Gentle foot steps came echoing down the halls to stop at Leora's room. The door crept open, a beam of light from a torch had shown in her eyes to stir her. With a gentle touch to her shoulder Leora woke to the sight of a hooded figure with glowing golden eyes.
The hooded woman gently placed her palm on the sleeping girls shoulder. With a whisper, she spoke, "Leo, we need to go before they find us. We need to get you somewhere safe." There was a pause, Leora blinked realizing it was her older sister, Thea. Thea reached out her hand to pull Leora from the covers. Thea wrapped the girl in a plain wool cloak. With a puzzled look Leo asked "Where is my silk cloak mother gave me?" A bit of sadness in Thea's eyes, she replied "There's no time, put these on as well." she presented the girl with a pair of worn boots. Her brow furrowed. "Quickly!" Thea insisted.
Leora grabbed the boots and slipped them on on one after the other. All the while still confused. She's never seen her sister so impatient. Thea sat Her sister by the fireplace to pull the boots laces. The fire embers danced in her golden eyes, she looked up catching Leora's worry-some gaze. Somehow she knew this might be the last night to behold her dear sisters beauty.
Thea looked 17 in age. Her skin and hair were white as snow with lips red as blood. She wore a light leather armor vest. With a red undershirt. Her pants were belted high and her boots kept light in weight. The cloak she hid under was also plain. And her hair when visible she wore in two braids decorated with silver rings. "Your amulet?" Thea asked. "Still lost." Mumbled Leora. Thea gave a slight nod as she tied her sisters boot. "There, we don't have a moment to waste." She lifted Leora to her feet urging her forward then stopping at the door. Thea grabbed her sisters cold hands "Listen to me, you might see somethings that scare you. But do not scream. Do not speak and keep your head down no matter what you hear. Follow me and me alone." She commanded. Leora nodded as she was guided outside the door into the halls of the Keep.
With her sister leading they began creeping down the corridors. They were lined with grand gothic arches of white stone. The arches framed the amber stain-glass windows on the right and the lit torches that hung to the left. At the end of Leora's wing was a large stain-glass sun that casts its colored mural on the floor even in moonlight. Leora stared at it in reminiscence. It was something she had always loved. It meant she was home. But home was no longer safe. She sensed it. A scream interrupted her daze in the stale air from one of the chambers. After a bit of bustle. The echos snapped back to eerie silence.
Thea tugged on Leora's hand to keep moving. "The North tower." she whispered looking back. Thea lead them like they were walking on air. Not making a sound. It would be a quick getaway if they kept this up. Pausing and peeping Thea was carful not to draw attention. Her little sister trailing closely behind her.
Leora was thankfully a quite girl, calm in nature. Though she had the ability to read anyone who came in her presence like a book. The art of knowing ones intentions and if they were to lie. In all she showed no fear. An ability that was one day yet to develop into her talent.
Thea lead on, stopping abruptly. Putting her finger to Leora's lips. Waiting, she saw the shadows passing in the torch light, nearly undetectable. Waiting for the right moment Thea continued. They were half way there.
Thea's talent was tracking movement, no matter how small. She could tell who anyone was by their mere steps. And no matter the size or skill, she knew they were there. From what she gathered these were dangerous men, assassins. The finest, pure blood Vampir trained to move with the shadows. It was an art as old is their bloodline. Thea smirked at the thought. Knowing they were still no match for her skill.
Continuing their light steps across the corridors. She turned a corner stopping Thea in her tracks. A lifeless body laid in the hall. It was an unlucky maid who's blood had been drained. She quickly turned to guide her sister in the opposite direction shielding her with her cloak. 'They are close.' Thea thought. She looked down to check the dagger in her boot.
