Giving in

The distance to Redkite citadel seemed to have lengthened for some reason or the horse wasn't galloping fast enough. The sisters had gone completely silent. There was no whispering, no soft murmurs in her ears. Nothing, but the wind humming and the loud thud of her heartbeat. Redkite watchtowers poked over the hill, and she finally raised her eyes to get a glimpse of the situation from afar. A wisp of black smoke billowed, and then, screaming and wails of women and the few children that resided within the walls, reached her ears. The sisters cackled, excited at the feast awaiting them behind the walls of the citadel. It was a death trap for those living within its walls. Once the gates were breached the was nowhere else to run. She made sure that none of the other three gates would be next to impossible to pry open. It would be an insurmountable feat in the midst of an attack. Regardless, of which side of the wall you were.

" Finally, " One of the sisters hummed, pleased as the citadel grew larger, and more smoke billowed. Pleas of mercy rose to the skies along with it. And the dread and angst quickly overtook her senses and reason. It would take her far too long to reach them, and when she would, it would be too late to save any of them. Her heart squeezed and bled at that thought.

" I will release you, so you can feast, but you are not touch my people. Are we clear?" Iris hissed through gritted teeth to the sisters who reluctantly agreed to her request. It wasn't an easy decision to make. To let the sisters roam free, and do as they pleased. She was nothing, but a medium. To channel their wrath and gather what they needed.

The horse halted not far from the citadel. She'd run out of time.

With a deep breath, she jumped off the horse with a thud and slapped the horse's hind to make it run.

Jumping on his hind legs, the horse galloped back towards a baby thicket, sensing danger. Dark power oozed out of her, she could feel its lashes as it coursed through her veins, searing the bones and flesh in its path. They had grown stronger since last she had unleashed them upon the waking world.

She didn't know whether she could trust them to keep their word. It was a risk. But regardless, if she stood and did nothing they would die either way. A choice was made, as fire pooled at her feet and began blanketing the grass, eating everything in its path, leaving behind nothing but ash and scorched smoking soil. A sight to behold and tremble in fear. A cold shiver ran down her spine, paralysing every other sense in her body as she watched the flame, slithering over the land.

Following in the wake of the flames, she watched them climbing over the walls, and then more screaming rose, and cries of help, pleas of mercy from the gods themselves, the Holly Mother which they worshipped.

When Iris finally reached the gate, the flames were engulfing the last few remaining invaders, as their wails filled the air. And seeped deep into her very being, scaring her soul with the horrors of gnarly figures as they writhed and flailed, trying to escape. The was no escape, no salvation from the sister's wrath. Blotches of green fire peppered the citadel grounds as if trying to decide whether should burn those too or not.

" You gave me your word," A flaming tear streaked her cheek, her throat tightened, " That you will spare them, the innocent," Her words barely a whisper, a plea of mercy.

The sisters whined, displeased, " No one is innocent," One of them raged, and the flames flared towering over her, portraying the wrathful sisters.

" No one is truly without stain," Another one pipped in, in a softer voice as the flames slowly retreated towards her, over the charred grounds.

" I know," I deep breath in as the last of the flames slithered to her, " But they do not deserve to die, for the small crimes they have committed," Iris drew a deep breath in, when people began rising from the ground, confused and horrified. They were spared. The sisters have honoured their word and she found relief in that little fact.

Eventually, their eyes slowly drifted from the ash-covered grounds to her, unable to find the strength to move their feet. She remained rooted to her spot, watching, observing their immediate reactions. It could go either way. Rejoice for having saved them or be terrified of her. An undesired effect.

The sound of hooves behind her, made Iris finally release the breath that, she didn't even realise was holding. To their knowledge, she was nothing more than an envoy for the Queen.

" In the name of all that is sacred," Evin's voice was just above a whisper, as he stopped next to her and scoured the grounds with his eyes. He was speechless, breathless and so were the people staring at her, still very much out of sorts.

" A fire came," A woman stepped forward, trying to explain somehow what had happened. Unaware that it was her, who had caused the fire in the first place. Iris swallowed and licked her lips. She didn't want them to be afraid of her when she was merely trying to protect them.

" A fire, green fire, " The same woman added as she lowered herself to her heels fisting ash from the ground. And then slowly letting drift on the breeze that caressed the grounds.

" I think, the Holly Mother protected us," She raised her eyes to the skies, and the relief that washed over her was nothing short of amazing.

" Who entered the grounds?" Iris asked as she began closing the distance between her and the woman.

" Umayad soldiers, my Lady," The woman whispered, as she raised her brown eyes to meet hers, with furrowed brows.

Relief coated in fear quickly unfurled in her stomach, twisting and turning. It was not possible. Everyone was attempting to take Hessia. She could no longer hide.

" Go home," Iris placed a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder who nodded and began moving her feet towards the westernmost part of the citadel.

" I need to speak with you," She looked at Evin over her shoulder as he nodded holding his helmet under his arm. He still looked absolutely ridiculous.

" Of course," He gave her a subtle nod, as he followed behind her leading the horse along.

" Collect all the ash from the grounds," Iris took a deep breath and closed her eyes to still herself and the sisters, who purred in her ears, pleased with the meal she'd just served them.

" Place it in a container. Once you are done come and find me," She gave him the final instructions as she began ascending the steps of the castle.

There was much to piece together. Corvin came to the forefront of her mind. The chitty chatty sisters dug memories of him, memories that she didn't know she had.

Picking up the circlet, the untouched circlet of the vanity where he had left it when he left, Iris took a deep breath, tracing its intricate craftsmanship, and the dark green diorite stone. A gift from him. Perhaps a silent plea for forgiveness on his part.

" You miss him," One of the sisters sighed," Even though, you won't admit it. Not even to yourself," Another one added to complete the other's thoughts on the matter. She didn't know whether she missed him or not. All she knew was that things weren't the same anymore. Perhaps there was a certain order in his chaos. Order in chaos. A smile crept up on her at the thought. He was chaos. The golden circlet gleamed in the last light of the day, as the diorite stones lit up reflecting their green hues around the room. A breathing-taking sight, as she watched the veil of green spread around the room, and on herself.

" You shouldn't wear it," One of them grumbled in her ear.

Iris's curiosity peaked at the sister's words, " Why wouldn't I? It is beautiful. I've owned many jewels in my time, but none as beautiful as this," Iris added as she brushed her fingers over the diorite studded circlet.

None of the sisters answered her question, and they grew silent. Worryingly so.

She would have thought that the little taster, would have put them in a better mood. But, no. No such luck.