Mfonemana_Uduak

Dear readers, This is the most edited version of Lucy Wickshire on the net for my readers, whose eyes itch at mistakes.

Synopsis: One misty day, the higher realms call for penance; the head of a mother and child requested. The stench of blood carried on for miles, A whiff of pain trailed down pine-covered hills. A mother's head taken on a spike, a child saved despite great battle. A failure to be dreaded for years to come. Banking on time, the realms prepare for when a child becomes a woman. But the impatient child would never reward enemies with even time. A promise; One should resolve a child's grudge before the breast milk is dry. A prayer; May the realms rue the day they failed to kill Lucy Wickshire.
You are about to read the accounts of Lucy Torgenn of Wickshire and the millions of bodies burned as a backdrop to a child's rage.

Lucy Wickshire

Night descended fast, yet the entire city slept light. Partying could be heard from the silver halls till deep in the night before silence resumed. As the night deepened and day sat at the world's edge, figures flashed over the courtyard stealthily as though searching for something, or someone.

Si Sanga and the rest waited for the attack, but it never came. As quickly as they came, the intruders left, just before daylight burst from the mountain east. The morning brought tension and a hint of anticipation that hugged the city like morning mist.

"The mountain it is then," Kheal said as she sat up from bed. She looked towards the looming mountain with anticipation. Years away from home, all her striving and suffering has gotten her here. She dressed and stepped out to meet the rest already waiting for her. Helen saw the anticipation in her eyes and nodded to reassure her. After spending some time with Kheal, she had come to understand how important this day was for her. She had to succeed so she could go home.

They silently left their residence. As they opened the door and stepped out into the street, they saw streams of people moving in one direction; the Jua Mountain range.

They moved quietly and joined the crowd.

"All these people are not going to climb the mountain, are they?" Helen asked.

"It is said that many die in just the first level of the mountain alone. They will thin out," Kheal said.

"They would help mask us then," Helen said.

By the time they got to the entrance to the mountain range, people were starting to climb. Helen nodded to the rest and they decided to join them.

"We bring a message from family, Lady Kheal," a voice said and Helen and the rest paused slightly, before looking towards the one who had spoken. Approaching them was a large man with four servants.

"I am the master of the silver halls. It was sad that you could not join us, last night," he said.

"I came not to feast, your grace," she said and he chuckled, then motioned to his servant, who brought forward a rolled-up leather case and handed it to her.

"To guide your path, my lady," he said and stepped back. Helen unrolled the leather to find a map stitched to its inside. The golden threads moved on the leather when she looked down at it, as though it had woken from sleep, springing to life.

"I have received it," she said and moved away from the man who nodded slightly.

"What does this mean?" she whispered.

"This is what was sent from home. Whoever had come to pick me up also came to show his influence. Having the master of the Silver Halls deliver this to me is to suppress me before I even succeed. This means that something must have changed at home. It is not necessary to the clan that I succeed anymore," Kheal said and Helen paled.

"That means they are not here just to hinder us, they are here to kill us; me,"

"The danger…." Kheal started to say.

"It is necessary. We will get through this, both of us, and we will get back to Soverntii together. So you can fulfil your destiny and I can kill that woman to marry my husband," Helen said, holding firm her hands. They stepped into the mountain range and the city started to fade away from behind them. Helen turned back to look at the fading scenery as she took in deep breaths.

"I wish you a safe journey, Lady Khalsan," The large man said with a soft smile and Helen froze as the city faded.

"Helen? Helen…." Her world seemed to spin as she heard her name being called by Kheal.

Bk 2: Chapter Six (12)