The sky was overcast and a strong wind was blowing eastward whistling through the trees of Bastille Forest. Vipev of Syrinx pulled her cloak tighter around her thin frame shivering in the cold. She trudged on southward to the great city of Zenith. She knew if she didn’t hurry her mother’s guards would find her and take her back to the Temple. She had to reach Zenith where they’d never find her. She thought of the endless chores and praying of the priests and priestesses and walked faster. Insects buzzed around her and small dark creatures scurried past her hiding from sight. She was almost halfway when she heard footsteps behind her. She stopped and listened. A twig broke with a crack. Vipev’s heart began beating rapidly. Another twig snapped. The sound echoed in her ears like thunder. She ran.
Meanwhile…
Meanwhile, in Zenith, a young man named Elric was just awakening. Elric’s eyes opened. He saw his reflection in the glossy black surface overhead. Next to hm, his true love stirred. Elric watched as Varadia opened her eyes.
Elric:
She turned on her side so that she was facing him. She looked into his eyes and smiled. He regarded her with a look of adoration, his eyes smiling. He wrapped his arms around her. She sighed and rested her head against his chest. Soon, she fell asleep again.
After a few minutes he got up and walked into the bathroom. He looked into the mirror above the sink. His brown hair was dishevled and his blue eyes gazed tiredly back at him. He turned on the water and splashed cold water on to his face. Then he turned off the water and grabbed a towel. As he wiped his face, he noticed the towel’s smell. The fluffy white towel smelt of lilacs, like Varadia. He looked at himself in the mirror again and decided to shower.
Back in the Forest of Syrinx…
Back in the Forest of Syrinx, Vipev was making a mad dash for Zenith. Zarozinia’s guards were steadily catching up with her. Her heart was pounding as she jumped over fallen tree trunks and rocks and ducked under low tree branches. Finally, she reached the edge of Bastille Forest. She had run right into the middle of a camp of gypsies.
Meanwhile, in the Castle of Tears…
Meanwhile, in the Castle of Tears, Lord Gabriel Wolfe was sipping wine in the throne room, the Chamber of Sorrows. Off in a far corner, an Elven band was playing a lonely song of miracles. The great doors silently opened and a richly dressed woman enters. Her hair was a reddish halo above the black satin of her long flowing dress. Her pale skin glowed in the brightness of the sunlight streaming through the dome above their heads. Gabriel rose to greet her.
Gabriel: “Nebula! It’s good to see you finally up and walking around.”
Nebula smiled faintly. She walked over to Gabriel, who gave her a hug and lead her to the chair he had recently vacated. She sat down in the cool obsidian throne, her black dress blending with the dark surface. Their servant, Victor, brought a tray of food and wine and lay them out on a small table next to the throne. Then, Victor quietly exited.
Gabriel: “Did you hear about Zarozinia’s daughter runing away?”
Nebula: “No. When was this?”
Gabriel: “Yesterday. She was spotted heading to Zenith.”
Nebula: “I wonder if Morgead knows… After all, I don’t think she was ever supposed to leave the Temple.”
The great doors open again, but this time with a great whine. Two guards enter. Between them was a travel-worn girl of about sixteen. Her short shoulder length brown hair was uncombed and had pieces of leaves and twigs stuck in it. She was wearing a gray cloak made of wool with a gold clasp.
Michael: “We found her wandering around the northern gardens sir. What would you have us do with her?”
Gabriel: “She is but a child. Give her a warning and escort her back to her parents.”
When the girl heard the word “parents,” she started. The blood drained from her face and she opened her mouth to speak, but no sound escaped her lips. Only Nebula noticed this, and just as the guards were about to leave…
Nebula: “Wait. What is your name girl? And why do you look so terrified?”
Girl: “my name is Vipev, your highness. Please do not send me back to my parents. I’ll do anything.”
Nebula: “Vipev? Are you the daughter of the High Priestess Zarozinia and her late lover, Morgead, by any chance?”
Vipev: “I am she. Again, I ask, please do not send me back.”
Gabriel: “Well, in that case, Michael release the girl. She will be a guest among us.”
Michael: “Yes milord.”
Nebula: “Come here child.”
The guards release Vipev, and she approaches the dais if the Obsidian Throne.
Vipev: “Yes, you highness?”
Nebula: “Call me Nebula. I have a question for you young priestess. When was the last time you have seen your father?”
