Chapter 5

• AERA
• I had woken up to pounding on my door. The messenger girl had bowed. With both hands, she handed me what she was carrying. An envelope was placed into my hands.
• The words were clear. The elders had summoned me. I crumpled the parchment in my hands. Tossing the summons into the cold firepit as I stomped around my cabin.
• Getting ready, I checked the mirror.
• I had never really paid much heed to my outer appearance. But it could not be denied. Two tiny silver horns grew out of my head. A sign of maturity. Internally, I groaned.
• After placing the top of my hair into several intricate braids. I worked around the annoyance of the horns. My red curly hair pulled away from my face. The other half of my hair was dangling freely at my hip.
• Grabbing my cloak, I was ready to meet up with the elders. I already knew whatever they had to say would set my blood boiling.
• Reaching the Guildhall, those who had been summoned or wished to speak to the elders on personal matters had lined up.
• The children of the Silver Viper darted playfully around the town square.
• Mothers cast glances my way. I could tell by their expressions they had concerns. Concerns I had wished them to keep to themselves and not speak of. Then there were the few that displayed sympathy. I did not ask, nor did I want their sympathy. What I wanted was to be left alone.
• Several males had looked up from their tasks. Males who had been widowed with young children. And young cubs roughly my age eyed me up and down. Some turned away dismissively. While the very few were foolish enough to smile my way. Their eyes lingered longer than necessary.
• The chill in the air nipped at my skin, prompting me to draw my cloak tightly around my shoulders.
• "Aera Aspene," a female assistant shouted from the door entrance. "The elders want to speak to you. Now."
• Being singled out told me I REALLY wasn't going to like what came out of their mouths.
• I dragged my feet as I passed those who had been standing in line for what felt like an eternity. I tried to smile apologetically, even though I felt I had done nothing wrong. I had been pulled to the front of the line, leaving them to continue waiting behind me.
• I followed the female in silence. In the chamber, the seven elders of the eminent families sat in a semi-circle. Their white silk robes bore their family emblems. Each elder’s face was veiled by a white silk mesh. Their long silver hair cascaded down to their waists. Intricate braids entwined around their horns as if they were a crown.
• Stacks of golden bracelets adorned their wrists, jingling with elaborately crafted wooden beads that hinted at their rich heritage and status.
• Standing in the middle of the room, I bowed with due respect. "You wished to see me?" I made sure I kept my tone pleasant.
• “We did,” they all said in unison.
• "If it is about the taxes I paid. If more is needed, I have no issues. Name the price and I will see what I can do."
• "You walk in the footsteps of your father. Generous even when no one speaks. However that is not why we have summoned you. We received word last night. Our seer has seen disturbing messages from the creator."
• I tilted my head to the side as I prepared to speak my mind. "Are you sure the seer is correct in understanding of the message? No offense to your excellency, but the seer has in the past been wrong."
• "If it had been one, we would question as you are now, Aera. But seers of each cardinal directions have seen similar events. And they all have seen you."
• I wrinkled my nose. Curiosity now had my attention.
• "Your path will cross with the self proclaimed emperor of Elysia."
• I blinked several times as I waited for the elders to elaborate on the topic.
• "It appears your father's past isn't as buried as we had originally believed. But first. Before we continue. How much of what you are... has your dad told you?"
• I brought my chin closer to my neck as I wrinkled my forehead. "I am confused. What are you speaking about?" For a moment, the chamber had been muted. I could tell that what they had to say troubled them. "You have watched me grow up. You know that my skin is thicker than a man's. Speak plainly."
• "Concerning your mother, the events are closely related. She did die. And your dad did cut you out of her womb to save you. What was concealed, for good reasons, was HOW she died.
• You see, your mother had been kidnapped. We linked those who took her to the so-called emperor. Because all evidence had been destroyed, we could not press the matter.
• Your father did not raise you. Your father is believed to be a soulless creature. At least that is what everyone is to believe.
• Thankfully, you inherited your mother's beauty. But the skills of the creature. Your biological father.
• Your dad and us had agreed on it. You would only become aware of your nature if the day came when the threat was real. Four seers saw your path crossing with the emperor and the monsters he had genetically created. "
• Each of them had pointed to the small table with a wooden box. Inside was a key. A slip of paper with my dad's words, which he had never spoken.
• 'I am sorry for what you are about to learn. '
• "In your childhood home, you will find a locked room. Everything you need to know is in there."
• I sighed with the key in my hand. "What exactly did the seers see?"
• "The so-called emperor underestimates you."
• "While we have you here," one of the elderly ladies pushed the mash off her face. "I could not help but notice your horns are developing."
• "No."
• "I haven't even asked a question."
• "No."
• The ladies giggled. The words might not have been spoken, but I knew what was at the tip of their tongues.
• "I have a great-grandson. Good-looking man. And if he is anything like his grandfather and father, talented in bed."
• I gasped, "Madam, age has loosened your tongue." I was horrified.
• "And your tongue is any better than ours." A smile crossed her face, with a twinkle in her eyes. "Silver coat. Adorable ears. A crossbreed, between a silver viper and the snow wolf. I think the two of you would do well. I am vain. Always feared having a ugly babe being born into the bloodline. You are gorgeous, not a single flaw."
• "No," I motioned my head back and forth as I gradually moved my feet backward. "I need to go." As I rushed out, I heard the elderly ladies cackle.