Madahlena’s Queendom

I’m Madahlena, blooded daughter of Rehvenge. My father is dead, so guess what that makes me? That’s right, I’m a queen! Ruler of the symphath colony

[madahlenasqueendom]

I wake and sit up, swinging my legs off the side of the bed to put my feet on the floor. I groan softly as I stretch, and try to shake the sleep from my brain so that I can do what I need to do tonight- no matter how much I’m not looking forward to this conversation either. But, I got through the one with mahmen this morning, I can get through this one too. If I can’t after a lifetime of dealing with my little brother, how the hell can I be expected to keep my new subjects in line and retain control of the colony?

Simple, I can’t.

I change out of my pajamas and pull my hair back in a ponytail, then go knock on my brother’s door.

“Hey Al? You awake yet?” I hear some shuffling around, and then the door opens to reveal Alyne- bleary eyed, rumpled, and pulling a t-shirt over his head.

“Maddy?” He scrubs his hands over his face, obviously trying to wake up a little more too. “What’s up?”

“Well, there’s something I need to talk to you about. Why don’t you pull on some shoes and come take a walk with me?” He looks a little confused, but nods and goes back in the room to grab a pair of sneakers and a hoodie, then follows me downstairs and out into the gardens. I give him a little smile, not sure exactly how to start as we pick a random path to follow.

“So, is this about going up to the colony?” I start to tense, surprised, wondering how he found out already and why he isn’t acting more angry with me over leaving him behind. But then he continues. “Have you figured out when you wanna go up there and how you want us to tell them about Dad?”

I snort, trying to keep the mood lighter for as long as I can, even though it won’t be long at all.

“Trust my little brother to cut right to the point. But actually, yeah. That really is what I wanted to discuss with you. See, the thing is, I kind of… already went up there. Last night, with the Shadows and Xhex and Andra as backup.”

He stops dead in his tracks and turns to gape at me. “Wait, you… what?!”

I watch as the shock on his face morphs into indignant fury, angry red color suffusing his face. I didn’t need to use my symphath gifts to know that he was absolutely livid. “Dammit Maddy, why would you do that? You knew I wanted to go with you!!”

“I did it to protect-“

“I don’t need to be protected!” He bursts out, and I almost don’t see the fist flying at my face until it’s too late. But I catch it, and we end up in a scuffle that ends with him pinned face down on the ground, me kneeling on his legs with one hand gripping his hair and the other handcuffing his wrists together. I lean forward to speak directly in his ear.

“Apparently you do, if I was able to take you down as easily as I just did, without even using any mental tricks on you. Believe me, our brethren up north wouldn’t have shown you the same courtesy. They would’ve done everything they could to hurt you, if only to distract me. If I had taken you with me, I would’ve been too worried about trying to protect you to do what I needed to do to seize control of the Colony. Dammit Al, THINK for a minute!

I couldn’t risk Mahmen losing both of her young, especially at the same time and so soon after Dad. And our cousins would most likely have killed us both had we shown any weakness at all- and like it or not little brother, my love for you makes you a huge weakness for me.”

I see the anger fading a little from his eyes and think I might be getting through to him- when in doubt, pull out the family card- so I risk loosening my grip and sitting next to him, allowing him to sit up too. “It would’ve destroyed Mahmen to lose us too. Not to mention Aunt Bella and Uncle Z, Nalla and LW, and all the rest of the family here. Plus, there’s no telling what the symphaths would’ve done after we were gone. Pick a new ruler and continue just keeping to themselves up north? Start a fight with the Brotherhood for being friends with Dad and backing him up all those years? Or who the hell even knows? But I have to think long term now, and I knew that we can’t afford any instability up north. So you see, it wasn’t only you I was protecting, Al. It was our whole family, the entire Brotherhood, and everyone else who would’ve been pulled into the fighting or otherwise affected by it.”

I watch as he sits there, looking down as he absorbs my words. Finally, he sighs and looks up at me.

“I guess you’re right, Maddy. It’s just that, well, I was kinda looking forward to going with you. You know, to watch your back and prove that you can count on me, that sort of thing. But the reasons you did it this way do make sense. I’m sorry I got so angry.”

