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Atropani had been right, the star had led them straight to her sisters. This cabin differed from the one Atropani dwelled in. It was strange looking to say the least, built of mossy wood and standing two stories high. It sat at a crooked angle, and Sorin feared it might topple at any moment.
“What a shithole,” Bron grumbled beside him. Next to him, Mavka stood as close as she could; she repeated his words like they were the first time she had heard such language, and giggled to herself. Sorin laughed to himself. It was endearing how much she wanted to learn about the mortal world.
He looked at the house in front of them. And what is it that we will learn here? He led the way to the front door, noticing with a start that it was already a jar. The doorknob was broken, and he noticed bloody fingerprints on the dark wood.
He drew his sword, pushing the door open gently. He signaled to Bron and Anik, who took his lead and held their swords out in front of them. Something was wrong here, and he worried they may be walking into an ambush.
“Stay out here,” he ordered Shaye and Mavka, although he had a feeling they would not listen.
Inside, furniture was scattered throughout the room. A fire still raged underneath a large cauldron; whatever had happened here had happened recently. The men spread out to search for the sisters. Bron took the upstairs, the rickety staircase creaking under his weight. Anik went around back to check the perimeter. Sorin was having trouble seeing in the dark room. Broken glass crunched beneath his feet, signs of foul play.
Mavka shouted for Sorin. Behind an overturned sofa lay a woman who resembled Atropani. In contrast to her sister’s white-gray hair, hers was dark, streaked with white. He was not sure which sister this was, but he had a sick feeling in his gut that it was the one they needed to speak to. Her throat had been cut, and the smell of sulfur radiated from the wound... No doubt the work of dark magic. To kill such a powerful being would take more power than any common Magi could muster. It was clear that someone had not wanted her to talk.
Shaye gasped and pulled on Sorin’s sleeve. A few feet away, in the dark corner, sat the third sister. Tears of blood streamed from her hollowed eyes. Where her mouth should have been was now a cloud of dark fog, like the one from the forest. It shifted and moved as she struggled to speak, but the fog would not submit.
Shaye crawled to her, tears streaming down her own beautiful face now. “I need to help her.” Sorin watched quietly as she tried to summon her magic in vain. Mavka touched her softly on the shoulder.
“There’s nothing you can do. This sort of black magic cannot be broken so easily. It would likely require the death of the one who wielded it.” Mavka was pulling a powder from her pack. “This should ease her pain.”
“What sort of dark magic is this, Mavka? Even the Nefari cannot possibly be powerful enough to destroy an immortal.” Sorin thought back to the history books and could not recall any information on magic this strong.
Mavka shook her head sadly. “You are right, King Sorin. There is no magic in our realm that is powerful enough to do this sort of damage. I fear that the Nefari have found an ally from the Shadow Lands.”
“Shadow Lands?”
Shaye answered for Mavka, “The Beyond, Sorin. They have found help from The Beyond.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. Could they really be strong enough for such a thing?”
“They could if they wielded a relic of their own. If they had the Obsidian pendant of Pris, then they would have the ability to control the shadows.” Mavka held the Fate’s hand in her own, trying to offer the woman comfort. “Long ago, after Pris and his act of vengeance, the Obsidian fell to an ancient clan. The family who controlled it were thought to be cursed. They were called Shadow Dancers. My father and the other clan leaders thought the relic to be lost. It seems they were wrong.” She let the Fate’s hand slip down to her tattered gown and wiped the bloody tears from the helpless woman’s face.
The Fate reached out her hand, beckoning him toward her as Mavka sprinkled the powder over her. Sorin came closer to her and to Shaye, who was sitting beside her. The Fate grabbed them both and bright light filled the house. When it faded, he found that they were in a different room. This one was spacious and sunny, with flowers blooming all around them. The smell of jasmine filled the air, warm and inviting.
“Welcome, Your Majesty.” The tall, thin woman in front of them bowed deeply. Her appearance was like the Fate that had been in front of them, with the same, white-streaked hair and high cheekbones. Only now, she had clouded white eyes where they had been hollow before, and her mouth was free of the fog. Her complexion was clear, and milky white. She was in a beautiful glittering gown, unlike the tattered, bloodied one she had worn moments ago.
“My name is Lachtori. I am the one who sees what is to come.”
Sorin took in the scene around them, still stunned by the sudden change, “Your sister, Clothsari... What happened to her? Who did this to you both?”
“The dark ones came as soon as night fell, cloaked in black magic so powerful that even I had not seen them coming. My sister and I had been waiting for you... For both of you.” She gestured to Shaye and bowed to her as well. It was a deep bow, one typically given to royalty.
She straightened. “What they did not count on was my reserved magic. The young always think they know everything. I may be what one would call ancient but that only means I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
“So, this is your...” Shaye looked too shocked to speak.
“My mind. Yes. I have called you here so that I may give you what you seek.”
She waved a steady hand, and suddenly the room faded away. In its place, a glittering cave appeared. They were now surrounded by crystals and a clear pool of water. “What you seek lies not far from here. My sister and I have kept an eye on it for you.” She winked a clouded eye. “It will not go easily; beware the trials ahead. Like others before you, you must be tested and found worthy.”
Sorin bowed to her. “Thank you Lachtori. And with all my heart, I am terribly sorry we did not get here sooner. To save you and your sister.”
“Thank you for your kindness, King Sorin. I am afraid you have a long fight ahead of you. Stay vigilant and protect one another.” She gestured to Shaye who bowed to her as well. Sorin took Shaye’s hand in his, giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
“What will you do now?” Shaye asked, choking back tears.
“I will take my sister's body to Atropani so that we may complete her final resting rites. May the Mother carry you both safely through your quest.”
The cave faded away and Sorin and Shaye found themselves back in the dark, crooked house. Lachtori stood before them, her mouth covered once again by the fog and her clouded eyes gone. She bowed, her way of telling them that they were done there. It was time to move on.