Tales of Eleutheros

Katrina marveled at the sight before her once again. Vul De Rah was a magnificent spectacle from the battlements of the Ignos palace, which was on a modestly sized hill overlooking the city. The terror and confusion of the last few days seemed to be receding slowly as the days ebbed on. She thought briefly of the Trial of Doxo from the day before, and a shudder ran through her body. Daniel had fought against one of these creatures and defeated him, no less. She took a deep breath and exhaled sharply, pushing the thoughts from her mind.

“Hello there!” a cheerful voice called from behind.

She turned her head to see Boros approaching with a large smile on his face. He was a good sort, she thought, returning the smile. Maybe he was a little over-affectionate, but in their current situation, it was a welcome demonstration.

“As soon as your friend is bathed and ready, we will be off,” the young Dae said as he took a spot next to her against the battlements.

Katrina looked again over the city and her smile faded.

“You look troubled,” he said, facing her. “What’s wrong?”

“Well,” she said, “Besides the fact that yesterday I wasn’t sure if I was going to be burned alive or not. . .” She paused for a moment, sensing her usual sarcastic reply coming on. It wasn’t really intentional, just a defense mechanism for high-stress situations. “It’s just… a lot to take in.” She forced a smile and looked at him. Keep it together, Kat.

Boros opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the call of a young woman.

“Will you stop harassing the poor thing?” his sister Illya teased, walking toward the two. She wore leather breeches, a light tunic, and a deep green cloak. A very plain outfit, but it looked like it was made from excellent material.

Katrina looked her over, another instinctual reaction for her to compare and contrast with herself, and the Dae girl was stunning. She suddenly felt a little self-conscious of her own attire and looks but suppressed it quickly.

“Hello,” she said as Illya came to a halt before them.

The Dae gave a gracious curtsy and smiled. “You know, I was just talking to your companion…” She paused, trying to recall the name.

“Robert,” Boros chimed in.

“Yes! Robert. What a nice man he is,” she said,

Katrina chuckled at the comment. “Well, of course, you’re talking about him. The mean one is Daniel.”

Illya let out a very un-ladylike laugh and waved her hand dismissively. “Well, he didn’t seem that bad when I spoke to him. I take it he’s your mate?”

Katrina blinked awkwardly at the sudden declaration. “Uhm…” she said, looking at Boros, who was visibly uncomfortable as well. “No, actually. I really don’t know him very well at all.”

“No?” Illya asked.

“I have only known him for a few days. Well… basically from when I woke up in this world. Why? What gave you that impression?” Katrina asked, somewhat amused.

“Well,” she said, looking at Boros for support, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to assume.”

Katrina began to laugh, breaking some of the rigidity that had begun to form. “Don’t worry about it.”

“I do find it rather curious. I mean, it is odd to find a young woman like yourself accompanied by two males.”

“Curious?” Katrina asked.

“She means all she does is gossip about insignificant compost all day,” Boros said. “For the sake of the spirits, Illya, we just met these humans, and you already are trying to find out who is mating who?”

Illya gasped at the words. “Boros! How inappropriate! And no, that is not what I am trying to find out. I would just like to get to know them better.”

Katrina let out another laugh and leaned against the battlements again. “Well, what about your father’s ward? She’s always surrounded by men; don’t you find that ‘curious’ as well?”

“Avria?” Illya exclaimed with no small amount of venom. “That woman, if you want to call her one, is one of the warrior class. She is expected to do these things. Most of us don’t participate in fighting, and by us, I mean young women of the clan.”

“I can’t help but notice your disapproval of her,” Katrina said.

The young Dae girl regained her composure and took a deep breath. “Well, it’s because she and my father have been trying to marry her to my brother Oros. And don’t let me get started on how ill-mannered she is. All people from the Regios house are like that; rude and unsophisticated.”

“Ahem,” Boros coughed, pulling their attention toward him. “I think the real reason is that our father chose her to be his ward instead of Oros, but don’t mistake me, those two have been at each other’s throats since they were children. I don’t have any real reason to dislike her…” He thought for a moment. “Well, actually, I really do hate how condescending she is.”

“Well, I believe we have wasted quite enough time talking about Avria,” Illya said, drawing out the name. “Now, where are those other humans? It seems like we have been waiting here for ages.” She tilted her head and looked at Boros expectantly.

Boros sighed heavily and walked toward the entrance of the palace.

Illya smiled and let out an overly childish “Thank you.”