I smile and pull him in for a hug. “It’s ok. You haven’t had quite as much time as I have to learn and think about this kind of thing. Not that you’ve been slacking on your studies and training, I only meant that I do have a ten year head start on you. And I promise, once you’re safely through your transition, you can be my right hand man, help me out in the Colony as much as you want. After all, you are now the next in line to get the throne.”

“Yeah, I guess I am. I just wish that I could’ve seen you up there. Man, I bet you were a total badass!” He laughs, and I find myself grinning along.

“Yeah, I kind of was. I wish you could’ve been there too. I was scared shitless, but you never would’ve known it. Now I know what Dad was talking about when he told us about the day he took the throne. Sweet Scribe, I hope he would’ve been proud of me!” I feel a sob rising in my throat, then Al takes my hand and gives it a little squeeze.

“I think you already know the answer to that, Maddy.”

“Yeah, I think I do.” I squeeze his hand back. “Are we good?” I ask.

Al thinks a moment, then nods. “I think we are. I’m probably always gonna regret not seeing you taking the throne, and I might still be annoyed with you for a while yet for not telling me you were going north, but yeah we’re good.”

He stands up and reaches down to help me to my feet. “Now, let’s go back inside and clean up before Mahmen finds out we were beating on each other.” I laugh and sling a companionable arm around his shoulders as we walk.

“Good idea!”

#TellingAlyne #Solo #ISBDB #BDBRP

[madahlenasqueendom]

Fessing up to Mahmen (with @BondedNoMore)

Maddy:

Parting ways from Xhex, Andra, and the Shadows in front of the Colony, I demat directly back to the gardens of the Compound and go straight up to my room. As I enter the suite, I reach out with my mind, and sense Alyne still asleep in his room but mahmen isn’t in hers. Probably still down in the Clinic tending her patients. I hope she gets some rest soon, and doesn’t bury herself in work until she collapses in an attempt to escape her grief. Worn out both physically and mentally, with my own grief constantly clawing at me, I take a quick shower and put on some pajamas. But then I realize that I’m too restless to sleep. I think I need to talk to mahmen first, tell her what I’ve done tonight and deal with what comes after. I know she won’t be happy with me, to say the least. I know she didn’t want me to go up to the Colony anytime soon- if ever. But I had to do it, and sooner rather than later. I won’t apologize for doing what I thought was right, what I felt I needed to do in order to protect my family and everyone else I care about. But I also won’t hide my actions from the two people I have left closest to me. So, I sit down on the couch to wait until Mahmen returns.

Ehlena: [The night had been slowly dragging on, still lecturing myself about my attitude towards Wrath. Thankful that he had understood at the way I had lashed out at him. My worry and grief mixed together was never a good thing. I knew I would not be getting much sleep and now it was going to be worse until I saw her again. So I headed back down to where all the injured were. Planning on checking on them, making sure they had everything they needed as well. I knew there were a few who would need their bandages changed too. So that's how I spent the next few hours, spending time with each patient, they needed the comfort just add much as I did. To them they had lost just as much as I did. But their wounds were also physical. Getting the chance to talk to them, gave me the perfect distraction from my own pain. While sitting down with one male, who had fallen asleep while we talked, I found myself drifting off as well. I heard another nurse come in to his area. It was a struggle to open my eyes.”Ehlena, go upstairs. You need to rest just add much as they do.” I started to protest but there wasn't much I could say to argue. Sighing I nodded my head, sleep was needed but I wasn't sure how much of actually get.]

Maddy: *As I sense Mahmen coming down the hall towards our suite, I sit up straight on the couch and feel my anxiety rise. Even though this has to happen, I know this conversation isn’t going to go well and I’m afraid of the rift it’s probably going to cause, however temporarily, between us. When the door opens and I see how worn out Mahmen looks, I almost decide to hold off until she gets some sleep. But then, what would be gained by a delay? She’d be just as upset by my confession if she were fully rested.* Mahmen? Could you come here a minute? There’s something I need to talk to you about…. *I scoot over so she can sit beside me on the couch*

Ehlena: [The door to the rooms we were staying in opened easily, glad for the moment nothing had happened on my trek there. The door closed softly behind me once inside, my exhaustion causing me to miss the frame of mine daughter there on the couch. It was her voice that had me pausing in the path towards the room I was staying in,] Madahlena? [I turned and there she was. Sitting there in her pajamas like she never left. The fact she was there had me pushing the needed sleep from my mind. Moving to where she had indicated for me to join her I gladly did such. Before she could speak I had pulled her to me, relaxing at the fact that she was back here had tears stinging my eyes.]

