After the wake and burial of their parents, Shawn finally had some time to relax. However, he did not do this willingly. He remembered he had just gotten home when a tall gigantic man escorted Achlysa back. Achlysa's clothes were a bit out of place. The corner of her dress was torn and she was shaken even though she looked to be hiding it.
He later heard from her that she had been attacked but made it clear that it was no big deal. Before she had finished speaking, she had requested him to take a nap. Or at least rest a little. He had denied needing any rest. Shawn was about to leave for wherever his feet would take him when Achlysa appeared right in front of him. He remembered feeling extreme pain as he received a punch from her.
Achlysa had attempted to get Shawn to bed when the man that had brought her back, got ahead of her saying, " Allow me, my lady." This man had found her wondering the streets. She had been trying find her way back to the cottage. She had ended two lives and spared one. No one answered her when she asked for Lord Lansdowne's homestead. They all sneered and walked away. One of the women she had asked, tore her dress for no reason at all.
Noticing her torn dress, which had run from her right hem running all the way to her thighs, Bendra removed his cloak and placed it on her shoulders. Shawn was taken to a room that had been prepared for him after Achlysa cast a spell on him. She told Bendra it was one that would let him rest till all his exhaustion would wear off.
Achlysa and Bendra had walked to the office that was in another house Bendra owned. Since the cottage was small, the two would be spending the night in the other house. The house was south from thee cottage and not many people resided near it. As they walked in silence, Achlysa would occasionally look up and smile.
"The night sure is beautiful."
"How can you tell?"
"The wind, its cold yet peaceful. I can feel the moonlight on my face. The ground is firmly under my feet. And the atmosphere… feels like… home." Her voice cracked at the end. "Home." She repeated.
Bendra looked at her confused. He wanted to ask what was wrong but the look on her face forced him not to. She looked sad and tears were threatening to fall from her eyes. Achlysa held them back somehow but she knew she wouldn't for long. It was awkward for a moment before she wiped off invisible tears from her eyes and smiled.
His heart stopped. She looked angelic. And beautiful. He took it all in, stopping in his tracks. A smile had also appeared on his face. His heart beat faster and he cleared his throat before catching up to her. Bendra was sure to make whoever did this to her pay. But, he was not going to do it himself, he'd at least hear what she wanted to do first.
They arrived at the office and were informed of who the mastermind behind the attack was. Since he was still unconscious, Achlysa requested that Bendra had dinner first and his tummy agreed. He ate while casually making small talk. These days, they seemed to be getting along quite fine. Bendra was no longer arguing with his emotions but instead took pleasure in experiencing each one.
Achlysa on the other hand learnt little things about him and this made her happy. She soon fell asleep and was woken by some yelling. She turned in her sleep but still heard the noise. The rest had not noticed. So she decided to wake up and that's when she slipped and fell. Someone had reached out to her but she had brushed it off saying she was fine.
Her walking rod had been handed to her by someone else. It was a woman, she had gentle and warm hands. They were weak but firm. She felt the pain that lingered in her heart the moment she touched her. She could feel her fear and regret. She also felt her love. And there was more.
When Bendra asked Achlysa what she wanted done, she walked up to Zonwell. Her eyes burnt with anger. Her eyes had now glowed to match the color in Bendra's eyes. All she could see was red. The children ran to their mother who was a distance from Zonwell. Achlysa stared right into Zonwell's eyes. Her aura was so intimidating, the guards outside shivered from just feeling it.
"This is an order." Her face showed no emotion. Her hair was floating in an eerie way. The grip on her staff tightened but it could not be seen since the cloak covered her hand. "Hit her once more and you die."
The room was silent. Selfina's eyes widened. Bendra's blood boiled more. The children did not react. Zonwell moved back. Achlysa's voice was like that of a thousand men. It held power. And deep emotion. They all felt it, a tug in their souls that told them to obey.
"Cause another death, and you die. Hurt your children in any way and your soul will be erased. Attempt what you just did and you will be trapped in Oblivion for a month."
Oblivion was a prison where the soul of a person would be tormented in order to correct the from their wrong. The time in Oblivion flew differently from the time in the Other realm. So if one was thrown into Oblivion for an hour that would be equivalent to three days in the Other realm. It also brought the persons darkest fears to life, and it would enhance them further depending on what the person in question had done.
If they had killed, they would feel the fear of being tormented and killed over an over again. If they had beaten someone to death the same would happen. This was such an effective way to punish someone since the soul could return to the body unharmed no matter how many times it had died into the body after the duration of the punishment ended.
Only Guardians could be able to banish someone to Oblivion. And Zonwell knew he was really in for it. Achlysa called herself and walked to Selfina and her children. They clinged tightly to each of her legs. She sat on the floor while setting her staff next to her.
"What's your name?" she asked both of them. The boy looked up at his mother who nodded her head. She let go of his mother's leg and knelt on his left knee. Both his hands were on his right leg.
"I am Setra." On seeing this, his sister also let go of her mother. She looked scared but she was acting brave. She held her dress and bowed.
"Me Tralla."
Achlysa placed her hand on each of their heads gently. They both shuddered. Selina wanted to pull her children when she heard what Achlysa said.
"You did well protecting mommy and surviving this long."
Her tone were gentle and soft. It felt warm. Her eyes were still glowing but they did not hold the blaze that wanted blood. Her hair fell on her shoulders as she said this. The children both wailed and she held them in her arms. Selfina's tears also broke their banks. Downer and Holmen rushed in alarmed. When they assessed the situation, they all went back to their post.
After they had called down, the children slept in her arms. Selina prostrated.
"Great one, may I ask your name?"
"Achlysa. Guardian Achlysa."
"Thank you Guardian Achlysa."
"Please rise." She did.
Bendra came forward and carried little Tralla while Selfina took Stetra. Achlysa stood with the help of her staff. He snapped his fingers and Holmen came in and took little Tralla, he then proceeded to escort Selfina back. Downer made stand Zonwell ready to escort him out as well.
"Wait." Bendra finally spoke. Everyone stopped. He walked up to Zonwell. "For crimes against my Darling, you are demoted as the clan leader. Your wife, Selfina will take up your post. You can learn a thing or two from her."