Keyara

Keyara walked a small bridge back to her house. Phoebe has sleeping soundly in her make-shift cradle. Kian had started bringing her up here when the nightmares started. Keyara understood; she wished someone had held her when she had nightmares. She smiled softly at the toddler and kissed her soft curls, murmuring, "I'll keep you safe, little pup." She made sure she was tucked in and warm then she turned to her hammock and curled up with a warm blanket.

A miniature cut out of her family stared back at her, almost mocking her with the easiness of her old life.. A small tear escaped and slide down her face, cutting a cold trail. She quickly wiped it off, angry at herself for showing a weakness. She would win this war, to avenge her parents' deaths. Despite what Viktor said, it would be a war of vengeance. It was inevitable. Too many had died without reason for way too long. Whether she started it or not, it would avenge those dead.

She was jerked out of her red-stained reverie by a strangled cry. Phoebe was awake, crying, her voice slowly reaching screaming pitch. Keyara lurched out of her hammock, stumbling slightly and picked up the child and rocked her squirming body until she quieted again.

"Mama..." she whimpered, curling into Keyara. She did not have the heart to tell the sweet girl otherwise. As she continued to hold her, Phoebe relaxed and fell asleep once more. But when the older girl tried to lay her down, the baby simply clung to Keyara like a burr to clothes. She sighed and sat in the makeshift rocking chair Viktor made for her. This would be a long night, she could just tell.

Keyara had finally drifted off with Phoebe's warm little body tucked into her side when there was a light knock. She had barely opened her eyes before Viktor opened the door and walked in.

"I simply came to apologize."

"There is no need. I was out of line. I would never endanger him like that." Viktor nodded, acknowledging Keyara's response, his eyes drifting to Phoebe's still form,

"Is she leaving soon?" She shook her head, tightening her grip on the child. He smiled gently.

"Don't get too attached to her, Keyara." She stared at him as a memory came rushing back to her.

"Keyara, don't get too attached to her. She's leaving soon."

"But we just-"

"I know, dear. But Fiona is going to be moving away. I can't help that. I don't want you to be hurt, sweetheart." My mother took my hand, pulling me back to our house. My father walked to greet us and pulled me into a tight bear hug, kissing my cheek, his scruffy beard scratching in a familiar, warm way. I smiled slightly and tightened my childish arms around his neck, then quickly returned to pouting.

"Why the long face, Key?" Daddy pulled back from me to look me in the face.

"Mother told me that I wasn't to get too attached to Fiona. She and her mother are moving soon. They just got here though!" I said with frustration, stomping my foot. My father sighed.

"I know she is your friend and I know you've been lonely since Kaine moved away, but this is the way life is. Do you remember how you were when he left?" I nodded sullenly, knowing my parents didn't want a repeat of that.

"We'll visit her over the holiday, Keyara," Mother said, kissing my brown hair. Little did I know, everything would come tumbling down before I got to see one of my only friends again. Life is funny like that...

"Keyara, are you listening to me?" Viktor's voice cut through the dreamy flashback.

"Yes, sorry. But you know I'm to keep watch over her."

"But when she leaves, and you know she will, you'll be broken. I don't want to see you like that." His dark green eyes sparkled with affection. She smiled and shook off the feeling of déjà vu as she stood up and laid Phoebe's limp form in the cradle. Viktor shifted his weight and took a deep breath to talk.

"Keyara, there is something we must discuss about-" He was cut off by a huge yawn.

"Can we talk about it tomorrow? I'm beat. Tomorrow I'm leading a hunting group." She paused. "Shit. I forgot. Put together a sword training session together for everyone over the age of 14, they be willing." Viktor nodded and left. Keyara should have noticed the way his shoulders slumped as he left and the light left his eyes, leaving them a dull green. The way he looked ten years older. But sleep was overcoming her as she lay back in the hammock and stared at the stars and fell asleep.

...

"Did you bring what I asked?" The servant could not the master's form in the black room, as he fidgeted in fear.

"Y-yes, Your Greatness."

"Good... Good... What did you find out?"

"They plan to attack February 14th."

"Why?"

"We do not know, we're-"

"You don't KNOW?!" There was a loud bang and a screech and suddenly the slave was no more.

"We must bide our time... Yes. We will wait. But that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun..." A malicious cackle rang through the empty, dark, cold, vaulted room.