Madahlena: *Mahmen joins me, and as she hugs me I feel her profound relief- but I’m a bit puzzled as to why she would feel that way. Mentally shrugging off my confusion for the moment, I take a deep breath as I pull back and look at her.* Ok, I have something to tell you. You’re not gonna like it, but I’m not gonna keep secrets from you, and definitely not something like this. *I look up, directly into her eyes. Seeing no reason to sugarcoat my confession, I decide to just say it all flat out.* Mahmen, I went up to the Colony tonight. Not alone! *I say quickly, so that she wouldn’t think I’d been excessively foolish. I had taken some precautions, after all* Trez, iAm, Xhex and Andra went with me. Anyway, the point is that the symphaths know about Dad- I told them he’s gone. I also claimed their throne, so as of tonight I am officially the symphath Queen. We won’t have any problems from them, at least not for a good long while, but I will have to make more trips up there in the near future to solidify my position. But for right now, we’re ok. So, yeah. That’s all I had to tell you… *I sit back and wait, internally bracing myself for an explosion.*

Ehlena: [I sat back and let her talk, she must have forgotten that I was her Mahmen, I would know what she has done and where she would have went. Even if I did not agree with the choices made.] Madahlena, you are already going to know how I feel about you doing such. I was not ready for you to grow up and take this step. It was something that was not supposed to happen for some time yet. But your father's passing…. [I had to stop, cut short because my voice broke and I was fighting tears once again. The time here in the Manse was becoming rough and difficult. After a few moments I managed to calm myself and take a breath.] You shouldn’t have tried to go without my knowing. I am always going to know things. I am your Mahmen, I have watched you grow into the woman you are and while I am not happy about this I know you felt you needed to. [Reaching for her hand there on her lap and giving it a light squeeze.] You are mine daughter, I will always love you.

Maddie:

*I squeeze Mahmen’s hand back, and give her a slightly shaky smile* I love you too, Mahmen. And I know that I should’ve told you what I was doing, but I was afraid you’d try to stop me, or would at least be really upset over it, and I knew that that would make it that much harder to do what I had to do. I just…. I was afraid. Not so much for myself, really, but… well, what if the symphaths had started wondering why it’d been so long since Dad had gone to the colony? What if they’d gotten curious enough about his absence that they sent someone down here to the city to investigate? There’s no telling what they might’ve done if they’d found out about his death on their own, and I couldn’t have borne knowing that something had happened to you or Al, or Nalla or anyone else I love, just because I’d been too afraid to do what I knew I needed to do. It was better to get control of the situation right from the start. I know that I shouldn’t have been in this position for decades yet, if not centuries, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t handle it, or would shirk my duties. Dad and Xhex taught me well. I can do this, Mahmen. I will do this.

Ehlena: Yes I would have been upset, scared, you forget I have been up there myself with Xhex, the brothers, and our King with me. I have seen what they can and will do to those they don't care for. I am always going to have the fear of what they may do to you in the back of my head. That's what being a parent does to you. I still have moments where I see you as the young you once were. But I know you've grown into a strong female. You've got the best of both your father and I. I have seen it since the day you learned to walk, the first time you did not back down from someone being a bully. [That had me chuckling.] Xhex and your father taught you everything you needed to keep yourself strong, safe, and to keep them out of your own head. Remember those teachings each and every time you deal with them. Never show a weakness. Never let that shield have a crack.

Maddy:

I know, Mahmen. I won’t. And believe me, I remember every lesson I was ever taught. My subjects have already found out that I am most definitely Dad’s daughter, and I’m not nearly as weak as they might’ve been thinking just because I’m mostly vampire. *I smirk a little at the memory of my little demonstration up in the colony. Then I realize again how tired Mahmen looks, so I give her a soft smile and lay a hand on her shoulder.* You’ve gotta be wiped, Mahmen, and so am I. Why don’t we both go try to get some sleep? You’ve got your patients to look after, and I’m gonna need all my strength to deal with Alyne when I tell him I went up to the colony without him. Pretrans or not, I know he wanted to go with me to watch my back. He is not gonna be happy with me at all… *I chuckle as I lean over to kiss her cheek* I’ll see you this evening. *With that, I get up and shuffle off to my room, closing the door softly behind me*

