Neiman's Secret

Siva rushed into my tent, Lena behind her, my two handmaids. I looked up at them, confused.

"What's the matter?"

"Sister Nei! Some people arrived and are in Matriarch's tent-- even with our little abilities, we could sense that they're powerful mages!"

Powerful mages?

It had been a month.

Who else could it be?

I followed them out and entered grandmother's tent. There were about half a dozen people inside. Iria, Rudolph, Moran from the IBO. Arhid.

He smiled at me awkwardly. I smiled back and went instead to Rudolph's side to embrace him. He pushed me away.

"What's the matter?" I was deeply hurt. He scowled at me. Then I noticed that they were all looking at me in a weird manner. Rudolph had chosen this time to say something. Something dreadful.

"Neiman," grandmother finally said, "you have to clear it up. Today."

I understood, but I was scared. Saying one thing would lead to the other and how would Iria look at me when she realized--

And then Iria growled.

"Nei, who is Rudolph?"

I started to cry. Rudolph's stern look softened a little and he quietly muttered as he slipped his hand in mine, "I already know. But you have to explain to sister Iria,"

It was to Iria I looked when I spoke. It was to Iria I owed the greatest apology.

"Iria--" I began, "before I found you that night-- when we separated-- I-- I-- I found a baby in a burning house. That baby was-- Rudolph,"

Iria frowned.

"I-- I also modified your memory so you would not remember-- that mother was not delivered of our brother-- I made you think Rudolph was our Rudolph,"

Silence.

"Neiman did this because she loved you, Iriadne," grandmother whispered, "she is the one who bore this pain all these years. And Rudolph-- don't be angry with her. She probably loves you more than any blood sister could,"

Rudolph hugged me. For the first time in his life, he cried. I held him tight, but I was still looking at Iria, who had sat down on a stool suddenly.

"Everyone, leave!" she barked.

The tent emptied, leaving the four of us. Iria buried her face in her palms.

"Neiman--" grandmother prompted and I released Rudolph to go and comfort my sister. I touched her shoulder. She didn't move.

"Iriadne, forgive her," grandmother said gently.

"I'm sorry, Iria! I just didn't want you to remember all that pain. I'm sorry!" I sobbed.

Iria finally raised jer head. She wasn't crying. She slowly pulled me close.

"Nei."

"Yes?"

"You didn't have to do that. I have a right to bear every pain that has to do with Shathelia and Thzarmir Hakorhi! You want to know why? Because I'm their only child,"

I was shocked.

"Ever wondered why your name is Neiman Saarhash and not Neiman Hakorhi? Because you're adopted. Father took you from your only relative; a man who wandered through Hakorhi then, without means to take care of you-- and you lived with us ever since! Therefore, whatever memories of mine you harbour, let me have them back now!"

"Iriadne!" Grandmother warned, "you'll regret this, I assure you!"

"Grandmother!" Iria yelled back, "Even with the little I know I want to avenge them so badly! I want to know everything!"

With tears in my eyes I touched Iria's temple, returning to her all the horrid images from that night; Father's battle with the skilled warriors; Mother being run through her stomach by a spear; Trian's head being split open by an axe; Wurhan lying in a pool of her own blood, lifeless; the masked warriors setting fire to our house; a close shave when we almost fell into a low well, full of blood, not water; retrieving the Kraharn from father's lifeless mangled body; crying our hearts out as we closed mother's eyes---

"Stop!" Iria cried out in agony, "Nei! Stop! Stop! Stop!"

I withdrew my finger and fell into her arms, sobbing with her.

And then there was silence once again in the tent as she hushed me and wiped my eyes. A silence that heralded in the new Iria, one whose eyes held no mercy.

.....

More stories! More art! More intriguing content from the author herself!

Show support for Through War and Pestilence by following @official_rynna on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/official_rynna/