New chapter, should be exciting for those of you who are waiting to hear what occurred after the coming
Let me know what you think!
Chapter - Zorina
White lights… white sands… white figures… white shadows… white worlds….
A man appeared in all the white, blurred but clear as day, like a fond memory you are beginning to forget.
"Will, where are you…? Will… is that you? Will… Will!!"
Zorina awoke abruptly, cold sweat on her forehead. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and threw her head back onto the pillow cushion. Her breath was quick and her heart yet racing.
- It was just a dream, snap out of it -
She turned to look at the clock, half four. The sky outside was a pale amethyst, glowing slightly as the stars began to dim. Twilight.
Why was she thinking of Will… after all this time. Will's disappearance had been much harder for Nore. For him, it turned into an empty loneliness. He almost never smiles, even after all these years. For her… it turned to anger.
She got out of bed, washed off and threw on some clothes. She was living in a small cottage on Boulevard Etoile in the Natrium, had been since they forced her here after the coming. She left the house quickly, and began walking towards the market, where she worked at a bookstore. A cover.
Her house was situated close to the city walls. As she left, she looked towards the gates. A judicar stood watch. Her eyes fell on him as she turned her head, eyes yet glowing in the waning moonlight. She instinctively drew her hood further over her head as chill ran over her skin. But her pace remained calm. Her cloak whisked softly in the wind. It was a dark orange, with a plain cotton trim of grey, devoid of any insignia like you might see on the high nobles. She was no Neyrn, that was for certain.
"What are you doing here at this hour?"
Zor jumped slightly at the words. "Elizabeth… sorry I couldn't sleep."
Elizabeth blew out a small cloud of smoke, a long cigarette dangling between her fingers, half-held, half-about to fall. She worked at the bookstore with Zorina.
"Better question, what are you doing here, I thought you had the afternoon shift?"
"You know me, I'm a night owl, the quiet calms me. Did you hear, there been a huge ruckus and commotion in the Reserve. Noble carriages been coming in and out of the Royal Castle all week."
"No…I…."
"Yeah, I saw a few meself, they were all done up they were, shoulda seen Zor."
"Could you turn that ruckus off, you know it drives my head in."
Elizabeth had been listening to Neisaci music on her stereo, a reserved cacophony of harps, percussions, and chords.
"Jeez, sorry, what's going on with you today?"
"I told you… just couldn't sleep."
Work was slow, as it usually was. She thought about Nore, as she oft did during these hours. Likely at work she knew. She had not spoken with him for over a week now.
The bells of Tower Yonkori rung. It was noon, and her shift was over. She threw on her cloak and drew her hood. A quick wave to Elizabeth and she was off. She walked down the cobblestoned avenues, turning this corner and that. She retraced her steps a few times, turning randomly as she went. She had never been followed thus far, but it was necessary she knew. Finally she arrived at a small terrace house, nestled into the city walls, hidden between a plethora of other similar houses and a forest of trees. She knocked slowly on the door. A man's voice greeted her.
"Yes?"
"I'm hear to see Mr. Laursen."
"Sorry there is no one here by that name."
"Butterscotch." The code for this week.
The door flew open.
"Sorry Zor, I recognised your voice but you know…"
"It's okay Thor," she laughed and gave the big man a hug.
"Is Mattheiu here yet?"
"Yeah he got here a few minutes before you."
She made her way past Thor and into the main hall. Chairs had been set up already, and half were filled with various men and women.
She took a seat near the front, nodding slightly towards Mattheiu, who smiled upon seeing her enter. He was a tall man, but skinny, looked older than his two and fifty years. His hair was a sleek silver and he wore a thick beard. His eyes were a kind, soft blue, but his face was stern, hardened maybe. A few more minutes and the room was fill to bursting.
"Alright, I think we can begin now," Mattheiu began in a loud but fatherly voice.
"Citoyennes, the clouds are parting on our storm and I can see the sun. Many of you may have heard, but a commotion is building in Yonkori, in Neisacan, in the United Simdom! News has reached our ears, Emperor Gaston has vanished, his only heir an infant! The greedy noble Neyrns are already fighting for power even as we speak. Citoyennes of Glorylost, it is the time of a new tide, a time where the torrents of anguish and longing shall be quelled! A time where the waves of hope and glory shall arise! Citoyennes, now… now is our time!"
Silence… tears… cheers.
Next chapter - Jirard, Brother of the Chantry
