart. I will have vengeance for you, my Sisters...and for you, dear Lexia, I swear Renna will pay the dearest price.