Walking hastily hearing more screams that echoed in the cool dark night. She turned into a wide hall. The pathway was engraved with white and black marble. The tiles decorated in the shape of stars. The way was lit with lanterns of orange and purple. They were in the north wing and the door was in sight. 'Just across this hall.' She thought glancing at her anxious sister. Continuing on unfazed, she caught something else. A lurker. Refusing to slow down or letting her sister out of her sight. In a split second Thea pulled the dagger from her boot to rest hidden in her sleeve. Keeping speed towards the door. She knew the attack was coming. Staying light in her steps and senses sharp. A figure emerged. Smirking, Thea lifted the dagger in perfect position. Slicing the fiends throat. His body plunged forward dragging across the hall. A trail of blood followed behind him. "Don't look!" Assuring her sister. The body had made too much noise be they were right here.
Approaching the door. It had been decorated with iron thorns and roots. The only way through was payment. A drop of blood from a Galatea. The vampiric bloodline Thea and Leora were heirs to. Thea pressed her finger tip against a thorn, drawing blood. Clutching her sisters hand, placing her finger on one as well "This will hurt a bit, but you are strong." said Thea. She looked down at her. But Leora didn't close her eyes in fear. Watching her sister placing her finger against the thorns edge. The payment was made. Thea opened the door sensing the other lurkers closing in. She ushered her sister inside locking the door with an iron bolt.
Finally able to breathe. "We are safe for now." Said Thea. Her words put Leora at ease. The girl turned to look up the tower. There was a stone staircase that spiraled upwards with glowing torches lighting the way. It was an ethereal structure. At the top a was an amber and purple stain glass dome. It pictured a sun and moon that casts its glow down to the tower floor. The mural below her feet also drew her attention. An engraving that tracked the cycles of the moon and sun for alignment. At its center was a marble sundial.
Thea lead her sister, walking towards the start of the stair case. She stopped bending down to her sisters level removing her hood. "Leora, things are going to change for you. I beg you not to fight it. Will you promise me to try to be happy?" Asked Thea. Still confused "Where's mother and father?" Returned Leora. "Father is still away, I'm going to find him. And mother...I couldn't get to in time." Thea spoke sadly. Pondering and pausing a tear started down Leora's cheek. "Will I be sent away?" The girl sniffled. 'She knew.' Thea brushed the tear gently "I have no choice Leo." Thea sighed. Beginning to walk up the staircase. Leora followed behind. "At the top is a portal. You will pass through into Umberfell and meet your guardian. He will keep you safe until I return for you." Thea instructed. Leora's sadness only deepend. "I beg you not to change little Leo. You shine like the sun and bring warmth to everyone around you. But during this time keep your gift contained." Thea warned. Her sister nodded. Reaching the top was a hollow Sunwillow tree. "At dawn the portal will open." Thea continued. Leora was drawn to the warmth of a lit brazier by the window.
It was quiet for awhile. The night had been a long one. A few hours passed waiting for the sun to rise. Thea began reaching in her under shirt around her neck revealing an tear drop shaped amulet on a silver chain. It was as golden as her eyes. The charm hung at her mid chest.
Catching Leora's glimpse "It's mother's." Thea remarked. Thea lifted it around her head placing it in Leora's hands. "She meant it for you." Thea said enclosing her hands with her sisters. "How did she die?" Leora spoke softly as she looked down. "Nightshade. All it took was a single nick from the lurkers blade...She didn't suffer, it was in her sleep." Letting go of her hands. Leora nodded.
The sunrise peeked through the stain glass arches. Casting an amber shadow against the hollow of the Sunwillow. Light swirled in the center and the portal opened. "Keep it safe." Thea said looking down at her sister. "Forever." Leora replied looking up. "A man will ask you this question. 'Have you seen my sunflower?' And you will reply 'I have, down by the willow tree.' He is your guardian and the only one you are to trust." Leora nodded. "Go little Leo. Be brave, kind, and strong. I will return you home when I find father." Thea said taking her sisters hands. Leora looked up "If you don't?" The question nearly broke Thea's heart. "I will." Thea said placing their palms together. A light beamed from them. It was a promise mark. A circle with inscribed words appeared on Leora's wrist. Thea turned her sister towards the portal and gave her a slight push. Leora looked back at her sister one last time as she passed through.