Ehlena: I never had any doubt of you being your father's daughter, I just worry about so many different things. Those at the colony getting to you being one. I'm not saying it will happen or that you can't handle things. But I'm your Mahmen it is going to be a worry. [I smiled softly at the touch, it was comforting to know that you had indeed made it back in one piece.] Alyne is not going to be happy with you at all, we.both know this. [I closed my eyes as you kissed my cheek, yes I was tired beyond anything and the patients needed me at my best. With a sigh I nodded my head.] Yes get some sleep Madahlena and I shall do the same. [I watched as she headed to her room here in the Manse before I stood to go to my own. My stride uneven because yes exhaustion had taken over me. It was what had brought me back to the rooms, and it was even stronger now. Shutting mine own door the latch catching and I leaned against it. Oh dear Scribe what was I going to do now?]

#FessingUpToMahmen #ISBDB #RP

[madahlenasqueendom]

Claiming my Throne

Okay, this will probably be the best chance I’ll have to do this for a little while. Mahmen is at work in the clinic, and Alyne is working off some of his grief and frustration down in the gym. I grab my phone and shoot off a group text, then close my eyes and dematerialize.

Appearing in the woods just outside the entrance to the “monastery” that hides the entrance to the symphath colony, I take a deep breath and reach for the calm, the strength and power I would need to show every moment I’m in there. Any sign of weakness, and my symphath brethren would most likely rise up and rip me to shreds in a moment. Then, with a power void at the very top of their societal pecking order, who knows what would happen, what they would do next. They might even decide to go after Al, to be sure that my father’s “tainted” vampiric bloodline would never again hold their throne. I can’t allow that. I have to gain control of the colony and get them under my rule. Now.

And then suddenly, I’m not alone. Xhex and Andra appear to my left, Trez and iAm to my right.  They all look at me.

“You ready for this, girlie?” Trez asks me. I see the belief in me they all have, but I know they’re all worried too. I saw their concern for me when I approached them about coming with me tonight. I was touched by it, but not at all surprised. After all, Xhex and the Shadows has been friends with- all but family to- my Dad for decades before I was even born. So I knew they thought of me and Alyne as a sort of honorary niece and nephew. And Andra was basically a cousin to me and Al.

“Yes. This needs to be done, so I don’t have a choice.” I nod “Ok, let’s do this.”

iAm speaks up. “Do your thing, Maddy. You got this, and we’ve got your back.” I smile at him, then the other three.

“You always have.” I straighten said back and start walking towards the front door, knowing that the Shadows would smoke out and stay close to me all throughout the place, hiding in the shadows (haha). Xhex and Andra, meanwhile, would be hiding in the trees near the entrance, keeping tabs on my emotional grid. If they sensed I needed help, they’d be inside in a heartbeat, guns blazing.

As I make my way through the colony I send out a mental call, compelling every symphath to come to the throne room. I stand on the dais and watch as they all file in and line up.

“Your Highness,” A male in the front row speaks up. “May I ask why you have summoned us here?”

“I have come to tell you that there’s been a change in leadership here. I am no longer your princess.  My father is dead, so I am now your queen!”

The male standing beside the first one who’d spoken pipes up. “But that’s imposs-”

“Impossible? Not at all.” I reply, cutting him off. “My father named me his heir, and I know he made it clear that I, as his firstborn blooded young, was to succeed him. And just in case you think that my- how shall we say this?- my excessive vampiric heritage is a hindrance to my holding the symphath throne, allow me to give you a small demonstration that will show you that you’re very mistaken.” Reaching into the mind of the male who’d objected as Dad and Xhex had taught me, I dig around until I find his biggest fear: drowning, thanks to a trip through the ice of a nearby river when he was very young. My vision warping and going red tinged as I work, I trigger the memory and bring it to the forefront of his mind, keeping him immersed in it until it’s all he can feel, see and hear. Soon, he is lying on the floor, flailing around like he was trying to punch through the ice, gasping as if his lungs really were filling with water, desperate for air. Before he can pass out or have a heart attack or something, I release him. He tries to stand up again, but falls back to his knees, trembling. Fixing a cold, almost cruel smile on my face, I look around and note that every other symphath seems to be almost as frightened of me in this moment as the male I’d made an example of was. Excellent.

