36 Rhoswen Solone

_Rhoswen Solone_

Rhoswen stood on numb legs as she watched the carriage leave through the gates. There was a good chance she would never see those two again and why she did not know them for long or very well, she felt sad at the thought. That sadness was quickly accompanied by a feeling of dread. If something happened... what would happen? Would she have failed? Would numerous people die?

It was an unfortunate gamble she had to take. What could she possibly do in her position to make things work out? No one wanted to listen to a child. Her mind wandered back to the woman who had appeared into her room. The woman with the organization she could not name... Rhoswen wondered if that was a place she could get help from. Though it didn't seem quite right... she was definitely hiding something.

For now, Rhoswen would have to focus on here and now. She needed to make sure she could meet Ryus and Kehan again, and that girl- Savarine. A twinge of sadness made itself known in her chest. Whatever that girl had endured, Rhoswen definitely felt it. She could only hope to meet her if Ryus and Kehan did their part... though she did not know how they would be able to escape. 

With a sigh she turned and made her way back into the castle. Without much thought to where she was going, she let her legs carry her forth throughout the hallways, numbly walking as she found herself deep in thought. She nearly forgot how terrible she was feeling from the increase in visions.

Soon, the girl found herself standing in front of her father's office chambers. She stared at the big heavy wooden door that stood before her, and then she opened it. She hadn't thought much about what she was going to say to him but she hoped her words would come freely- however they caught in her throat when she saw her eldest sister Rosaline dressed up in her traveling outfit. It instantly clicked in Rhoswens head that this was the time that she would be leaving. It was perfect with the prisoners ahead, no one would think of a noble girl traveling close behind. 

"Ahh, Rhoswen, I was just-"

Rhoswen interrupted her father before he could say much. "I was right. I told you I was right-"

"Rhos-"

"No! Listen! You cannot send her to the capital! Bad things happen there," She wanted to shiver at the memory of how she felt- how Savarine was so sad... What if that happened to Rosaline, whatever it was?

"Bad things? I assure you the capital is very safe, especially the Denheim castle." He told her now. Rosaline had a sour look on her face as she watched her younger sister.

"Nowhere is safe, and you know this-"

Rosaline interrupted now. "I want to go to the capital, do not ruin this for me with your pointless paranoia," She said as she crossed her arms.

"It is not pointless if I am trying to keep you from harm!"

"Keep me from harm? Father!"

"Rhoswen..." He started now, seemingly tired of this. "Your sister is going, nothing you say will change this fact."

"Then why can't I just go with her? They have better medicine practitioners in the capital anyway. Wouldn't it be beneficial?"

"I need you here so I can keep an eye on you-"

"I am not as fragile as you think!"

"So you say, but it is not so. You are becoming delusional, Rhoswen," He said exasperatedly.

She narrowed her eyes at her father, glancing at her elder sister. "I am going with her."

He ran a hand down his face now, sighing. "I get the feeling this is also about those prisoners you wanted to keep..."

Her nose twitched, "No, it is not, but I would admit I would be interested to know what happens to them." It was a half lie, half truth but he didn't notice.

The man pinched the bridge of his nose, seemingly considering his options. "You know I hear they are calling their medicine practitioners physicians now... supposedly they are learning far greater knowledge in the capital..."

Rosaline scoffed. "You cannot truly be considering this! Father!"

"What if she is right, Rosaline? What if the Denheim court physicians are better for her?"

The older sister narrowed her eyes. "My carriage leaves soon, I must go before I am late to the Capital. If you are to make a decision, make it soon. It would be embarrassing to be late in front of the royal family." She said as she turned to the door and made her way out of the room. "Farewell father, I leave my good wishes here with you."

"Yes farewell my dear..." He sighed out. What a sorry departure for a daughter he would not likely see again for many months. He turned his eyes to Rhoswen.

"If I am to go I must go now..." She reasoned seriously.

"Rhoswen... " He sighed. "It would be rude to send you without any warning."

"And it would be worse if something happened to Rosaline!" She said exasperatedly.

"Nothing is going to happen to her, Rhoss,"

"But I had seen it!"

"Little girls dream up and imagine plenty of things." He told her dismissively.

She glared at him. "So I will not be going?"

"No, you will not."

"But Rosaline will." She said with narrowed eyes.

