Dragons Beyond the Wall, Part 3

Posted on Fri Aug 28th, 2020 @ 4:54am by Miss Kashian Lyrius & Miss Lushian Lyrius & Miss Amborsae Lyrius

Mission: Deep Winter, 2137 of the Endless Winter
Location: Lyrius Manor, Lyrius Estate
Timeline: Late Morning, Aurember 1st, 2137

On the highest step of the Lyrius Manor, the one not covered in snow and instead covered in a warm water repleant carpet, sat Kashian. She had not gone inside yet and instead sat to wait for her sisters. Her excitement had dwindled into a bitter pessimism. It was what she did, get excited and almost always give up at the first sign of failure. If anything was going to be done, it was almost always Lushian who pushed, in her own way, to get it done.

When she saw her sisters walking down the path back to the manor, Kashian got to her feet and walked to meet them.

"He said no," she said when she got close enough. It wasn't a question, it was a statement of fact. Kashian knew that there was no way he would have taken them. It was stupid to ask.

"He said we need mother's permission. I can go and speak to her, ask for her permission," Amborsae replied. "We need to get moving."

"Damn, there is no way mother is going to let us leave the Manor Walls," Kashian said folding her arms. "If you want to ask, you can. But I am tired of being told no."

"I'll ask her. Wait here," Amborsae said, smiling at Kashian. "Are you coming with me Lushian?"

Lushian looked from one sister to the other and back.

"You know if you ask mother and tell her what's going on, she'll let us go," Kashian said with a sigh. "Not that you will tell her... Or even can, I think."

"I'll go..." Lushian said softly.

Amborsae nodded, and led the way towards their mother's room. She was anxious about asking her, but it didn't take long before they reached her chambers. Amborsae knocked on the door, and waited for permission to enter.

Only a moment later the door opened an inch and a maid appeared in the crack. "Yes?" the maid asked softly as if afraid to be too loud.

"I need to see my mother, please," Amborsae said softly, not speaking too loudly either.

"Unfortunately, the Lady Amalthea is indisposed at the moment. Perhaps I could give her a message?" the maid asked softly.

"It's important. We need to leave the estate with de Locke, but he won't allow us to without my mother's permission. Lushian knows we have to go to help someone in need, but we don't know who yet. Please, tell my mother I need to see her urgently," Amborsae said.

The maid nodded and closed the door.

"Something is wrong..." Lushian whispered.

"Should we go in?" Amborsae whispered back.

"No..." Lushian said as she turned around and turned to look back at the stairs, where she could see her sister's head poking around the corner. "Mother will come..."

The words had no more slipped out of her mouth than the door opened.

"The Lady Amalthea will see you," the maid said and stepped aside to allow the girls into Lady Amalthea's private sitting room.

Lushian looked to her sister as if asking her to lead the way.

Amborsae nodded, and led the way into the room. She smiled as she saw Amalthea. "Good morning mother," Amborsae said, looking at her. "I'm sorry to bother you, but we needed to talk to you."

Amalthea sat on her window seat, gently reclined. "Come my daughters," she said extending her hand. "Tell me what is bothering you."

Amborsae walked over to her, and took her hand, kissing it softly. "Mother, it's Lushian. She knows we need to go with de Locke this morning, but he won't allow us to do so without your permission. I don't know why we need to go exactly, but I believe there is someone who needs our help urgently," Amborsae explained, looking at her mother. She remembered when she had first met her adoptive mother. She had been entranced with her beauty, and that had never changed.

Amalthea looked from her adopted daughter to the only of her biological children who was there. "Lushian?" she asked.

And it seemed for a moment that Lushian replied in a way that only her mother could understand. No words were spoken, only a couple of glances and quiet thoughts.

"Yes... I see... Tell de Locke you have my blessing," Amalthea said at last, her voice suddenly distant.

"Mother, are you okay?" Amborsae asked, feeling worried slightly.

"I am well, it is simply a tiring day," Amalthea replied softly. She wiped a single bead of sweat from her brow and smiled wearily, the kind of smile only her daughters would see. She looked like she had been doing something highly exhausting before the girls had arrived and simply sat down to make herself appear more composed.

Lushian looked at her for a long moment before tugging at Amborsae's dress. "We should go," she said softly.

Amborsae turned and looked at Lushian. "Okay," she said. "We'll let you know when we return, mother," she added softly. "I love you, mother," she added softly.

"Be well, my children," Amalthea said softly and turned her attention to her servant.

A second later Ambrorsae and Lushian stood out in the hall, Kashian greeting them as soon as they had stepped out.

"Well, what did she say?" Kashian demanded.

"Let's get going, before de Locke goes without us," Amborsae said simply as she adjusted her quiver and bow.

"She agreed to let us go?" Kashian asked in shock.

Lushian was already heading down the steps.

"Are you coming?" Amborsae asked, following Lushian. "We need to catch him before he leaves."

"Yeah, I'm coming," Kashian said quickly following after the two of them.

Lushian was in the lead and made her way quickly outside, her long pale cloak dragging on the ground behind her. She was greeted by de Locke at the entrance of the Manor. Somehow he knew, somehow he always seemed to know what their mother's will for him was.

"You are to come with me. Do not leave my sight. If you do I will inform your mother and I very much doubt she will allow such things again," de Locke said, his voice deep and full of menace.

Lushian nodded, but hid behind her sisters when they arrived.

"We would prefer a less menacing tone, de Locke," Amborsae said, seeing her sister. "We're ready to go when you are," she added, staring at the man.

"You preferences are not my concern," de Locke replied flatly as he turned and made his way to the main gate.

"Well, this should be fun," Kashian said, following behind him and pulling her cloak around herself. "I hope I get to see a dragon."

Lushian lingered behind Amborsae.

"I'll keep you safe," Amborsae whispered so only Lushian could hear her as they followed de Locke. She held out a hand for Lushian, if she wanted it. She wouldn't let anything happen to either of her sisters, and gave Lushian a small smile.

Lushian held fast to her sisters hand as she followed out of the gate.