“Let there be no mistake here, people. I AM my father’s daughter. Need I remind you what he did to the former princess when he took the throne?” I see and feel a ripple of panic and terror go through the whole group. After all, my father had ruled them for several decades- nearly a century. I knew that even those who hadn’t actually been in that chamber- or maybe hadn’t even been born yet- had to know the story. “If he was willing to do something like that to his own sister, do you honestly believe that I would hesitate to do similar- or perhaps worse- to any one of you?” I noticed my victim trying to scoot further back into the crowd, probably trying to get out of my direct line of sight. Wise male. They really wouldn’t like to know just what I was willing to do to protect those I love.

I reach down inside myself for strength, and use my vampiric heritage for an extra power boost, just like my father once told me he’d done when he did this. He’d been a bonded male protecting his mate, and I was thinking of my mahmen as well. My brother. Aunt Bella and Uncle Z, Nalla and LW. Everyone else I knew and loved in the outside world. I had to protect them all. If I failed in this, my four companions would most likely die with me here tonight, and then as I said, no telling what the sin eaters would do.

I reach out with my mind and- oh yeeeeeah baby, here we GO! My vision flattens out and goes completely red, before shifting to purple. I touch the mind of every symphath in the colony, imprinting every last one of them with the knowledge that I could make them do any little thing I wished. They were my puppets, and me? Well, I held all of their strings. I also branded each of them with the conviction that I intended to rule them just as my father had, and had every intention of doing whatever I needed to- absolutely anything I needed to do- in order to keep my throne. Anyone who thought to challenge me had best ask themselves first if doing so would be worth losing their lives. (An especially frightening proposition for them, I knew, since symphaths raised in the colony don’t believe in any sort of an afterlife at all.)

Almost as one, every symphath in the room bowed to me, staying low. I knew that they feared me, and would obey me and follow my rule, as they had my father. For now, anyway. Releasing them all, I instructed them to go about their days, resuming the tasks or activities I’d interrupted with my arrival. They all filed out of the room, and as soon as they were gone I left. Walking back outside to where Xhex and Andra were hiding, I lean back against the tree trunk and tremble a little from the nerves I hadn’t been able to let myself feel while inside the colony.

“I really did it.’ I say, as Trez and iAm resume corporeal form in front of me, and Xhex and Andra drop down from the branches they’d been perched on. “I almost can’t believe that I actually fucking did it!”

“I knew you had it in you.” Xhex says, giving me her classic smirk. “Your Majesty.”

#ClaimingMyThrone #ImmortalSinners

[madahlenasqueendom]

Time to grieve

Laying out on one of the benches in the Compound’s gardens, staring up at the stars, I still feel stunned. How is it possible that my life has changed so drastically so quickly? My father is dead, sent unto the Fade far too soon. And not only do I have to mourn him, help my mahmen and younger brother through our mutual grief- I have also just inherited his throne. I need to go up to the symphath colony and establish my rule, and it has to be soon- before the race of sociopaths I’m now supposed to rule over begin to question Dad’s extended absence and decide to send an envoy down here to Caldwell to investigate. Who knows what they’ll do if they find out on their own that Dad is dead?

But not tonight, definitely not tonight. I need a little time to be with mahmen and Alyne, Aunt Bella and Nalla while we have Dad cremated, hold his Fade ceremony and the ceremonies for all the rest who fell that night as well. I need a few nights to just be a daughter mourning her sire before I have to also take on the mantle of queen. I’ll go up to the colony by the end of the week, I decide, no later than Wednesday of next week.

Al would want to go with me, I know, but there’s no way in hell I’m going to allow that! Yes, he’s been training in the program too, but not as long as I have. He hasn’t even transitioned yet, for sweet Scribe's sake! Plus, I don’t think I’ll be able to do what I might need to do up north if I have to worry about protecting him. Mahmen has just lost her hellren, and while I may have no choice but to put my own life in a certain amount of danger very soon, I am absolutely NOT ok with risking her losing both of her young. Not at the same time, and definitely not this soon after Dad!

