"Burnt?! How do you know about that?" I ask standing immediately.
"I overheard some guards who seemed to be tasked with the execution. Why are you bothered by the way?" She asks.
"I am. I am bothered because I don't think I might be able to live coming to terms with their death." I say.
"I wish I was able to help in some way, we all wish though." She says and lifts the glass to leave.
"What if we can? What if we can help plot their escape?" I ask firmly.
"What?!" She shouts in a whisper.
Taking the glass out of her hands, I drag her to a corner.
"Aine, please help me. Help me do this and I'll be forever indebted to you." I say holding her hand.
She looks unsure for a moment before nodding.
"What needs to be done?" She asks as immediately the door opens to reveal Aidan.
I cough and gives back the glass to Aine while Aidan looks at our huddled position suspiciously.
"You can come back later to braid my hair, Aine. Thank you." I say while she nods and leaves.
Aidan squints staring at her till she leaves.
"What were you two discussing?" He asks walking over.
"Nothing necessary." I say staring at him.
He nods and walks over to the bathroom. As he shuts the door, I release a breath I never knew I was holding in.
I sit on the bed before standing up swiftly and making my way to Aidan's coat. I search it profusely but can't find what I'm looking for, I make my way to the table to search the drawers.
I groan in frustration as I can't find what I'm looking for. I pace as I'm hit by an idea, walking over to his closet, I gently pull them and search carefully. I sigh in triumph as I grab a set of keys quietly and close the drawers.
I walk over to the bed and stuff them under the bed dressing and sit on them, though uncomfortable.
*******
THE ISLE OF GILMORSH.
Hera walks with Maia in a lush garden, holding her left palm. Maia squats, picks a flower and hands it over to Hera.
Hera chuckles and tucks the flower neatly in Maia's braided hair. They both chuckle and continue walking before a shout is heard followed by some commotion.
"Maia?" Hera says turning swiftly to Maia.
"Run into the temple and stay with your sisters. Don't come out till I give the instruction." She says squeezing her little hands.
Maia nods in response and without another word runs into the temple.
Hera unsheathes her sword strapped to her thigh, puts them back and walks over to the source of the commotion.
Reaching there, a woman is seen wailing being comforted by many. Hera walks over to the woman as the noise dies slowly.
"What's going on here?" She asks calmly.
"Priestess, some of our spies from Balcroft are reportedly back. They brought some gruesome news regarding the mission." A man says with a bowed head.
"News? And who did they report to? Moreover who gave the command of disseminating whatever news they came back with?" Hera thunders.
"Alyssa!" She calls.
A young tall muscular woman jogs over and bows before her.
"Find me me these spies and bring them to me." She says and without sparing another word or glance leaves.
Alyssa stands properly and towering over the crowd, glares at them and silently, they diperse in trepidition of her.
*****
Minutes Later.
"Priestess." Alyssa bows before Hera with three men gesticulating behind her.
Hera looks over at the men behind her and with a wave from her hand, Alyssa leaves.
"When did you return?" She asks.
"Yesterday, Priestess." The oldest among them replies.
"Did you report your return?" She asks calmly.
"N.. no Priestess. We were…." Another begins but is cut off with Hera raising her palm.
"And what was it with the gruesome news you were spilling about?" She asks walking over to them slowly.
"Priestess, back at Balcroft, there are rumours of some captured Gilmorsh's with some reportedly dead.
We g.. got to know that the information is true because I heard it from a Royal servant." He says.
"Dead?" Hera asks in shock and anger.
"Yes, Priestess. Though the story varries among the villagers, but I was told by the servant that the murder was done within the royal walls." He says.
"You may leave. Disengage from spreading this news further and have Alyssa meet me immediately. Do not leave again for Balcroft till I give the order." She says and sits gloomily.
They bow and leave still in fear on their earlier actions.
******
Hera stands beside a window looking over to see some children running about in the garden below.
She sighs and lifts her gaze to the sky which was turning grey. Knowing it might be pouring soon, she closes the window and draws the curtain which disilluminates the room.
A knock is heard and after some seconds opens to reveal Alyssa.
Her hair is tied back in a tight looking bun. She walks over to Hera and bows.
"Priestess." She says through grunts.
Hera looks over at her, at her skin filled with fading scars as though concealing a gruesome tale beneath them.
Her face which holds a jagged scar at the side, putting a dent on her perfect beauty. All little compared to the scars on her limbs which is covered by clothes.
Hera remembers Alyssa as a young girl who always had a spark in her eyes. With her flowy gown and golden hair, she was a sight to behold under the sunrays.
But all that was snatched away in a blink of an eye slowly turning her into a shadow of herself. To escape the emotional pain and horrors she experienced and felt, she volunteered to work as keeper in the Venine temple.
A rare occurrence, the only female who sought the position and did it better than the male at the section. She burries herself in the work thus her build, recognition and respect.
The scars slowly fades but the memories and trauma always seem fresh for Hera at the sight of her scar, which always stands out like a sore thumb.
Hera heaves at the memories and beckons on Alyssa. Just then a loud thunderstrike is heard before a heavy downpour begins.
Alyssa walks over to Hera who hugs her compassionately. Untangling the hug, Hera stares at Alyssa's soulless eyes.
Squeezing her hands and peering into her eyes, mutters firmly,
"You have a mission."