Vipev: “I have never met him. He disappeared before I was born.”
Nebula: (sigh of relief) “Good.”
Vipev: “Why, if you don’t mind my asking?”
Gabriel: “Years ago, when we were much younger, we had lived on a plane called the Underworld…”
Nebula and Gabriel recite the story of their youth. They tell of Morgead’s tyranny and how they stopped him.
Nebula: “So we left him trapped in that portal.”
Then the doors that lead to the garden opened revealing their eldest son, Vincent, his best friend, Elric, and their significant others, Varadia and Jezebel.
Gabriel: “Ah! There you are, Vincent. I have been awaiting your return. I must speak to you alone.”
Vincent: “Who is she? And why is she sittig on the dais?” (points at Vipev)
Nebula: “Theis is Vipev. We have decided to take her under our wing for a while.”
Vipev: “Hi…”
Vincent: “But why? What is she to us?”
Vipev: “I am the daughter of Zarozinia and Morgead… Priestess of Syrinx, I am here to serve you and your family in return for protection from my mother. I do not wish to be returned to the Temple.”
Vincent stares at Vipev, anger blazing under the cold blue of his eyes. Jezebel walks up behind him and exmines the girl who is almost a year younger than her. Finally, Elric speaks.
Elric: “I don’t know about everyone else, but I welcome you to Zenith, for I live there, ad not in this castle.”
Varadia: “As do I.”
Vipev: “Thank you.”
Vincent: “I do not accept this, but I’m willing to try it out…”
Nebula: “Good. Starting tomorrow she will be joining you in your tutoring.”
Vincent: “Why? Why doesn’t she join Cleo and Xylona’s class?”
Nebula: “Because she is your age. Sixteen.”
Vincent: "Alright. Fine. I she must....."
Vipev: "You really don't have to do that. I don't have to take any classes. I've already finished my required classes. But I must ask if you have any instruments....The Temple of Syrinx is a tribute to the Goddess of Music."
Nebula: "Instruments? Of course we have instruments, They are found in our music room in the western wing of the castle. All of the are at your disposal."
Elric: "You seem tired....do you have a room for her?"
Gabriel: "Indeed. Victor, if you will ready the... guestroom in the western wing."
Vipev: "I thank you for your care, but I'm not tired at the moment..."
Elric: "You look tired though. You should rest."
Varadia: "Yes dear. You've had a long day. You should get settled."
After some debating, Vipev finally conceeds and is lead to the guestroom in the western wing. Victor opens the door at the end of a short hallway and beckons her o enter. The room wasn't that large and was almost entirely green. The walls were pale green and the soft carpet was many different shades of green. The Priscilla curtains and bedspread were both green with pink and blue flowers. The mohogany firniture shined like new and there were dark blue roses all over the room. On the other side of the room, next to the dresser was a desk. The desk had a computer on it and everything needed to write. The room also had a stereo and phone line. Vipev was stunned. The only thing the room was missing was a bookcase.
Victor: "If there's anything you need, just call. The music room is right down the hall on your left."
With that, Victor left closing the door behind him, Vipev sat down on the bed and looked around somemore. The windows were open and a soothing breeze wafted throughout the room. The tinkling of stone windchimes slowly lulled her to sleep.
Meanwhile....
Meanwhile, Elric and Varadia were just exciting the Castle of Tears.
Varadia: "So what do you think of her?"
Elric: "Of who hon?"
Varadia: "Why, Vipev of course."
Elric:
Varadia: "Only okay? Alright."
Elric: "She's interesting... a grand addition to the castle."
Varadia: "I think she'll be trouble."
Elric: "Why's that?"
Varadia: "I don't know... It's just a feeling."
Elric: "Okay."
In the forest...
In the forest, at the Temple of Syrinx, Seth was trying to placate High Priestess Zarzonia.
Zarzonia: "Where does she think she's going? I bet you and your little friends put her up to this."
Seth: "Excuse me ma'am, but why should we wish Priestess Vipev away?"
Zarzonia: "For what seems to be the hundreth time... her name is Raven. Not Vipev. Where you kids got that name from is beyond me."
Seth:
Zarzonia: "I don't care anyway."
Seth: "Yes of course you highness."
Zarzonia: "Her sister Meliana was and is not so hard to control. I think when she returns I'm going to ship her off to her father in the Underworld."
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