Hmm…. I can’t take my brother with me, but that doesn’t mean I need to go to the Colony alone. Xhex would probably go with me as backup if I asked her to. Trez and iAm too. After all, besides Nalla and Aunt Bella, they’re the closest thing I have to family on Dad’s side, and they can definitely handle themselves in a fight if they have to. I resolve to ask them about it after Dad’s cremation. But right now, I think as tears start falling from my eyes again, it’s still time to just grieve.

#TimeToGrieve #ImmortalSinners

[madahlenasqueendom]

Ehlena breaks the bad news

Ehlena: [It had taken me a few moments to gather myself before I finally had left Wrath's study. I didn't know where to begin when it came to the words I needed for Madahlena and Alyne. How I would be telling them about Rehv. I was dragging my feet as I walked through the expanse of the Manse. I was wanting to hold them to me something fierce, but then at the same time they would know without words something was wrong. They were after all part Symphath and their father had taught them very well how to hold that side in check. Which in return reminded me about that side of him and what all it was capable of, my only regret right now was that we still didn't have enough time together.

I know I needed to tell them before the sun rose, friend and family alike would be here and at our home once night fell again. My heart caught in my throat as I was not sure how home would feel that way without one more there. We would find a way because none of us were the kind to wallow about. Before I had realized it I was standing before the door where we had been offered so all would be safe while the attack happened. Bringing my hands up I again attempted to brush my hair out of my face and wipe away any remnants of the crying I had just been doing. Turning the knob I pushed the door open, the silence inside the room deafening as I wondered if they may have already gone to bed.]

Maddy: *Alyne and I had been hanging out in the suite we usually stay in when here at the Compound, since Dad had insisted on helping out with this rescue mission tonight. We were both restless, so we’d just been trying to settle in and watch movies or read, or play cards. Basically do anything that might prevent us from going stir crazy during the wait and keep us out of the way. Mahmen had left quite a while ago, to help prep the clinic for whatever injuries she and the other healers would have to deal with when the Brothers and the other fighters got back. Al had finally decided to try to get some sleep and had headed off to bed about an hour ago. I’d heard him tossing and turning in the next room for the first 20 minutes or so, but nothing since so he might’ve actually dozed off. Whereas I had been laying here on the couch with a book, acting like I was reading. Then I hear the door opening slowly. I reach out with my mind and recognize my mahmen’s emotional grid- and can also tell that something is very wrong. As I sit up and see the look on her face, I know I’m right.* Mahmen? What’s going on?

Ehlena: [Closing the door I heard movement heart in throat as I heard Madahlena calling out. Asking me what was going on. I knew there was no way I could hide the emotions and turmoil running through me when she looked. She would already know that there was a problem. That things were not quite right. Not even turning on any more lights in the room I made my way over to where she was now sitting. Wrapping my arms around her I held tight. Not able to speak just yet. Wanting to take the comfort of having her here before I had to crush her whole world as well.

Not much time passed before I inhaled deeply, slowly letting out the breath before raising my head and brush my lips over her forehead.] I need you to go and get Alyne, come back here with him. [Reluctantly I released her as I spoke, my voice didn't even sound like my own to myself. No telling how it sounded to my young. I knew she'd be confused, mind going so fast as she tried to figure it all out. The fact I couldn't or wouldn't look at her just yet. She had taken so much after Rehv that I'd see him in her eyes, her face, and I wouldn't be able to keep ahold of the slim grip of control I still had.] Please.

Maddy: *Yeah, ok. Something weird was definitely going on, I think as mahmen comes over and just hugs me without a word, squeezing me tight. I hug her back, wanting to soothe her even though I didn’t know the exact situation yet. Then she lets me go and asks me to go get Al, not sounding like herself at all or even looking directly at me. Seriously, what the hell is happening here? But I know the female I came from well enough to know that she wouldn’t answer any questions I asked until I’d done what she’d asked and fetched my brother. Without a word, I nod and get up and go to Al’s room, shaking him awake- though it takes a couple minutes to get him to stay fully conscious. My brother usually likes to fight sleep, but once he does nod off he generally sleeps like the dead all day. I tell him that mahmen wants to talk to us both, but I didn’t say there was anything wrong. He’d see and sense that for himself soon enough, anyway. He rubs his eyes as he shuffles along beside me as we walk back out into the main room and sit with mahmen on the couch, one on each side of her.* Alright mahmen, I repeat. What’s going on here?

