Evin gave them directions as to where he'd lodged the people who'd come seeking refuge in the citadel. Corvin walked along her with his hands in his pockets, gazing in the distance, pensive.
The cluster of houses slowly emerged right past the western gateway. Marked by burns, and claw marks, still standing. Partially collapsed walls, broken windows, and the remnants of a door was the first thing to greet them.
A head full of hair, belonging to a child appeared from behind the wall as he peeked at them, fearful of their presence. A child, her eyes pricked at the sight of him. Not of joy, of sorrow, regret, hopelessness. She was the sole reason her son was no longer with her. A poorly made decision, in a moment of grief.
Corvin spoke, as he lowered himself on his heels, " Little tyke," The boy hid behind the wall as approaching footsteps, made Corvin rise to stand in the doorway.
He glanced at her and turned to the woman who appeared in the doorway, hugging the child to her chest, wary of their presence.
" I'm Corvin and this Iris, an envoy for the Mythrian Queen," His gestures were measured, smiled but it was out of politeness. The undertone, subtle but it was there, was laced with bitterness. Not quite sure why...
Resentment, possibly. Many have perished in an endless war. The brief respite they were enjoying came with an expiration date. It was merely a question of when and where.
" We came to introduce ourselves and perhaps tell us what happened, and where are you from," He added when the woman's gaze flitted from him to her.
A moment of wavering, as she held her child tighter to her chest," Ullenhall," She whispered, " Not far from Fiahtyr forest. We ran when the black clouds covered the skies. We knew they were coming," A tear tainted her dusky skin, glimmering in the faint glow of the afternoon sun," Nobody listened. We hid in the forest beyond the ridge, bordering Dava," Corvin nodded, " If there is anything you need, speak with Evin, me or Iris. We have yet to name, a proctor for the citadel, " There was no need for one, considering that the entire population of Sometreken could easily fit one single room, and most were elderly or middle-aged.
" Thank you," The woman whispered as she took a step forward and wrapped her fingers around his wrist, in a show of gratitude.
Corvin nodded and squeezed her shoulder, making her realise that she was staring at the young boy in its mother's arms.
" We should go," He whispered, " Let's find the others," He added as he let go of her shoulder and placed the palm of his hand between her shoulder blades.
A gentle nudge, urging her to move that wasn't fully registered, " Iris, we need to go," Another whisper, and she finally took her eyes off the boy. She hadn't allowed herself to grieve, but right then and there at the sight of the boy, the void yawned, threatening to swallow her whole.
More houses followed, ten in number. And just as many children stepped on their shoddy floors. They'd fled to protect their young. To preserve their bloodline, to survive. Nothing shameful in running. With each child that appeared, she found herself staring at them, trying to find a trace of her son, a long-lost memory of a day when he was at that age. A fleeting age, where she couldn't see him grow. It all happened so fast, too fast.
" I'm glad that more have survived. I'm hoping that more will come, or more had had enough good sense to hide," Corvin dragged her back, as they climbed the short flight of stairs of Sometreken Castle. Another ruin among ruins.
One glance over his shoulder, " It has been a long day, " He sighed, as he pushed the door open and waited for her to walk in. Where the same decrepit room awaited for them.
Amelia appeared shortly along with another maid to bring dinner and bath water. Corvin kept them on their toes. Food was served, bath water prepared, and with that they disappeared at his silent command, leaving them alone.
Food was bland, mostly because of the lack of spices which came from Oros, among other luxuries. It didn't matter. Eating to stay alive was merely a necessity.
Corvin squirming in his seat, dragged her back to the present, away from all the thoughts and grief that spread its tendrils, more with each passing day. And she gladly succumbed to it. There was nothing left for her. She'd given everything she had. There was nothing left to give, and there was nothing left to take. A passing shadow, that what was left of her. There was nothing glorious or brave in her sacrifice. Nothing more than utter desperation and fear. And what she'd feared had come to pass. All she wanted was Ian and Azra at her side like it should have been. Mistake, after mistake was made. Betrayal and loss. His words echoed from some dark corner of her mind, for some reason.
Anger was the only thing she'd had left. Anger at herself, at the God's for forsaking her. There was none left to spare for anyone or anything else. Not even for Corvin who'd made sure to humiliate her every step of the way. As if what had happened that night wasn't enough. He'd come to...she still hadn't sussed out the real reason why he was still there. There was only one certainty, he was insane.