"Mordev hasn't been here since he brought us five years ago," Sila said. She wondered what could be so important that he would come back. She feared she knew the answer.

"Genrik?" she asked hesitantly.

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I'm back!

Rhaeryn hesitated, unsure. Twisting a lock of auburn hair around her finger, she answered uncertainly. "I...I don't know."

Suddenly self-conscious, she shifted her gaze elsewhere, afraid that one of her older sisters would catch the fear behind her brown eyes. Her mind was as open as it had been five years ago, open for the taking, and the thought of suddenly being unable to control herself - of turning against everyone she held dear - was repugnant to her. But Rhaeryn knew that if Genrik was coming she had no other choice.

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(are all the Ignae-Kiani in the palace? I have come to serve them in anyway they need me, seeing as I can't think of anything better.)

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*waits for a response from Sielio*

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<center>Nothing but the Rain</center>

((I'll PM Kel))

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You may (or may not) know me elsewhere as Elfpen

"As chance would have it..." came a voice from around the corner. Mordev revealed himself an instant later and drew back his cowl. Hearing voices down the corridor, he'd followed them and overheard the last portion of their conversation.

He stopped five feet away and surveyed the three girls - no, young women - before him. They certainly looked older, more in control. He mentally ran through their names in his mind. Sila... Suka? Suakii... and Rhaer...? Rhaeryn... Gods, he'd had too much on his mind lately! He wasn't even middle-aged, and already light lines crossed his face and premature silver streaked his hair.

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"As chance would have what?" retorted Rhaeryn more sharply than she meant, turning to regard him warily. She didn't trust Mordev despite the fact that he'd brought them here in the first place - five years could change many things, up to and including loyalties.

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"Genrik," Mordev said curtly, indicating Sila's earlier surmise. He addressed all of them, "You have fared well in your training." It rang not of a compliment, but of blunt truth.

He inclined his head and continued, "Approximately fifteen thousand of Genrik's - your brother's - men are camped north of the city. The question is not whether or not you are prepared, but whether or not you feel prepared."

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??

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((Yeah, I'm pretty sure they're all in the palace))

Rhaeryn looked stunned. "So soon," she managed, fighting down a sickening feeling of dread and attempting to retain her poised outward appearance. "That means...they will be here within a day."

Suddenly she wanted Aivon desperately, wanted to be innocent and thirteen again.

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Rhaeryn had already been at the Library, apparently, because he couldn't find her in it, and the only footprints in the rather dusty area of the palace went into it and then out again, so unless she had suddenly learned to fly, she had moved on. At this hour of the night, she was probably going to go to bed, so Aivon headed towards the Kiani's chambers.

Outside of them, he stopped short in surprise. Mordev was there, talking with Suakii, Sila, and Rhaeryn. What is he doing? he wondered. He walked up to them in time to hear the man's statement about Genrik. Cold fury rose inside him at that. He has no tact, reminding them that it is their brother who has damaged the kingdom so in the last few years. He had no doubt that their relationship to the Rebel had bothered the Kiani over the years--it certainly bothered him. As far as he was concerned, Genrik was their brother only in blood, and shouldn't be counted as their relative, only as their enemy.

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Mordev acknowledged Aivon's arrival with a polite nod. It surprised him somewhat that Rhaeryn still kept a bodyguard. At the extent of her powers now, she should hardly need one. Nonetheless, the warrior must be quite skilled to still live up to his job.

"They'll be here by dawn," he amended. "Do whatever you must be prepare yourselves. I know not what your instructors have taught you, but I would suggest you stay in the back ranks until it is deemed necessary to reveal yourselves."

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Rhaeryn's only reply was a nod, rather brusque, and she whirled to disappear into her room. Once the door was safely shut she stood in front of the window, arms wrapped tightly around herself as if by doing so she could stop the impending wave of fear that threatened to overwhelm her. A tree limb stretched beseechingly out to the girl, but she did not seem to see it.

This is silly, Rhae. You've been training for this for years, you're prepared. She tried to console herself, watching the horizon - it was already far into the night and the thought of dawn approaching made her quaver.

Unless a mage discovers me, her other side replied unsettlingly.

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(discard my last post where Everya is at the castle, i will go edit it in a second)

Everya rode to the palace with great haste. Her hair tumbled down her back in curls and whipped in the wind. She could feel her steed getting tired but she kept riding on.
Once the castle could be seen she nudged her horse into a gallop. The gates opened immediately when she rode towards them. Several gaurds bowed and others looked on in awe.
"My greetings." She smiled at the Captain who strode towards her.
"My Lady, it has been too long."
"I'm afraid it has Captain Irok." Everya grinned at the familiar face and dismounted her horse, "Poor looking animal, but it's the best I could get."
"No one knows of this?" Irok questioned, as a stable boy bore Everya's horse to the stable.
"Not yet. I wish to speak to them. Immediately." Everya said in a proud voice.
"As you wish." Irok nodded several servants ran towards her and bowed. She smiled at Irok and inclined her head and followed the servants up to the palace.

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"Dawn?" Sila repeated incredulously. She brought her hands up to her head trying to comfort the headache that the news had brought her. She groaned aloud. Were they ready for this? Could they fight fifteen thousand men?

She shook her head and took a deep breath. This was no time for second thoughts. She looked at Mordev with a determined look in her silver eyes. "What do we need to do?"

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I'm back!

Everya followed the servants through the corridors until they ran into several of the Kiani.
Everya grimly grinned and bowed slightly.
"Greetings I bring you, even if you are on the brink of a war." Everya smiled, turning to stare at Sila and Mordev.

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