T.A.P., O.M.W.W. Part 2: The Letting of Blood (standard:fantasy, 2049 words) [3/3] show all parts
Author: kissofthehungry	Added: Dec 09 2004	Views/Reads: 2466/1781	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Chothal finds himself in a world of suspicion and fear when he overhears the murder of two plotting soldiers. Hiarushia is finally given the opportunity to escape and Khaeyana helps put a dangerous plan into motion.

The voices, though hushed, were loud enough to wake him.  Without making
a sound, Chothal crept to his door and opened it.  Carefully, he peered 
out and saw two soldiers conversing in low tones.  He only caught 
enough to know that they were planning on assassinating his father.  It 
was a disturbingly encouraging thought but he knew that they'd never 
suceed.  His father's source of power was a secret to all but his 
family, and unless it was taken from him, he was invincible. 

A shadow coming from the opposite direction made him duck back into his
room and silently slide the door shut.  Holding his breath, he tried to 
hear exactly what was going on.  Though he needn't have bothered.  
There were startled cries then sounds of thrashing.  It was loud enough 
to give him the excuse to throw open the door and emerge.  One of the 
soldiers lay not two feet away from his door, blood spilling from 
several gaping wounds. 

"Uh, uh, uh ya," a death groan gurgled in his throat, blood bubbles
popping on his lips.  Then he was gone, the battle for his life over 
that quick.  Chothal stepped back horrified, for he knew his father had 
done this.  Quickly, he shut his door and fled to his bed for if his 
father were capable of seeing the deciet in the hearts of the soldiers, 
couldn't he also see the darker thoughts of his son as well?  If so, 
wouldn't he come to kill him too?  Now, true fear coursed through his 
veins, for he was sure that he was facing his own death. 

Then a strange thought occurred to him, it was disturbing how much the
death rattle of the dying soldier sounding like "Aya".  Immediately, he 
wished that he hadn't thought that for now he would never think "Aya" 
without seeing the last seconds of the dead soldier's life.  He hated 
his father and wished that he could somehow end his reign of terror.  
Quickly, he dismissed the thought, fearful his father would suddenly 
emerge from the shadows to kill him for such a betrayal.  It was going 
to be a long night, for there was no way he was going to be able to 
sleep now. 

Hiarushia cringed inwardly, she knew what time it was.  Soon, the hours
of pain and degragation the poor girls had been put through, would end. 
 It was both a blessing and a curse, for they would no longer hurt but 
their lives would be over. 

Tricella, her mother, came in and walked over, her face sullen. 
Wrapping her arms around her daughter, she whispered, "I have a friend 
who is willing to smuggle you to a friend of his.  You'll have to leave 
tonight and you can never come back, can never try to contact me.  Do 
you think you can do that?"  Her heart and mind were overwhelmed by the 
offer before her. Escape, at last, but never able to see or even talk 
to her mother again.  What a price ot pay... was it worth it? 

Her delay made her mother nervous and she spoke again, "Hiarushia, it
will be difficult but surely you realize your life is not worth staying 
in touch with me?  This may be our only chance at getting you out of 
here, do not let me stand in your way.  You have to go, you have to get 
somewhere that you will be safe from your father's evil ways."  It 
wasn't fair, she didn't want to loose her mom. 

"But," she sobbed out, "I love you.  If I leave, that'll be it.  I'll be
alone and what if you need my help, I'll never know."  Her mother's 
face stated the painfully obvious, there were more important things in 
life.  It was too much for her to even consider and she couldn't help 
but cry.  Her mother held her tightly for they both knew that it would 
be one of the last times. 

"Won't father know it was you who helped me escape?  He'll kill you,"
she protested though she knew that her mother was willing to make that 
sacrifice.  It only made her feel worse inside. 

"Honey, I've already got everything arranged.  All you need to worry
about is your well being.  I know that you know, you've got to leave 
here.  The gods only know how long before he gives in to Shakto's 
requests or decides the best way to appease the gods is to give them 
his daughter.  You need to go," her voice gave no room for arguement, 
not that she could think of any.  Her heart was breaking for tonight, 
she would say goodbye to her mother forever.  Slowly, she nodded, her 
body not wanting to cooperate.  Her mom whispered, "Pack what you're 
going to take with you, keep it light.  I have some money for you, I'll 


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