Ehlena: [I tried to think of how I was going to be doing this, telling them about the nightmare we had stepped into. That we would now have to endure until we adjusted to being a family of three. My eyes were closed as I waited, weariness setting in but sleep was not something that would be coming easy this sunup. I heard the sounds before I felt the presence of my young joining me. Pulling Alyne against me as I leaned on Madahlena. Finding a way to take strength from them as they did not move from me.]

Madahlena, Alyne, you remember what this night was about right? The rescue and how many of the males went into this knowing the risks? [Pausing I knew they would say yes, how could they not? I was certain they both picked up on everyone’s emotions as they were all over the place leading up until the male and female warriors took off. Then those of us who stayed behind waiting and worrying.] They have returned and the losses were far greater than we could have.. [I trailed off the lump in my throat building once again, swallowing I tried to move past it but it stayed there and made talking difficult.] Many were hurt, your father.. he… [I couldn't say it a sob passed my lips and I dropped my head tears falling once more.]

Maddy: *I wrap my arms around Mahmen as she leans on me and clings to Al, laying my head on her shoulder. I can’t help but sense her emotions right now. This was BAD. Not that I didn’t know that already, but wow... the grief I feel rolling off of her is all-consuming, nearly overwhelming. I begin to have a nagging suspicion of what she’s trying to tell us, but I push it back and hold onto the hope that I am somehow horribly mistaken. Oh sweet Scribe, please let me be mistaken….* OK Mahmen, we’re all here, and we’ll deal with this together. How bad are Dad’s injuries?

Ehlena: [I shook my head at her words, tightening my grip to the point I was sure that they would soon he complaining about it. I tried to calm down enough to speak, but my voice was lost at this moment. Madahlena’s question about Rehv sent a pain through my heart. Crying out I shook my head before managing to finally get out the words even though my voice was barely above a whisper.] Gone Madahlena, he's….gone. [I took a breath knowing that there was going to be questions and outbursts from them. Letting up my hold on them so they could move I brought a hand up to wipe my eyes for the hundredth time at least that night.] I don't know everything but Wrath has confirmed it.

Maddy: *I feel like I can’t breathe as the words mahmen said sink in. Of all the times for me to be right! How could this be possible…? I shake my head- wanting to deny it, to call my father and hear his voice over the connection, to run down to the clinic and see him lying in a hospital bed there, injured maybe, but still alive. But no, I know that’s just wishful thinking. Mahmen would never lie about something like this, and emotions don’t lie either. There’s no way that the grief I was feeling from her could be faked. And if Dad were still alive, but even seriously injured, she wouldn’t feel like this. She would be stressed out and really worried maybe, but definitely not drowning in grief. Feeling Alyne’s emotions too, matching my own- the shock and automatic denial, the stunned disbelief as he reaches out with his mind and comes to the same conclusions I have. This is real. I feel myself trembling as I look back at Mahmen, and try to blink away the tears making my vision blurry and pink tinged when I speak* Dad is… d-dead?

Ehlena: [I could only watch as both my young process what I told them. I knew they wished to deny it, tell me I was wrong, but once they reached out they would see that I wasn't hiding anything. It didn't bother me at all that they would do what their father taught them when it came to quickly learning the truth.] Wrath has no reason to lie to Bella or me, he called me from the PT Suite to tell us at the same time. [It took a few tries, a sob would escape every so often as I spoke. They didn't deserve to lose their father so soon, there was still so much they needed to learn. I would have to do what I could from now on. I was going to have to try to figure out a way to continue on, even if it was just for my young. Where my heart once resided was a giant hole where my Hellren had always been. The ache of missing him already was beginning to be too much.] We are going to stay here at the Manse for a bit longer, Nalla is waiting to see you too Maddy.

Maddy: *I nod as I reach around to hug both mahmen and Alyne. Nalla…. Aunt Bella and Uncle Z…. Yes, it’s a good thing that we’ll be staying here for a while. We’ll all need the support of family now, and everyone else here in the Compound’s household, to get through this. But right now, I just can’t muster the motivation to go find mine cousin- and her hellren, since I’m dead sure that LW won’t want to be letting her out of his sight for the next little while. All I can do is close my eyes and lay my head on mahmen’s shoulder as the tears come.

#EhlenaBreaksTheBadNews #ImmortalSinners #BDB