"Yes."

She let out a huff, turning to storm out the room. "Rhoswen!" her father called after her but she was already gone, marching down the hallway towards her own room. Her thoughts were particularly angry as she walked.

No one ever believed her, they all thought she was sickly and weak. She scoffed at the thought. Ryus and Kehan were the only ones who had ever given her the benefit of the doubt and they were still unsure themselves. Her hands clenched into angry fists down at her sides. Why did no one believe in her? She was not a liar. Nor had she ever been cruel to others- she was fair and just and only meant to do what was best and yet no one ever gave her the benefit of the doubt besides two foreigners. Even then they had to believe in something because they were so close to being executed. It wasn't as if they had much to lose in believing in a 12 year old girl. 

A shadow moving out of the corner of her eye made her freeze and look around, cautiously she walked after where she had seen it, until she came to a cross section in the hallways. She looked down one and saw nothing, in the other she also saw nothing, when she turned behind her she saw the shadow move down a different hallway.

Forgetting her anger she quickly followed after it, curious as to what was going on. She followed said shadow down multiple hallways until she reached outside, in a secluded portion of the garden. The sun was already creeping down behind the long sea to the east. She no longer saw any signs of the shadow as she looked around her. Confused, she walked around aimlessly. 

"It's not safe to be alone in a secluded place like this," A female voice said from behind her.

She flinched and spun around to face the woman, her heart beating out of her chest until she saw who it was. "It's you," She breathed as she looked upon the robed woman. "Indeed it is," The woman said with a smile. Her smile hid things, Rhoswen was sure.

"Why are you crying, my dear?"

Confused, Rhoswen lifted her hand to her cheek and realized she had indeed been crying. She hadn't noticed before. "No reason."

The woman gave her a soft smile, crouching down to Rhoswen's level. "It is hard not being believed, is it not?" She asked softly. "For those with abilities that are not easily shown it is harder. People who are not special just wouldn't understand. It is a sad thing, truly. Mine was not so hard to show others but I have a friend. This friend of mine can read thoughts, and for him, growing up was a challenge because when he heard someone think something bad, no one wanted to believe him, so then that bad thing happened. Truly, it is sad. I understand how hard it is being called unwell." She sympathized with the blonde little girl.

"You... you have friends with abilities?"

"Oh many," She said with a smile. The woman stood straight now, and looked up at the sky. "They could be your friends too, you know. How many friends do you have here? And how many of those friends truly understand you?"

Rhoswen swallowed as she kept her eyes on the woman. She had friends her own age, but they were all spoiled and pampered rich children, none of them were true friends, let alone understood her. "I will take your silence as confirmation." The woman said now, turning her eyes back to the girl. "You were quick to decline my offer last time, but I am hoping you have reconsidered. I was given strict orders not to reveal too much so I understand how I may look suspicious to you. I will tell you more than I was allowed though, if you will listen." She offered.

The blonde girl looked away, contemplating before she nodded. "Very well."

"It is primarily a school, we find young individuals with abilities such as your own and educate you on that among others. You would learn how to control it too."

Rhoswen narrowed her eyes in thought. "What is the point of gaining an education like that?"

"You are very bright for your age," The woman complimented. "We learn all we can about magic and the supernatural world, so that we can protect the normal world. Not all of those with abilities wish to use them wisely, and among some of those are monsters we have to kill. There is much to this world that you do not know- yet I get the feeling you know things that others do not. Am I correct?"

The girl blinked, her mind constantly thinking of that boney monster from her visions. The lich she had seen. The woman caught her attention once more as she chuckled. "I seem to be right again," she said now. "Why don't you join us, Rhoswen? I feel you would be much happier there."

"What does it cost?" She asked suspiciously now.

The woman smiled to her. "It does not cost in money nor material items, but instead in your discretion, and your loyalty."

"That seems too good to be true," Rhoswen told her, crossing her arms.

"We are a family, my dear Rhoswen. It is not going to be easy adjusting to our lifestyle, but I promise you it is a place you may truly belong."

Rhoswen swallowed before looking up to the woman. She still had her suspicions but these visions weren't going away any time soon. One of the seven was a part of this order so if she could meet him there, then she could stop him from harming the other.

"Okay. I'll join you." She said confidently.